Farmall 340 Steering Problem

Pete7 · Dec 16, 2009

Recently bought a Farmall 340 with a wide front axle (this is a row crop not the Utility) and started having trouble with the steering. You could turn the steering wheel but the tires would not turn unless the tractor was jacked up. With help from you guys I located a good used worm gear/shaft and matching wheel gear because I found the old ones were badly chipped and missing teeth. (tractor does have a loader on it) Thought that would solve the problem, right? Well, sort of, I can now turn the steering wheel and the tires turn ok, with the tractor jacked up. I don't feel any binding and it seems smooth thru the entire range, both running and not running while jacked up. But when I lower the tractor I can't turn the steering wheel. Doesn't matter if it's running or not, the steering wheel just won't turn more than a 1/4 turn or so. Shouldn't I be able to turn the steering wheel manually when the tractor isn't running? Do I have some thing binding the steering or is it a power steering issue?
Pete

Al L. in Wisc. · Dec 16, 2009

Pete, reading other posts on this board in the past; with power steering you won"t be able to turn the wheel without the tractor running as you could if a tractor has "armstrong steering". I also have a Farmall 340; mine w/utility swept back axle and NO power steering. It is a bear, or was, until last week when I put the eight foot fast-hitch blade on it. Now, very light in the front end - no weights - and w/snow and ice, I really have to watch what I am doing. My 340 desperately needs a power assist but they are scarcer than hens teeth. I with you luck.

Pete7 · Dec 17, 2009

Thanks Al L. in Wisc. I had a chance to look a little more at the steering problem. I don't see or feel any binding in the steering when the wheels are off the ground. I'm thinking the problem must be in the power steering torque unit or the priority valve. I know the hyd pump is working because the loader works OK. Not sure how to check out the priority valve or the power steering torque unit and I'm not sure what manual I need to help walk me thru this.
Pete

Owen Aaland · Dec 17, 2009

What do you have for front wheels and tires? If you have larger tires so that the wheels are reversed to clear the spindles, they will steer much harder.

Originally the tires would pivot on the ground. If you extended a line down through the center on the spindle it would touch the ground about the center of where the tire meets the ground. That will allow the tire to pivot on that point. If you move the tire away from the spindle you now have to roll the wheel around in a circle requiring much more force.

Farmall 340 Steering Problem

Pete7

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Al L. in Wisc.

Well-known Member

Pete7

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Owen Aaland

Well-known Member

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