7341 No Brakes and Jerky Steering

[rdt]

2001 7341 S.T. with approx 600hrs. I purchased this tractor about 4 years ago and it is used as my primary hay mower/baler tractor. I've put a few small (20acres or smaller) hay fields in, but no heavy work other than baling.

Towards the end of last hay season(what little bit of a "season" there was), I noticed the steering was getting jerky. A couple months ago, I went out to move from the lean-to into the shed, to plug it in, in case I needed it to plow snow. I noticed the brakes went clear to the floor and steering very jerky. Pumping didn't really seem to help . The hand brake works fine. No visible leaks on the ground. I checked the hyd fluid and it was just a touch low. Being late, I topped the hyd fluid off and figured I'd mess with it on my weekend. Well, that didn't happen. This morning, after 14+ inches of snow fell overnight, I went out to clear the lanes. Very, very little foot brakes and steering very very jerky.

Not sure where to start looking. Any suggestions?

 

[Renze]

how much moisture is in your steering oil ? i once had no hydraulics because the suction screen was full of ice. Letting the tractor idle for an hour (with disengaged oil pump drive) thawed it a bit, then i changed fluids.

foot brakes have a different reservoir, i dont know where it is on the Super series...

 

[rdt]

how much moisture is in your steering oil ? i once had no hydraulics because the suction screen was full of ice. Letting the tractor idle for an hour (with disengaged oil pump drive) thawed it a bit, then i changed fluids.

foot brakes have a different reservoir, i dont know where it is on the Super series...

I'm not sure about how much moisture is in the steering oil. I don't think it's an icing issue, since it started last year in the fall.

 

[rdt]

After reading other post, I want to add:

I do not have any issues with the other hydraulics (loader or 3 point). The air pump seems to be functioning normal, at least it pops after a few mins after start-up. I haven't tested the aux air pump, though, to see if it is working. Also, the 4wd operates fine (in and out of 4wd)...like it should.

 

[donny2stroke]

After reading other post, I want to add:

I do not have any issues with the other hydraulics (loader or 3 point). The air pump seems to be functioning normal, at least it pops after a few mins after start-up. I haven't tested the aux air pump, though, to see if it is working. Also, the 4wd operates fine (in and out of 4wd)...like it should.

correct me if im wrong but isnt the steering on a separate hydraulic pump? i would look at that first. also any jerkyness in the hydraulics is emphasized in the winter due to the thicker oil. as for your brakes i think the logical place to start looking is your master or slave cylinders and replace them (its as if your getting air in the system) even heard of these going stiff after long periods of and no fluid replacment

 

[ixer0]

Hi

The steering problem sounds like it is short of oil. It has it's own reservoir in front of the radiator. Could be plastic or metal tank using ATF oil.
Brakes have air in them if you have no fluid loss. Probably master cylinders but bleed the system and see how long they last. Don't forget bleed screws on air valve under cab and hydraulic trailer brake valve if you have one. When bleeding each individual side you need the other brake pedal down 25/30mm.

Mike

 

[forterra9641]

the first issue of the super series had bad slave cylinders you got a kit to rebuild them to another style from factory, but i would have assumed it was the new style on a 2001 model. could be master cylinders as well swapped them on the one i got two times. powersteering has its own tank in front of radiator and the pump is infront of the compressor.