Repro 29118DC steering wheel will not fit early farmall A's

[rustybronco]

I bought a reproduction 3 spoke steering wheel off Ebay which was supposed to replace the original 1939 (FAA-2144) and I suppose the early 1940 A's as well.

This wheel will not fit. The depth of the hub does not allow the nut used to retain wheel to the shaft to tighten more than a few threads. In addition to that the diameter of the reproduction wheel is larger than the one that came on the tractor, the spokes are thicker and the rim is wider.

 

[gene bender]

you got the wrong wheel probably made for an H The A all used the same

 

[rustybronco]

(quoted from post at 17:37:35 07/16/18) you got the wrong wheel probably made for an H The A all used the same

ene, the early A's had rubber coated spokes unlike the later wheels (mid 40??) which had bare steel spokes.

You can see the three spoke rubber coated wheel in pictures 3 and 5 of the following thread. http://forums.yesterdaystractors.com/viewtopic.php?t=1246636

They also used a two spoke rubber coated wheel on the very early serial numbered units. forums.yesterdaystractors.com/viewtopic.php?t=926089

Scroll down to see pictures.

 

[rustybronco]

http://www.yesterdaystractors.com/Farmall-H_Steering-Wheel_29118DC.html

This lists similar applications as the one I bought.
[F12, F14, F20, F30, A, B, H, M all early from 1937-1940]

 

[Athol Carr]

The Farmalls A and B used a 15 inch steering wheel while the bigger tractors used an 18 inch wheel.
The very early Farmall A used s 2 spoke covered steering wheel as well as solid disk front wheels, no starter and a press-down tab on the magneto to stop the engine.

 

[gene bender]

I am talking about the three spoke more common that was used and have changed to the newer common wheel with no problems he just got the wrong wheel.

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

So what is your ultimate goal? Originality, or being able to steer the tractor? If originality is what you're after, you're not going to find a rare early steering wheel in the form of a generic $20 part on Ebay. If you're just trying to steer the tractor, the wheel can be modified to make the fit more satisfactory. For example, you can grind/file/turn down the hub so that more threads will engage. Or, if gene is correct, just get the correct replacement steering wheel.

 

[rustybronco]

(quoted from post at 04:14:39 07/17/18) So what is your ultimate goal? Originality, or being able to steer the tractor? If originality is what you're after, you're not going to find a rare early steering wheel in the form of a generic $20 part on Ebay.

Originality, or at least as original as a unit with a later replacement block provisioned for hydraulic pump, dealer installed torque tube kit with starter hole, 1940 date code front hubs, repro intake and two pulley fan will allow.

No, I don't expect to find a copy of a fairly rare steering wheel for a mear $20 USD. I fact I just recently paid $175 for the correct steering housing with the correct crank support/ grill bracket. What I do expect to see is a correct listing on items for sale regardless of price.

Having worked in the parts business for the better part of 43 years and not having access to a very early parts catalogue which should list the proper part number for the early three spoke wheel, all I have to go by is the 'description' on about every listing out there which states the wheel I bought fits the early Farmall A.

The current catalogue lists P/N's 46512DA and 60069D as the current replacement parts. Unfortunately those numbers are for the later (mid '40 up) steel spoke steering wheels.

So as you see it's not a case of me getting the wrong wheel, just a poor description.

Regards,
Dale

 

[rustybronco]

(quoted from post at 19:42:44 07/16/18) The Farmalls A and B used a 15 inch steering wheel while the bigger tractors used an 18 inch wheel.
The very early Farmall A used s 2 spoke covered steering wheel as well as solid disk front wheels, no starter and a press-down tab on the magneto to stop the engine.

he wheel I bought appeared to be 16 inches in diameter. I have already sent it back so I can't measure it to be absolutely certain.

You wouldn't have a picture of the early solid disc wheels would you? I have not heard of those up 'til now.