Cub Cadet 5000 Series - Manual (Page 21)

Domestic Series 5000 Hydraulics
17
7.15. Have an assistant slowly turn the steering wheel
until the steering linkage hits the end of its travel.
Applying pressure to the steering wheel while
the linkage is at full lock will build pressure in the
system.
NOTE: The wheel can be turned in either direc-
tion to get a pressure reading.
NOTE: The steering pump is equipped with a
relief valve that will not permit the pressure to
rise above 1,087 to 1,160 PSI (75 to 80 Bars).
7.16. Observe the pressure reading on the test kit, at
full-lock. The pressure should be in the range of
1,087 to 1,160 PSI (75 to 80 Bars).
See Figure 7.16.
7.17. If steering pressure is low, and the auxiliary
pump has been confirmed to be functioning
properly, then the steering unit is the problem.
NOTE: Steering unit failure is a rare occurrence.
7.18. If the pressure is good between the steering unit
and the steering cylinder, but the steering sys-
tem lacks power, then the steering cylinder is the
most likely hydraulic problem.
7.19. It is possible for the piston seals in the steering
cylinder to experience “blow-by” without creating
an externally visible leak.
Figure 7.16
7.20. To check for blow-by, turn the steering wheel in
whichever direction causes the flow meter on the
test kit to rise:
• If the test kit is attached (as illustrated in figure
7.15) to the fitting at the base end of the cylinder,
turn the steering wheel to the right.
• If the flow meter is attached to the fitting at the
rod end of the steering cylinder, turn the wheel to
the left.
7.21. If the steering hits the end of its travel, builds ter-
minal pressure, and the flow meter continues to
have a reading above zero, then fluid is blowing-
by the seals on the piston.
7.22. If the flow meter falls to zero and remains there
as pressure builds, then fluid is not blowing-by
the seals on the steering cylinder piston.
7.23. If blow-by exists, the steering cylinder is bad.
NOTE: A steering cylinder can get “blown-out”
by a steering pump with a relief valve that fails to
keep the pressure below 1,500 PSI (103 bars).
If this is the case, replacing the cylinder without
replacing the pump will result in rapid failure of
the replacement cylinder.
7.24. If the hydraulic system (Auxiliary pump, steering
unit, cylinder, lines) is all in good order, then the
problem may be a mechanical bind in the steer-
ing linkage.