Traction Steering wheel alignment

[AllByteNoBark]

Recently got a spinner for my steering wheel as I have had one in the past and found it handy.

Put it on today and mowed a couple of hours with the RC. The surprising part to me is on this Kubota the steering wheel does not always return to the same spot. Is that normal?

I put the spinner on at about the 10:00 position withwheels straight.

Sometimes it would be there when going straight but more often than not it would end up at some random position. Never had that happen before on anything else.

Kind of makes the spinner a pain and will probably take it off.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Recently got a spinner for my steering wheel as I have had one in the past and found it handy.

Put it on today and mowed a couple of hours with the RC. The surprising part to me is on this Kubota the steering wheel does not always return to the same spot. Is that normal?

I put the spinner on at about the 10:00 position withwheels straight.

Sometimes it would be there when going straight but more often than not it would end up at some random position. Never had that happen before on anything else.

Kind of makes the spinner a pain and will probably take it off.

It's due to being hydraulic steering. Much different than a direct mechanical (gear) linkage. I thought just as you when I first put a spinner on. You will get used to it being in a different spot.... I wouldn't be without one now!

 

[countrybumpkin]

Yes completely normal on a hydraulic steering system. I never have liked those spinners.

 

[AllByteNoBark]

Kind of what I figured. Just had not even thought about it.

 

[RjCorazza]

Yes, normal. I literally wore out a pair of gloves by palming the wheel in 2016 during an East Coast blizzard. I now use a spinner, mostly for snow plowing.

 

[5030]

Yes completely normal on a hydraulic steering system. I never have liked those spinners.

The steering on late model Kubota's is not hydraulic, it's hydrostatic and it's perfectly normal foe the steering wheel to land on different positions because there is no hard mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the front end. Why Kubota steering wheels aren't cast with a definite spoke (or emblem) pattern. I run 'suicide' knobs on mine, never pay any attention the the 'landing position', just use them for their intended purpose which is quick turning of the wheel and steering.

 

[Bigkrank]

Hydrostatic steering has been on certain tractors since at least the early 70's. No the steering wheel will never be in the same place.

 

[Zebrafive]

Hydrostatic steering has been on certain tractors since at least the early 70's. No the steering wheel will never be in the same place.

agreed, my 45 year tractor is like that

 

[ruffdog]

Don't think so much about your knob position and you will probably get use to it.

 

[sd455dan]

Don't think so much about your knob position and you will probably get use to it.

Mmm, this thread got me thinking,

Just a question, what happens on fully hydrostatic steering if the engine dies while descending a hill with turns?
Will the orbital valve still provide hydraulic pressure to the ram and therefore wheels If you turn the steering wheel ?

If not, that would seem to be a small (safety feature) of mechanical steering with hydraulic assistance versus Full hydrostatic steering.

 

[ptsg]

Mmm, this thread got me thinking,

Just a question, what happens on fully hydrostatic steering if the engine dies while descending a hill with turns?
Will the orbital valve still provide hydraulic pressure to the ram and therefore wheels If you turn the steering wheel ?

If not, that would seem to be a small (safety feature) of mechanical steering with hydraulic assistance versus Full hydrostatic steering.

It will still allow you to have a fully controllable steering. Although it will be very very hard to turn the steering wheel.

The orbitrol steering valve is equipped with check valves that allow the operator to steer even without the engine running.

 

[ruffdog]

Mmm, this thread got me thinking,

Just a question, what happens on fully hydrostatic steering if the engine dies while descending a hill with turns?
Will the orbital valve still provide hydraulic pressure to the ram and therefore wheels If you turn the steering wheel ?

Hmmmm....don't do that.

 

[AllByteNoBark]

I tried turning the wheel without the tractor running and it will still move the tires so would guess you would have some steering but probably be interesting.

 

[atsah]

I tried turning the wheel without the tractor running and it will still move the tires so would guess you would have some steering but probably be interesting.

It would steer easier if the tractor was in motion..

 

[tmcj]

Don't think so much about your knob position and you will probably get use to it.

Agreed. The more you use it the less you think about it. If you aren't sure if you like it take it off and see if you miss it. I know I would.....

 

[number two]

One our Texas members installed 3 spinners on his Kubota so one was always handy!

 

[Tx Jim]

agreed, my 45 year tractor is like that

Zebrafive
My I ask what 45 yr old tractor you're referring to? Surely not your 2030 that has mechanical linkage for steering?

 

[AllByteNoBark]

Been a few weeks since I posted this but am going to leave the spinner on. It is just to handy to give up. I especially like it when running the RC and backing in around things. Getting used to the idea that it is not always in the same location and don't think about it at this point.

 

[bigtiller]

When my eyes and right hand are busy, the thumb on my left hand circles the steering wheel until it finds the spinner. It has been doing it that way for a looong time.

 

[bronzebeetle]

Recently got a spinner for my steering wheel as I have had one in the past and found it handy.

Put it on today and mowed a couple of hours with the RC. The surprising part to me is on this Kubota the steering wheel does not always return to the same spot. Is that normal?

I put the spinner on at about the 10:00 position withwheels straight.

Sometimes it would be there when going straight but more often than not it would end up at some random position. Never had that happen before on anything else.

Kind of makes the spinner a pain and will probably take it off.

Will happen all the time if steering is on a hydraulic circuit.