Manitou telehandler hard steering. Please help

[Islandplants]

Hi Everyone.

I have recently joined the maintenance team in a plant hire company after several years working in the marine industry. Within my fleet I have 2 Manitou MT1745 telehandlers, 1 MT730 and 1 MT625, all of which are about 10 years old with between 2k and 5k engine hours.

There appears to be a common issue between the MT1745s and the MT730 in that the steering is very easy when only the the front wheels turn. This changes however, when the operator engages 4 wheel steer at which point the steering becomes almost impossible to turn at a stand still and very difficult to turn when the machine is in motion.

Is this just the way these machines are or is there something wrong ?

I would very much appreciate any input this forum may have as to what should I look at first and what are some tests I can perform to suss out what's going on ?

Many thanks
PM

 

[Bri963]

I’ve just had two weeks splitting my time between operating two 1840’s, one hystat and one with a Turner 4 speed. Neither had this issue. First suggestion, have they got the right oil in the system? Should be a 46 oil. Then check the steering mode valve is shifting properly when you shift the selector lever. Seems odd that all three machines are suffering the same issue.

 

[CPS]

Hi Everyone.

I have recently joined the maintenance team in a plant hire company after several years working in the marine industry. Within my fleet I have 2 Manitou MT1745 telehandlers, 1 MT730 and 1 MT625, all of which are about 10 years old with between 2k and 5k engine hours.

There appears to be a common issue between the MT1745s and the MT730 in that the steering is very easy when only the the front wheels turn. This changes however, when the operator engages 4 wheel steer at which point the steering becomes almost impossible to turn at a stand still and very difficult to turn when the machine is in motion.

Is this just the way these machines are or is there something wrong ?

I would very much appreciate any input this forum may have as to what should I look at first and what are some tests I can perform to suss out what's going on ?

Many thanks
PM

Steering priority valve id say. Should be able to strip it down and clean it up a bit

 

[pettsy]

@ACEngineering

 

[ACEngineering]

Hi Everyone.

I have recently joined the maintenance team in a plant hire company after several years working in the marine industry. Within my fleet I have 2 Manitou MT1745 telehandlers, 1 MT730 and 1 MT625, all of which are about 10 years old with between 2k and 5k engine hours.

There appears to be a common issue between the MT1745s and the MT730 in that the steering is very easy when only the the front wheels turn. This changes however, when the operator engages 4 wheel steer at which point the steering becomes almost impossible to turn at a stand still and very difficult to turn when the machine is in motion.

Is this just the way these machines are or is there something wrong ?

I would very much appreciate any input this forum may have as to what should I look at first and what are some tests I can perform to suss out what's going on ?

Many thanks
PM

Steering priority valve failing/sticking was common on the MT models.