| Author |
Message |
    
Joe Marcum
Member
Username: Jmarc
Ohio
Registered: 2-2010
Post Number: 30
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 13, 2010 - 6:03 am: | 
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I know I have seen some threads about this before... My tractor turns fairly decent to the right, but takes about an acre to turn a circle to the left. Now I understand that these are not the most nimble machines out there, but it seems that the left turn radius is a little excessive, especially when compared to the right turn radius. Any ideas on how to adjust? |
Mike Duwe
Member
Username: Mikeduwe
Wi
Registered: 10-2006
Post Number: 4375
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 13, 2010 - 7:17 am: |
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Does it have a removable arm on the top of the spindle where the steering cylinder attaches? The 318-430 tractors did, and it was on a splined shaft and could be indexed. Yours may be biased to one side and not pulling the full distance. |
Joe Marcum
Member
Username: Jmarc
Ohio
Registered: 2-2010
Post Number: 31
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 13, 2010 - 7:06 pm: |
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Did some quick checking tonight.. I didn't notice a way to adjust the point that the steering cylinder attaches. However I did notice that the ram for the steering cylinder does not appear to be retracting completely. It looks like it stops a couple inches short of where it used too. Thoughts? I'll try to get some pictures soon. |
Harold Goff
Member
Username: Jdalchemist
IA
Registered: 10-2004
Post Number: 712
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 13, 2010 - 10:12 pm: |
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Hi Joe,
There are several places where linkages may be out of adjustment. The first simple place to look is under the left foot rest. At the back end of the steering control valve is a steering arm stop bracket. With the steering wheel turned to the left, make sure the bracket is not limiting the left turn radius. Also, have a look at this recent thread: http://www.weekendfreedommachines.com/discus/messages/17/87077.html?1275433060
Pictures of the steering arms at the axle and control valve with the wheels turned straight ahead would be useful.
Harold |
Joe Douglass
Member
Username: 2lman
WA
Registered: 5-2010
Post Number: 9
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 13, 2010 - 11:48 pm: |
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Joe
I sent some info to your email. |
Joe Marcum
Member
Username: Jmarc
Ohio
Registered: 2-2010
Post Number: 32
| | Posted on Saturday, July 17, 2010 - 8:54 pm: |
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Alright, so I was able to get back to this issue today.... Pulled the seat pan so I could have access to linkages, then followed the steering adjustment instructions Joe sent me. I had no luck, the steering was still not correct. So I started looking a little closer at the splined shaft that comes through the frame, seems that the shaft only rotates about 20 deg from full left to full right(seems like there should be more). There also seems to be a lot of dead band in the steering wheel, where the steering wheel is being turned, but the splined shaft isn't rotating.... Thoughts???  |
Harold Goff
Member
Username: Jdalchemist
IA
Registered: 10-2004
Post Number: 715
| | Posted on Saturday, July 17, 2010 - 9:14 pm: |
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Joe,
Did you look at the thread http://www.weekendfreedommachines.com/discus/messages/17/87077.html?1275433060 by Joe Douglass? The little strap "E" in the diagram can be connected to the steering gear arm in two orientations. As Joe D. discovered, the wrong orientation (by a previous owner) gives your steering symptoms. Maybe Joe D. will chime in to give more particulars.
Harold |
Joe Marcum
Member
Username: Jmarc
Ohio
Registered: 2-2010
Post Number: 33
| | Posted on Sunday, July 18, 2010 - 8:38 am: |
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I did look at the "E" strap mentioned in the thread, it looked fine to me, but I'll print a picture of that diagram and take it out there for a more thorough investigation. |
Joe Douglass
Member
Username: 2lman
WA
Registered: 5-2010
Post Number: 10
| | Posted on Monday, July 19, 2010 - 11:48 pm: |
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Joe
Does the tractor's steering wheel turn with ease??? In both directions or not easy either way?
Is the control valve appear to have rust in or around the front end of it?
Is there any visible hydraulic fluid leaking around the front steering ram or fittings?
Look closely at and double-check the orientation of that part "E". I was looking for it and I missed it the first time.
Here are other links that answer some various questions with the 400 steering issues.
Good Luck
Concerning loss of power steering
http://www.weekendfreedommachines.com/discus/messages/335/8153.html
Concerning linkage adjustment and limit stops
http://www.weekendfreedommachines.com/discus/messages/335/408989.html
Concerning frozen spool valves and steering box stud adjustment
http://www.weekendfreedommachines.com/discus/messages/17/75806.html
More good advice from Harold G. and leaky steering cylinder
http://www.weekendfreedommachines.com/discus/messages/335/64912.html
Concerning steering box adjustment
http://www.weekendfreedommachines.com/discus/messages/335/105455.html
If you discover you need to rebuild the control valve is simple and inexpensive. Here is a link on the procedure for that.
http://www.weekendfreedommachines.com/discus/messages/335/98567.html |
Harold Goff
Member
Username: Jdalchemist
IA
Registered: 10-2004
Post Number: 718
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 20, 2010 - 8:16 am: |
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Joe M.,
Just to be sure about the strap, here is a pic taken with the left access screen removed of a project 400 tractor linkage.
Joe D.,
That is a nice resource summary you compiled for anyone with JD 400 steering problems.
Harold
 |
Joe Marcum
Member
Username: Jmarc
Ohio
Registered: 2-2010
Post Number: 34
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 20, 2010 - 8:39 am: |
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Guys,
I haven't had an opportunity to check the "E" strap again yet (work is a little crazy this week). As for the ease of steering question, everything turns easily, in both directions. I see no leaks in any of the fittings.
I'll take that diagram, and this picture(thanks Harold) do some looking, and report back. Thanks for you help. |
Joe Marcum
Member
Username: Jmarc
Ohio
Registered: 2-2010
Post Number: 35
| | Posted on Saturday, July 24, 2010 - 8:27 pm: |
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Got a chance today to take a little closer look at the "E" strap today with the parts diagram in my hands... and guess what, it's 180 out! should have looked a little harder the first time.... I didn't have the time tonight to flip it and see how everything worked, hopefully I'll get it done tomorrow. Thanks a lot guys! I'll let you know how it turns out. |
Joe Marcum
Member
Username: Jmarc
Ohio
Registered: 2-2010
Post Number: 36
| | Posted on Saturday, July 31, 2010 - 10:46 pm: |
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Well after a busy week, I was finally able to spend some wrench time with the 400, and I'm happy to report that my tractor now turns evenly to the right and the left! Thanks for all the help!!! |
