Orbital quality differences

Markrobinson · Oct 25, 2022

What's the difference in a $1000 Eaton from psc, a $600 trail gear, and a $274 chinesium?

Backstory:

I'm hoping some smarter than me can shed some light on the quality differences in orbitals. I had a trail gear system with their pump and some old nascar reservoir. It would act like the fluid was too hot and fade on obstacles. I replaced the pump with a cbr and a nice filtered psc res.

When I replaced the pump it was great at first. Back to steering with one finger at idle, etc. Now I'm leaking at the back of the orbital (where the column comes in).

I am leaning toward replacing the orbital now rather than trying to source a seal for a valve that may be the problem.

I'm running trail gear's ram and the blue fluid wide open design sells. Now I have a Smurf jizz puddle in my shop floor

Beerj · Oct 25, 2022

When I was chasing steering issues on my wife's jeep, I pulled her brand new psc orbital and swapped it with a $125 unit off ebay. Aside from simultaneously fixing the steering issue at the same time as the replacement, they both seem to act identical. So I've just got the psc unit sitting on the shelf now. So in my experience, I didn't notice any difference between them.

Markrobinson · Oct 25, 2022

That's comforting for me, although I imagine it pissed you off

Beerj said:
When I was chasing steering issues on my wife's jeep, I pulled her brand new psc orbital and swapped it with a $125 unit off ebay. Aside from simultaneously fixing the steering issue at the same time as the replacement, they both seem to act identical. So I've just got the psc unit sitting on the shelf now. So in my experience, I didn't notice any difference between them.

extremetownie · Oct 25, 2022

It is like anything Chinese. You can work great, the next one be a piece of crap .They have the equipment to make quality products, just lack quality control.

sandw · Oct 25, 2022

Depending on the brand of orbital, you can buy just a seal kit for the steering column end for about 35.00

sandw · Oct 25, 2022

https://www.midweststeering.com/product/standard-seal-kit-for-steering-valves/ this is the kit I used on mine

Markrobinson · Oct 25, 2022

sandw said:
https://www.midweststeering.com/product/standard-seal-kit-for-steering-valves/ this is the kit I used on mine

That's relatively cheap to rule that out and appears to fit a lot of models (including Toyota and Nissan) so I have to assume metric and standard must use some same sized seals or it includes each.

In either case, I'll give it a shot for $35

Thank you!

rugger99 · Oct 25, 2022

Reach out to Eric at Radial Dynamics...very knowledgeable with all things hydraulic.

Premium Hydraulic Steering Systems

Radial Dynamics engineers reliable, high performance hydraulic steering systems for off-road vehicles by applying experienced fluids engineering as well as innovative product and system design. Learn how we have helped the top drivers take their vehicles to the next level.

radial-dynamics.com

ridered3 · Oct 25, 2022

rugger99 said:
Reach out to Eric at Radial Dynamics...very knowledgeable with all things hydraulic.

Premium Hydraulic Steering Systems

Radial Dynamics engineers reliable, high performance hydraulic steering systems for off-road vehicles by applying experienced fluids engineering as well as innovative product and system design. Learn how we have helped the top drivers take their vehicles to the next level.

radial-dynamics.com

I enjoy their deep dives into various steering components. Definitely willing to share their knowledge.

Markrobinson · Oct 26, 2022

ridered3 said:
I enjoy their deep dives into various steering components. Definitely willing to share their knowledge.

Looks like they sell the same orbitals as psc, plus their badass pump.

tcDawg · Oct 26, 2022

160ml Oribital from Busted Knuckle, $379.

It is clearly not an Eaton, but what maker if anyone knows. I'm about to grab one...my thinking(right of wrong) is if they use that one on their bouncers, its good enough for me.

chaplinfj60 · Oct 26, 2022

Hydraulic Cylinders | Hydraulics | www.surpluscenter.com

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i use this store once i figure out what i need. legit prices for sure. you can find fitting and everything here. the orbitals have me stumped today they only list one, but i got mine 18 months ago and they had a bunch. just look around is all i can say or call.

Markrobinson · Oct 26, 2022

tcDawg said:
160ml Oribital from Busted Knuckle, $379.

It is clearly not an Eaton, but what maker if anyone knows. I'm about to grab one...my thinking(right of wrong) is if they use that one on their bouncers, its good enough for me.

It's probably the ultimate full send chinesium Xtremium model.

Trail gear tech emailed back and said they don't know of a seal kit for theirs so I'm on my own.

Honestly, if I can't find a seal kit or just decide to cut bait, I'll order the bkor one

alscott · Oct 31, 2022

The Chinese orbital I've used was from that mega mud truck website. Maybe rockwell offroad or something. It worked but was always wacky with my single ended ram. It would bypass spinning in loose rock and the tires would go haywire and do whatever they wanted while the wheel never moved. And it was noisy. But it worked. Swapped it for my eaton and massive difference in steering control. We just put the china orbital on my dads temporarily cause his eaton was leaking but he hasnt took it out yet so I have no input on how it works with a double ended ram.
The china orbital is the same one Burkey sells unless that has changed.

ridered3 · Oct 31, 2022

alscott said:
The Chinese orbital I've used was from that mega mud truck website. Maybe rockwell offroad or something. It worked but was always wacky with my single ended ram. It would bypass spinning in loose rock and the tires would go haywire and do whatever they wanted while the wheel never moved. And it was noisy. But it worked. Swapped it for my eaton and massive difference in steering control. We just put the china orbital on my dads temporarily cause his eaton was leaking but he hasnt took it out yet so I have no input on how it works with a double ended ram.
The china orbital is the same one Burkey sells unless that has changed.

Definitely report back on how the china orbital plays with the double ended ram setup.