Custom Steering Wheel Mount On 418-A

[Catt 13]

Kind of a newbie here, so I hope the pictures post properly.

I picked up a 1987 418-A early this year and have been restoring it to do trailer and dock work at the cabin.  It will have an easy life from here...

The 418 came with a boat steering wheel and the whole steering assembly had quite a bit of slop.  I replaced tie rods, added shims and tightened the fan gear steering shaft assembly.  I then machined a new steering hub to use an automotive steering wheel.

 

Here is the start with the before and after pictures. I'll add the steering hub assembly later.

 

 

 

[Catt 13]

I machined a hub from 3" aluminum bar stock. This will go over the steering shaft and has a slot for the roll pin.  This way you can't see the pin and makes it very easy to replace the steering wheel in the future if needed.

[Catt 13]

Now drill and tap the steering shaft.

 

 

[Sparky-(Admin) 19,594]

Besides the steering wheel fab work the rest of the tractor looks awesome! Are you adding any front end weight to counterbalance whatever you pick up with the rear "crane"?

 

 

Mike............

[Catt 13]

Thanks Sparky!

I was thinking about buying a snow plow attachment. I would take off the the blade and use the plow frame... add a receiver hitch and the capability to add suitcase weights.  the receiver hitch at the end of the plow frame would be handy when moving trailers and would also have a hydraulic lift when connecting to a trailer.  I might build my own if it's not strong enough.

[Catt 13]

Here's the hub mounted to the tractor. The bolt holds the hub to the steering shaft.  The roll pin is hidden in a slot under the hub and is a tight fit.

 

 

[Catt 13]

I bought a horn mount and drilled small drain holes and used a spacer washer in case any water gets in.

[Catt 13]

There is enough space for a key chain garage door opener. I would connect it to the horn switch. I considered a shorter height for the hub, but I like how it feels when sitting in the seat.

 

 

[312Hydro 473]

That's first class work! I just got my answer to  my question about counterweight in your other post . I envy your capability with a lathe.

[groundhog47 347]

Very nice wheel and like the wrecker. Got stuck BAD a couple weeks back, sure cuda used a second unit with that on board!

[Catt 13]

Thanks everyone.

 

Rich, I have a funny story regarding the new decals I ordered for my Wheel Horse. I called the guy and told him my name (first and last).  He thought I was a different "Rich" from this forum. Good thing I got that cleared up or they would likely have been sent to a different person.

 

Rich

[312Hydro 473]

As you can see,my 312H still needs 'em! Good looking decals ya got Looks like new. Are you putting the hubcaps back on?

[Catt 13]

The hubcaps are cleaned and ready, but I haven't decided yet.

[Catt 13]

This is another project waiting for me to start, so I'll need more decals. It was my dad's C161 Twin Automatic Wheel Horse and has been sitting for several years. Still looks pretty good.