Steering on TC55

IH3444 · Sep 29, 2005

Hello, I've recently purchased a TC48DA, and just this week ran across the forum string of the steering problems encountered with some of the TC48s, and especially the TC55. I was wondering if there was anything else anyone could add. I read where some people were having great difficulties, whereas others hadn't had, or noticed a problem. My rear tires are loaded, and I am going to put a very heafty counterweight off the 3 pt hitch. My IH3444 had a wopper backhoe on it, so big that when going up steep grades the front wants to lift off the ground. Now when I've had it mired in some serious much with a full bucket, and backing out I have noticed a slight unwillingness of the steering to not command the front wheels. This soon passes and all is right as rain again. I would be a bit upset if my new tractor had this steering problem, althought I am going to have a discussion with my sales engineer this week about it, asking that I will be helped out if this problem is present in my machine. I have also received numerous PMs telling me what a good tractor the TC48 is. Any and all comments will be appreciated, and I would also like to hear from the people who had the problem, and how are they, and their tractors doing now. Thanks, IH3444

meledward23 · Sep 30, 2005

Well, I am one of the no problem crowds. Or more specifically I occasionaly feel what the complaint is but it usually lasts for a second and thats about it. I have experienced it maybe 10 times at the most in the 200 hours I have. Mostly when I was doing FEL work with 8-10' logs 36"+ diameter. Usually a technically supervised jiggle of the steering wheel cuased the machine to free the steering back up....

Taht's all I can say about it.

IH3444 · Sep 30, 2005

Thanks Meledward! and that's an awsome picture of your machine with that huge log. How about posting a full picture if it. IH3444

BadDog · Sep 30, 2005

I have no such problem on my TC55DA.

I honestly think after reading extensivey about the 'problem', it is largely a case of making a mountain out of a molehill... ie expectations are out-of-whack for a tractor owner.

IH3444 · Sep 30, 2005

Agreed Bad Dog, I came to the same conclusion.

noeclark · Sep 30, 2005

Well BadDog I think That’s Bold Statement “honestly think after reading extensivey about the 'problem', it is largely a case of making a mountain out of a molehill... ie expectations are out-of-whack for a tractor owner.” And I don’t think A round Bale Baled Buy a NH Bailer is Out of Wack for a TC55 to lift and have full steering capability

VIEWQUEST · Sep 30, 2005

I have a whopping 11.5 hours on my TC55 so I really can't judge it at this time. I ordered mine with an 18LA loader and a 759C hoe plus some other goodies. I've purposely tried to overload the steering with an ~14" diameter by ~16' tree trunk while carrying it in a grapple. Standing still, the tires will not turn. If I move an inch or two with this load the steering works fine. Also, the rear industrial tires are loaded and the hoe is in place. I'm very pleased with the overall setup of this unit. But, if I wanted to be **** about it I would prefer that the hydraulic steering cylinder was a little bit bigger and thus more powerful since the rest of the tractor and it's capabilities are just awsome.

Like I said, who am I to judge!

BadDog · Sep 30, 2005

Quit your wimpy whining... rev it up a bit... go forward an eighth of an inch and it'll steer. It's a tractor, not a Cadillac, for crying out loud! Quit *****-footing around with the thing and GET MEAN with it! That's what's it's built for! USE IT THAT WAY.

noeclark · Oct 3, 2005

Have you ever used your loader with out your BH on? I.e. loading and unloading around livestock? I ask this because with a BH on as counter weight and the geometry of it the problem is barely discernible More noise and speed is not always the answer "Quit your wimpy whining... rev it up a bit... go forward an eighth of an inch " some times I don’t have the two or three feet to move with out damage to building and other stuff including this model is the Cadillac of the boomer line but hay BD keep up the forthcoming advise as I have giving you some.

BadDog · Oct 3, 2005

I use my 55 w/o the BH most of the time. I do not have any steering problems that I would consider to be out of the ordinary.

I stand by my earlier advice... rev it up to get more pressure in the hydraulics... use the inching pedal... get the thing moving forward or backward... it'll turn. It isn't about noise and speed... you need more revs to get the pressure out of the pump...