Hyd steering help

[docmirror]

OK, this really isn't an antique or even vintage tractor. We have a MF from around 1990. It has hydraulic only steering. That is, there is NO mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the front wheels. There's a pump with two lines, and a ram on the left side. I know there's no mech interface because when we had a line break - the wheel can be turned round and round and round, and the front tires go nowhere.

On to the problem we're having. Before the line broke, the steering was already very vague At idle, the wheels would barely move with the steering wheel. At 2100, the steering is better, but the wheels still bounce around with the steering wheel held tight. I presume it was a lot of air in the steering circuit. I've hunted around for a proper bleeding process but so far all I can find is fill, or refill tasks. The pump is right behind the dash, and the lines go down to the ram on left.

My method is to use a syringe and drive fluid into the back line of the ram all the way up to the pump/drive, and do the same for the front line. After that, I can worry about any air in the pump/drive by cracking the lines and turning the steering wheel all the way left and right a few times.

If there is a better procedure, I would welcome some advice. I have a pan to catch the fluid overfill under the tractor. Maybe there's a better way, and I just don't know it. I'll have two new lines in a few days and would like the steering to work as designed.

 

[Jim.ME]

It can help if you tell the MF model. That would let one look at a parts book, or perhaps the service manual if they have one for that model.

Sometimes it helps if you jack the front tires clear of the ground while you turn the steering wheel from stop to stop. That reduces the pressure needed while you are trying to clear air from the system.

 

[docmirror]

I'll go back down to the airport and get the model number. I used to use the turn lock to lock method on older cars with the canister bolted to the PS pump driven by a belt. That would drive the air out eventually to the canister. I don't know if that will work on this tractor but I can try it with the tires off the ground and see how it goes. I think the pump uses fluid from the hyd unit in back.

 

[Jim.ME]

I'll go back down to the airport and get the model number. I used to use the turn lock to lock method on older cars with the canister bolted to the PS pump driven by a belt. That would drive the air out eventually to the canister. I don't know if that will work on this tractor but I can try it with the tires off the ground and see how it goes. I think the pump uses fluid from the hyd unit in back.

Also, which engine.

 

[docmirror]

OK, it's a model 245 with diesel 3 cyl. We were able to get it bled pretty easy. It has the reservoir on the right side driven by the acc case. Lifted the fronts, filled the canister,, sart it up and just turned both ways. Add more fluid, same deal. We kept going until it was pretty firm and the tires stayed fairly straight over bumps. I wish it had a steering mech knuckle to the fronts.

Does anyone know if there's a FEL for this model and what it would cost?

 

[Jim.ME]

I think the MF 236 loader was the model that was factory installed. There were other MF loaders and aftermarket/short line loaders that could fit the 245s. With any loader getting the correct mounts for that tractor and loader is a key part of things.

Cost is an open-ended question. It depends if you can find one, how much is being asked and if the seller will deal down from asking price. I am guessing you will likely be in the $2500 to $3000 range to find a good one with mounts. You might ger lucky and find one for $1000. This is hard to say.

Does your 245 have just the standard internal hydraulic pump or does it have the auxiliary hydraulic option? If just the standard internal pump you may need a diverter/selector valve and not be able to use the three point and loader at the same time.

Depending on how much you plan to use it as a loader tractor, you might want to consider finding a small industrial utility tractor with a loader on it. Then sell the 245. What you might spend on finding a loader and mounting along with selling the 245 might not be far apart cost wise.

 

[docmirror]

I think we'll forget the loader plan. I have an old Ford with a loader we can get by with. Steering is working well now. The hyd feedback from the steering is goofy, but so far no issues.

 

[MKinON]

I think we'll forget the loader plan. I have an old Ford with a loader we can get by with. Steering is working well now. The hyd feedback from the steering is goofy, but so far no issues.

There is no feedback really, except full lock on any of our 4 with hydraulic steering and that's just the squeal of the pump as the pressure relief opens. The one with power assist through the mechanical linkage has plenty of feedback though.

 

[docmirror]

There is no feedback really, except full lock on any of our 4 with hydraulic steering and that's just the squeal of the pump as the pressure relief opens. The one with power assist through the mechanical linkage has plenty of feedback though.

I have plenty of steering feedback. On rough ground the wheels will dodge a fair amount left and right, and the steering wheel will bounce along with it in delayed timing. It's rather annoying.