Steering Wheel Spinners: Good, Bad, Thoughts

[Rameck]

I was thinking, I would like to add a spinner to my steering wheel to see if it would make it easier to steer. Stopped in at Autozone to see what they had and warning notice on label said, it maybe not be illegal, in some states. Also, the clamp opening is way to big for my Yanmar steering wheel. Are all tractor steering wheels on the thin size compared to automobiles that are thicker? Are tractor spinners different then automobile spinners.

thanks,
Ralph

 

[Slippy]

I have tractors with and without. Never thought it was a big deal either way. Now that I think about it, I do use it on the ones that have it, but never thought enough about it to want to add to the ones without. Have seen them on counter at tractor stores and just always thought they were universal. Would not use one on vehicle though.

 

[greg_g]

Obviously, they're not necessary for tractors with power steering. But my YM240 used armstrong steering, which prompted me to install a steering knob (spinner). Same problem; skinny steering wheel rim. Perhaps the clamps are intended for padded steering wheels or something.

Anyway, I just found some rubber lying around - might have been from a garden hose, maybe an inner tube - and wrapped a small section around the steering wheel. Then I clamped the spinner around the rubber.

//greg//

 

[ChuckinNH]

One of the first things I learned driving a tricycle front end tractor without power steering was to keep my darn thumbs out of the wheel! Wrapping your thumb, or fingers around the wheel where they could be hit by a spoke was a very good way to break them, or more, especially when harrowing across furrows, or on really rough ground. I expect that a knob would just do more damage to your hand in the same situation. Perhaps with a wide front end it is not an issue.

 

[JerryK]

I put a spinner on my snowblowing tractor. I work the spinner and the reverser with my left hand. And the lift and chute with my right. I do a lot of lock to lock in close places, and the spinner is great. The spinner fad was used on cars years ago before power steering [remember vacuum wipers, stomp starters, non-power drum brakes, bright lights switch on the floor, and buz box radios???], and was mostly outlawed afterwards on vehicles. Don't see a problem on a tractor unless you do a lot of high speed traveling and worry about the spinner impairing your ability to navigate.....and moderate the drinking of the barley-pop....

 

[lawn_king]

My tractor has power steering & a spinner knob is a must for me!

 

[jimmer2880]

Had one on my mowing machine (JD 318 with power steering). Being able to spin the wheel that quick cut down my mowing time a lot.

Also had one on my old Yanmar 155d (4wd - no power steering). It was priceless there as well.

Now have one on my Yanmar F16d (4wd - with power steering). Love it there as well.

Also have one on my old GMC C50 yard truck, not to mention my inboard ski boat.

I won't have an off-road vehicle without one. I also had the problem of too much space. A cut piece of re-inforced hose (old air-hose) works great.

My dad had a stroke close to 2 years ago. It pretty-much knocked out his right side (he can walk, but fine motor skills are gone on that side). He has his drivers license back for local, non-highway driving. One of the requirements (besides left-foot gas pedal) is a spinner on the wheel. Apparently, the state of MD figured out that if you need to turn the wheel quickly with 1 hand, a spinner is the best way to do it.

 

[Ed_Indiana]

Put my Kubota orange spinner on my B7800 the day after I bought it new , 3 years ago. Makes manuverabilty with loader, mower quick & easy. Wouldn't do without it !

 

[allenr]

I find them helpful, even with power steering.

Look for a good quality one that clamps over not just the rim of the wheel, but a spoke also.

 

[ray66v]

Tractor Supply Co. sells "real" spinners. I use one on my Reelmaster fairway mower. Any application where you can benefit from being able to steer with one hand rapidly, freeing up a hand to work other controls, they are unbeatable.

 

[RoyJackson]

I have a spinner on my 790's wheel too.
I find it quite useful for close in work (loader, mowing, etc.), however it's not so hot when one is driving down a road. The steering on a 790 (power assisted) is pretty sensitive. Using the spinner on the road results in jerky steering.

 

[Egon]

With no power steering I wound not even thick of a spinner on the steering wheel of my Kubota B7100.

 

[wedge40]

I had one on my Cub Cadet garden tractor till I wore the thing out. I now have one on the garden tractor and one on the Ford 4000. Even after I get the power steering up and running I'll leave it on.

Wedge

 

[woodlandfarms]

It should be standard equipment on a PT due to the fact the tractor is all hydraulic.

Normal Automotive spinners will not work on the PT (and I assume most other tractors). The clamps are too big and frankly are not strong enough to survive a tractor environment. Get the kind that fit over the spoke as well as the wheel.

Also, make sure you keep it inside the wheel (the singe clamp type seem to hang on the outside of the wheel). I mention this cause one day I hit something imovable, and even with the seatbelt part of me contacted part of my spinner and, well... Ouch...

 

[rdbrumfield]

In the 50's they had some beautiful women embeded in the knobs, they looked great. If your tractor doesn't have power steering, I would not put one on it. Great way to break a wrist or thumb. Also, when driving one do not put your thumb inside the wheel. You hit something with the left wheel and you are looking at getting your thumb bent towards your elbow. This was passed on to me by oldtimers, I am one now and I learned that lesson a bit over 50 yrs ago.

 

[Budman1950]

Picked up one at the local John Deere dealer and installed it on my 2210 and love it. It sure comes in handy brush hogging around trees where you have to do alot of turning.

 

[dirtworksequip]

I must be old and slow......................I never feel that I have the need to turn my steering wheel that fast!

Sincerely, Dirt

 

[chh]

I've had them on tractors that I bought used and were already mounted, but I've never bought one. I prefer to spin the wheel around with the palm of my hand. Spinners just seemed to stick up in the way most of the time to me.

 

[Timber]

I have forklifts with and without them. I use them if they are there and I wouldn't mind one on my tractor

 

[LBrown59]

I've had them on tractors that I bought used and were already mounted, but I've never bought one.
I prefer to spin the wheel around with the palm of my hand.
Spinners just seemed to stick up in the way most of the time to me.

Yep this is sorta like your hand becomes a spinner.