M-F 285 steering

My dad recently bought a M-F 285 with an aftermarket Bush Hog loader. It had steering problems so he took it to a local M-F dealer. They pulled the front axle; rebuilt the steering cylinder; replaced bushings, berings, gaskets and seals; then later on the steering hydraulic pump. It will not turn more than 10-15 degrees if sitting stationary. steering wheel will turn but wheels do not. The dealer tells us that this is all they can do. This steering system cannot handle the extra weight of the loader. IS THIS A POOR DESIGN BY MASSEY; OR; IS THE DEALER EXCUSE FOR BEING UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR. (steers okay if moving) What is your experience???

Hi
If your MF Dealer has told you that you will only have an assisted turn either way of 10 to 15 degrees, that's a load of.....whatever term you might care to use!!!!!!!!!
My info says that the 285 can have either mechanical power assisted or hydrostatic. The attached photo shows the mechanically actuated type. Broadly the hydrostatic will not have the valve on top of the cylinder and will not have a draglink alongside the engine.
I'm guessing from your message that you have the type in the photo.First of all make sure that the kingpins are free and greased and that the KP thrust bearings (have these been replaced?) are not worn out. This type works most efficiently by there being no play in the linkage other than what is required to activate the PAS. Remove the front grill and remove the battery and tray. Have an assistant work the steering wheel back and forth in the free travel. The spool ontop of the cylinder should have a push/pull movement of approximately 1/8".
Look at all components closely and check for play where you might be losing actuation.
Check particularly the adjustable barrel and pins, the spool yoke and upper steering arm.
Check also the main vertical shaft for any movement other than rotational....sideways as it turns. Check the anchor point of the cylinder rod to the axle casting for up and down movement when turning the steering wheel.
Play in any or all of these will reduce steering assistance. All can be rectified.

I suspect that they do not fully realise what the system requires to operate at its best. This type of system is a good design, however it will require maintenance from time to time.

Let us know what you find and if you have this type.

DavidP, South Wales

It has the hydrostatic; is driven only by hydraulic fluid. Whatever the fluid drives to make the wheels turn was completely disassembled and rebuilt. When it quits steering; the steering wheel will continue to turn if pulled slowly; just will not turn wheels.

Has your tractor the two rams like this 265? It is possible that it has the wrong steering orbital unit fitted. These units have different 'gearing' (for want of a better word!) The depth of the unit will decide just how powerful that unit is. Smaller tractors or forklift trucks have a short barrel on the orbitlal unit... large heavy tractors have a long barrel. My guess is that your unit may have been changed at some time for a secondhand unit that just 'fitted'.. Trouble is, which is the right unit for your tractor? I would go for one that has a longer barrel than the current one fitted. As far as I know, just like the gearing on a mechanical steering box, these longer orbital units take more turns from lock to lock. Check out the correct part number for your tractor.......
Sam

dealer needs to lick his calf over again,check your steering pump fluid level,if it's ok pump pressure is low or the steering cylinder or cylinders have an internal leak ,we have a 255 with a case loader for a 90 hp tractor on it and 9.00x15 tires on the front it steers fine