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Georgia Boy
04-24-2000 15:26:51
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I'm a novice who's just started using a 1965 3-cylinder Perkins diesel MF 35, pulling a 5 foot International bushhog. The previous owners weren't very big on maintenance, so I was doing all of the routine stuff (fluids, filters, grease, etc.) before I used it.
I'm not sure how to go about routine service for the steering. There's a pressure grease fitting near the top of the steering column, just under the steering wheel. There's also a filler plug in front of the steering column, near the gear shift levers.
Looking at a manual that I ordered for the tractor, it mentioned a "steering housing filler", and said to top it off with transmission lubricant. It didn't mention the grease fitting.
I had taken out the filler plug, and, no surprise, the housing seemed to be almost empty. I planned to fill it with the same fluid I'd used for the differential/hydraulic/transmission, Coastal brand Multitrac Tractor Fluid (I'm not even sure if that's the right choice for the steering - is it?)
First I decided to grease the pressure fitting at the top of the column - I was using Coastal brand High-Temp grease. On all the other fittings, I just pumped grease until it started to ooze out somewhere. On the steering column, I kept pumping it in, and it just kept taking it. That worried me a bit, but I figured it couldn't hurt, so I kept on. Finally, I noticed that I'd put in enough grease that it seemed to be forcing some of the fluid out of the steering housing filler. At that point, I just said "Oops", and stopped.
Operating the tractor later, some of the grease came out above the grease fitting at the top of the steering column.
So, a lot of questions for me - Did I screw up putting in so much grease? Will it be a problem? If so, what do I do? What kind of fluid does go in the steering housing? Many thanks to all of you experienced folks!
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