M6 steering won't hold a straight line

[Stanky Lipshitz]

About to talk to a service manager again about my M6. I have a little over 300 hours on it and am very happy except for the steering.
Keeping this tractor in a straight line, in the field or on the road, requires a constant, minor turn to the left. In other words, the steering wheel will rotate multiple times in the nine miles I have between farms, and even working a 40 acre field, if your aren't using gps, will result in a curving swath from end to end.

Still under warranty, and this has happened since it was brand new.

 

[mcmxi]

Perhaps your toe-in spec is off. I don't have an M6 (wish I did), but I would imagine the steering system is similar to my M6060 which has full hydrostatic power steering with a steering controller, steering cylinder and an hydraulic pump. There is a factory toe-in spec which needs to be checked every 200 hours according to my owner's manual. It can be adjusted at the tie rods much like a truck or car. If it's incorrectly set it could cause the tractor to veer off to one side and would be simplest to fix. After that it gets more involved with the steering controller and steering cylinder being possible culprits, but I'd start out with the toe-in.

 

[Stanky Lipshitz]

Perhaps your toe-in spec is off. I don't have an M6 (wish I did), but I would imagine the steering system is similar to my M6060 which has full hydrostatic power steering with a steering controller, steering cylinder and an hydraulic pump. There is a factory toe-in spec which needs to be checked every 200 hours according to my owner's manual. It can be adjusted at the tie rods much like a truck or car. If it's incorrectly set it could cause the tractor to veer off to one side and would be simplest to fix. After that it gets more involved with the steering controller and steering cylinder being possible culprits, but I'd start out with the toe-in.

Thank you and I will mention that to him tomorrow.

 

[mcmxi]

Thank you and I will mention that to him tomorrow.

I'm surprised you've put up with it for so long. That would drive me a little nuts. Hopefully it's something simple that was out of whack when it was delivered new.

If the front tires had a slightly different rolling diameter with the right one being smaller that could cause the tractor to veer right. Swapping them around for a quick test would confirm that. I've never heard of that issue but I would think that it's possible.

 

[Stanky Lipshitz]

I'm surprised you've put up with it for so long. That would drive me a little nuts. Hopefully it's something simple that was out of whack when it was delivered new.

It drives me nuts as well. Like most people, I like a straight swath, even if I'm only running a brush cutter.

 

[mcmxi]

It drives me nuts as well. Like most people, I like a straight swath, even if I'm only running a brush cutter.

Please report back with what the dealer finds since it could be helpful to others that might have the same or similar issue.

 

[Stanky Lipshitz]

Please report back with what the dealer finds since it could be helpful to others that might have the same or similar issue.

Will do.

 

[kubotafreak]

Sounds like the steering control box is leaking internally.