Kubota M59 Hard Steering when cold

[Pushrodder]

Good evening! I am new to this forum or any type of forum for that matter. A little out of my element but I hope someone has had the same issue and can help me out. I have a Kubota M59 TLB and just overnight the steering is hard just like no power steering. I lift the wheels off the ground and it is still the same. It is really hard to steer cold but gets better but not 100 percent correct when hot and using it harder while loading dirt. All of the other hydraulics seem fine. There are no leaks anywhere. I thought it could be fluid or filters so I just changed the three hydraulic filters underneath and new fluid from Kubota. I thought it might be the steering cylinder but that didn't add up that it gets better warm. The next thought was the controller or a stuck bypass but I don't want to just throw parts at it. It definitely isn't any mechanical steering bind. The tractor has 700 hours on it. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Dennis

 

[Smokeydog]

If you lift the front wheels off the ground with the FEL, to they turn easily? Front axle lube? I think with the wheels up and engine off I can turn, angle the wheels.

 

[Hersheyfarm]

I noticed my my m59 and m62 were weak with the power steering. Mainly when buckets were loaded, you couldn’t turn steering unless you were moving. But yours sounds pretty bad I think the street has its own pump. I wonder if yours is going out.

 

[ljjhouser]

Welcome to TBN. Don't know about your model. Does it have 4wd? It may be an issue of hydraulics. But I think I would take a little lube out of the front axle gears to see what they looked like. Could it a bearing issue there?

 

[oldnslo]

Typically hard steering is lack of flow and or pressure to the steering unit. Any way to check pressure on the steering circuit. Might have to turn full lock to build pressure.

would be nice to have hydraulic schematic to see if brakes are on the same circuit.

 

[Pushrodder]

If you lift the front wheels off the ground with the FEL, to they turn easily? Front axle lube? I think with the wheels up and engine off I can turn, angle the wheels.

I lift my front wheels with the loader and it is still the same. the front axle lube is full and very clear. Yes, if the engine is off I can turn the wheels both ways and it takes about the same pressure as it does running.

 

[Pushrodder]

I noticed my my m59 and m62 were weak with the power steering. Mainly when buckets were loaded, you couldn’t turn steering unless you were moving. But yours sounds pretty bad I think the street has its own pump. I wonder if yours is going out.

I believe it is the steering controller, pump or bypass but not sure which. It is definitely hydraulic related

 

[Smokeydog]

Greasing the wheel hub support bearings? I use a needle thru the boot to grease the tie rod ends. Bent steering cylinder rod? Trace the hydraulic lines to see any pinch or kink?
Service manual to check pump pressure.

 

[Hersheyfarm]

I believe it is the steering controller, pump or bypass but not sure which. It is definitely hydraulic related

Agreed. I’m not savvy enough to figure out which one but I’d wager it’s steering pump. The machine has 2 pumps plus a specific steering pump.

it’s not lube related imo.
On edit here is the power steering system. You can see the 2 feed lines. I may be wrong about it’s own pump. The reason it sticks with me about having its own hydraulics is because I thought it was mentioned when my m59 lost both hydro pumps at 75hr. When I think back the steering was also effected it seems. The way it started for me me is loader got real weak. If it does not have its own pump then it’s tied to one of the 2 pumps. Check backhoe for strength. The swing is separate from all other functions, so try to move dirt sideways and dig to see if both circuits are strong. If they are and there is no separate pump it’s probably one of the components in diagram. Would help to put guage on lines that feed steering controller then guage on line going to cylinder. Like I said the steering on these are kinda weak to begin with for what they can carry

 

[mikester]

Some more detail for you