A mobile material placer with an auxiliary steering system having a direct hydraulic drive mechanism. This is achieved by virtue of the fact that the circumferential rim of the at least one float projects radially over the radially inner circumferential wall section and has an axial lip facing upstream, which extends into the circumferential groove in the axial direction when the at least one float is resting on the valve seat. The alignment member also has an aperture concentric with the sleeve that has a tapered engagement surface for contacting a tapered engagement surface on the nozzle tip. The second computing device then receives a communication that represents the portable input on the portable computing device. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.