Looking for some advice from Farmers...

[MossRoad]

On another approach discard the steering wheel and design a direction control device that electrically controls the steering system. Maybe a joy stick with throttle, brake, and transmission shifting controls all integrated in a stick much like an aircraft.

The way in which the functions are installed could make for some interesting combinations.

Or maybe a roller ball the palm of your hand activates.

Lots of different systems you could work on that would eliminate the steering wheel itself.

Yeah. For instance, our Power Trac is hydraulically articulated. You could control left, right, forward and reverse 0 to top speed with a joystick in one hand and the loader/multifunction joystick in the other hand. It would be a great platform for someone that had no use of their legs.

 

[davitk]

When I was a kid my dad bought me a Schwinn Stingray bicycle with a factory drag brake, treaded slick and banana seat. But my favorite feature was the ability to remove the handlebars and replace it with a steering wheel - boy did I love that bike!

Us tractor owners are much like that; big, old, overweight boys if you will. Give us some bells and whistles - built in stereo controls, maybe do away with the dashboard and put it in the steering wheel, maybe a back up monitor. Oh, and a horn. A LOUD horn A two way radio so SWMBO (wife) can call us in for dinner. Maybe double the use of that back up monitor screen so she can just text message us, instead

 

[Egon]

Steering wheels are holdovers from the day when they were required for the mechanical advantage turning the front wheels required.

With todays control systems there should be many an option that is more ergomatic and contains many more finger tip functions than just direction control.

 

[davitk]

Steering wheels are holdovers from the day when they were required for the mechanical advantage turning the front wheels required.

With todays control systems there should be many an option that is more ergomatic and contains many more finger tip functions than just direction control.

Hyperspace!!

 

[nate_m]

thanks a lot guys! keep the tips coming! if it's really true what you're saying about the steering wheel being something not so important, let me know something on a tractor that would Benefit from good design.

Have you ever seen those videos of the army tanks cruising across insane looking terain while the big gun (cannon?) stays locked on and pointed at its target? That would be nice to have integrated into the FEL and Driver seat of a tractor. The tractor could bounce along while the driver and load remained on a smooth line.
Any chance Uncle Sam will give out that technology?

 

[kthompson]

thanks a lot guys! keep the tips coming! if it's really true what you're saying about the steering wheel being something not so important, let me know something on a tractor that would Benefit from good design.

A system to connect and disconnect the pto shaft. Could just be an improved end with bigger push points and such. Grease fittings to keep those pins lubed. A pto shaft guard that slides back to expose the end and then slips back in place to protect you from it when rotating.

 

[AlanB]

I will second or third that PTO shaft gaurd that does not disintegrate in the first month of use would be mighty handy.