Don't Laugh - Straightened Steering wheel

Tall T · Jul 13, 2014

The wheel was totally wonky relative to the center hub so i did some straightening.

I noticed that the wheel spinner had slipped off its spoke and that according to all the chewed up sections of the wheel, the clamped on spinner was the cause. So to contain it I added a yoke to the underside that straddles a spoke.

maxwell99 · Jul 14, 2014

I had one of those spinners on the steering wheel on
my old tractor, once!!!!

Front wheels hit a plow furrow a few times and the
steering wheel spun around hard.

Did not take me long to take that arm/hand breaker
off.
Be careful!!!!

Ultradog MN · Jul 14, 2014

Agreed.
On a tractor without PS they are not only dangerous but worthless as you don't have the hand strength to turn the wheel with one.
On a tractor with PS though they're the cat's meow.

Tall T · Jul 14, 2014

I knew there had to be a reason I posted this!

Since I'm a slide guitar playing drummer, I do not want to be breaking a wrist, so I'm going to heed and not put it on.

It actually did cross my mind that where it would shine would be with power steering.

Thanks,
Terry

Ultradog MN · Jul 14, 2014

Lest you forget, if you found the PS system off a 600, 801, early 2/4000, etc it would bolt right on to your NAA.
Steering wheel in the photo is 18" dia.
Spinner is on a 12" dia circle.
With the tractor at a dead stop and the engine running at 1K or more rpms you can spin the wheel as fast as you can move your hand and not outrun the ps.
It's worth having PS, if only to utilize the spinner.

Tall T · Jul 14, 2014

You wrote:
Lest you forget, if you found the PS system off a 600, 801, early 2/4000, etc it would bolt right on to your NAA.

I shant forget and will file these workable models away.
I've seen your's and other's posts about never going back after power steering and it is indelibly etched in my addled brain.

"Steering wheel in the photo is 18" dia.
Spinner is on a 12" dia circle.
With the tractor at a dead stop and the engine running at 1K or more rpms you can spin the wheel as fast as you can move your hand and not outrun the ps."

I know you probably have a very good reason for the 12" spinner positioning, but what is it? Just an unobstructed outer wheel for the hands; one thing less to bump into?

"It's worth having PS, if only to utilize the spinner."

Ho Ho

Just finished brazing up all the holes and weak spots on the bottom of my '54 3-ton Cornbinder gas tank . . . and I'm still here! :shock:

Ultradog MN · Jul 14, 2014

[i:cb73667dd8]"I know you probably have a very good reason for the 12" spinner positioning, but what is it? Just an unobstructed outer wheel for the hands; one thing less to bump into?"[/i:cb73667dd8]

You can spin the wheel around quicker from a 12" circle than you can from an 18".
When I get to mowing - around trees and obstacles, etc I can really move it in and out quick.
One hand is all I ever use.

Edit:
Look at the photo in the PS thread below. You can see I'm only using one hand to steer.
That tractor has a smaller steering wheel so the spinner dia is probably only 10" or so. Works great.

Caryc · Jul 14, 2014

(quoted from post at 08:27:48 07/14/14)
I knew there had to be a reason I posted this!

Since I'm a slide guitar playing drummer, I do not want to be breaking a wrist, so I'm going to heed and not put it on.

It actually did cross my mind that where it would shine would be with power steering.

Thanks,
Terry

It's good that you're not going to put the spinner back on. But since you play an instrument please take some more good advice.

On the "N" tractor, it's not a good idea to grip the wheel like you're choking a snake. That is don't wrap your thumbs around the wheel rim. Keep your thumbs straight out along the perimeter of the wheel. You don't want to hit a rut or something and have that wheel whip around and have one of the spokes catch your thumb.

Tom N MS · Jul 14, 2014

Agree...

showcrop · Jul 14, 2014

That sliding Tee bevel looks just like the one that I got out of my father's work shop.

Tall T · Jul 14, 2014

Sound advice all!! Thanks.

I read the PS thread.
What is the ball park range for the newer Fords with all the conveniences -- not that I have any immediate intentions?

Actually the only tractor that could tempt me into having more than I need would be a '58 ford 861 with the 172 cu in. Just can't leave the 50s behind. Or like this 850 with factory PS:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMUs58tbj5w

I like the style of this 4000!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rnwsjAhBok

No thumbs inside for sure. It's like the high bar in high school gymnastics; you never wrap your thumbs around the bar as I recall.

Here's a better shot of the old T Bevel. Mahogany with brass thumbscrew.

Tall T · Jul 15, 2014

Anyone wanting a suggestion on steering wheel crack fill?

My solution seems to be a good one.

Here's a before and after having filled and shaped a little with Devcon Plastic Steel. It is glossy dark grey to black in color so no need to paint.

Not sure i got the right upside/downside but you get the idea.

Don't Laugh - Straightened Steering wheel

Tall T

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maxwell99

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Ultradog MN

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Tall T

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Ultradog MN

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Tall T

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Ultradog MN

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Caryc

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Tom N MS

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showcrop

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Tall T

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Tall T

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