Regarding the 4020 hard starting the owner has consented to putting in a remanufactured Delco-Remy starter from JD. The one I need is in their spring sale starting February 1. We'll put in the starter and then decide what to do with the batteries.
Regarding the steering issues:
1. Re-call I ran an air test that failed. The Steering Motor test passed.
2. I found the bleed valve, first picture, on the Steering Motor. It was so covered in oily dirt it was a little hard to find.
3. I connected a clear hose and routed it to the Hydraulic Level Check tube, second picture. I lifted the front of the tractor to make the steering easier and ran the air bleed procedure. I really cannot tell you what I saw in air. When I started the test the front wheels acted very erratically and I was paying attention to that. As I ran the procedure they synchronized and operated as expected.
3a. I removed the bleed valve and cleaned it and the area around. It had a spring and ball bearing in it. The parts book does not show a spring. I don't know what that is all about. I put it all back together and tightened it along with the locking nut. As I did this it occurred to me the bleed valve may have not been tight, pretty sure it wasn't which would explain all the oil and dirt around it.
3b. I took the tractor for a two mile ride, it was 40 F that day, the steering seemed to work OK to me. It took very little steering movement to effect change.
3c. The owner came and drove the tractor the next day, again 40 F that day. He gave me a big thumbs up. I think he had fun on such a nice day. He must of went about 5 miles. He is 77.
4. When I lifted the front tractor I noticed the front wheel bearings and vertical knee bushings were very loose. So that is the third picture, ready to be dis-assembled.
So, it seems that either there was air in the system or the bleed valve was leaking or both. Fingers crossed but it steers fine now and tightening the wheel bearing and replacing the bushings will be icing on the cake.
So that is what I have today. Again, thanks for all your comments and help. I'll post again after I get the remanufactured starter in.
Ya, the squirrels and rodents had a bunch of nuts and debris under the platform I have to clean up.
Stay warm, wind chills are expected to be in the -30's again tomorrow.
Paul
Regarding the steering issues:
1. Re-call I ran an air test that failed. The Steering Motor test passed.
2. I found the bleed valve, first picture, on the Steering Motor. It was so covered in oily dirt it was a little hard to find.
3. I connected a clear hose and routed it to the Hydraulic Level Check tube, second picture. I lifted the front of the tractor to make the steering easier and ran the air bleed procedure. I really cannot tell you what I saw in air. When I started the test the front wheels acted very erratically and I was paying attention to that. As I ran the procedure they synchronized and operated as expected.
3a. I removed the bleed valve and cleaned it and the area around. It had a spring and ball bearing in it. The parts book does not show a spring. I don't know what that is all about. I put it all back together and tightened it along with the locking nut. As I did this it occurred to me the bleed valve may have not been tight, pretty sure it wasn't which would explain all the oil and dirt around it.
3b. I took the tractor for a two mile ride, it was 40 F that day, the steering seemed to work OK to me. It took very little steering movement to effect change.
3c. The owner came and drove the tractor the next day, again 40 F that day. He gave me a big thumbs up. I think he had fun on such a nice day. He must of went about 5 miles. He is 77.
4. When I lifted the front tractor I noticed the front wheel bearings and vertical knee bushings were very loose. So that is the third picture, ready to be dis-assembled.
So, it seems that either there was air in the system or the bleed valve was leaking or both. Fingers crossed but it steers fine now and tightening the wheel bearing and replacing the bushings will be icing on the cake.
So that is what I have today. Again, thanks for all your comments and help. I'll post again after I get the remanufactured starter in.
Ya, the squirrels and rodents had a bunch of nuts and debris under the platform I have to clean up.
Stay warm, wind chills are expected to be in the -30's again tomorrow.
Paul