M9540 intermittent stiff steering

yjwrangler95

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M9540
May 27, 2023
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Indiana
I was out spraying and my steering got stiff. Finished parked it, the next day it was fine. Fast forward I was out baling yesterday and the same thing happened. Stiff steering. Not anytime like when it’s off but stiffer than normal. Anyone had that issue? Orbital valve?
Thanks appreciate any insight or knowledge. Shaft and front end is good and free.
 

North Idaho Wolfman

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If it's happening after use, it's normally a worn / leaking center seal on the steering cylinder.
 
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BoilerBoy

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If it happens at lower engine speeds it could be the pump or flow divider that feeds the steering circuit. I would also agree with the steering cylinder seal but it depends on operating condition when it takes place. I am not sure if the 9540 has a separate steering pump or it is a flow divided circuit. I could also be a weak steering relief valve.
 
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yjwrangler95

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M9540
May 27, 2023
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Indiana
If it happens at lower engine speeds it could be the pump or flow divider that feeds the steering circuit. I would also agree with the steering cylinder seal but it depends on operating condition when it takes place. I am not sure if the 9540 has a separate steering pump or it is a flow divided circuit. I could also be a weak steering relief valve.
It randomly happens. Rpm’s don’t make any difference once it happens. It may last 5 minutes and go away or it may stay like that for a while. There’s not rhyme or reason to it. B
 

BoilerBoy

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M7060TH12 w/FEL, B2920 w/FEL B2401/FEL, B7100 w/60' deck,
Sep 22, 2020
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Indiana
One thing you might try is get the front wheels off the ground, lock the steering wheel in a position with a strap, and use a lever to move the front wheels back and forth...it may tell you if you have a cylinder seal leak. One other question...is the problem getting more frequent and typically how long has the tractor been running when this take place??
 

JohnDB

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Shaft and front end is good and free.
Not sure what you mean by that, but I came across one case where a ball joint nearly seized due to water ingress and lack of lube and it made the power steering inconsistently stiff. By nearly seize I mean so tight it was almost impossible to move even with substantial leverage.
 

BoilerBoy

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M7060TH12 w/FEL, B2920 w/FEL B2401/FEL, B7100 w/60' deck,
Sep 22, 2020
16
3
3
69
Indiana
So let's try this...."slippage leakage test". The next time you are in normal operation and warmed up...cut the wheels to the end of travel and see what the steering wheel does...does it stop pretty hard...or does it continue to "slip" with pressure on it.....do the same test the next time the tractor acts up...this test may tell us something about the internal sealing in the hydrostatic steering unit. I will continue to think through this one....