Go BottomPower steering for L2850
 | Larry247
Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 3 Illinois 
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2003-07-23 59979
I recently bought a late 80s Kubota L2850 4WD diesel from a private owner who told me it did not have power steering. I noticed it had some play in the steering so I checked the steering box to see if it could be adjusted. I noticed two lines running from the steering box to the hydraulic pump on the side of the engine. Does this indicate that it does have power steering that just isn't working ? Any info about this and what it may cost to fix would be greatly appreciated !
Thanks ! Larry
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| TomG
Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 5406 Upper Ottawa Valley 
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2003-07-24 60013
My 80's Ford uses what may be a similar design and it's more appropriate to call them power assist rather than power steering. The system doesn't have it's own pump but rather is fed through a priority valve that is mounted on the pump. There is one line from the priority valve to the steering sector and another that goes to a manifold block to feed the remotes. A second line that's on the steering sector goes the reservoir. You can tell if the PS is doing something by turning the steering from side to side when the tractor is stopped and at idle. The engine tone changes and some hydraulics noise is heard when the PS becomes active.
Adjustments on my system are a relief valve on the steering column. Low relief pressure would make for weak steering. It takes a pressure gauge and a special fitting to make the adjustment, and I haven't done it. There is a 'play adjustment' on the end of the sector. My repair manual says the tractor has to be running to make the adjustment, but the owner's manual doesn't mention it. I believe it should be running at least for my Ford.
My PS isn't as strong as I'd like and maybe I'll tear into it. It is would be a bit of a job since the steering column and sector have to come out. A manual is needed to give specs like bearing pre-load adjustments. My Ford has a tube shock that is used as a steering damper. Steering would be hard if the damper is damaged. I think I'll remove it to see if the steering is improved before I tear into the PS.
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 | Art White
Join Date: Jan 2000 Posts: 6898 Waterville New York
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2003-07-25 60115
Power steering was available on different model's of the L-2850's Dt4,5, 7 and 8 all had power steering. Most sold were the DT8's. ....
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| Larry247
Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 3 Illinois
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2003-07-25 60121
Hello Art, My L2850 is a DT-7 and if I understand your message it should have power steering. There are two lines running from the hydraulic pump to the steering box (1 steel and 1 rubber) but there is no hydraulic cylinder anywhere on the steering linkage nor do I see any brackets where one may have been mounted. Is the power assist built right into the steering box. The steering is quite hard and has a lot of play ( nearly half a turn).ALSO .. I haven't figured out how to engage the PTO while the engine is running. I was told the clutch had two stages and holding it all the way in should disengage the PTO but it doesn't. It just grinds unless I engage it with the engine off. I sure appreciate all your help and should invest in an operators manual! Thanks again !! Larry ....
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| Art White
Join Date: Jan 2000 Posts: 6898 Waterville New York
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2003-07-25 60122
Larry, it sounds like a couple of things there need to be adjusted. Steering and the clutch. The two stage clutch is a little touchy to keep in track but they do work. The steering can be adjusted also to correct the loose wheel, the early power steering systems are not as good as todays, yours is a double pump one for the steering and one for the rest of the tractor. ....
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| TomG
Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 5406 Upper Ottawa Valley
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2003-07-26 60143
The PS is part of the steering sector on my Ford and that's probably what you're looking at as well. I'll describe how I'd adjust my Ford steering play and that might help.
First step is to see if the PS is activating. I'd start the engine and at slow idle turn the steering wheel from side to side until the tires start moving and listen for the engine working harder and some hydraulic noise. If those are there the PS is active. Most PS of this type is activated by turning pressure on the steering wheel and not simply movement.
Then I'd make sure the play is in the steering sector by having somebody turn the steering wheel while I inspected the drag link and tie-rod ends.
Finally, I'd adjust the sector play. On my Ford, the adjustment screw is under a cap on the end of the sector barrel and accessible from the side of the tractor opposite the drag link. The cap is removed and a lock nut loosened. With the tractor running at idle (and observing various safety precautions) I'd turn the adjusting screw until there's about an inch or two free travel either side of centre. There has to be some free-play or the sector can be damaged.
Turf tires at low pressure and a loader will make for hard steering with this type PS. Heavy weight on the 3ph will lighten the steering. When stopped with a heavy loader load and the wheels cramped, I've been known to lift the tractor with the loader to straighten the wheels. I've also used brake steering to make tight turns when carrying heavy loads.
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