Steering Problem?

[DSM]

I found the steering wheel on my BX-22 can still be turned easily after the wheels have stopped. This doesn't seem right. With the engine off, it still can be turned with the wheels at the stop, but doesn't sound good. If this isn't as it should be, any repair suggestions would be appreciated. Looking under the dash, it appears to be a hydraulic control. However there must be some mechanical connection for steering with the engine off.

 

[Bird]

I'm not sure on the BX22, but the first time I ever heard of such steering was on a farmer's big Deere. If the engine dies, no steering; seems a bit dangerous to me, although I've not personally known of any accidents as a result. I guess tractors are normally going slow enough and engines die seldom enough when the tractor is moving at its higher speeds that it's OK.

 

[hwp]

I don't know what the setup on the Bxs is like but on my F2400 the steering is entirely hydrualic - there is no mechanical linkage. No hydraulic presure, no steering control. So far, no problems.

 

[yakima]

I found the steering wheel on my BX-22 can still be turned easily after the wheels have stopped. This doesn't seem right. With the engine off, it still can be turned with the wheels at the stop, but doesn't sound good. If this isn't as it should be, any repair suggestions would be appreciated. Looking under the dash, it appears to be a hydraulic control. However there must be some mechanical connection for steering with the engine off.

I recently had the exact same problem on my bx22. The Kubota dealership had to replace the steering cylinder, which apparently is a common problem in these models. I would find that I could turn the wheel and nothing would happen or the wheels would only turn a fraction of what would be expected. I agree, it was a bit scary and dangerous! The dealership submitted the bill to Kubota and they paid for the part. I still had to pay labor. Good luck, JP

 

[ozzie tractor]

early BX's did have a issue with some of the power steer rams, corrosion inside the barrel i think it was, this would chop out the seal and cause internal bypass. usual result was wandering steering and poor control. these units are fully hydraulic, no linkage at all. the steering contol unit has a small metering pump inside them to control how much oil is moved when the wheel is turned. when the engine stops it becomes a actual pump which u operate when u turn the steering wheel. this gives you some steering, except it is very hard and makes a funny ticking sound and has a notchy feel.
you can turn the wheel past full lock on these systems and the steering wheel will turn slowly, because oil is exiting through the relief valve, but it should be fairly firm and slow. if it isnt you probably have a steering ram problem.

 

[ovrszd]

Most tractors built today with power steering are designed with no mechanical connection. When the engine is off the hydraulic pressure in the steering controller drops which frees the steering wheel. There is nothing wrong with your tractor. That is normal behavior for some tractors. If you look at the front axle assembly of your tractor and see a hydraulic cylinder fastened to the tie rod and/or no mechanical steering arm assembly, then your tractor is one of these. No worries.

 

[ozzie tractor]

Most tractors built today with power steering are designed with no mechanical connection. When the engine is off the hydraulic pressure in the steering controller drops which frees the steering wheel. There is nothing wrong with your tractor. That is normal behavior for some tractors. If you look at the front axle assembly of your tractor and see a hydraulic cylinder fastened to the tie rod and/or no mechanical steering arm assembly, then your tractor is one of these. No worries.

not shure i agree with the bit about the steering wheel being free, in my experience with the engine off the steering wheel is hard to turn. i will test it tommorrow on a few machines at work and get back to you.

 

[ericbx1500]

With the tractor off I can’t even budge mine.

 

[ovrszd]

So are you guys telling him that his tractor is broke because he can turn his steering wheel and you can't turn yours??? Careful before you answer.....

 

[ericbx1500]

The system works just like a rack and pinion on your vehicle. Ever try to turn you’re steering wheel with the vehicle off?

 

[ovrszd]

The system works just like a rack and pinion on your vehicle. Ever try to turn you’re steering wheel with the vehicle off?

I warned you to be careful!!! The BX22 steering has absolutely no resemblance to rack and pinion steering. As Ozzie outlined above, there is no mechanical connection. So it is very possible to turn the steering wheel without turning the tire/wheel itself. If you have this type of steering, the first giveaway is the fact that the position of the steering wheel when driving straight is always changing. This is most noticeable if you have a spinner knob attached. It's always changing positions. So maybe your BX1500 has rack and pinion steering, but the BX22 does not. If it did have rack and pinion steering, and he could turn the wheel when the tractor is not running, he would not be able to drive his tractor because of a mechanical failure. He simply can turn his wheel when the tractor is not running. When it's running, he has no problems, i.e., a hydraulic steering setup.

 

[ericbx1500]

You are correct. In my thinking I was focused on the cylinder bolted to the front axle and wasn’t looking at the system as a whole. All bx’s have the same setup.

 

[Dusty]

It isn't important what the steering does when the engine is off and the tractor parked, but what happens when the tractor is running and it is in motion. This is the important test. There have been failures in the steering systems of the BX tractors. If yours isn't responding properly when running, then it should go to the dealer for repair. You never know when one of the trees is going to run out in front of you and you will need to steer clear of it. Dusty