hard to steer

[zekepiks 8]

I have a 1975 c160 hydro that is hard enough to steer with a snow blower and now I have bought a ark 500 loader to add to it, so I wondered if there is anybody out there who does't have all kinds of fabracating skills who has been able to come up with something to help.ANYTHING

                                thanks zekepiks

[leeave96 488]

Loader is definitely going to make the tractor steer harder. If it would fit, a gear reduction and swept forward front axle from a 520H would be a good solution.

[rmaynard 16,078]

Be sure to have a little tow-in on the alignment, and keep the tires slightly over inflated.

[daveoman1966 3,836]

Install a THRUST BEARING like thiis one in the two front wheel spindles....between the cast iron axle and the 3/4" vertical spindle shaft. A pack of the just sold on ebay. 

# 9862 may or may not be the right part number...but it is a bearing like this that will help with the steering.

Edited April 8, 2014 by daveoman1966

[MalMac 1,332]

I put those thrust bearings on my tractor with a Ark Loader and in with less than 4 hours operating time they had been reduced to a grey slime powder. Could not hold up to normal usage let alone getting a few heavy buckets of top soli. The bearings are just to small for the application. Maybe a little larger one would hold up better.

[ericj 1,579]

have greased the steering fan gear on the frame under the gas tank. i sold a 312-8 to a guy at work who know his way around motors and machines complained his tractor steered to hard, i showed him were to grease and he said it made a big difference. can't say for sure if this is your problem but it is worth checking good luck. the 520 gear reduction steering would be the way to go for the loader, if you can pull it off and find one

 

 

 

 

eric j   

[jdmitchjr@6dlam.com 5]

I have a D-180 with an Ark loader.  I found it difficult to steer and am part way through a rebuild of the Ross steering column mostly due to slop.

 

Before starting the rebuild, I found the front tires to be underinflated a bit.  First I inflated them to spec and the steering improved.  And then I slightly overinflated them and the steering was much better.  So you might want to consider front tire inflation pressure.

 

I started a thread on a possible conversion to hydraulic steering.  Sorry, I don't know how to link to it here.  If you are interested, it might be worth checking out.  The conversion is somewhat expensive and there is some fabrication involved.  And I don't know if it would work with your tractor model but the mock fitting worked pretty well for the D-180. 

 

If my steering rebuild does not ease the steering for ladies who use it, then next year I will probably do the hydraulic steering conversion.

 

Best regards,

 

John

[Don1977 604]

As has already been said a couple of times "keep the tire inflated" 4 or 6 ply rated tires also helps as the don't fold up on every little bump they roll over. You may need to check all the bearings and bushings on the steering shafts, and shim the fan gear to tighten it up.

Edited April 8, 2014 by Don1977

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,323]

There should be a hardened washer each side of the thrust needle bearings.

 

Torrington thrust bearing catalog (15 pages of 356)

 

Garry

[pfrederi 18,454]

The thrust washers and hardened flat washers are available from McMaster for less money than ebay.  Your C160 only has 3/4" unreinforced spindles.  If you are loading the bucket up so much that it is too hard to steer you are probably well on your way to bending them.

 

People need to remember these are garden tractors with a loader not a skid steer or purpose designed construction equipment. 

 

A bucket full of mulch is one thing, fill it up with gravel/sand you are going tp break something sooner or later.....Take smaller loads

 

http://www.mcmaster.com/#needle-roller-thrust-bearings/=rg7wly

Edited April 8, 2014 by pfrederi

[Forest Road 594]

Get a set of Firestone ribbed tires

http://www.millertire.com/products/lawn-garden-tires/16x6-50-8/16x6-50-8-firestone-3-rib-front-4-ply/

Second get some ballast hanging off the rear of your tractor. I run 200-250 lbs on my 314h with snow blower. No problems turning. It'll put more weight on your drive wheels and lift the front end just enough to ease the steering.

[MalMac 1,332]

preferi is right. I put the HD Sindle kit on mine and used the thrust washer and still had one heck of a time turning it. You must turn it while in motion or you will break something as sure as the sun comes up in the east. Even with the HD Spindle kit I still bent one spindle. I am now putting a different tractor together with a 520 front end and steering reduction. It's even tough to steer when bucket is empty let alone a bucket full of mulch or dirt. I do know the 3 rib tires make it somewhat easier but still a chore.

[Wishin4a416 2,191]

Like Bob said above, Toe-in makes a big difference. It did on my 312. I gave it 3/16'' and feels like power steering.

[zekepiks 8]

I want to thank everybody for thier quick, and very informitive, and just great replies to my question. I'll try probably everything and let you know.

                                                                                                Thanks again skip  (zekepiks)

[HorseFixer 2,013]

I had the big Tall Chute hanging of my C-120 and it was some hard turning.    I then put the firestones on from Miller Tire and as mentioned they helped    but still needed more help.   I then decided to get a 520-H with gear reduction and forward swept front axel and decided to make that the New Snow Chucker. All I can say is what a difference that made    in cutting snow blowing time because the Tractor is so maneuverable. I would love to have a Fel and no doubt it would go on a 520-H.

 

~Duke

[fireman 1,022]

The thrust washers are a must! I put these on my D200 with loader and backhoe and they worked fine. The bearings need the hardened surface to roll on! Make sure you put one below and above the bearing.

[boovuc 1,090]

As was suggested, if you can lay your hands on a 520-H with the forward swept front axle, (make sure it has the forward swept axle by the way), just keep the front rims/tires that came with the 520 on it and you have solved two problems. The 520 rims are heavy and the spindles are an inch in diameter verses the three-quarter inch on standard axles. 

I honestly bought as nice of a 520-H as I could knowing I was going to find a loader for it. i had the 520 for years before finding a good ARK loader for a good price.