Update: 720 powersteering

[FactoryFarmer]

I replaced the pins and the issue still exists. I even cleaned up the surface on the actuator valve arm that contacts the cam surface and it seems somewhat better but not great at all.

What direction should I go next?

I tractor is going to be in a wedding tomorrow so I need to find a solution, what would happen if I just run it low on oil? Just enough that something is running through the pump but not enough to have great steering.

Thanks
Dave

 

[Larry in WNY]

Dave,

Not positive which problem you are talking about since you have a couple posts going. Is it still binding when you turn the wheel? The end play adjustment on the end of the worm gear should get it so the cam will engage and release on its own unless it is set too tight or something causing it to bind. That's the adjustment where you have a 7/8" socket on the nut and an allen wrench in the set screw.

Also check your relief valve in the steering valve. If that is froze open you will have less pressure for steering. Could have crud or rust in there, a broken spring or need more washers to increase the pressure.

Unless the oil is foaming out I would not run it on low oil. You are using the 2 cylinder power steering oil for 1960 and earlier tractors I assume. If yes, maybe some STP oil treatment will help thicken the oil a little.

Larry

 

[Mike M]

Steering problems is a BIG DEAL !!! Use another tractor for the wedding ride so someone does not get killed. And yes I have heard several horror stories of these steering systems binding up causeing tractor wrecks.

 

[FactoryFarmer]

(quoted from post at 09:51:14 05/16/12) Dave,

Not positive which problem you are talking about since you have a couple posts going. Is it still binding when you turn the wheel? The end play adjustment on the end of the worm gear should get it so the cam will engage and release on its own unless it is set too tight or something causing it to bind. That's the adjustment where you have a 7/8" socket on the nut and an allen wrench in the set screw.

Also check your relief valve in the steering valve. If that is froze open you will have less pressure for steering. Could have crud or rust in there, a broken spring or need more washers to increase the pressure.

Unless the oil is foaming out I would not run it on low oil. You are using the 2 cylinder power steering oil for 1960 and earlier tractors I assume. If yes, maybe some STP oil treatment will help thicken the oil a little.

Larry

I can't remember what parts tractor I pulled my worm out of but it has a slotted nut and washers on the end of it. I loosened that up a little bit just to try something different and it made no difference. I have not done anything out of the ordinary but now the wheels turn all the way to the left and tapping the valve back and forth does not do anything at all.

As soon as I shut the tractor off though the binding goes away and I can sit there and turn the wheels no prob.


Ok, lets just say I really want the tractor out of my shop for the time being so I have two options:

A. Drain most of the oil so nothing gets to the valve and I can steer it manually. Back when I was around 16 I had a 520 that I never filled because it leaked (never knew ay better) and I never had a problem with the pump going out or anything.

B. Leave the oil and put a plug on the hose going into the valve so it does not get any oil. At least with this option there would still be some oil going though the pump. Or would this just build pressure and blow a seal on the pump?

Any other ideas? I really don't want powersteering right now I just want the get the thing rolling.

Thanks

 

[FactoryFarmer]

(quoted from post at 11:13:03 05/16/12) Steering problems is a BIG DEAL !!! Use another tractor for the wedding ride so someone does not get killed. And yes I have heard several horror stories of these steering systems binding up causeing tractor wrecks.

Don't worry, I won't use it unless it is safe. As far as other tractors, the 830I is gone, the 80 is ugly, the 37 G is slow, and the rest are still in pieces :wink:

 

[Cliff Nelson]

Do not plug the hose from the pump. the pressure will split the pump housing as the relief valve is in the steering assembly. If you have any oil in the pump it has to have somewhere to go.

 

[FactoryFarmer]

(quoted from post at 12:49:44 05/16/12) Do not plug the hose from the pump. the pressure will split the pump housing as the relief valve is in the steering assembly. If you have any oil in the pump it has to have somewhere to go.

That's what I was thinking, thanks for clearing that up.

 

[Anonymous-0]

I had a problem very similar to this on a 620 a while back. There was a screw that holds the Valve arm to the Steering Valve in the Steering valve housing. Just one possibility, there are a bunch of things that have to be just right to make them systems work properly.