developed hard steering on a backhoe. all hydraulic system,no leaks of line?

try removing the top to the power steering pump and turning the steering wheel back and forth a few times with the engine running it will remove any air that is in the system and you should have no more problems. hope this is of help to you:

Mickey-G
August 2008

My JCB has hydrostatic steering (seems yours is the same) powered by a seperate pump to the main hydraulic pump, driven off the engine timing gears.
Failure of steering pump will not affect loader/backhoe operation.
Assuming king pins aren't siezed, check that steering pump is providing pressure to the steering ram, and that the pump is being driven.
If you should happen to have a Leyland engine the pump is driven off the timing gears via an idler gear whose bearings tend to break up, possibly causing disengagement of gears if left too long.
If any of the above fits your m/c, post query again and I MAY be able to help further.

Mr. Toad
August 2008