7010 - Steering Issue

With the good weather over the weekend, I started doing all kinds of tractor stuff.  I decided to fire up my 7010 and do some chores.  The steering has become quite difficult.  I looking for guidance on debugging the issue. 

The steering was fine when I parked it this past fall from what I remember so this is a mystery why sitting for several months would create this issue.  I see Hydraulic fluid in the lower site glass on the back so it has fluid.  It was almost 55 degrees so it wasn't that cold.  I also worked it for about 30 minutes.

Looking at the parts diagram, I have the Orbitrol, the hydraulic pump and the cylinder as culprits.  I was able to lift my 3pt disc mower without issue and use the valves to hydraulically raise and lower the mower arm, so I conclude that my hydraulic pump is not the issue but could it be weak?  I have to rev the engine all the way up though to get it to steer which might indicate a weak pump.  I did not have to reve the engine to get the valve and rear lift to work.  The wheels sometimes did not want to turn left or right, so it was hard to steer into intended direction.  I did hear some squelching as I tried to turn the wheel sometimes. 

At this stage, it would not be safe in road gear or maybe any gear for that matter.  I know that my 190XT had the orbitrol replaced at one point before my ownership but I do not know the symptoms of a bad orbitrol.

I haven't changed the hydraulic filter yet this upcoming season and was going to do that as a first step.  I would think a blocked hydro pump though would cause the valves to not work nor would it pickup the mower.

Any ideas greatly appreciated!

I also just realized there may be 2 pumps on the 7010.  If so, that is why rear lift works. 

tbran, thank you for getting me going in a direction.  After original posting, I looked closer at the situation and realized that the middle part of the pump handled the steering, hence the name "dual" pump.  This is the most likely cause based upon it's behavior.

I looked at the parts diagram and I see the two plugs top and bottom and the various parts used.  It also shows the order for the various parts.  I need a clarification though.  If I take it apart, don't I need new parts?  Or are you saying that by taking it apart and putting it back together, it will become unstuck?  Can I get the parts?  I assume you have to take both plugs out on the top and bottom to get the parts out?  Is there any trick to get the parts out if they are stuck.  Can I leave it on the tractor or does it need to be de-installed.  Sorry for all of the questions but this is new territory for me.

victoryallis wrote: To polish mine I took a 3/8 or 1/2 wood dowel about 8 inches long and cut a slot in one end about as deep as a ribbon of Emory cloth is wide. Fed the Emory cloth threw the slot and put it in a drill and polished the barrel.

Nice tip.  So you were polishing only the inside of the barrel and not the outside of the barrel?