Need larger steering wheel for Ford 850 tractor.

Shealray · Oct 12, 2011

I have decided to get a larger steering wheel for my Ford 850 tractor made in 1955. Not sure how to do this. My steering wheel is badly bent any way so it needs to be replaced. How do I get a larger wheel?

Husband said but a old time sailing boat wheel on it. It would look neat, but I think it would be dangerous where you hands could get caught in the pegs.

Any way I could weld a bigger wheel to the existing hub of sorts.

Any Ideas???????

showcrop · Oct 12, 2011

Assuming the larger wheel is for ease of turning you could consider a Jackson power steering kit.

rustyfarmall · Oct 13, 2011

I did a little research and found the steering wheel you now have is 17 1/2" diameter. That is just about as big as they come unless you want to retro-fit something from an antique or build one from scratch. If you make it TOO big, it will be in your lap or at least interfering with other functions.

Shealray · Oct 13, 2011

I found out the steering wheel gear box was really low on grease. After I put in a whole stick of grease the steering is better. I believe when I put my 501 sickle on the back it will bring up the front end a little and help relieve the front end for turning easer.

You are kind to do the research.

THANKS

60 acre hillside · Oct 13, 2011

I remember years ago there was a company, I think Koch (spelling) that made a planatary hub for just that purpose. By its design it reduced kick back and requited more turns from lock to lock.

JMOR · Oct 15, 2011

(quoted from post at 12:16:46 10/13/11) I remember years ago there was a company, I think Koch (spelling) that made a planatary hub for just that purpose. By its design it reduced kick back and requited more turns from lock to lock.

his is a po-boy version?

Shealray · Oct 15, 2011

(reply to post at 07:31:35 10/15/11)

WOW I like this. So if I did not want to cut my steering column just add a sprocket what are your thought on this.

Possible remove existing steering shaft put in another like a kit. This is super. Sure would like to find the maker of this. I Googled, but did not find the compnay.

See I knew gears where good for something.

Want to sell yours?????

rustyfarmall · Oct 15, 2011

(quoted from post at 09:00:31 10/15/11)

(reply to post at 07:31:35 10/15/11)

Click to expand...

WOW I like this. So if I did not want to cut my steering column just add a sprocket what are your thought on this.

Possible remove existing steering shaft put in another like a kit. This is super. Sure would like to find the maker of this. I Googled, but did not find the compnay.

See I knew gears where good for something.

Want to sell yours?????

The gears and chain in the picture look like to me like they are right out of a small block Chevy. You could get the chain and large sprocket from any auto parts store, but you would need to visit a salvage yard to acquire the small, crankshaft gear. That set-up would result in a 2 to 1 gear reduction. and would require exactly TWICE the number of turns of the steering wheel.

GlenIdaho · Oct 16, 2011

If your tractor is hard to steer it may have more problems than just low lubricant. It originally used oil. Many replaced the oil with grease to eliminate leaks. Hard steering may be a bad bearing in the column or bad bearings in the spindles. You might check out the entire steering system. If you have a loader it will be hard to steer, without a loader they are relatively easy. Some even put a suicide knob on the steering wheel. Hope this helps.

millman52 · Oct 17, 2011

from a safety standpoint power steering is the way to go.

I understand that your budget may not allow for a new power steering kit.

I have ran manual steering tractors & they really aren't bad in the field while moving, pulling implements etc.. It's when you are in close quarters they are hard to deal with.

I'd avoid putting the suicide knob on though. They are bad enough to kick back & hurt your hands without the hammer head of a knob bolted on

The Home made timing gear reduction looks like a good idea but will be harder to install in a dependable arrangement than you might think. It's also going to raise the height of & move the wheel much closer to the seat.

I can't say what the gear set shown is off of but it isn't Small Block Chevy. It doesn't much matter because what ever it is off of it will have to be taken to a machine shop & fitted to work for your application.

I seen a Power Steering kit on eBay for a 2000, 3000 etc series Ford in the $400.00 range Brand New. I don't know how close it might come to fitting your tractor but looked like a fairly simple fitting to it's intended tractor.

ARCADIAINC · Oct 19, 2011

My tractor is a 1955 Ford 860. The gear box started giving problems. I had it rebuilt and could not believe the difference in effort it made. Not power steering, however if the tractor is moving the effort required to steer is minimal. Remember these tractors were among the last built with manual steering. The system had been well developed and do not require the effort older tractors require.

ARCADIAINC · Oct 19, 2011

That should read steering gear box. Sorry--

souNdguy · Oct 19, 2011

does the wheel have any rise / fall when turned lock to lock?

really sounds like a steering box that needs rebuilt.. not more mechanical advantage..

they are super easy to rebuild...

soundguy

Shealray · Oct 20, 2011

The wheels do not raise and fall when moving from lock to lock. I put 1 sick of grease in the gear box, so it was low. As for steering I have this little poem I wrote just one line for now, but will add more for a country song. It goes like this.

[i:bf14b77b52][b:bf14b77b52]How can you know when something’s wrong.
When you don't know what's right.[/b:bf14b77b52][/i:bf14b77b52]

As for me all I know so far is power steering. My neighbor has an OLD tractor with manual steering. He let me try and move the wheels while stopping. My tractor is better steering by farthen his. So I'm going to count my blessing with this tractor. I know with the 501 sickle on the back and moving it will be a wonderful tractor for cutting hay next year.

I do want to say this. Good people really want to help; they just have to be given a chance.
To all you good people out their in tractor land thank you for your kindness.

And to show you I am really working on this tractor here is a picture.

Thank you one and all.

Sally (aka Shealray)

Need larger steering wheel for Ford 850 tractor.

Shealray

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showcrop

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rustyfarmall

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Shealray

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60 acre hillside

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JMOR

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Shealray

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