Suicide Knob

[SusanDuffy]

Does anyone have this? What are your thoughts about it?
thank you

 

[Lil Foot]

I didn't think you could have a tractor without one.
Yes, I have one one mine, and both my neighbors with tractors have them also.
Tractors generally don't go fast enough to get into the high speed crash problems that got them the "suicide knob" knick name that they earned using them on cars.

 

[woodman55]

There're awesome. I have one on my old tractor.

 

[Daren Todd]

A suicide knob is great if you have a tractor with power steering. Easy breezy turns and speedy maneuvering of the steering wheel.

If you have a tractor with old school manual steering, I would stay away from one. Your wrist and hand will thank you.

The steering wheel tends to rotate quite frequently on a tractor without power steering with a fair amount of force, as you encounter dips and bumps in your travel.

Add a suicide knob to that swinging and it beats the tar out of anything that comes in contact with it. And it's unforgiving.

I will say, if you decide to install a suicide knob, be wary of what your wearing as you go to get off the tractor.

I was operating one with a suicide knob and wearing carpenter jeans with the hammer loop. As I was getting off the tractor and just stepping down I hung the loop on the suicide knob.

This caused me to get hung with my feet off the steps suspended by the hammer loop, and a receiving massive atomic wedgey to boot

 

[Bmyers]

Yes, I have one and I really like it. My wife bought it for me one Christmas and I thought I wouldn't use it. Yet, being a good husband, I put it on the tractor and I liked it.

I would recommend getting it.

 

[chim]

Been using them since getting the first tractor. As Daren said, without power steering they can be an issue. The one on my Ford whacked me hard once when I THOUGHT the left front wheel was going to miss a post. Amazing how fast that wheel can spin.

 

[Mark_BX25D]

I've never seen the point. I can spin the wheel just fine using the palm of my hand, and that way, there's no knob to whack me in unpredictable ways.

 

[OrangeKrush]

I've had one on all my tractors with power steering. Be aware that where you place it on the steering wheel.. it more than likely will not be in that same location next time you use your tractor. This is due to how they set up the steering.. hydraulics! Can't explain it someone else will..

 

[Rusty46]

I have had one on my B7500 HSD with power steering for probably 10 years without any problem. I have found that it makes operation, and especially mowing, much more relaxing. Mine is set up to be used with my left hand. I have not experienced a problem with it not maintaining relative position.

 

[OrangeKrush]

I have had one on my B7500 HSD with power steering for probably 10 years without any problem. I have found that it makes operation, and especially mowing, much more relaxing. Mine is set up to be used with my left hand. I have not experienced a problem with it not maintaining relative position.

I think my B7510 was like that also, I think they have changed the steering function. When I placed it on 7510 back in 05 it was always in the same place.. wish the newer one was like that!

You are right.. much more relaxing.. and you have a good grip with no slipping from sweaty hands.

 

[Biker1mike]

Love mine for plowing snow. Driveway requires a lot of back and forth and around cars and misc, stuff.
Between the steering wheel, plow controls and gear box the knob is an easy grab with gloves.
Becomes an orange blur when mowing and front tire hits a rut or root.

 

[trueg50]

I got one on a whim and would never go back. Much faster, much easier in the winter, great for running the loader/3pt height with one hand and steering with the other. No downsides that I have seen.

 

[ve9aa]

I have one on both of my machines.
I love them.
Does not make me contemplate suicide.

 

[D2Cat]

I have one on both of my machines.
I love them.
Does not make me contemplate suicide.

The purchase price is what make you contemplate suicide! I wouldn't pay $30 for one even if it did say KUBOTA on top.

I've got a couple laying around. Maybe I can get Bill (in Colorado) to make some small diameter Kubota stick-ems to put in the center and sell the for top dollar. They have nice bearings in them.

 

[thebicman]

One of the first addons I installed. Love it.

 

[hagrid]

I am frightened of having one of those on my steering wheel.

 

[joearizona]

I put one on my B2650 the day it came home.

 

[Kurtee]

Handy item to have. Dad had one on the WD45 he had when I was born. Without power steering you best have some power in your arms. Not an issue for a man back then as all the chores and other work on a dairy farm kept the muscles toned. He had bought the WD45 new and power steering was not even available then. I don't remember ever getting wacked with the knob operating that tractor.

 

[Dieseldonato]

I have had one on my B7500 HSD with power steering for probably 10 years without any problem. I have found that it makes operation, and especially mowing, much more relaxing. Mine is set up to be used with my left hand. I have not experienced a problem with it not maintaining relative position.

That's because your tractor has a power steering gear box like a car. Most bigger tractors/newer tractors have full hydro steering, ie an orbital valve and hydraulic cylinder. They don't always repeat back to the same spot like a power gear box does.

 

[Dieseldonato]

I have them on all my tractors, power steering or not. The worst does happen to be dad's l245dt. It will rip the know right out of your hand if your not paying attention. The smaller garden tractors don't bother so much. Now I like the old aluminum ones the best, but have one similar to the op picture on the B7510 and it works ok. Not crazy about the black rubber on a hot day, but grips well on a cold day.