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.

 

[Stanky Lipshitz]

Sounds like the steering control box is leaking internally.

I have mentioned that to the dealer, and a mechanic around here said something about a seal under the steering console, which might be the same thing.

 

[mcmxi]

Sounds like the steering control box is leaking internally.

You might be right, but symptoms of an issue with the steering controller include the following:

• Hard steering
• Fluctuating steering force
• Heavy steering
• Steering wheel turns on its own when released
• Front wheels wander to right AND left

The OP states that the tractor merely wanders to the right, not right and left, and didn't mention any of the other symptoms. It'll be interesting to see what the problem is. Of course, the WSM information below is for the M7060/6060 but I imagine it's similar for the M6.

 

[Stanky Lipshitz]

You might be right, but symptoms of an issue with the steering controller include the following:

• Hard steering
• Fluctuating steering force
• Heavy steering
• Steering wheel turns on its own when released
• Front wheels wander to right AND left

The OP states that the tractor merely wanders to the right, not right and left, and didn't mention any of the other symptoms. It'll be interesting to see what the problem is. Of course, the WSM information below is for the M7060/6060 but I imagine it's similar for the M6.


View attachment 139662

Correct. Left to right.
I read a forum on Yesterday’s Tractors about a similar issue. It was maybe on that forum where someone suggested it was the crown in the road, which doesn’t account for the same problem in the field.

 

[Henro]

While a totally different animal, I have had a similar issue on my MUCH smaller BX2200 since new. I have a replacement steering cylinder to install, and hopefully it will correct the issue. It has gotten worse gradually over 22 years...

Anyway, I think the wolfman here has said that usually the issue is the steering cylinder, rather than the control valve activated by turning the steering wheel.

Hopefully in my case that is the fact. In your case, it should be resolved by the dealer under warranty.

Edit: I also never noticed a similar thing happening on my, again MUCH smaller B2910, so it is not like I am imaging things...

 

[mcmxi]

Any update @Stanky Lipshitz? I was looking at the M6060/M7060 WSM this morning and noticed this in the front axle section for the symptom of front wheels wander to the right or the left. Uneven tire pressure and toe-in out of adjustment are the first two things to check.

 

[Stanky Lipshitz]

Any update @Stanky Lipshitz? I was looking at the M6060/M7060 WSM this morning and noticed this in the front axle section for the symptom of front wheels wander to the right or the left. Uneven tire pressure and toe-in out of adjustment are the first two things to check.

View attachment 140005

What the dealer is doing is replacing the orbital valve, also called the steering controller. It's a little under $1800 if they are in fact replacing the whole thing, just for the parts, but it's still under warranty.

I HOPE this fixes it.

 

[mcmxi]

What the dealer is doing is replacing the orbital valve, also called the steering controller. It's a little under $1800 if they are in fact replacing the whole thing, just for the parts, but it's still under warranty.

I HOPE this fixes it.

I hope it fixes it too, but if it doesn't, you might want to revisit the last WSM screenshot that I posted.

 

[Stanky Lipshitz]

I hope it fixes it too, but if it doesn't, you might want to revisit the last WSM screenshot that I posted.

I definitely saw that, and laughed. It wouldn't surprise me at all if the problem is in the front end, as suggested by your post. But hey, who doesn't want a new steering controller??? (I don't for sure, if it doesn't fix the problem)