[MISparty]

So I've put about 20hrs or so on my new to me 455. It has around 1600 total hours.

As I understand, it's a model year with the older setup for steering (I don't have the serial).


The thing is, I was using it today to mow, and the steering seemed to get harder. A little resistance when turning. Is there a common reason for this?

I stopped mowing and put it away just in case....

Thanks!

 

[HeyYou]

Low on hydraulic fluid? Filter getting plugged?

 

[eKretz]

I have noticed this occasionally on my x595. Every now and then when I get the tractor out to mow, the steering feels like it takes just a little tiny bit more force to turn the wheels than usual. It's that way for the whole time I'm using it. It's been doing this for years with seemingly no other ill effects, and it always feels normal again the next time I use it. I change the hydraulic oil and filter every year or every other year depending on use, and there are no leaks on my machine. I chalk it up to who knows what and keep on tractoring. And if it helps, my tractor is pushing 16 years old now, I've had it since new.

 

[RussKish]

There lots of parts in the front axle that can caused steering issues on the 4X5 (either 2WS or AWS). Bushing wear that support the wheel spindles, the axle pivot wear (allowing front to back swing, there is a wear plate kit for the 3XX/420/430 series) and the axle to tilt off vertical (known as twist), wheel bearings wearing on the shaft. Push yoke on the power steering ram can also wear. These can make steering hard if it gets to a bind, then go normal after the travel goes back to a normal range. So you need to schedule some time to check these items, front end has to be off the ground to check for excessive slop.

I've attached a diagram of the 455 front axle.

 

[MISparty]

Thanks everyone.

I should have mentioned that I checked the hydraulic level and it was right in range.

I'll move on to the next steps.

 

[Merc1973]

Are the spindle zerk fittings greased?

 

[mrbeef]

At 1,600 hrs it might be a good idea to disassemble and clean all the joints on the steering. Even if it's not the root of the problem it allows you to give each component a visual appraisal. Chances are if the problem is intermittent, there is a part rubbing somewhere or a ball of hard grease is lodged in a component. A few years ago my 140 just got hard to steer.... Over about 15 mins.... It was just a hard ball of grease in the main steering pivot under the tractor.

 

[inspectorudy]

What I have found on some of the older PS tractors is that some of the holes and joints have "Egged" out and are no longer round. When you get a combination of these in an extreme position it adds up to a lot of resistance. Do as Mr. Beef suggests and take it apart and look for holes that are no longer round or parts that have changed shape from their original ones. That older steering system on your tractor was dumped for a reason and I think you may have found it.