1863 steering problem

[ol'George]

A couple of things come to mind,
the ps cylinder could be leaking internally, in otherwords like a piston with broken rings.
Or the "pump" is malfunctioning, by pump, I'm speaking of the steering unit attached to the steering wheel, not the hydro.
The pump is rebuildable but the ps. cylinder is not ( unless you cut it apart and weld back together with new seals)
pressure checks should reveal the problem.

[RR1862CC]

Just a shot in the dark but when I got my 1862 it steered hard. Someone here suggested greasing the cv joint in the steering. I checked that and the grease was hard as a rock causing the joint to bind with the wheel tilted. I cleaned out and replaced the old grease and now it steers very easy.

[Sam Mac]

The previous posters have all offered good suggestions.
Since this is a PO installed power steering on a tractor that didn't come from the factory with PS I'm still suspect that the plumbing is incorrect. I'd like to see pics of 3 areas.
1: From underneath the tractor so I can see the lines on the bottom of the steering control or as it's called the pump.
2: The lines running to and from the steering control from the lift control valve.
3: The lines under the tunnel cover.

[Fitz14]

I'll get some pictures as soon as I can. I'm not able to pull the deck off again because of a recent shoulder injury. To get a good picture, I need get somebody to pull it out for me.
Just a note though. The guy who put the power steering on has several older Cub Cadet Supers, and who knows what else. I haven't been to his place, but I assume he has worked on plenty of Cubs. That doesn't mean he connected the steering right of course. Thanks for the reply.

[Mike McKown]

Originally Posted by Sam Mac

Since this is a PO installed power steering on a tractor that didn't come from the factory with PS I'm still suspect that the plumbing is incorrect. I'd like to see pics of 3 areas.

Looking at his first picture, the tractor shows a hydro release knob on the cover in front of the seat. If it's hooked to anything, that means it's a Hydro-Gear and not a Sunstrand. To my knowledge, no Hydro-Gears ever had PS.

May be an old wives tale but I read "somewhere" a Hydro-Gear won't support PS.

As good as that tractor looks, the OP would do well to get the problem fixed and keep the tractor. Looks like a dandy.

One of my 1864's wouldn't raise the implement lift unless the steering wheel was cycled back and forth while actuating the lift valve. I figured the problem was in the steering box so I replaced it and the lift started working. This may be a related problem?

It'd be helpful to know if the tractor has always steered hard since the OP has had it or the condition came on suddenly.

[Sam Mac]

Mike I may be wrong but I would think that if a Hydro Gear can operate the lift it should also be able the handle power steering. Doubt that the cylinder is the problem because if it was bad the wheel would just spin with little or no steering. I'm betting on a plumbing problem. Hope that's all it is.

[Mike McKown]

Originally Posted by Sam Mac

Mike I may be wrong but I would think that if a Hydro Gear can operate the lift it should also be able the handle power steering.

More than likely. That's why I said "I read it on the internet" somewhere.

The only thing I would add is, if it worked once, it's likely plumbed okay. If it never worked, possibly the wrong plumbing on the Hydro-Gear has something to do with it.

I'd also think if the cylinder was bad, you'd have NO steering. Not hard steering. With the engine off and the steering wheel is turned, the steering box will turn the cylinder. Hard but it will still turn the wheels as long as the circuit if full of oil.

[Fitz14]

Ok guys I appreciate all the help. Here's some pictures. I put colored tape on the lines so you can see where they're going.
The yellow goes to the lift control, the red runs to the lower port on the hydro.

[Sam Mac]

I'll work on this tomorrow. Hope to have an answer for you.

[ol'George]

Sam,
Do the hydro gears have a test pressure tap? is it possible it being originally a non ps hydro, it is set @ a lower pressure?
just throwing that out, never worked on/had a hydro gear, just Sunstrands.