4040 steering

[tomstractorsandtoys]

Today I ran my neighbors 4040 for a few hours. It seems to steer hard compared to my 4230. Enough it kind of makes your arm tired after a few hours. Plenty of hyd oil and all other hyd functions seem to work fine. I might not have thought about it if I had ran my 4230 to after midnight last night. It defiantly steers much harder than my 3020-4020's. Any ideas? Thanks Tom

 

[Tx Jim]

Do you know how long it's been since 4040 hyd filter was changed & sump screen checked/cleaned? 4040 might have lower stand-by hyd pressure than your 4230. Have 4040 frt spindle pivots been greased? Is your 4230 serial # below or above 019558. Below has older type steering valve while above has metering pump type steering

 

[tim s]

Pull the end plugs off the steering brick and see if the center spool moves back and forth easy,, my guess is it won't....

 

[tomstractorsandtoys]

My 4230 is a very early one and I have no idea about service history on the 4040. It came from a dairy farm so probably not good. Tom

 

[K Effective]

That's part of your neighbor's wellness program, "Desktop Deadlifts!" You'll be flashing your guns like The Rock in no time!!!

 

[Tx Jim]

While checking spool Tim referred to I'll suggest to check filter(item 7)

 

[THORNHILL]

(quoted from post at 05:41:10 04/23/20) That's part of your neighbor's wellness program, "Desktop Deadlifts!" You'll be flashing your guns like The Rock in no time!!!

When you take the spool outta the steering brick, and if it doesn't move back and forth easy, be very careful cleaning it. very light Emery cloth or even use old denim. It;s an expensive little part if you hog off to much material!

 

[Cliff Nelson]

A couple more thoughts in addition to the other suggestions. Your early 4230 would have the early style steering valve like a 4020 but if both working properly should not be much difference in operation. Is the 4040 an open tractor? I have seen the needle thrust bearing in the steering column get dry and rough causing hard steering. I have seen it in cabs but more common on open station tractors as water gets inside the column from sitting outside in the weather and rusts the bearing.