D17 IV Power Steering Belt

I have a D17 IV diesel.  When turning the wheels with the tractor sitting still or moving very slow, the power steering belt will squeal.  I have the belt tightened to spec and the power steering fluid is full.  Is this normal or is there some other adjustment I need to make?It has become especially bad now that I have the #500 loader mounted on the tractor, but was an issue even before mounting the loader.  Thanks, Dave

How do you tighten a belt to spec? Only place I've seen that mentioned they used a scale to apply deflection pressure and measure the movement. If you think it's slipping you could over tighten it for a bit to see if it quits. China belts aren't worth installing.

oops, I meant 1/8" belt slack

Relief valve is built into the pump. It allows the pump to build 1600 psi and no more. When the valve opens, it squeals. All hydraulic pumps must have a protection for a max pressure or they would explode when over-pressurized. Air up the front tires to 30-32 psi.

Edited by DrAllis - 03 May 2023 at 10:43am

I was wondering if the front tires would make a difference.  The prior owner had put truck tires on the front wheels.  They had decent tread, so never thought too much about it.  However, I wonder if three rib tractor tires would be better.

Current air pressure is 30 psi.  I'll put some more in and see if that makes a difference.

The other IV is gas with a #17 loader on it, so a lot less weight on the front end.  Perhaps the difference!

I'm guessing relief valve pressure may be low.

The remedy ?? Well, you'd start by jury rigging a pressure gauge on the power steering pumps outlet line and seeing if the relief is set for 1600 psi (spec) or less than 1600 psi. It would be easier to make sure the spindles are greased well (with the front wheels off the ground) and install the small tires from the tractor that you say has no problems. That test may settle your complaint.....big tires turn harder.

Did I read it has loader on it. How is it with bucket on ground an no weight on tires

I dont know for sure... but that might be normal for a heavy diesel tractor, with big tires and a loader on the front...In the "old days" before power steering on a car, you learned to "turn the wheel" as you came to a stop, or as you started to move forward.. Never when setting still ....Similar high effort.

Most D-17's had 6:00 or 6:50 x 16's. A few series 4's may have had 7:50 x 16's.  The farther the center of the tire gets from the spindle's vertical centerline, the harder it will turn.  So, the wider the tire, it is probably getting farther away from that centerline.