Kubota steering question

[ns_in_tex]

L4610 HSTC, 3777 hrs.
Once in a great while we loose steering. Steering wheel just free wheels & tractor goes on its merry way for 5 seconds or so. Then goes back to normal operation. What could be causing this?

 

[Grandad4]

My L4610 did something similar, again only on rare occasions. It would act like the power assist stopped working for a second or two, then recover on its own. The explanation was that there is a single hydraulic pump supplying steering, 3 point lift, FEL and any other hydraulic attachment. Once in a while the demand would peak momentarily and would cause this glitch in the power steering. Yours may or may not be the same thing, although mine never went away for 5 seconds.
* Check that the hydraulic fluid level is not low.
* When were the hydraulic fluid and filters last changed, and what fluid was used? Kubota SUDT2 or equivalent premium grade hydraulic fluid highly recommended; stay away from the discount store generic stuff.
* Do you get any similar hiccups in operating the FEL or the 3 point?
* If the fluid and the other hydraulic circuits are OK, you may be looking at something with the power steering setup itself, either in the steering controller or the steering cylinder.

 

[Tx Jim]

Grandad4
From viewing L4610 parts catalog it appears L4610 has a 2 stage hyd pump with 2 sets of gears. From viewing hyd line configurations I think 1 part is for steering & other hyd functions but would need access to WSM to know for sure. If only 1 hyd pump operates steering & 3 pt/fel normally hyd system has a priority valve to be sure steering has hyd pressure priority over other hyd functions

 

[George the Beagle]

Kubota SUDT2 or equivalent premium grade hydraulic fluid highly recommended; stay away from the discount store generic stuff.

So what would be an equivalent premium grade hydraulic fluid? I've no problem using SUDT except that it's pricey.

 

[RickB]

V

So what would be an equivalent premium grade hydraulic fluid? I've no problem using SUDT except that it's pricey.

Savings are pretty insignificant when you compare the low hyd oil capacity of your BX to the potential cost of repairs from using inferior oil. You might get lucky and save $35 on an oil change. That will not pay the diagnostic time for a transmission problem. Deere Low Viscosity HyGard might be an alternative.

 

[ovrszd]

V

Savings are pretty insignificant when you compare the low hyd oil capacity of your BX to the potential cost of repairs from using inferior oil. You might get lucky and save $35 on an oil change. That will not pay the diagnostic time for a transmission problem. Deere Low Viscosity HyGard might be an alternative.

I changed my M9540 at 500hrs. Used a farm store brand. Supposedly the same stuff as Kubota UDT. When cold cranked the power steering howled for at least a minute. Trans shifted harder.

At 1,000hrs I changed it again and used SUDT2. All those problems went away. Everything works smoother and quieter.

No way the cost savings of the cheaper oil was worth it.

There may be alternatives that work just as well. But I am going to experiment to find them.

 

[ns_in_tex]

Thanks to all for your answers,

Just for your info,
We have never used Kubota fluid. Don't remember what we used the first half of its life, but for the last 7 years we have used Tractor Supply premium hydraulic/transmission fluid in the black 5 gal cans.

Might also mention, I expect we work the FEL & steering hydraulics harder than most. We do a lot of grapple work with it.

 

[MHarryE]

Appears to be problem in hand metering unit. My WSM shows the Lxx10 all have 2 section pumps, one for steering, the other for everything else. Requirement is you must not have anything in circuit that can take away from steering. That really pinpoints the HMU unless the problem comes at full lock. In that case there may be a possible cylinder defect that allows oil to flow through.

 

[David_Kb7uns]

Check the center seal in the steering cylinder.

 

[Grandad4]

Grandad4
From viewing L4610 parts catalog it appears L4610 has a 2 stage hyd pump with 2 sets of gears. From viewing hyd line configurations I think 1 part is for steering & other hyd functions but would need access to WSM to know for sure. If only 1 hyd pump operates steering & 3 pt/fel normally hyd system has a priority valve to be sure steering has hyd pressure priority over other hyd functions

Thanks for the correction. I sold off the farm & equipment a while back but remembered the steering glitch.

Always used SUDT2... Pricey but worth it IMHO.