Remote Control Tractor Steering System

Remote Control Tractor Steering System TRACTORS Conversions 25-6-34 During the winter when feeding cattle, we used to need two people û one to drive the tractor and the other to ride on the bale wagon behind. If one person tried to do it, he would be continually jumping on and off the tractor. I decided to eliminate the problem by making my own remote-controlled steering system. I started with my son's radio-controlled jeep, removing the receiver and the servo. I then found an old 12-volt windshield wiper motor at a local garage, along with the clockwise and counter clockwise control terminals. I bought a metal kit box, 3 by 6-in. in size, and mounted the receiver, antenna, and the servo from the toy jeep in it. The receiver unit switches the servo from the clockwise to the counter clockwise contacts. Wiring runs out of the box to the windshield wiper motor, which mounts on a bracket and direct-drives a pair of rubber model airplane tires. To turn the tractor steering wheel, I just lower a set of wheels over the edge of the steering wheel. The control box with antenna mounts with velcro to the cab window. I mounted a power plug on the fender of the tractor so we can plug the unit in easily with no need for batteries (except in the sending unit). I had to install three resistors in the control box to reduce the 12 volt power down to 9 volts, which is what the toy car motor runs on. To feed cattle, I lower the rubber wheels over the steering wheel and climb onto the wagon. The sending unit fits in my pocket. It lets me steer the tractor by moving the joy stick right or left as the tractor creeps along. I plan to add a kill switch to the sending unit which will stop the tractor, if needed. This invention freed up one person and eliminated many hazardous steps climbing on and off the tractor while feeding. (Jack Vernon, Vernon Ranch, HC 10, Box 520, Lakeview, Ore. 97630 ph 541 947-4804)

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