1863 steering problem - Page 3

Sam Mac · #21 07-18-2015, 07:15 AM

OK spent some time looking at the plumbing, looks like the PO has the inlet and return lines swapped. Think you have 2 ways to correct the problem, you can swap them at the bottom of the steering control or at the pressure relief valve that is on top of the hydro just behind the fan. Thanks for putting the colored tape on the lines it was a big help figuring this out. Hope this corrects the problem.

inspectorudy · #22 07-19-2015, 05:19 PM

I added PS to my 1811 from an 1864 and it works just fine. I did have to use the outer hole on the spindle arm to get full wheel deflection left and right. I never had one minute of "Hard" to steer, ever. I think Sam has found the answer. Good luck with it. Man oh man, that low time mower with PS!

Sam Mac · #23 07-19-2015, 08:45 PM

Nope Sam has not found an answer, we are still fighting this one.

inspectorudy · #24 07-20-2015, 12:57 AM

Sam, is it a four or five port steering valve? I know the four port doesn't work well with the CC setup. From what I understand the four port sends the fluid under pressure first to the deck lift ram and then to whatever else is down stream from there. Sort of a series system instead of a parallel. I guess if its off of a 1864 it would have to be a five port.

Sam Mac · #25 07-20-2015, 07:12 AM

Five port. As it was the pressure line from the hydro was hooked up to the return port of the steering control valve and the return was hooked up to the inlet. Jim swapped them and still no improvement. Look at post #18 to see how it was plumbed. I figured that since the 3000 series has PS it should work but in checking out the 3000 pumps they have a different charge pump with a built in relief valve were as this has an external relief valve. I'm not sure if that is the issue or if the steering control valve is defective. Maybe the charge pump on the hydro gear pump is just not big enough to supply enough flow. I'm stumped.

Sam Mac · #26 07-20-2015, 10:46 AM

This is how I think it needs to be plumbed. I combined parts of the drawing for the Sundstrand systems with PS and the Hydro Gear systems. If any of you want the HI Rez version PM me with your e-mail address. Not sure if it will work even if plumbed this way just my best guess. Only other things I can think of are that the steering valve is bad maybe from being connected wrong or that the Hydro Gear just can't handle PS.

Mike McKown · #27 07-20-2015, 12:23 PM

Has the OP ever given any indication if the steering worked correctly since the PS conversion?

Fitz14 · #28 07-20-2015, 12:33 PM

The steering was this way when I traded for it. The guy I got it from put the power steering on it off of an 1864 parts tractor he had. I should have paid more attention I guess. When I started mowing around my shrubs and trees I realized I didn't have real power steering.

ol'George · #29 07-20-2015, 12:58 PM

Were you able to do a pressure test on the either side of the ram?
Seems like the Sunstrands run in the vicinity of 650-800#
that might tell you something.
Also thinking to loosen a return line on the ram after fully extending or retracting it and see if the piston is leaking by.
I think you understand what I'm saying.
Can you contact the po and ask questions?

Sam Mac · #30 07-20-2015, 01:12 PM

Jim

Even when it's hooked up correctly it still may not work as well as one with a Sundstrand pump because as far as I know the Hydro Gear has a smaller charge pump thus less flow from the pump so the steering may be slow. Talked to J-Mech about this and he asked if the PO had worked on the steering control valve and maybe didn't reassemble it correctly.