International 4166 steering

[carmelfarm]

Hey all, I have inherited a 4166 that runs good. It has no steering. I understand its a known issue. I have run the tractor drove back and forth no steering or brakes. I had it in 2 wheel steel. Yes the back steering link is bend from previous. All of a sudden the front steering started working and worked well. Then a line on the oil cooler blew, it was rotten. Restarted tractor after taking line off cooler and no oil was coming out of the line at all and no steering of course. If there was no oil flowing is this likely a pump issue?

 

[used red MN]

Hello Carmel.., welcome to YT! Have to ask is there still enough oil in it? If other hydraulic functions work then fluid level is probably not the problem.

 

[carmelfarm]

Hi! The oil was initially low but filled it before testing. I haven't tested the rear hydro on an implement. It does sound like it has pressure when I work the hydrolic though.

 

[caterpillar guy]

The dipstick is down by your feet for the transmission/rear end. Now if it is full the pump needs to prime or it will never steer. Fix your blown line and then check for oil flow with the steering wheel. It should turn fairly easy. If no joy then you may need to get it to bleed by removing the valve on the back of the MCV, you will need a helper here and make sure it is in neutral when doing this. When doing that stunt only start and shut off immediately or have the oil bath of a lifetime. Now once you get it to steer that valve on the right side in under it on that long link going from the front to the rear wheel steering lever through the frame may be bent at the threaded end or the bolts through that shaft in the frame may be broken and need replaced with whatever you happen to have, better if grade 8 bolts. We had our fill of that tractro back in the 80's and it is still here. Thought about just plumbing it so both ends would steer with the hand pump and forget about that stupid front wheels only steering. As is now it sways around like a ship at sea with no rudder.

 

[carmelfarm]

Thanks. Yes I did fill the fluid before trying so once I fix the hose I will retry. I will try to bleed like you say but not sure what you mean by removing the valve to prime? I know where the mcv plate it as the pump is mounted on the inside. I will have another look for the valve next chance I can, probably a couple weeks. Thanks for the help.

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

Is it a pump issue? Not likely, if it worked. Pumps can seize and twist shafts off but usually there's something to indicate that. A line blowing means there was pressure, which means the pump was pumping.

There's limited knowledge out there on these 41XX series tractors. They weren't very popular and not many were made.

 

[carmelfarm]

Ya exactly. So this tractor has been sitting for about 7 years. It was purchased at an auction with steering issued. It was driven to where it sits now with very week steering and nothing was ever done to it. So it's my project now. The tractor had zero steering at first and after having it run for likely a good 30 min and driving it back and forth the steering just started working and then blew the rotten hose on the oil cooler. The rear link is bend at the threads and it's leaks hydro oil slowly from there which I have to fix next. I was hoping to get the front to steer so I can load it up and take it home to work on. So I'm keeping it in front wheel steer for now will deal with rear at home. My biggest question is why did the front all of a sudden seem to prime and start working? I wish I would have checked the lines first otherwise I would have had it loaded on a trailer!

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

Ya exactly. So this tractor has been sitting for about 7 years. It was purchased at an auction with steering issued. It was driven to where it sits now with very week steering and nothing was ever done to it. So it's my project now. The tractor had zero steering at first and after having it run for likely a good 30 min and driving it back and forth the steering just started working and then blew the rotten hose on the oil cooler. The rear link is bend at the threads and it's leaks hydro oil slowly from there which I have to fix next. I was hoping to get the front to steer so I can load it up and take it home to work on. So I'm keeping it in front wheel steer for now will deal with rear at home. My biggest question is why did the front all of a sudden seem to prime and start working? I wish I would have checked the lines first otherwise I would have had it loaded on a trailer!

Speaking generally, that indicates it's sucking air.

I spent a little time looking over the parts books at the mycnhstore website, and it appears that the mechanical core of the tractor is VERY similar to a conventional 66 series tractor like a 1066 or 1466. Steering would be supplied from the MCV or multiple control valve on the left side of the transmission housing below the cab. I think there are some internal tubes that supply the MCV with hydraulic fluid that have o-rings that go bad, which will cause it to suck air.

Can't say for the 41XX series tractors, but the MCV is fairly simple to remove on the conventional tractors because it's pretty much out in the open. A bonus here is that it's the "TA-delete" style of MCV so less complicated.