Why does the position of my steering wheel wander when going straight on level ground? I have a B series tractor.
Wandering Steering Wheel
- Thread starter Jack&Mickey
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TheOldHokie
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L3901/LA525, B7200DT/B1630, G2160/RCK60, G2460/RCK60
The is no connecction between the steering wheel and the steering hydraulic cylinder.
GreensvilleJay
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BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
hmm. there's a $2K hydraulic unit bolted to the steering shaft that tells the steering cylinder what to do.....
it is possible it's defective....
it is possible it's defective....
TheOldHokie
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L3901/LA525, B7200DT/B1630, G2160/RCK60, G2460/RCK60
Or a couple $180 (OEM price) tie rod ends.....
Complete Tractor 1904-0020 Tie Rod End Compatible with/Replacement for Kubota B26 Indust/Const B2630HSD B2650HSD B2650HSDC B3000HSDC B3000HSDCC 6C200-57410 6C200-57412 6C200-57420 6C430-57410 https://a.co/d/i61hee3
Dan
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nbryan
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B2650 BH77 LA534 54" ssqa Forks B2782B BB1560 Woods M5-4 MaxxHaul 50039
Does the steering wheel "wander", or is it able to be turned with a little force when the tractor is stopped and the wheels are turned all the way to one side's stop? My B2650 hydraulic steering "gives" a little whrn the steering wheel is turned against a stopped wheel, the hydraulic bypass kicks in the the steering wheel slowly drifts without the wheels moving.
Then there's the toe-in adjustment. As long a the steering knuckle ball joints are still tight, the toe-in should be just above 0 to about 1/4" max. If loose steering ball joint(s), or toe-in is actually toeing -out, then it will wander on the flat road.
I know because I've had both a loose ball replaced, and once at service interval corrected a slight toe-out, both causing steering wander on road. Can almost hands free drive it now on a flat paved area, steers real nice.
Then there's the toe-in adjustment. As long a the steering knuckle ball joints are still tight, the toe-in should be just above 0 to about 1/4" max. If loose steering ball joint(s), or toe-in is actually toeing -out, then it will wander on the flat road.
I know because I've had both a loose ball replaced, and once at service interval corrected a slight toe-out, both causing steering wander on road. Can almost hands free drive it now on a flat paved area, steers real nice.
TheOldHokie
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L3901/LA525, B7200DT/B1630, G2160/RCK60, G2460/RCK60
I guess I misunderstood what you meant by "wander". Could you expound on thst?
Dan
By “wander”…. do you mean it does not always return to the same (centered) position after making a hard turn? That’s completely normal… as there’s no hard-connection to the front wheels.
As GeoHorn says, there is no mechanical "steering column" on these tractors - it's all hydraulic. So the steering wheel/front axle alignment drifts a little as it runs. You wouldn't want your Corvette to work like that but it's a reliable and easy way to steer these tractors.
It's a new tractor with 22 hours on it. The steering wheel is never in the same position when going straight on level road. It can be a whole half turn off to the left or right. The dealer is ignoring my questions on this. Is this normal for the steering, or a problem?
North Idaho Wolfman
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L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
It's 100 normal, it hydrostatic steering so the steering wheel will change positions all the time.
Perfect answers to your questions. But I will just add that I think I have actual wandering in the steering of my BX since day one. This means it is hard to keep tracking straight, without compensating with the steering wheel.
So if you are talking about different positions of the steering wheel when the front tires are pointed straight forward upon parking, everything expressed above is certainly correct.
While I don't think it is the case, if you are talking about having to constantly move the steering wheel while trying to keep a straight cut line, that may be a different issue.
What Henro may be describing …. is like when driving straight-ahead…it requires you to constantly be slowly-turning the steering-wheel to maintain that straight-ahead travel. If so…that indicates a hydraulic steering actuator with an internal leak.…simple fix is to reseal it.
North Idaho Wolfman
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L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
That issue is usually not the actuator but the actual steering cylinder center seal is bad, again common issue.
The steering cylinder is exactly what I meant by the term….not the orbital steering valve (controller is what Kubota calls it)….or the hydraulic pump…or the steering “handle” (steering wheel).. Thnks for clarifying.
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The steering on the B7500HST I had was power (not hydrostatic) and the suicide knob always returned to the same spot. Weren't all the B series the same?
North Idaho Wolfman
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L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
The b26 uses hydrostatic steering.
There might be other B's too, but not sure.
I know the newer B's all use hydrostatic steering.