Noisy steering on JD 4120

[CrownHawg]

Well, I posted this on the JD forum several days ago and I stumped them so....

I recently acquired a 4120 w/FEL and have been getting acquainted with it (read playing). It was 2 yrs old with about 280 hours when I bought it about 2 months ago. Everything seems to be fine with it however I have started to notice the steering can get a little noisy at times. As I understand, it has two pumps (one for hydraulics and one for steering). I have checked the fluids and they look fine. The noise may just be normal but it seems to whine a little more when unloaded (not steering). It will quiet up when I turn the wheel but go back to whining when I straighten up. Is this noise normal?

 

[RWolf]

Not completly sure but I think the hydraulic pump is a variable displacement type. The whine you hear is probably the bypass valve and I think it's normal. You might need to check hydraulic filters and maybe do a fluid change to be sure.

Hope this helps.