• Thank you for visiting HeavyEquipmentForums.com! Our objective is to provide industry professionals a place to gather to exchange questions, answers and ideas. We welcome you to register using the "Register" icon at the top of the page. We'd appreciate any help you can offer in spreading the word of our new site. The more members that join, the bigger resource for all to enjoy. Thank you!

Clark michigan loader 75A series 2 steering issue

Rusted

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 1, 2007
Messages
211
Location
Australia
Worn linkage, center pivot, steering cylinder pistons

It's a rigid frame machine, the ball joints would be a good place to start, but there's a lot of linkage that is probably well worn too. Have never worked on a Clark, but that's where I'd be starting out on a rigid frame Cat machine.
 

Bgreania

Member
Joined
Jan 22, 2016
Messages
5
Location
Northern Michigan
Just checked the hydraulic fluid level due to a pretty significant leak. Are the steering cylinder pistons reliant upon the fluid in the main reservoir? Any chance this is contributing? Sorry, not as familiar to heavy machinery as i am with aircraft. Is there any way to test the ball joints?
 

Oldiron

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 18, 2009
Messages
52
Location
Alberta Canada
(you have probably already solved this but)start by topping up the hyd oil, then check the manual linkage starting at the steering box, this is best done with the aid of a helper, with the engine stopped, have your helper turn the steering wheel and watch for excessive travel in the mechanical linkage, it there is excess slop, the hydraulic assist will over compensate and cause steering wonder. our 85A suffered from a loose pitman arm when we first got it. it behaved like you described.
 

oldseabee

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 23, 2010
Messages
529
Location
Milner, Ga.
Occupation
Retired
Strait frame machines are sensitive to several unseen items. tire inflation one side to the other, crown on a paved road can cause a little drag on one side, jack up one wheel at a time and check rolling resistance, a dragging brake shoe can drag one wheel effecting steering going down the road, even internal leak in the steering valve. After you have checked all the stuff in the firs couple of posts and can't find anything, time to go further, those machines seem to always wander a little so you probably won't get straight line steering without some steering wheel work by the operator, get every thing adjusted the best you can and any loose linkage fixed, check the items at the start of this post. is the best you can expect
 
Top