45 HST Steering Noise

nc redneck · Jan 23, 2014

Just wanted to get some input from other owners. My 45 has always made when turning the steering wheel a pump cavitation type sound when cold. Sounds a lot like a car that is low on power steering fluid. When warmed up or the weather is hot it is greatly reduced or gone. Never had any resistance or problems turning wheel. With the recent cold weather we have had it seems louder. Tractor is a 2006 with almost 900 hours on it.
Would like to here your input or thoughts.
Thanks
Scott

Lloyd_E · Jan 23, 2014

When it does warm up (now-winter) does the sound go away? Mine does the same thing once and a while but I usually check hydraulic fluid and top up if needed and the sound goes way.

nc redneck · Jan 23, 2014

Lloyd
Thanks for reply. In the summer time I only hear it for the first few minutes of operating, then it goes aweigh. I always check HST fluid if I hear it. One time I did a slight overfill but it made no difference. Glad to hear your newer model does the same thing.
When I first bought it I had issues with front 4 wheel drive. Dealer repaired but lost HST dip stick. Replaced it no charge ( also left both front wheel lugs lose) I have always wondered if he got me the correct dip stick.
Mine is about 1/4 inch wide and will read high or low depending on how it is inserted in HST tube.

seacap04 · Jan 31, 2014

My 07 DK45 SE HST dip stick is the same. When I first got the tractor I would pull the dip stick and it was at add. I would ck the tractor for leaks, (none),. Add oil a qt at a time. Overfill first qt! As far as I can determine, dip stick only measures 1st pint of fluid. For a 10 gal sump add fluid should be at a gallon. Temp changes in my area can account for a pint.

nc redneck · Jan 31, 2014

seacap04 and LIoyd_E
Have you noticed the reading you get off of dipstick, depending on what direction it is pointed ? I get from full to low depending on 90 degree insertion. I have repeated many times with no difference. Ended up going with highest reading as overfill did not make any difference.
Thanks
Scott

Lloyd_E · Feb 1, 2014

Haven't checked but will. With 900 hours on your DK have you adjusted the clutch yet?

Thanks Scott...

nc redneck · Feb 1, 2014

LIoyd_E
Mine is HST no need to adjust clutch. Still going strong at 900 hours, knock on wood.
Thanks Scott

PS Like your name wonder why ?????

DK35vince · Feb 1, 2014

Lloyd_E said:
With 900 hours on your DK have you adjusted the clutch yet?.

I have 1825 hours on my DK 35. Its has not needed a clutch adjustment yet.

Lloyd_E · Feb 2, 2014

Scott... my names stems from my high school nickname. My friends couldn't spell my name(Lloyd = Loyde, Lloyde, Llyode etc) and after many variations came up with - pronounced "lee-old-dee" and when we get together someone always says it... I shortened it to Lloyd_E... "Lloydy". My middle name is Emmerson... hence the "E". Now that I think about it - it doesn't really make a lot of sense lol...

DK35, When I let my clutch out it only engages at the top end - pedal almost out. It is not slipping - lots of power. The travel is more than what the manual suggests. When I look at the connecting yoke, the yoke is at the end of the thread closet to the untapped section of the rod. If has lots of thread in the opposite direction towards the end or tip. In the couple of services over the years I can't remember the techs adjusting the clutch - only the brakes. I have just over 1200 hours now...

Lloyd_E · Feb 4, 2014

nc redneck said:
Lloyd
Thanks for reply. In the summer time I only hear it for the first few minutes of operating, then it goes aweigh. I always check HST fluid if I hear it. One time I did a slight overfill but it made no difference. Glad to hear your newer model does the same thing.
When I first bought it I had issues with front 4 wheel drive. Dealer repaired but lost HST dip stick. Replaced it no charge ( also left both front wheel lugs lose) I have always wondered if he got me the correct dip stick.
Mine is about 1/4 inch wide and will read high or low depending on how it is inserted in HST tube.

I just checked mine. And yes depending on insertion, the fluid is 1/4" high or low. I do have to top it up a bit...