Suicide knobs

Suicide knobs became popular on farm tractors with a tricycle front-end, a.k.a. a row crop tractor. The knob would allow you to turn the tractor at the end of a row very quickly. Row crop tractors are very unstable and have a habit of turning over when you turn too quickly, hence the name "suicide knob".

 

I was always under the impression that they were called suicide knobs because of you had a head on your chest or head would slam into it, but I really dont know. I think the fingerless glove this is because people that use the knobs are just too cool, since they spin I dont think blisters would be much of an issue

 

they call them that because if you bump something with a front tire, pothole, blow a steer, ect. it will jerk that knob out of your hand, and make ya have an accident in your pants. if you ever drove an old dump truck then you know what sore knuckles are.

the knobs and gloves are for the drivers that have not learned better, or the new has not worn off of looking kewl.

 

In my never humble opinion, they are dangerous.

They can nail you hard enough to break your wrist under the wrong conditions. The knobs themselves can actually come apart. Think how much fun you could have with that happening while you are using it to negotiate a curve coming down I-70 off MT Vernon Grade into Denver!

OBTW they are also against vehicle code in some states.

 

I love em.. just put your index finger on it and kick your feet up on the dashboard and lean back like you are in a rocking charir and keep on truckin ! Haha... Just kidding... I use two fingers!

 

You can get the same effect by pressing the palm of your hand flat against the rim of the steering wheel. Then just make a wiping motion to the right or left depending on which way you want to turn.