Slow Power Steering

strum456 · Dec 26, 2017

2 of my tractors have what I would call slow power steering. The steering assist works, but if you try to turn the wheel fast, there is a lot of resistance. RPMs don't seem to affect the 841 (you could run it wide open and the steering doesn't work any better). Running the engine faster does help the 4610. Both tractors have Traviller UTF in the power steering. Both tractors have been flushed and new fluid added. The 4610 has had a new filter installed.

I am thinking that the UTF is too viscous to be used as power steering fluid. I was thinking of trying a thinner fluid, but I don't know what to try.

Rocky J · Dec 27, 2017

I have a Case that uses Type F automatic transmission fluid and warns that Type A will make it spongy and soft . In fact it uses the Type F in the hydraulic drive and loader. I bought mine from Rural King ,a farm store in Indiana / Illinois .

Soundguy · Jan 11, 2018

strum456 said:
2 of my tractors have what I would call slow power steering. The steering assist works, but if you try to turn the wheel fast, there is a lot of resistance. RPMs don't seem to affect the 841 (you could run it wide open and the steering doesn't work any better). Running the engine faster does help the 4610. Both tractors have Traviller UTF in the power steering. Both tractors have been flushed and new fluid added. The 4610 has had a new filter installed.

I am thinking that the UTF is too viscous to be used as power steering fluid. I was thinking of trying a thinner fluid, but I don't know what to try.

utf is fine for a ford power steering of that era, however them old pumps will run on atf fluid as well.

strum456 · Jan 11, 2018

Soundguy said:
utf is fine for a ford power steering of that era, however them old pumps will run on atf fluid as well.

Can you think of any other reason why I would need to "wait" for the power steering to keep up with a fast turn? It gets worse when it's cold out, so I was thinking it is a viscosity issue. I thought of trying ATF in my 841 because the pump on it is off of a 1977 Ford Truck. I think those actually call for ATF, but I didn't know if the ATF would cause a problem for the steering box on the tractor.