Are we having fun yet !

[Rivco]

I was reading back through some the threads that a few 422 , 425, and red PT owners have posted...about how much of a PITA it is to operate the mini hoe with the joy stick and AUX. control valve at the same time to control your bucket curl function. HOW DO YOU DO IT!!! Do you take your left hand off the steering wheel ?? (not a smart choice) ... reach over the tunnel and under the dash to reach the lever??
Time to get rid of that joy stick and venture over to the dark side ...by installing a simple 3 spool valve....where you can control all functions with your right hand and still steer the PT at the same time.

 

[BillCroasmun]

Nice Rivco! What's the flip switch down to the right of the new valve?

 

[woodlandfarms]

Rivco. You got details on your mod?

I am torn as I would like to have the ability to operate on the left and right hand but this is pretty cool.

Wondering how you mounted it all up, what problems youran into, where you got the parts...

 

[smartguyz]

Wow. That's pretty cool! Details! Parts, diagrams! Did you actually cut a BIG HOLE in your PT? So brave!

-Rob

 

[valjo]

I showed your pic to Brad (DH) and he made the Tim Taylor "ahr ahr ahr" noise.

 

[BobRip]

I just reach across with my left hand. No big deal. You get used to it.

 

[MossRoad]

I have operated a valve like that on my old I.H. From experience, I can tell you that after a few hours of reaching forward, your shoulders and back will start to tense up. Especially on desk jockeys like me.

From experience, I can also tell you that it is very easy to palm the middle valve, thumb the left one and use your two right fingers on the right valve. But once you switch to a joystick, you wonder why you would ever go back to a seperate valve setup.

If I were to do that, I would get much longer handles from a fork lift to bring the levers into a more ergonomic position. That might not be too bad.

If I had a mini hoe, I would either make the mod to extend the handle for the aux PTO to the left side, or, if I had some money to spend, I would opt for an electric diverter valve and put the push button on the joystick. The diverter valve allows you to put multiple functions on one axis of the joystick. I think I would split the lift circuit to perform dual duty as lift and bucket, and leave the existing bucket curl circuit alone.

 

[cqaigy2]

If I had a mini hoe, I would either make the mod to extend the handle for the aux PTO to the left side, or, if I had some money to spend, I would opt for an electric diverter valve and put the push button on the joystick. The diverter valve allows you to put multiple functions on one axis of the joystick. I think I would split the lift circuit to perform dual duty as lift and bucket, and leave the existing bucket curl circuit alone.

Ok, your starting to sound like my Brother-Inlaw Heavy equipment mechanic.

 

[smartguyz]

If I had a mini hoe, I would either make the mod to extend the handle for the aux PTO to the left side...

Hey David!

Good to see you still around TBN! Can you find photos of some of the mods from the past? I remember several good ones (at low cost), but I can't find them. I am looking at PT's new "thumb" for the mini-hoe. I think it will add a whole new dimension to it.

Rob

 

[MossRoad]

Yeah, I'm still here.

Best low cost mods I can think of are:

Spinner knob on steering wheel.
Tow hook on front shelf of tractor for easy tie down.
Aux PTO handle moved/extended to left side of steering wheel.
Slime or tubes in the tires.
Removing the inside tire stem from the main wheels.
Fire extinguishers are a must.
Drink holder.
Solid wheels for the implements.

Any more?