MF 1100 power steering

[bfuller]

New to me MF 1100. Everything seems to work great except the power steering is very weak. Have to really crank to get the wheels turned. Seems strange because the rest of the hydraulics seem to work perfectly, the brakes are extremely fast and sensitive. The multipower shift is smooth. The unit is equipped with a loader & bale forks that also work very well. 3 point hitch works well. I've read the operator and mechanics manual and can't figure out where to start.

Increasing the RPM's seems to help. I'm a little bit confused - with the hydraulics in this running off the same pump wouldn't weak steering indicate more problems?

Secondarily, the brakes on the tractor do not appear to work if the engine is shut off. Seems pretty dangerous. Am I looking at an internal leak somewhere?

 

[danofarming]

It has Power Brakes, so the pedals will press easily with engine off and the brakes will not work properly without the engine running. DO NOT HOLD THE BRAKE PEDALS DOWN BEFORE STARTING, They will jump up at you with force.. Steering, Possibly bad rings in steer cylinder. First get a Pressure check on the lines. If I Remember Correctly the Steering runs directly
from the Charge Pump under the floor board. Charge Pump has two sections, One charges Hydraulic Pump and the other feeds everything Else. Could be a Priority Valve not closing properly. It has been too long
since I worked on the one we had. An excellent tractor.

 

[Dieseltech]

Steering is not from the charge pump, but the radial high pressure pump. There's a priority valve that supplies steering and brakes first, then hydraulics after. Still could have some bad steering piston seals though.

 

[Kitt]

Our 1100 got hard to steer couple years ago. Everything else worked Ok as you describe. Thought it was a hydraulic problem. However, it was
the bearings in the steering column binding. Was able to free it up with some PB Blaster liberally applied, then some regular oil. Adding a
few drops of oil to the steering column is now a regular maintenance item for me. Haven't had any more problems. Worth a try...

The brakes do not work when the engine is not running or if the unloading valve is up. My brother learned early to never shut down the engine
when the tractor is rolling, multipower in low (no engine braking in MP low). Instant free wheel coasting with no brakes, no steering.
Tractor rolled across the road, across the yard, and gradually stopped just a few feet from the house. Dad watched from the front porch and
was NOT happy!

The MF1100 is a great tractor. Just understand that the engine must be kept running and unloader valve down until tractor is stopped, in park,
and remote implement lowered.

 

[craigco]

I got an 1105 that was real hard to
steer. There was a small pipe plug on the
steering column. Removed it and sprayed
lubricant in it. Freed up almost
immediately.