power steering fluid overheat

[vafarmgirl]

i have been using my new holland tc29d tractor with a belly mower to mow/mulch leaves in my horse paddocks and yard. this entails turning lots of tight circles or tight 180 degree turns. is this what is causing my power steering fluid to overheat? it actually blew the dipstick plug out of the cylinder and spewed hydraulic fluid all inside the hood of my tractor. i just replaced the plug with a new, better filling one and am hoping this will fix the issue. has anyone else had this problem??

 

[Navasot]

So is it a power steering pump system or is it tied in with the hydraulics like a universal system. Wondering since you said power steering fluid and then it blew hyd. oil every were?

 

[RickB]

Probably a sign of contaminated fluid and a plugged filter more than overheated oil. Ever change the fluid/filter? if so, what fluid are you using?

 

[vafarmgirl]

i'm not completely sure. there is a power steering reservoir which is serviced with hydraulic fluid. it is a separate reservoir from the rest of the hydraulic system. i just changed the fluid and the filter last spring (about 100 hrs ago).

 

[RickB]

i'm not completely sure. there is a power steering reservoir which is serviced with hydraulic fluid. it is a separate reservoir from the rest of the hydraulic system. i just changed the fluid and the filter last spring (about 100 hrs ago).

You changed the power steering filter? Did you add New Holland 134 hydraulic oil?

 

[vafarmgirl]

yep - changed the power steering filter and added 134 hydraulic oil. i have had this tractor for 11 years and have never had this problem (but in the past i have used a lawn tractor to mulch leaves.) am i simply putting too much demand on the system?

 

[hosspuller]

If you are holding the steering to the lock, the power steering fluid is being bypassed through the pressure relief valve. This is an excellent way to heat the fluid. Try holding the steering just before the system goes into relief when making a turn...

 

[vafarmgirl]

ah - i did not know that. i have been doing lots of steering to the lock lately. i will try to be more gentle!!
how do i know when the system goes into relief?

 

[Soundguy]

when the steering cyls max out on their travel, and engine is running, pump is turning, and oil has to go somewhere. cyls stop.. so relief opens.

 

[oldnslo]

ah - i did not know that. i have been doing lots of steering to the lock lately. i will try to be more gentle!!
how do i know when the system goes into relief?

Typically you can feel it on the steering wheel. While sitting stationary or driving slowly turn the wheel to the stop. You should feel a change in resistance just shortly before the stop and holding it against the stop. This change is when you are starting to force oil over the relief valve.

 

[RickB]

Typically you can feel it on the steering wheel. While sitting stationary or driving slowly turn the wheel to the stop. You should feel a change in resistance just shortly before the stop and holding it against the stop. This change is when you are starting to force oil over the relief valve.

Very good info, and probably a finger squarely on the cause of the problem given the correct fluid and recent filter has been verified.

 

[DJP]

You changed the power steering filter? Did you add New Holland 134 hydraulic oil?

HI RICKB; can anyone help me... i have a mahindra 4500 2wd, and for the second time i have replaced my tractor HSU(steering box under the steering wheel), twice and have a new HSU and still having the same problem. As I run my tractor cutting,, my steering wheel began to get stiffer turning,, and the wheel can turn around and around and the front tires is barely turning or not turning at all. The first time i removed the HSU, the HSU was leaking from the top of the HSU, and leaking under my steering wheel. I had the HSU top seal replaced, I reinstalled the HSU myself, and i drove the tractor, for some time, and I began to notice the tractor will not make sharp turns, but will make wide turns. Again I start hearing a boiling or frying noise, it sound like it coming from the HSU. For some reason my power steering fluid reservoir box is getting supper hot. From my internet search hot steering fluid will cause steering problems. Can anyone inform me what is making my power steering reservoir or power steering fluid to overheat. When i let the tractor sit over night or a day or two, and can get on the tractor and steer right and left sharp for about 10 mins, and again the steering gets stiffer and later will not turn the front wheels at all.I also feel a little hit/knock in the steering wheel before this happen... Please someone give me some advice.......

 

[hosspuller]

DJP.: You'll get better response from a new thread with the problem and tractor in the title.

I would first check the steering by disconnecting the cylinder and jacking the front to take the weight off. Perhaps something is jamming it. Second, while the cylinder is disconnected, run the engine and check its operation.

I suspect since you have a new HSU, either the steering is over loaded and relieving (heating the fluid) or the cylinder is leaking internally (heating the fluid)

 

[Bavarian]

In the semi truck world, some trucks have a power steering cooler installed while most of them do without. Most likely you can find those in a Volvo.
There could be a solution for overheating.
I don't know how they are plumbed in the system.

 

[RalphVa]

If this is happening this much, the tractor world should go to electric steering like is in the majority of vehicles now being produced.