hydro steering

[91 k1500]

what is the best orbital valve for hydro steering?

also, any other does and donts to watch out for?

[Eroq]

there really isnt a "best"  company that makes them.. but good ones to look for are  Eaton/Char-Lynn  (they merged quite a few years ago   older valves will still say Eaton)      Danfoss are good as well

watch out for dirty fluid! if you look at one and the fluid is dirty at all.. stay way...   the valves can be very sensitive to dirt and crud

your going to want a 4 or 5 port valves.. all should be the same size    usually they are pressure, return, left and right   on 5 ports the small 5th one is a drain which MUST go back to tank  or it will not work properly

Feel free to ask any specific questions! i mess with hydro steer quite often      Once you go hydro you'll never go back!

[91 k1500]

how can you tell the difference between a load sensing orbital and a non load sensing one? also, do they make orbitals with return to center built into them? anything to watch out for with the hydro lines? will a stock chevy power steering pump be up to the task of running a full hydro setup?

[Eroq]

how can you tell the difference between a load sensing orbital and a non load sensing one? also, do they make orbitals with return to center built into them? anything to watch out for with the hydro lines? will a stock chevy power steering pump be up to the task of running a full hydro setup?

Its pretty rare to find the load sensing ones, i honestly dont know any applications that they would even be used on...  as far as return to center  its alot more of a headache to deal with than it would be help. Your talking more complicated valving and more stuff to go wrong in a mud truck...

stock PS pump works fine, altho adding a larger tank helps out ALOT!  usually pumps from a BBC or van with the remote resivour work out better.

i've always used 3/8" hydraulic hose, i've heard some people swear  up and down about running 1/4" saying it works faster and gets you higher pressure and whatnot   

keep the hoses away from anything with a sharp edge like frame rails, make sure you got enough hose going to the cylinder so it aint tight at full droop.

[91 k1500]

thank ya for the replies erog! helped a ton! now off to find parts I go.... lol

[cato699]

OK what would cause the fluid to come back out the top of the orbital valve, like where the shaft kook's up? I have tried to and they are doing the same thing..... Thanks

[forfun]

lines  in the wrong ports or two bad valves,and i'm not sure on the first one, never tryed it .good luck