224 steering question.

[TSMART]

A couple time now, I have seen my front wheels go almost 90 degrees off straight. I was working in florida sugar sand while making hard turns I noticed this. I make a loop to the left and the right front wheel goes almost 90 ....Aren't there some kind of stops or limiters to control maximum throw? Or do I have something wrong with power steering? Maybe its me but this just doesnt seem right. I feel I could turn too far and break the axle or the CV. Yet even when at this far limit the CV is working, pulling the tractor in 4WD.

 

[greg_g]

Yup. There should be an adjustable stop bolt inside each front wheel. They move right and left with the wheel, hitting a stop point when you turn the wheel too far. The bolt on the left hits a hard stop when you turn too far left, the one on the right when you turn too far right. If you're floppin' all the way over to near 90, you might have lost one or both stop bolts.

//greg//

 

[Momboy007]

Hello Greg, Could you explain where this stop is exactly? My jinma 304 turns terrible, really really terrible turning radius, is this normal or could I have a mechanical stop set incorrectly?

BTW, you new tractor looks very nice

Rick

 

[greg_g]

Can't help with 300 series specifics, sorry. My last two tractors had the stop bolts threaded into the inside faces of the final drive housings. Best I can advise is to park the tractor, then stand between the engine and one of the front wheels - facing forward. Let's say the left one. Look down at the drive hub, then for a bolt that seems to be sticking out too far to the right. Note that if/when you turn the steering wheel, that bolt moves closer to some kind of stop plate. Mine struck a cast pieced on the axle housing, which stopped the wheel from turning any farther to the left. It might also be designed to work in conjunction with the steering knuckle, I just don't know the 300 series that well. The other side should do the same thing when the steering wheel is turned to the right

Anyway. If/when you figure out how yours is configured. Screwing the bolt farther in lets the wheel continue to turn farther before striking, screwing it out farther stops the turn sooner. If no such bolt or bolts are apparent, look for an empty threaded hole that might at one time have held such a bolt.

//greg//

 

[Diamondpilot]

I am not arguing with you Greg but my 2003 Jinma 284 does not have this. I have little pads cast into the axle and final drives that hit each other. I am not 100% sure this is right because I am on the road right now but do not remember it having any adjustable bolts.

I guess they make changes they progress.

Chris

 

[greg_g]

I am not arguing with you Greg but my 2003 Jinma 284 does not have this.

Well then, I may have assumed too much. I described the steering stops on my last two tractors. I did have two Jinmas before them, but apparently have been ascribing traits incorrectly.

But given that you have fixed mechanical stops, I'm then at a loss to fathom why the OP front wheels - as described - seem like they want to turn till they're nearly perpendicular to the longitudinal line. And I guess then we're both outa our league on the 300 series question.

//greg//

 

[TTTTTT]

My DF354 has mechanical stops. Don't know if the Jinma is the same



Dave

 

[Rich Waugh]

I just looked at my 2007 Jinma 304 earlier when I was using it and saw mechanical stops as part of the castings. I think it depends primarily on the steering cylinder to control things, as mine does have a tendency to try to flop if I get a wheel caught in a deep runt or something when turning tightly. Never goes to 90 degrees, though!

 

[Diamondpilot]

My DF354 has mechanical stops. Don't know if the Jinma is the same



Dave

Mine are just like yours in that picture on my Jinma 284.

Chris

 

[greg_g]

I think it depends primarily on the steering cylinder to control things, as mine does have a tendency to try to flop if I get a wheel caught in a deep runt or something when turning tightly.

Well, here's a thought then - a possible mod to consider. Drill and tap one of the contact areas and install your own stop bolt and jam nut. I think mine were M14 - possibly grade 10.9 - and were threaded into the wheel side.

//greg//

 

[TTTTTT]

Also if the wheels are extending that far is or has there already been damage to the steering cylinder from being over extended? Also possible are there other parts lke the tie rod ends that are becoming loose with much more play. (did happen to me with total steering loss). Probably not a bad idea to check over all the steering parts in the front end.

Dave

 

[Rich Waugh]

Excellent point! After a steering failure on my 304, I discovered that I'd not properly set up the steering initially ( steering cylinder came loose) and that the tie rod ends are actually adjustable and needed to be tightened. Doing things up properly made a huge difference in steering control.

I would not undertake to add adjustable stop bolts to my steering as the cast stop bosses are too small to allow drilling and tapping for a bolt - the resulting loss of material would render the whole thing very fragile.

 

[TSMART]

well look at this. One pic taken on right side, one on left side. (as I am in drivers seat)..you see an obvious stop on the left wheel casting, but look at the right, (the one that goes whacky)...you see no stop present on the casting. So it makes me wonder if that "stop" on the wheel housing is actually a welded on piece of metal. Cause if it is, then somebody missed mine....

Tomorrow I will get the front end off the ground and rotate on the axis to see if I am right.

 

[Rich Waugh]

Not much chance of those stop bosses being welded on - those are castings, not forgings and would not respond well to welding (think, big cracks).