Steering linkage ~ missing boot?

[Coyote machine]

Driver's side steering rack. Starting at wheel working toward center of tractor. Tie rod end with rubber boot enclosing it. Then another boot over a ball joint? (machine not in front of me so hard to recall exact layout); then a chrome plated shaft about an inch in diameter going toward and into rack. Is THIS shaft supposed to be covered by some sort of boot, or is it bare and open to the elements?
I ask because mine is bare and I don't remember ever seeing a bare shaft in this area before. I may well have torn off the boot, assuming there is one, when last playing in my muddy VT stream, turned raging river by the recent storms and my inability to stay out of trouble's way. Any help appreciated. :thumbsup:

 

[5030]

On both my Kubota's, the shaft (hard chrome part) is exposed. I'd imagine that Kioti is similar.

 

[Coyote machine]

5030,
Thanks for that! I'm hoping you're right.
BTW, What's a Kubota?

 

[5030]

5030,
Thanks for that! I'm hoping you're right.
BTW, What's a Kubota?

It's what Kioti copied and got sued for in the 'Trade Dress Infringement' Lawsuit a few years back that was settled out of court.

In all honesty, I'm not brand loyal so long as it's not green is good with me....

 

[Coyote machine]

It's what Kioti copied and got sued for in the 'Trade Dress Infringement' Lawsuit a few years back that was settled out of court.

In all honesty, I'm not brand loyal so long as it's not green is good with me....

Don't u know imitation is the sincerest form of flattery? And since Kioti wasn't copying so much as improving on what Kubota was doing it was to everyone's benefit in the long run. No matter what color it's just paint in the end result. :thumbsup:

 

[JoelD]

A picture would be really helpful, this may seem silly, but you are not talking about the hydraulic power steering cylinder are you?

Joel

 

[5030]

A picture would be really helpful, this may seem silly, but you are not talking about the hydraulic power steering cylinder are you?

Joel

It's not hydraulic power steering anyway. Its hydrostatic power steering.

 

[Coyote machine]

It's not hydraulic power steering anyway. Its hydrostatic power steering.

5030: Hydrostatic steering using UTF, hydraulic fluid, no?

Joel: Yes, I guess I am referring to the piston which drives the wheels left or right; you say it is the power steering cylinder. So is it booted or bare metal?

Thx, CM

 

[SSdoxie]

If you can see the chrome rod when standing in front machine looking down at it, the brush guard is missing. Brush guard bolts to the tie rod and extends over the cylinder barrel to help protect the chrome rod.

 

[Coyote machine]

Yes, the shaft is covered by the shield and can be seen when looking from beside the left front wheel area. Otherwise it is less visible.
I wanted to verify that it is supposed to be exposed, and does not require a boot.

Thx.
CM

 

[gkh7890]

CM,

See if these pics help you....just took them on my DK40SE HST. This is of the left/driver's side.....(the 3rd pic is looking from the bottom up....sorry, it wasn't at the best angle).:laughing:

As you can see, mine is bare except for the protective shield on the top side.:thumbsup:

 

[5030]

5030: Hydrostatic steering using UTF, hydraulic fluid, no?

Joel: Yes, I guess I am referring to the piston which drives the wheels left or right; you say it is the power steering cylinder. So is it booted or bare metal?

Thx, CM

Hydraulic assist steering consists of a hydraulic cylinder and modulator assembly and possibly a second slave cylinder. Hydrostatic steering is a self contained unit housed in the steering box assembly. Kubota and Kioti share the same design. The hard chrome rods you see are the articulating ends of the hydrostatic cylinder. nothing fancy, been doing that for years. The half round covers protect the rods from damage from objects that could knick the rod itself and cause a fluid leak.

Fluid is fluid. So long as it meets or exceeds the manufacturers specification, it's all good. I quit using Kubota UDT and SUDT years ago. I run Chevron full synthetic and my steering gear oil comes from the sump that supplies everything else except the engine oil

I'm not a picture taker but my Kubota's have the power unit for the steering mounted atop the engine and the rack unit is fed with hard lines from there.

 

[JoelD]

Yes the hydraulic rod is Visible no worries

On my tractor the steering is hydraulic powered off the hydraulic pump

Hydraulic versus hydrostatic is splitting hairs both work with pressurized oil

Sounds like in this case it is hydraulic and you are just seeing the cylinder rod which is totally normal

Long story short I think you are fine

Joel