Power steering issue on old school loader??

[Boy English]

Having some issues I believe to be within the steering unit? Or maybe wrong 🤔

 

When oils cold = steering works lovely (stop to stop with pressure)

 

When oils warm = lovely at pulling steering ram in however really struggles to push ram out (turn steering wheel however much you want in this direction and nothing happens)

 

Solution to being stuck in the middle of yard= pull ram fully in (works as it should) hold steering wheel on stop for a few seconds (believe removing air from system) then steering works lovely again long enough to change direction..

 

No leaks in system, good oil and flow pump happily making pressure..

 

Hydraulic man says he's never been in a steering unit and the specialist is quoting £500 and a week downtime 😐

 

Tempted to have a look myself, I'm thinking a seal / o-ring has gone and allows oil to pass it when it's warmer / thinner??

 

Anyone got any ideas or knowledge in the field? Could it be the ram at fault and I'm in the wrong place?

[Stubby]

Seals gone on the side that goes out . Hot thinner oil fnds the leak sooner than cold thicker oil . Just my guess .

[Boy English]

Ever been inside a similar setup?

[Stubby]

Ever been inside a similar setup?

 

No . Sorry . Only log splitters . As I said just a guess .

[Boy English]

I'm thinking the same.. hydraulic man is saying (from a guess) he believes there are valves inside that require setting hence he stays away.. I'm tempted to have it apart though

[aspenarb]

To help identify the problem swap the two steering pipes over on the steering head or if the pipes will reach on the ram and try it again. You should be able to eliminate the steering head from the ram.

 

Bob

[Boy English]

Cheers bob, that hadn't even entered my head but yes that's only 10 minutes for a clear pointer

[Breezeblock]

is it tight both ways when the engines turned off try swapping the pipes round about on the ram to see if it transfers the problem there should be a couple of cross over valves in the circuit as well I've seen these fail before with georotor systems

[GardenKit]

I used to work on these things and although I have forgotten most of what I knew i recall that they were not as scary as they seem.

 

Certainly try the tips mentioned, but firstly change the power steering fluid and filter in the pump, as you could have some aeration of the oil due to age, or restriction of flow from a blocked filter, or both.

 

If you decide to take the orbital unit apart learn a bit about it first. This link may help

http://files.danfoss.com/documents/520l0468.pdf

[Boy English]

is it tight both ways when the engines turned off try swapping the pipes round about on the ram to see if it transfers the problem there should be a couple of cross over valves in the circuit as well I've seen these fail before with georotor systems

 

 

There is equal resistance both ways yes, the ram swaps happening first thing however as for crossovers there's nothing apart from the steering valve .. pump with pressure release - steering valve - ram.. that's all