LK3054 steering adjustment

OFarrell · Oct 22, 2008

My Kioti turns much tighter to the right than to the left. How do I adjust the steering? Is it as simple as pulling the pitman arm and adjusting or is there something else?

Patches · Oct 22, 2008

I don't know what would cause that as the tractor has hydrostatic steering; that is, it has no "steering box".The steering is accomplished by hydraulic pressure being applied to the appropriate steering cylinder, either left or right.You could look at the steering cylinders and rods to see if perhaps one of them is bent, more than likely the left

wallace · Oct 23, 2008

I haven't work on a 3054 in over 150 years so it may or may not pertain to your machine.
Check on the inside of the hub and see if you see a bolt with a jam nut on it sticking out that is the bump stop you may have had one side loosen up and that will create your problem.

JoelD · Oct 24, 2008

Obviously the LK3054 must be well build if Rick's not seen one in the shop for a while (posted by an Lk3054XS TLB owner). PS, Rick, the box blade works great!! Nothing farms rocks better.

Joel

Patches · Oct 24, 2008

More than likely means he doesn't sell/hasn't sold many of them

OFarrell · Oct 27, 2008

I've got the older style tractor before Kioti switched to hydraulic rams for the steering. This tractor has a hydraulic assist steering box. When I turn the wheel lock to lock neither of the jam bolts make contact. I'll try to get some pictures tomorrow.

Patches · Oct 28, 2008

Did this problem just (appear), or has it been ongoing? Either way, after checking for obvious damage to the steering gear(drag link,tie rods,etc) I would count the turns lock to lock, center the wheel between the extremes,pull and reposition the pitman arm

This doesn't explain how it got out of sync, but gets you back to center

JoelD · Oct 28, 2008

Patches said:
More than likely means he doesn't sell/hasn't sold many of them

I got that part, as an owner of one was looking at the glass half full.

Patches · Oct 29, 2008

Yah, I hear ya. If I read a post relating woes with a 3054, I won't even look at mine when I go into the garage

I just hope someone posts a "happy time" 3054 post before I need to use the tractor

OFarrell · Oct 29, 2008

Patches said:
Did this problem just (appear), or has it been ongoing? Either way, after checking for obvious damage to the steering gear(drag link,tie rods,etc) I would count the turns lock to lock, center the wheel between the extremes,pull and reposition the pitman arm This doesn't explain how it got out of sync, but gets you back to center

It's been like that since I bought the tractor used a few years ago. I'm just now getting around to fixing it. I started with the engine, trans and front axle, now i'm on to steering.

iwanta · Nov 8, 2008

Patches said:
Yah, I hear ya. If I read a post relating woes with a 3054, I won't even look at mine when I go into the garage I just hope someone posts a "happy time" 3054 post before I need to use the tractor

I thought the LK3054 were know to be a very basic but reliable tough little tractors, sounds here like people think differently, I'm interested because I was thinking of getting a LK30 so is there something I should know

JoelD · Nov 8, 2008

I'm very pleased with my machine, starts every time, no matter how cold, loader is very strong, and bockhoe works great and is very easy to take on and off. I also think the backhoe frame mount is one of the best designs around. Up high and tight to the tractor.

I really like my machine. Stronger than a B21 but a whole lot less money, particularly used.

Not sure how you go wrong with a 4 year warranty on new?

Good luck,
Feel free to PM with any specific questions.

Joel

Patches · Nov 8, 2008

I've not experienced any serious problems since the dealer swapped out the hydraulic pump, which was not supposed to have a problem, but wouldn't curl the backhoe bucket in live sand after being in use for 15/20 minutes. I still have a cold start issue if the temp is below freezing, but that is mitigated by the use of a lower hose heater that I was told was "unnecessary". I'll agree with Joel, the tractor is a robust unit, works well, now, and hopefuly will for many years to come

iwanta · Nov 9, 2008

JoelD said:
Not sure how you go wrong with a 4 year warranty on new?

Joel

Sadly the warranty here in OZ is half that, 2 years

but it still beats most other brands, Mahindra is 3 years but are many $ more like $25 000 for the LK30 with 4 in 1 bucket compared to $32 000

for the 3015 Mahindra, The CK35 is around $30 000 with the 4 in 1 bucket. Yanmar is offering 2 years as well but I cant even fit in the just released EF352, my Knee kept knocking the forward reverse lever while test driving it

, even the dealer trying to make the sale said it wasn't the tractor for me [and then tried to steer me towards the EF453 which would be great if it wasn't $10 000 dearer

] they sure never made them for 6' people, also the EF352 wouldn't lift its own front wheels off the ground with the loader which seemed a bit weak

, The LK30 had no problem doing that. I did daydream about a DK55, still small enough to maneuver about most places and all the power and lift capacity I would ever need on the 50 acres but since my budget will be stretched to make the LK30 I guess the LK30 will be my new pride and joy which is a huge step up from my little Yanmar YM1500 17hp with no loader. Most of my tasks don't require a large tractor, in fact most suit a more compact maneuverable tractor so a DK55 [which I could never afford anyway so is a mute point] would be more of a hindrance than a help, bigger isnt always better

JoelD · Nov 9, 2008

It's always interesting to hear about the differences from country to country.

I've seen some very slightly used LK30's out there for big discounts from new, nice thing about the longer warranty is it reduces your risk in buying a used machine.

Good luck either new or used.

I do find my machine (essentially the same as the LK30) very capable and very well proportioned.

Sincerely,
Joel

cshowers · Nov 15, 2020

Did you resolve your hard steering when turning to the right? I have this same issue with my LK3054. I would really like to hear from anyone who has fixed this problem.
Other posts have identified the problem, but I have not been able to find how to fix the power steering not working when turning from center to the right.

cshowers · Nov 15, 2020

How did you fix your hard steering when going from center to the right? I have this same problem with my LK3054.

I have seen other posts describing that turning left the power steering is working correctly. When turning from center to the right the steering is very hard or tight. The descriptions indicate that power steering is not working and a gerotor pump takes over as a back-up device for steering.

I would like to hear from someone who has a fix for the hard steering when turning right.

K5lwq · Nov 16, 2020

Cs if you start a new thread you will get more help. Includes things like any work you have done to the steering lately? Did this happen all at once or has it gotten worse over time? Things like that. I will watch for a new thread and try to help.