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Alberta Phil 
Orange Level
Joined: 13 Sep 2009
Location: Alberta, Canada
Points: 3962
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 Topic: D17 power steering
Posted: 29 Dec 2025 at 3:14pm |
I have a series 1 D 17 LP with power steering and a 400 series loader. It works fine until the temperatures get below about 20 F. Then the steering is next to impossible to turn until it's been running for about 5 minutes or so, then it works fine. ' I'm thinking there may be moisture in the fluid that is causing the problem. Would changing the fluid solve the problem? I've had the tractor for quite a few years and the fluid has never been changed as it looks clean.
Also, what is the best fluid to use in the system. We see temps below -30F here at times.
Otherwise, it's a great tractor.
Edited by Alberta Phil - 29 Dec 2025 at 3:16pm
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steve(ill)
Orange Level Access
Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Location: illinois
Points: 89552
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Posted: 29 Dec 2025 at 4:45pm |
yes.. probably some moisture in the old oil. Changing it out would definitely help..
As cold as it is, the thinnest oil you can get would be best. Transmission fluid is normally thinner than most UTF / Tractor fluids.... I would go with a Type "F" or type "A" or any older type you can find.. I might stay away from the newer MERCON LV and DEXRON VI as they are synthetic and have a lot of extra "addatives" that may not be good on an older system.
Edited by steve(ill) - 29 Dec 2025 at 9:52pm
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Like them all, but love the "B"s.
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steve(ill)
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Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Location: illinois
Points: 89552
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Posted: 29 Dec 2025 at 4:48pm |
here is one option at local Wal Mart...
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Like them all, but love the "B"s.
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BillinAlberta
Silver Level
Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Saskatchewan
Points: 361
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Posted: 29 Dec 2025 at 5:05pm |
Phil I have 2 D17's that have been in use for many years near you and now in Saskatchewan. Some time back the series 2 got hard to steer in the cold so I changed the fluid from Walmart tractor fluid to ATF. It improved it a bunch but it was probably also contaminated with water. Both are now back to Walmart fluid and working fine even at 35 below.
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Alberta Phil
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Joined: 13 Sep 2009
Location: Alberta, Canada
Points: 3962
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Posted: 29 Dec 2025 at 5:36pm |
Thanks for the reply's. It's snowed into the shed at the moment, and the weather has warmed up so I'll get an electric heater under there and get it good and warm, and change the fluid. Gravel floor in that shed so any minor spill won't be a problem!
Bill, I saw you had moved to Saskatchewan. Did you get tired of all those hills where you were before?? LOL
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BillinAlberta
Silver Level
Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Saskatchewan
Points: 361
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Posted: 29 Dec 2025 at 6:07pm |
I loved those hills but family changes dictated a semi retirement near S'toon. It is great to have the kids close by.
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DSeries4
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Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Ontario, Canada
Points: 7588
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Posted: 29 Dec 2025 at 9:19pm |
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Make sure it has Dexron ATF. Better for colder climates than hydraulic fluid. I run it in all of mine.
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'49 G, '54 WD45, '55 CA, '56 WD45D, '57 WD45, '58 D14, '59 D14, '60 D14, '63 D15D, '66 D15II, '66 D21II, '67 D17IV, '67 D17IVD, '67 190XTD, '73 620, '76 185, '77 175, '84 8030, '85 6080
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AC720Man
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Joined: 10 Oct 2016
Location: Shenandoah, Va
Points: 5359
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Posted: 31 Dec 2025 at 11:21pm |
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Brrrrrr, I can’t even imagine -30 temperatures. 4 degrees in Va is bad enough. I think that was the coldest temp I had last winter.
Edited by AC720Man - 31 Dec 2025 at 11:23pm
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1968 B-208, 1976 720 (2 of them)Danco brush hog, single bottom plow,52" snow thrower, belly mower,rear tine tiller, rear blade, front blade, 57"sickle bar,1983 917 hydro, 1968 7hp sno-bee, 1968 190XTD
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Alberta Phil
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Joined: 13 Sep 2009
Location: Alberta, Canada
Points: 3962
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Posted: 17 hours 39 minutes ago at 4:27pm |
I got the system drained out overnight, then put in the new Dextron and cycled it through the system. I've been using it since and all seems OK now! Thanks for the assistance.
Noticed I have a leak somewhere in the loader hydraulic system at the front area, but I'll wait 'til it gets warmer so I can pressure wash it all underneath and then have a better idea where it's coming from. I have an idea, but I need to clean up all the oil so I can pin point the leak. Its not too severe as there is no dripping visible and the oil level is pretty well where it should be. I can see it's not the front pump.
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DSeries4
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Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Ontario, Canada
Points: 7588
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Posted: 17 hours 28 minutes ago at 4:38pm |
 Alberta Phil wrote:
I got the system drained out overnight, then put in the new Dextron and cycled it through the system. I've been using it since and all seems OK now! Thanks for the assistance.
Noticed I have a leak somewhere in the loader hydraulic system at the front area, but I'll wait 'til it gets warmer so I can pressure wash it all underneath and then have a better idea where it's coming from. I have an idea, but I need to clean up all the oil so I can pin point the leak. Its not too severe as there is no dripping visible and the oil level is pretty well where it should be. I can see it's not the front pump. |
If the leak is not at the front pump, it would most likely be in the steering system. The seal where the steering shaft goes into the front casting could be the suspect. Switching to a lighter power steering fluid tends to expose leaks more than hydraulic fluid.
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'49 G, '54 WD45, '55 CA, '56 WD45D, '57 WD45, '58 D14, '59 D14, '60 D14, '63 D15D, '66 D15II, '66 D21II, '67 D17IV, '67 D17IVD, '67 190XTD, '73 620, '76 185, '77 175, '84 8030, '85 6080
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