Steering wheel shape won't work with any Steering Knobs

[Alrashid2 171]

Hey guys. I'm doing a lot of turning around with my tractor, so figured a steering knob would be perfect for me.

 

However, the unevenly shaped steering wheel on my 1985 312-8 is making it impossible to find anything that will fit... I've tried 4 different types now with no luck.

 

When I finally find one that will not twist and move, it seats crooked because of the steering wheel shape, and faces inward. This is just breaking my wrist since it's not sitting directly upward. Tried to capture this in the pictures.

 

Anyone dealt with this before? I'm at the point that, for the right price, id swap steering wheels for one that's perfectly round in shape so I can make a knob work!

 

Thanks guys

 

 

Edited November 20 by Alrashid2
title typo -woops!

[ri702bill 8,380]

Hmmm... "Necker Knobs". aka "Suicide Knobs" have been outlawed for Motor Vehicles for years - for good reason. Way too many broken thumbs have happened once you jam a front tire into a curb. Can't say the same for Fork Trucks.

Riding a WH should not be a 2-handed workout...

[midpack 866]

I tried one of those too. I couldn't find a good fit either

[Lee1977 6,677]

 Short piece of 1/4 pex tubing filled with silicone caulk on the low side might work.  Need to shape to the wheels radius and let the silicone set up first.
 

[Bill D 1,927]

Consider switching to a 15", 3 spoke steering wheel.  These are commonly found on the 417, 418, 312A and some others.  Makes steering much easier, plus your knob might fit better.

[Bar Nuthin 276]

I don't know how much difference there is between the 2 spoke and 3 spoke wheels, but I really like this one I got from Lowes.

Good Vibrations Steering Knob

 

Edited November 20 by Bar Nuthin

[Treepep 568]

Retired gentlemen and children at the golf course were insistent that these were useful for long STRAIGHT passes along the course.  I would give in.  I don't care how YOU get the straight lines so long as they are straight!  I do not see the use however if you can find vintage metal or wood/metal they go on once and NEVER move.  Best of luck 

[Racinbob 11,108]

7 hours ago, Bar Nuthin said:

I don't know how much difference there is between the 2 spoke and 3 spoke wheels, but I really like this one I got from Lowes.

Good Vibrations Steering Knob

 

I don't see the need on my Wheel Horses but the golf cart has multiple turns lock to lock. Since it gets used on the paths you have to really stir it at times. I did put one on it but don't like it the way it fits at all but that one looks great. I never thought to look at Lowes for one. 

[Alrashid2 171]

Thanks guys for all the advice! I did try the Good Vibrations one and though it was nice quality, it still would turn inward since the steering wheel is more of an oval facing inward, rather than perfectly round like other WH steering wheels. 

 

I'm trying one last one that has a thicker metal clamp, that I'm going to try and bend into the shape of my steering wheel. After that, giving up!

 

Unfortunately I could really use a steering knob. My main purpose with this tractor is to haul firewood up to the house. My property is long and narrow, so I'm basically going up and down a straight path from my firewood area to the house, and back. Lots of 8+ point turns haha!

[Bar Nuthin 276]

1 hour ago, Alrashid2 said:

My property is long and narrow, so I'm basically going up and down a straight path from my firewood area to the house, and back. Lots of 8+ point turns haha!

 

[Alrashid2 171]

@Bar Nuthin haha! Thanks for the laugh. Sadly it's not too dissimilar in one spot! There is a point where I need to turn around and the distance between my shed ramp, a few large Oaks, and a giant boulder, is about 9 feet if that.