Smaller vs Larger Steering Wheel Questions

[leeave96 490]

On the 300/400/500 series tractors, late in production, Toro changed the steering wheel to a smaller diameter.

My question is - those of you that have same model tractors/and/or same configuration tractors with the different steering wheels, is there a noticeable difference in steering effort between the two steering wheel diameters?

My 314-8 is a '97 year make and has the smaller steering wheel. It is somewhat hard to steer. My 520H, a 97 year make with the FEL - even with the gear reduction steering is hard to steer - understandable with the heavy load on the front end. My 1991 and 1992 year make 520H tractors are a breeze to steer - but same diameter steering wheels (and gear reduction steering).

What I'm thinking is that if I were to swap a larger steering wheel on the 314-8 it would be easier to steer and I might see an improvement on the 520H with FEL.

Any one have similar tractors with different diameter steering wheels that can speak to this?

Also - it might be a good time to check this (I can't come to the WH show this year) if someone could track down two otherwise identical tractors and give the steering wheels a test to see large vs small steering wheel effort.

Any experience would be much appreciated!!!!!

Thanks,

Bill

[Racinbob 11,925]

Got ya wondering Bill

As mentioned in my spring clean up thread I saw no difference going form 15" down to 13". Obviously there's got to be some difference but I don't perceive it. My steering is quite easy but I have the lighter Command engine. It could be entirely different with your FEL. I had a FEL on a C-160 up north and it was a bear to steer. I think I needed about a 6 foot steering wheel.

[Martin 2,133]

I think all things being considered, the biggest difference in feel with steering has to do with tire choice.......

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[Forest Road 594]

Doubt you'll see much difference in steering wheels. As for the loader you can add more ballast. That'll take weight off front end. Also try a set of ribbed tires. I'm running ribs on my 314h for mowing and wood chipper in the summer and a 2 stage blower in the winter. Def much easier steering.

[zieg72 209]

4 ply front tires steer easier than 2 ply.  Bigger wheel is easier than the smaller wheel, leverage.  The tire ply is what makes the difference with mine.  My 414-8 with the small wheel, 4 ply tires up front and the gear reduction steering/forward swept axle is the easiest one I've ever had.

[leeave96 490]

I've actually have a set of 4 ply tires on rims I may put on the 520H with the loader.

Great info - thanks everyone!!!!!!!

[sorekiwi 761]

I have a 516 with the small wheel, and a 520 with the big wheel.  The 520 has the swept axle, but non-gear reduction steering.  The 520 definately has lighter steering than the 516.

[MalMac 1,332]

Biggest difference I personnely notice is the smaller wheel gives me more room for my ever enlarging waste line.

[leeave96 490]

Biggest difference I personnely notice is the smaller wheel gives me more room for my ever enlarging waste line.

Ha Ha - that actually crossed my mind as to why Toro changed it.

A few years ago, my wife and I were closing in on our 20th anniversary we decided to skinny down to our original waste sizes when we met. Once we lost the weight, we noticed booths at restaurants had a LOT of space between the seats and table - LOL!

One thing I notice about the large diameter steering wheel is it feels comfortable to lean on for me - for some reason.

[cheesegrader 433]

I have the big steering wheel on my two older 520's, and the small one on my 97 520 with the loader.

The biggest difference I notice is the quality of the surface.

The smaller wheel has a softer rubber that is a little "tacky"

It just doesn't spin against my gloves without sticking/catching.

I prefer the older, bigger wheels with the smoother, harder surface.

Steering with the loader seems to depend on having the right amount of weight on the back end for balance.

I don't think that extra inch of radius on the steering wheel is going to help with a heavy load.

[papaglide 542]

I have a 1986 417A with the older style, hard, big steering wheel. Really nice to steer. The 1984 C165 with the hard, small wheel is slightly more work to steer. The 90's tractors have the thick, softer, and slightly smaller than the 417 wheel and they steer very easily. I never really thought about the tires having an impact on ease. I will have to check that out! Interesting thread.

[cleat 7,253]

I would think front tire air pressure would play a role as well.

[shallowwatersailor 3,214]

I would think front tire air pressure would play a role as well.

It does make a difference that I discovered last year. I bought a 1998 518xi in 2009. That was the first year that they were offered and the recommended tire pressure for front and rear was 12 psi. Last year I picked up a 2000 520xi and downloaded the manual for that. Lo and behold - the tire pressure is now recommended at 20 psi! The 5xi are 1100 pounds without a deck so evidently need the additional pressure. I always wondered why the steer tires felt mushy on the 518xi. 

 

I run 20 psi on both now.