First post: Our New Holland LB75b backhoe has begun to not want to actually turn the wheels sometimes, particularly with a heavy bucket load. Strong lift and dig functions but not good response when turning steering wheel. Ideas?
Need to hook up gauges to steering cylinders to see how much pressure there is,. One of my customers with same problem decided to change orbital valve. Still same problem. Then he asked me to change pump for him. After lots of arguing he let me spend 1 hour installing gauges. Revved up motor and steered both directoons with maximum pressure on gauges. Lifted wheels off ground and same test and could hardly turn wheels. Disconnected both tie-rod ends and same result proving it was not steering Knuckle problem. The vertical shaft that is turned by the cylinder was seized inside. Grease nipple had not taken grease in years. This was a Massey Ferguson tractor but the principles apply to all. Do the right tests and you will find the problem. And NO I did not change the customers hydraulic pump. We pounded the vertical shaft out, regreased and the problem was solved. Hope this helps. Simon C
Thanks for the reply. Our tie rods are directly connected (by short rods) to each end of a single double-acting hydraulic cylinder which turns the wheels. I'm hoping it may be bypassing internally due to wear. As you suggest, a pressure test would probably tell. Have not looked at the connection between steering wheel and orbital valve yet.