Clock spring on a Bx23s

hoening

Member

Equipment
BX23S w/FEL,BH,& Snowblower, York Rake, Box Scraper
Jan 2, 2011
31
3
8
Cary, IL
I’m curious if there is a way to add a clock spring onto the tractor steering. I’ve tried using a heated steering wheel cover but the wire connection keeps breaking. I’ve concluded in my mind this is not possible since the tractor steering is hydraulic and doesn’t have a constant turn to lock like automobiles. im not that knowledgeable on clock spring applications so I thought I would ask the group to get more info.
Thanks,
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

WI_Hedgehog

Well-known member

Equipment
BX2370 (impliment details in my Profile->About)
Apr 24, 2024
988
1,377
93
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.A.
When a clock spring is used there's a cutout in the steering wheel to hold the spring; the BX wheel does not have such a space. I use 12V heated glove liners and have wired an SAE plug to the rear bullet connections so can plug my heated suit controller into the tractor, glove liners included.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

Bearcatrp

Well-known member

Equipment
BX1880 with loader, mower and 3 point
Mar 28, 2023
1,090
720
113
Minnesota
Bought heated gloves for cold hands. Mine has 3 settings. I make sure they are charged after every use so am ready for the next snow removal. No more cold hands.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

hoening

Member

Equipment
BX23S w/FEL,BH,& Snowblower, York Rake, Box Scraper
Jan 2, 2011
31
3
8
Cary, IL
When a clock spring is used there's a cutout in the steering wheel to hold the spring; the BX wheel does not have such a space. I use 12V heated glove liners and have wired an SAE plug to the rear bullet connections so can plug my heated suit controller into the tractor, glove liners included.
Thanks so much for your reply. I have heated gloves that have rechargable batteries. I also use my snowmobile helmet with the heated shield that I installed a receptacle plug in the dash console to power, that works great. The problem I have is that my gloves only heat the back side and not the finger tips or palm. Do your gloves heat these areas? Temperature gets to single digit or minus temps so it’s nice to have the heated steering wheel but it doesn’t work out with the hydraulic steering.
Your gloves may be better that I can plug in or have heat to finger tips. Do you know who makes these or have a link?
Appreciate your help!
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

hoening

Member

Equipment
BX23S w/FEL,BH,& Snowblower, York Rake, Box Scraper
Jan 2, 2011
31
3
8
Cary, IL
Bought heated gloves for cold hands. Mine has 3 settings. I make sure they are charged after every use so am ready for the next snow removal. No more cold hands.
I have rechargeable gloves that I use, but the heat is only on the back of the gloves and doesn’t prevent my finger tips from getting cold.. Do the gloves you use have heat in the finger tips?
I’d like to know the manufacturer or if you have a link.
Thanks so much for your help,
 

WI_Hedgehog

Well-known member

Equipment
BX2370 (impliment details in my Profile->About)
Apr 24, 2024
988
1,377
93
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.A.
Thanks so much for your reply. I have heated gloves that have rechargable batteries. I also use my snowmobile helmet with the heated shield that I installed a receptacle plug in the dash console to power, that works great. The problem I have is that my gloves only heat the back side and not the finger tips or palm. Do your gloves heat these areas? Temperature gets to single digit or minus temps so it’s nice to have the heated steering wheel but it doesn’t work out with the hydraulic steering.
Your gloves may be better that I can plug in or have heat to finger tips. Do you know who makes these or have a link?
Appreciate your help!
Heated glove liners, a separate purchase. They use the newer graphite wire which is more flexible and durable than the older metal resistive wire and they heat the whole hand.

I do use them inside heated gauntlet gloves, so with that much heat a dual PWM controller is used with one knob controlling the gloves and the other the inserts.

The heated vest and heated pants liner is on another dial controller, all Gerber brand motorcycle clothing "inserts," so the liners/vest can be worn under Carhartt or whatever your favorite clothing is.

I bought boots 1 size bigger and use Dr. Sholes inserts in addition to the inserts the boots come with for more cushion and insulation, and heavy Marino wool socks over white super-thin sock liners to wick the moisture--that way heated liners aren't needed. If you have normal-sized feet instead of Sasquatch you might need to go up 1-1/2 sizes.

Depending on the boots, in summer I might need to use three inserts, the bottom one with plastic heel cup and plastic bottom so the boots fit without feeling squishy--I try a lot of different liner combinations to get that to work. In winter two inserts, with normal Marino wool socks the boots fit right, with heavy Marino wool socks I have to use way more lace so they're laced fatter and they do feel a little tight. But, one set of Danner boots for four seasons is more affordable.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

Bearcatrp

Well-known member

Equipment
BX1880 with loader, mower and 3 point
Mar 28, 2023
1,090
720
113
Minnesota
I have rechargeable gloves that I use, but the heat is only on the back of the gloves and doesn’t prevent my finger tips from getting cold.. Do the gloves you use have heat in the finger tips?
I’d like to know the manufacturer or if you have a link.
Thanks so much for your help,
Got mine from amazon. Not in stock anymore. Bought in 2024. Heats fingertips too.
 

Hugo Habicht

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
G1900
Jun 24, 2024
1,070
1,553
113
Ireland
Any spring, whatever its size, will not work.

What you need are slip rings. Maybe you can use them from an old car steering wheel from the horn contact. Have both wires going via slip rings, do not have the ground return via the steering column and ball bearings, they will sustain damage long term.

Does the wheel cover seller not offer slip ring solutions for sale?
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users

North Idaho Wolfman

Moderator
Staff member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Jun 9, 2013
34,514
9,756
113
Sandpoint, ID
Any spring, whatever its size, will not work.

What you need are slip rings. Maybe you can use them from an old car steering wheel from the horn contact. Have both wires going via slip rings, do not have the ground return via the steering column and ball bearings, they will sustain damage long term.

Does the wheel cover seller not offer slip ring solutions for sale?
Nothing will work as there in no steering column, the steering wheel attaches directly to the Orbital valve (steering controller).

1767394530415.png
 
  • Like
  • Wow
Reactions: 1 users

Hugo Habicht

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
G1900
Jun 24, 2024
1,070
1,553
113
Ireland
Nothing will work as there in no steering column, the steering wheel attaches directly to the Orbital valve (steering controller).

View attachment 167834
I would not see that as so pessimistic. Two copper rings attached over the hub of the wheel and a brush holder from an alternator would do the trick with very little effort.

IMG_20260102_230618.png
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users

hagrid

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
K1600GTL, ZX-14R
Jun 11, 2018
1,059
1,503
113
Pittsburgh
I’m curious if there is a way to add a clock spring onto the tractor steering. I’ve tried using a heated steering wheel cover but the wire connection keeps breaking. I’ve concluded in my mind this is not possible since the tractor steering is hydraulic and doesn’t have a constant turn to lock like automobiles. im not that knowledgeable on clock spring applications so I thought I would ask the group to get more info.
Thanks,
The answer to your electrical transmission problem is an induction coupler.

It'll be a tad complicated but it'll be wireless so you can turn the steering wheel with reckless abandon.
 

WI_Hedgehog

Well-known member

Equipment
BX2370 (impliment details in my Profile->About)
Apr 24, 2024
988
1,377
93
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.A.
The answer to your electrical transmission problem is an induction coupler.

It'll be a tad complicated but it'll be wireless so you can turn the steering wheel with reckless abandon.
That's a lot of surface area to heat therefore a lot of induced power and therefore a problem.
 

hoening

Member

Equipment
BX23S w/FEL,BH,& Snowblower, York Rake, Box Scraper
Jan 2, 2011
31
3
8
Cary, IL
OK, back to 'square one' . What are you trying to warm up ? Hands, torso, face ? Since I have a BX23s ,really interested.
Hands using a heating steering wheel cover, but with recommendations above I may go with 12v heated gloves instead and have less problem with wiring.
 

Blue2Orange

Active member

Equipment
BX2380 with LA344S & QH05. SB1051. SG0554. BB1248. RB0560, Vassar dirt bucket
Apr 3, 2025
270
163
43
Bayview Township
My hands run colder and feet run hotter than most people. Feet no issue. Sitting on a tractor seat in cold enough to snow conditions with the minimal metabolic heating the hands go cold fast. Leather choppers with moderately heavy weight alpaca wool mittens. But the thumb goes cold fast. Then the finger tips. Right now just using those air activated hand warmer packets. Place them inside the mittens on the palm sides. Positioned so they sit between the hands and steering wheel. Occasionally need to scrunch the thumb and finger tips around the packets to warm them up. If scrunching routinely v. waiting until the tips and thumbs become uncomfortably cold it only takes a moment or two. No issue with slightly larger than needed mittens.

I think I might consider a pair of heated liners.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

Hugo Habicht

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
G1900
Jun 24, 2024
1,070
1,553
113
Ireland
The coupler is strictly for energy transmission, not for direct heating. High voltage will solve the issue.
I agree that this means of energy transmission would work.

But personally I would not like to have high frequency, high power electromagnetic fields near my body. There is not much solid scientific research in that direction available and I would rather stay on the safe side and avoid that.
 

GreensvilleJay

Well-known member

Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,
Apr 2, 2019
13,247
5,904
113
Greensville,Ontario,Canada
I agree that this means of energy transmission would work.

But personally I would not like to have high frequency, high power electromagnetic fields near my body. There is not much solid scientific research in that direction available and I would rather stay on the safe side and avoid that.
people are still normal after decades of cell phone use, well most,...hmm..maybe some ? idiot neighbour refuses to have microwave oven in her house, yet has NO problem having her cell phones or wireless modems
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

Hugo Habicht

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
G1900
Jun 24, 2024
1,070
1,553
113
Ireland
people are still normal after decades of cell phone use, well most,...hmm..maybe some ? idiot neighbour refuses to have microwave oven in her house, yet has NO problem having her cell phones or wireless modems
The power levels of inductive hobs are another order of magnitude compared to mobile phones. Also a different frequency range.

And microwave ovens are on 2.4GHz which is the best absorbtion of water or human tissue. I would not stand in front of a microwave oven.

A simple test for the microwave oven door seals (against radiated emissions) is putting your mobile phone inside (do not switch the oven on) and try to phone it. If it does not ring your microwave door seals are very good.

Generally there are accepted levels of electromagnetic radiation that are considered safe, because the background radiation from outer space is the same order of magnitude. Also levels that kill you in a certain amount of time are fairly well known. In between is a big unknown and I prefer to stay closer to the safe side rather than the dangerous side.

So I would always go for two simple slip rings to power my steering wheel heating instead of having a complex, high frequency, high power electromagnetic field around me. And yes, shielding is possible but not trivial. Anybody that had to get an electronic device certified against electromagnetic emissions will confirm this.