Kubota M59 Hard Steering when cold

Pushrodder · Feb 23, 2022

Thanks for that diagram and information. I believe you are right about that. I will get a gauge and some fittings and test pressure. I won't be able to flow test but hopefully pressure will tell me where the loss is.

Hersheyfarm · Feb 23, 2022

Well I hope its something simple like a check valve. I got rid of my m62 to get a kx040 but if they do a factory cab i will be back to the m59/m62 platform. The m62 was hard to get rid of with such a small machine that dug 14’.

Pushrodder · Feb 25, 2022

Thanks for all the help. I did just fix my problem and it is amazing what it was. I was going to check the pump pressure before and after the steering controller which is located below the steering wheel by the floorboard behind the lower shield. As soon as I got in there and exposed it I saw some rust on the steering wheel shaft splines which was strange. So I dropped the controller off of the steering shaft and the steering wheel was just as tight as before. That bearing below the steering wheel shaft u-joint froze up. It is mounted to the top of the hydraulic steering controller. I just replaced it and the tractor steers with one finger now! I am not sure it ever steered this easy before. I used a slightly different bearing that is sealed on both sides now so it shouldn't be able to get water or dust inside it again. If you own an M59 and the steering is the least bit stiff I would check this out. Thanks everyone for the help!

Hersheyfarm · Feb 25, 2022

Holy crap thats good.

as far as what I experienced weight in the bucket made it hard to steer. Full bucket of gravel in soft dirt you were not turning the steering.