HITACHI CONSTRUCTION TRUCK MFG. LTD.

EH4500 STEERING SYSTEM

 DESCRIPTION

The steering system is a flow-amplified, closed-center hydrostatic power

steering system using two double-acting cylinders with pressure unloading type
compensated piston pump and a brake actuation/steering system hydraulic
reservoir.

Accumulators provide supplementary steering and constant steering rate under

all conditions.
 Steering System Specifications

Steering Angle 42°

Turning Diameter (SAE) 28,47 m 93.4 ft in

Steering Pump Output 249.0 l/m 65.8 gpm

(@ 1900 rpm)

System Pressure 20 685 kPa 3,000 psi

 Steering System Components
Steer system components described in this training session.

1. Steer column
2. RCB valve (Relief-Check-Bleed)
3. Steer Accumulators
4. Steer filter
5. Steer Pilot Valve (Orbitrol)
6. Steer tank
7. Steer pump (piston type)
8. Steer cylinder - right
9. Steer cylinder - left
10. Flow Amplifier Valve (Danfoss)
STEER SYSTEM COMPONENTS

Hydraulic Supply to Hydraulic Supply to

Hoist Pilot/Control Autolube System

Accumulator

Accumulator
Circuit
Left
Hydraulic Supply
to Park Brake

Hydraulic Supply
to Brake System

RCB Manifold

Pump
Unloader

Steer
Tank Flow Left
Amplifier Manifold
Valve
Right
Right
STEER SYSTEM SCHEMATIC
 Pump Supply Lines

Pump Supply Ports:

Rear - Hoist/Brake cooling

Middle - Hoist
Front - Steer system

The hydraulic supply line cover plates are the only access to the inside of the
hydraulic tanks; therefore, these need to be removed for tank clean-out. There are
100 mesh strainers on each of the supply port cover plates.
NOTE: Hydraulic supply line shut-off valves installed at the tank ports.
STEERING PUMP
 Steering Pump

The steer pump is a variable displacement piston style pump. The rated flow at
operating temperature is 250 l/min (66 gpm) @ 1900 rpm.
1. Drive Shaft 4. Valve Block
2. Yoke 5. Bias Piston
3. Control Piston 6. Piston
Steering Pump Operation
Steering Pump in Charging Mode

Load Sensing Line 3000 psi 3000 psi

< 3000 psi charging charging

PSI

To RCB
Valve
< 3000 psi
PSI
Below maximum
system pressure
setting
Steering Pump in Standby

Load Sensing Line 3000 psi 3000 psi

2650 psi 2650 psi

2650-3000 psi

PSI

To RCB
Valve
400-600 psi
PSI
 Steering Pump Pressures

400-600 psi

2
PSI

3000 +/- 50 psi

3
PSI
STEER FILTER ASSEMBLY
 Steer Filter Assembly

There is a normally closed (NC)

Filter Restriction Switch
mounted into the filter housing.
The filter restriction switch is set
to open at: 240 kPa (35 psi).
There is a Bypass Valve
installed into the filter housing.
The bypass valve is set to open
at: 345 kPa (50 psi).
There is a test port mounted
into the inlet port on the filter
housing. It’s used to monitor
the standby pressure setting of
the pump
(Not visible in this view). The filter element is rated at: 6 micron/absolute.
micron/absolute
 Filter Restriction Logic:
Engine running + filter lamp on + “E Clean Steer filter” = One of 2 things:

1. Open circuit OR 2. dirty filter element.

To determine which it is:

Turn off the Engine

1. 24v + 5 seconds + filter light flashing + “E Steer filter ER” = open circuit.
2. 24v + 5 seconds + no filter light + no warning message = dirty filter.

E Clean Steer filter

STEER ACCUMULATORS
 Steer Accumulators
The accumulator is a single wall, Nitrogen
free floating piston design. Gas
1200 psi
The dry nitrogen pre-charge is set to
1200 psi.

Steering System Oil

The oil in the accumulators is sent
back to tank whenever the ignition
key is turned to the OFF position.
Note: Be sure not to tighten the
inflation valve and its seat too tight.
Inflation valve 12 N•m (110 in.lbs),
valve seat 8 N•m (70 in.lbs).

Steering
Pump
 Steer Accumulators

There is a pressure transducer

mounted into each accumulator to
monitor the dry nitrogen pre-charge.
The range of the transducer is 0-
10000 psi: 04-20mA.
A one-way check valve sits between
the accumulator and the transducer
to allow the transducer to be
replaced without loosing the dry
nitrogen charge.

Transducer pin description: pin A = 24v supply / pin B = ground / pin C = input signal
FLOW AMPLIFIED SYSTEM
Flow Amplified System
The flow amplified system consists of a Steering Pilot
Valve at the end of the steering column and a large
Flow Amplifier Valve, mounted inside and along the
left frame rail. The Steering Pilot Valve located at the
end of the steering column, delivers flow to either the
(R) or (L) ports of the flow amplifier valve. This flow is
increased by a factor of eight and directed to the
steering cylinders. Amplified flow is proportional to
the rate at which the steering wheel is rotated.
Flow Amplifier Valve
 Steer Pilot Valve (Orbitrol)

A thermal bleed port is used

across the supply and tank ports
in the Steering Valve to keep the
complete valve warm while in the
closed position.
FRONT AXLE
 Maintaining the Trailing Arm Gap

Trailing arm pivot gap is the total clearance at surface A, B, and C. The total
clearance must be 5.46 - 5.59 mm (.215 - .220 in.). If the total of these gaps is greater
than 5.59 mm (.220 in.), use shims shim between trailing arms at A to achieve the
desired gap.
Toe-In Specifications

A – B = 0.00 – 3.00 mm
 SCHEMATICS
• Components
• System Charging
• System Charged
• System Standby
• Left Turn
• Right Turn
• Wheel Shock
 Left

Right
Left

Right
 Left

Right
 Left

Right
 Left

Right
 Left

Right
 Left

Right
 Left

Right
THE END