ebinmaine 67,697 #1 Posted December 31, 2020 Why did early garden tractors use lever steer instead of a steering wheel? Space constraints? I see it's more than just the Ponds that did this. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 25,606 #2 Posted December 31, 2020 I’m guessing easier to make. Nothing round, all straight rods / levers, single pivot points... 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,697 #3 Posted December 31, 2020 I can certainly see the value in that. Part of the point of interest with me is that I've never heard anyone say they LIKE using a lever steer tractor because the lever tends to get bucked around with even small bumps. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pollack Pete 2,273 #4 Posted December 31, 2020 (edited) Never drove a tractor with lever steer,but I do like running this.My John Deere 490D excavator.Kinda like running my Caterpillar D3C bulldozer too.Both have lever steer Edited December 31, 2020 by Pollack Pete 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,329 #5 Posted December 31, 2020 The "Bubble Top King", Darryl Starbird used lever steer on a couple of his Kustom Kars. Push forward to go right, pull back to go left. 4 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHNJ701 4,165 #6 Posted December 31, 2020 Sheller made most of the early type steering wheels, in ww2, they supplied the war effort not the tractor market 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,697 #7 Posted December 31, 2020 So keeping in mind that a tractor is direct linkage with no hydraulics or dampeners.... Is there a way to take the bump/harshness out of the steering? Maybe install a dampener? Some other method? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,329 #8 Posted December 31, 2020 28 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: Is there a way to take the bump/harshness out of the steering? Just gotta man up and hold on tight! Or, you could get off and let Trina drive it, shouldn't bother her at all. 1 9 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,697 #9 Posted December 31, 2020 19 minutes ago, 953 nut said: Just gotta man up and hold on tight! Or, you could get off and let Trina drive it, shouldn't bother her at all. You're not wrong my friend. You're not wrong.... I thought a good many times about making Colossus a lever steer. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHNJ701 4,165 #10 Posted December 31, 2020 Those old gibson tractors are cool to drive 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,922 #11 Posted December 31, 2020 I’ve only had the chance to operate one lever steer. It was @oldiron613 Rob’s ‘46 Pond. I’m sure cost and simplicity had to do with it, it sure is challenging. I’d suggest a stronghold incorporated for your own stability. Otherwise, the only thing holding you in the hot seat is gravity. 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,697 #12 Posted December 31, 2020 46 minutes ago, pullstart said: suggest a stronghold incorporated for your own stability. Otherwise, the only thing holding you in the hot seat is gravity Whether I go with a steering wheel or a lever I'm going to have supports slash braces/ bear holder wrapping right around my hips to keep me on the seat. Sort of like some of the farm tractors did. The implement control lever on the left is already going to be for the clutch and I can't help thinking it would be super cool if there was another lever on the right for steering. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 12,247 #13 Posted December 31, 2020 2 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: Whether I go with a steering wheel or a lever I'm going to have supports slash braces/ bear holder wrapping right around my hips to keep me on the seat. Sort of like some of the farm tractors did. The implement control lever on the left is already going to be for the clutch and I can't help thinking it would be super cool if there was another lever on the right for steering. Hmmm. So pull on left to raise plow or is it to turn right? 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,697 #14 Posted December 31, 2020 1 minute ago, Handy Don said: Hmmm. So pull on left to raise plow or is it to turn right? No implements on this one. Only for pulling stuff in and out of the forest. Or for confusing people at shows. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 41,164 #15 Posted December 31, 2020 2 hours ago, 953 nut said: Just gotta man up and hold on tight! Or, you could get off and let Trina drive it, shouldn't bother her at all. BURN!!! 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RandyLittrell 3,884 #16 Posted December 31, 2020 5 hours ago, ebinmaine said: So keeping in mind that a tractor is direct linkage with no hydraulics or dampeners.... Is there a way to take the bump/harshness out of the steering? Maybe install a dampener? Some other method? Adding caster to the front axle should help, that is part of what help cars hold a straight line. Make sure your ackerman is correct as well. Randy 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,697 #17 Posted December 31, 2020 8 hours ago, 953 nut said: Just gotta man up and hold on tight! Or, you could get off and let Trina drive it, shouldn't bother her at all. I just texted this post to the above mentioned female person and needless to say she found it pretty amusing.... 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,922 #18 Posted December 31, 2020 3 hours ago, RandyLittrell said: Adding caster to the front axle should help, that is part of what help cars hold a straight line. Make sure your ackerman is correct as well. Randy I realize it helps to come out of a corner or to hold straight, but would caster help to prevent bump steer, say, in a corner and crossing a creek and chasing down a (different) bear, while pulling a ton and a half of wood split by a lady and her mother? 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,697 #19 Posted December 31, 2020 3 hours ago, RandyLittrell said: Adding caster to the front axle should help, that is part of what help cars hold a straight line. Make sure your ackerman is correct as well. Randy You may remember that I'm using a custom built axle that someone had put together and then I modified. There is an angle to the ends that hold the spindles and it appears to be close to Wheel Horse specs. When I get ready to fab up the spindles I may start a thread or just come back to this one but I'd like to get fairly close on caster, camber, Ackerman and scrub angle. I do realize that this tractor is only going to be doing three or four miles per hour most of the time but I wouldn't mind having it fairly close to correct... 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,697 #20 Posted December 31, 2020 6 minutes ago, pullstart said: say, in a corner and crossing a creek There are currently no creek crossings in corners... But hey, you never know.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,697 #21 Posted December 31, 2020 7 hours ago, pullstart said: I’ve only had the chance to operate one lever steer. It was @oldiron613 Rob’s ‘46 Pond. I’m sure cost and simplicity had to do with it, it sure is challenging. I’d suggest a stronghold incorporated for your own stability. Otherwise, the only thing holding you in the hot seat is gravity. I want you folks to know I sent this video to Trina earlier so I could show her a close idea of what I was thinking with the whole lever steer concept. Response number one. That's cute. That's good for me because it's code language that's kind of like giving permission... Response number two. Jim and Cindy's looks like fun! I told her it was only a measly 1,300 mi away and we could do it in a couple of long days..... She did NOT say no. @oldiron613 @WHX24 @Achto @PeacemakerJack @pullstart 1 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,922 #22 Posted December 31, 2020 13 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: I want you folks to know I sent this video to Trina earlier so I could show her a close idea of what I was thinking with the whole lever steer concept. Response number one. That's cute. That's good for me because it's code language that's kind of like giving permission... Response number two. Jim and Cindy's looks like fun! I told her it was only a measly 1,300 mi away and we could do it in a couple of long days..... She did NOT say no. @oldiron613 @WHX24 @Achto @PeacemakerJack @pullstart If you call dibs, he even has a toy hauler camper and they are Mirror friendly over in cheese land! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 48,834 #23 Posted January 1, 2021 Silvia nailed the whole lever thing strait off ... easiest to make, same with cable or even chain steer on the big ole steamers. @Achtohas got a lever steer Gibson that steers like a dream. 2 hours ago, ebinmaine said: Jim and Cindy's looks like fun! @oldiron613 @WHX24 @Achto @PeacemakerJack @pullstart Who was that EB ...price is right ....Bob Barker .... COME ON DOWN! Pretty Woman ...... I'll even put you up in a nice condo..... it's just geography....... Yes thank you Rob ...was definitely high lite of the whole weekend! 3 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 25,606 #24 Posted January 1, 2021 11 hours ago, ebinmaine said: I thought a good many times about making Colossus a lever steer. So that’s what’s taking so long... you’re “thinking”... 1 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 48,834 #25 Posted January 1, 2021 Ahhh sorry Silvia but the don't need no inspiration other than maybe getting an eye test fer bein color blind. 'Sides what's he been going on that colonostrum project for what like 30 years now? .....What ever happened to a good old fashioned mechanical refresh and a fresh can of regal red or original patina ?!?!?! 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
