My Hydraulic steering confuses me

[bmklawt]

I have a mini articulated loader. For the steering, it uses a hydrostatic steering valve with P, T, A, and B ports. The P port is connected to pressure, the T port to tank. Port A is connected to the cap side of steering cylinder 1, and port B is connected to the cap side of steering cylinder 2. The rod sides of cylinders 1 and 2 are connected together with a hose.
Seems odd to me, but I know very little about hydraulics, how do you get oil into the rod side of the cylinders and the hose

how do you fill with oil the rod side of the cylinders and the hose.

 

[bmklawt]

 

[ptsg]

They're just using double acting cylinders as single acting. Having the rod side ports connected together just prevents moisture and what not from getting in if those ports had a vent instead.

Also, if the piston seals decide to leak, it will keep the mess contained.

 

[404nouser]

On the bail squeeze beds plumbed like this there's normally a t fitting for the middle line.

You put a hose on the plugged port of the t.
Put the other end in a container of oil.
Work the cylinder to get out all the air and fill one cylinder/get it all the way one way.
Fight with it until it's right
Plug it
Try again the next day because it wasn't right.

 

[zzvyb6]

Oil easily gets thru the rod seals until both chambers are filled. Snow plow angle cylinders work the same way, with a mechanical connection instead of the hose. Just to be safe, you should turn the steering wheel back & forth to full lock a dozen or so times to ensure all of the air has been pushed out. Otherwise, the machine will aimlessly drift as you try to drive straight.