310-8 steering issues

[MXDPA 13]

I have a front end loader on my 310-8.  With no load steering is easy, however with a load, it is almost impossible to turn the wheel.  I'm afraid I will break something trying to turn.  Is there a modification that would remedy this?  

[wallfish 17,196]

Rear weight off the back behind the rear wheels will help to counter-weight the bucket load

Change those front tires. Those Ag lug tires are digging in. Tri-rib tires seem to work the best for a loader tractor

Only steer when the tractor is moving

Upgrade the complete steering and front axle to a reduction steering set up and swept forward front axle from a 520 tractor

[953 nut 56,767]

Not much I can add to what John has already said. Going to a larger diameter tire would help and I would also recommend using a narrower six ply tire inflated to the highest pressure stated on the tire. https://www.millertire.com/4-80-8-rubber-master-trailer-tire-c-6-ply/

The 520 swept front axle will give you better size spindles and hubs.

[peter lena 8,976]

@MXDPA  glairing to me , what type of grease / lubricant do you have in every related chassis joint ?  no load , its easy , load , impossible . would use the bottom of that bucket  on some chassis lifts , to suspend that entire front end , broken record , lucas x-tra heavy duty chassis grease , is made for that set up . grease it while suspended steering fan gear , spindles bearings , move it while suspended and greased , to insure application . that polyurea , hi temp  , anti sling grease will stay with it , also verify you don't have any hidden contact / drag points , at different bucket range points . that rig looks too good to have that issue , pete

[Pullstart 63,551]

 

I agree with everything above.  Having a load on that with no rear weight box, I’m surprised the rear tires don’t lift off the ground!  Even with the rear weights, adding much more weight out back (and extended away from the tractor for more leverage) will do you wonders.  The 310 has 6” front tires.  My old loader machine, I simply swapped 8” wheels and tires on and as Richard mentioned ran them up to the 40 psi they were rated for and it made a big improvement.

 

 

[pfrederi 18,187]

Thrust bearing and washers on the bottom of you r spindles may help a little.

 

Just steer when you are moving sort of like my 1953 M-37  N o power steering back then.

 

..

[roadapples 6,983]

As others have said, I added six ply trailer tires and wheels to mine. They hold 70psi. Nearly as much improvement as gear reduction steering which I also added. Swept forward axle also adds a little more stability because it is farther forward and also wider...

[Pullstart 63,551]

It sure would be nice if we could find some decent help around here… 

[The Freightliner Guy 1,334]

and nice tractor paint looks perfect the loader part almost looks factory it’s so great looking 

[Handy Don 13,087]

 

All good info.

 

11 hours ago, pfrederi said:

Thrust bearing and washers on the bottom of you r spindles may help a little.

 

 

I added them to a 520-H that already had reduction steering and went from "nice" to "wow".

Just bought a set to put on the 312-H we've already upgraded with 8" turfs and short spindles.

[MXDPA 13]

WOW!  Thank you all for the quick replies and great advice!  

I bought the lug tires because they can hold a lot more weight than lawn mower tires.  But now I understand that they dig in and contribute to the hard steering.  Changing to 8" trailer tires & wheels will be the first thing I will do to remedy the issue along with the thrust bearings & washers.

I'm not familiar with the reduction steering from a 520 tractor, but that sounds like something I could use - if I can find one.

The photo I attached didn't include the counter weight I use with the loader.  I also now have dual rear wheels. 

I fabricated the loader from drawings by P.F. Engineering.  I can't say enough great things about this project.  Paul with P.F. Engineering gave me support whenever I had a question.  I would recommend them to anyone that would want to undergo such a project.  As the photo shows, I also fabricated a boom to lift things.  Since I took this photo, I added a 12v winch to make it work like a cherry picker.

I also modified the way the bucket & boom attaches to the lifting arms.  They hook on top with 2 pins on the bottom.

[sjoemie himself 3,072]

@MXDPA you did a great job building that loader. By the looks of it you added some of your own touches to Paul's design. Came out good 

[wallfish 17,196]

4 hours ago, MXDPA said:

Changing to 8" trailer tires & wheels will be the first thing I will do to remedy the issue

The spindles for those 6" wheels are extended down to keep the tractor level with the smaller wheels, so it might be a good idea to get 8" wheel spindles too.

 

along with the thrust bearings & washers.

The thrust washers will take up space on the pin so you will need to remove some material off of the axle so the clip will fit back on

 

I'm not familiar with the reduction steering from a 520 tractor, but that sounds like something I could use - if I can find one.

They come up for sale every so often. $300-$350. Keep an eye out for a 520 roller tractor too.

 

The photo I attached didn't include the counter weight I use with the loader.  I also now have dual rear wheels.

Be careful with dual rears on a loader tractor. The outside tires should have very little air pressure to allow some give on uneven terrain. They definitely provide some stability but the big con is the risk of snapping an axle. That extra tire adds quite a bit of leverage on to that short axle. I snapped a 1 1/8" axle with duals on the loader. That 310 trans has smaller 1" axles 

 

Nice job on the loader build!

I did Paul's backhoe for a loader tractor

I

[Wild Bill 633 862]

Another option that helps is to fill the rear tires with fluid. Very nice looking tractor you have!

Edited July 20, 2022 by Bill633

[953 nut 56,767]

9 minutes ago, Bill633 said:

fill the rear tires with fluid.

Liquid filled tires will add traction and stability but will do nothing to ease the steering effort. For that the weight needs to be behind the rear axle.

[953 nut 56,767]

1 hour ago, wallfish said:

The thrust washers will take up space on the pin so you will need to remove some material off of the axle so the clip will fit back on

When I added thrust washers and bearings to my loader I cut material off the top of the axle where tte spindles come through so the bottom would remain smooth. 

[Handy Don 13,087]

4 hours ago, 953 nut said:

When I added thrust washers and bearings to my loader I cut material off the top of the axle where tte spindles come through so the bottom would remain smooth. 

Also the precision of the material removal isn't so critical at the top.

You only need room to get the clip on and not have the spindle fall out when you lift the front of the tractor (or go off the ski jump). 

[wallfish 17,196]

Those bottom surfaces aren't exactly squared up and true to each other either but I've done some removing material from the top for the clip to go on. Those thin thrust bearings have some flex to them.

[Handy Don 13,087]

2 hours ago, wallfish said:

Those bottom surfaces aren't exactly squared up and true to each other either but I've done some removing material from the top for the clip to go on. Those thin thrust bearings have some flex to them.

I'll keep this in mind! Thanks.

And yes, @peter lena those bearing will get red n'tackied! Just got an order of cartridges in today.

[MXDPA 13]

Again -thanks to all of you for the info.  

15 hours ago, wallfish said:

 

Nice job on the loader build!

I did Paul's backhoe for a loader tractor

I

I didn't think about the extra leverage on the axles that could snap them.  I have windshield washer fluid in the inner rear wheels, but not in the outer wheels.  I will lower the air pressure in the outer wheels.

[Lee1977 6,922]

One thing the others haven't pointed out is the upper steering column bushing on the 300 series is usually worn out along with the hole it's in will cause miss alinement with the fan gear causing harder steering.

 The fix is is a two bolt flange bearing. I used a 6472 Toro flange bearing as that is what I had, some use a ball flange bearing.  I don't have a loader but the 6 ply tires and tapered roller trailer bearing are a big improvement on the steering.

Here is a picture of the flange bearing installed. You should have all the information of the other improvements from the post above.

 

 

 

[MXDPA 13]

13 hours ago, Lee1977 said:

One thing the others haven't pointed out is the upper steering column bushing on the 300 series is usually worn out along with the hole it's in will cause miss alinement with the fan gear causing harder steering.

 The fix is is a two bolt flange bearing. I used a 6472 Toro flange bearing as that is what I had, some use a ball flange bearing.  I don't have a loader but the 6 ply tires and tapered roller trailer bearing are a big improvement on the steering.

Here is a picture of the flange bearing installed. You should have all the information of the other improvements from the post above.

 

 

 

OK - another place to look for the steering problems.  With all of these suggestions, I should be able to get this Horse to turn!  

[Handy Don 13,087]

12 hours ago, MXDPA said:

OK - another place to look for the steering problems.  With all of these suggestions, I should be able to get this Horse to turn!  

I shout out "gee" and "haw" when I want to turn.

Doesn't do a lick of good but I feel very authentic.