2840 power steering

Several years ago, the (approaching senility) Dad of a friend of mine bought a 2840 of questionable lineage that looks like it's been rode hard and put away wet for WAY too much money from a jockey in MN and payed someone WAY to much money to haul it to north central ND for basically hobby use.

Surprisingly enough it's been OK up to this point.

A few days ago while doing light loader work the steering made some sort of "snap" noise and now it has no power steering, and to add misery to that, it steers HARDER with the engine running and the hydraulics "on-line" than it does with the engine stopped.

Unfortunately, it's been deposited in front of my shop and isn't going to go away until I fix it (or call Pete's Tractor Salvage and fake ignorance as to where it's gone)!

Will check hydraulic PSI to valve, but DOUBT that's an issue, plus the adjusting nut at the top of the steering column has been ralphed on by a pipewrench which (IMHO) indicates a previous problem that was "fixed" by "hacks".

(Un)luckily, all I have is an aftermarket shop manual of the brand that B&D suggests using as a doorstop, and it (of course) is WORSE than useless.

Any of you guys familiar with that oddball Cherman PS unit?

Bob
You're a lucky man. IMHO you get to work on the tractor that's next in line after 2010 D of sorriest tractor JD built. I still remember 1 of the new 2840's I sold that the pto clutch came apart and ruined the trans case while tractor was under warranty.

My guess 1 or more of the large six o-rings inside housing have blown or one of the 2 steering valve units(key 23) has failed. I've seen a sliver of metal get hung in the little valve in the valve body. One can replace the previously mentioned parts by removing steering wheel then remove large adjusting nut then by turning shaft CCW remove shaft with the 2 steering valves intact. Then the 6 large o-ring(key 26) can be replaced. These 6 o-rings have a long history of failing. Although not an easy task this can be accomplished.
CAUTION: If you disassemble shaft components be sure to keep everything in order as the valve bodies must be shimmed correctly to operate correctly.The valve control units cost $221 ea.

Should be plenty of them in junk yards maybe get another steering unit ?
I did some pretty serious work to a 2840 in the past. Problems were caused by the owner. I found it nicer to work on than the smaller models and I really like the way that 6 cyl. engine runs.

Yep, I HOPE it's an O-ring in the valve area. It's goofy that it steers HARDER in BOTH directions with the engine running than is does when stopped.

Seems if an O-ring in the cylinder area failed it would at least partially power steer.

How much does steering wheel move up/down when turning wheel?

It moves quite a bit both up and down from the center point. Should I measure the travel?

I know shaft normally moves up/down some but I can't remember the dimension. Does b&d's favorite(I &T) tech manual reveal this dimension? Some up/down motion can be adjusted out with adjusting nut. IIRC that nut is adjusted in XX ft/lbs but again I can't remember correct amt.