Convert Farmall F12 Steering to F14 with higher post

F12ChopStalks · Jan 5, 2023

To complete installation with F14 higher post, to drill holes in steering rod for knuckle installation, should the shaft be taken out of the top part of the steering bolster or try to drill hole in shaft coming out of bolster before or after cutting steering rod?

I am a taller guy that needs the conversion for driving F-12. This F12 was purchased new by my grandfather in 1937 and my father used on his farm too. They were both shorter in height so they never converted.

Would appreciate any comments from anyone who has converted an F12 to F14 steering and suggestions for installation and completion.

SweetFeet · Jan 5, 2023

I have seen some that had sone type of
add-on coupler/adapter. I think it was
made with thick leather.

If I did not have so doggone many photos... I'd try to find a pic for you.I have taken waayyyy too many junkyard pics though.

Hoping some other YTer can provide you with pics and modification details.

SweetFeet · Jan 5, 2023

Husband said he would call those conversions a leather knuckle on the steering shaft.

F12ChopStalks · Jan 5, 2023

I have seen the leather knuckle and a universal type joint knuckle. Either one would work, but my concern is drilling the hole in the shaft coming out of the bolster, whether take shaft out to insure straight hole using a drill press or drilling with a portable drill by leaving the shaft in the bolster?

Janicholson · Jan 5, 2023

Take a sleeve that fits the shaft, centerpunch it, then use a drill press and V-block to drill a hole in the sleeve using the same drill size as the pin in the coupling. use the sleeve as a drill guide to make a centered hole. A setscrew in the sleeve could be used to keep it in place. Jim

SweetFeet · Jan 5, 2023

Yep, husband said he'd remove to drill it.

F12ChopStalks · Jan 5, 2023

(quoted from post at 18:41:37 01/05/23) Take a sleeve that fits the shaft, centerpunch it, then use a drill press and V-block to drill a hole in the sleeve using the same drill size as the pin in the coupling. use the sleeve as a drill guide to make a centered hole. A setscrew in the sleeve could be used to keep it in place. Jim

F12ChopStalks · Jan 5, 2023

The suggestion of using a sleeve for a guide for the portable drill to drill a straight hole sounds like a great idea instead of removing shaft from bolster.

Thank you for the suggestion!!

Leroy · Jan 6, 2023

Take shaft to a machine shop with proper tools to do the job, what you are
talking about will never get the hole centered. I used to rebild a lot of
steel wheel hay rakes for the Amish and many of the real bars had bad spots
in and repair was to but a 1 inch shaft in bad spot long enough to reah 2
teeth bolts on either side of splice. Even with drill press impossible to
get bit to go straight thru shaft. Ended up taking them to a machine shop
with proper tools to keep the hole centered, not that expencive and you got
something that would fit, Not something you might have to put a small bolt
in that miss aligned hole because you cannot get it thru the second side of
what you were wanting to put on for a universal joint, Trying to make a
guide collar you without proper tooling will not get the hole centered and
straight. Now if you had something off a junk item that fit the shaft to use
as a guide it could work but dot to drill the guide hole on a drill press
even using a drill press vise, will always turn sideways as you drill. You
will not be happy wih the job if you try a do it yourself job.

F12ChopStalks · Jan 6, 2023

Appreciate your suggestion as you gave me more to think about to do this operation right the first time.

Leroy · Jan 7, 2023

WITH ME THOSE HOLES WOULD HAVE TO EXACTLY MATCH THE ONES IN THR REAL BAR BOTH IN ALIGNMENT AND SPACING AS WELL AS CENTERED IN THE SHAFT. Computor actuing up reason for capitals. All you need to be conserned about is centering in the shaft and that is not as easy as it looks. I talked to owner of machine shop, an Amish friend of mine, about the problem and he said I have the tool to be able to do that. So after I ruined several pieces he did all the reast. Over 50 steel wheel rakes for the Amish. You just need to be conserned about one hole in bottom end of shaft and one in top end of shapt for each side of the universal. Might fine what you are needing including top end of steering shaft from a Farmall H or M in parts yard, Just might need steering wheel with the shaft. and only need one hole drilled. Other makes tractors used same universal.

F12ChopStalks · Apr 11, 2023

Today I was experimenting by unbolting steering post on my F-12. It appears as though one could place a 2 1/4 inch spacer or spacers and use 3 1/2 in bolts to bolt steering post in original holes. This would allow raising the steering post 2 1/4 inches higher.

My question or concern is the steering shaft coming out of the bolster at an angle, would that cause the seal to leak, and/or affecting steering?

Has anyone tried this?

The 2 1/4 inches higher steering wheel would make a difference but not as much as F14 steering post Height. It would save cutting shaft and insert a coupler of some type.

Convert Farmall F12 Steering to F14 with higher post

F12ChopStalks

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SweetFeet

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Janicholson

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