Backhoe control stick idea.

goneandbrokeit · Sep 5, 2008

How about getting it to work of a Wii controller!

Egon · Sep 5, 2008

normal left arm and their Popeye right forearm!!

Change that legs and aren't you looking at a Harley Rider from days gone by?

Taylortractornut · Sep 8, 2008

Koerhing, Insley, and Bucyrus Erie all tried a similar set up on their nydraulic excavators and it was unnatural feeling, and very very fatiging. It was a new idea from the old set up of hand and foot pedals that were all over the cab. They were back before I was born but I have had to operate a few of these and it makes your whole body ache the first 2 days. If you dont like the wobble stick you should trie the 3 lever Case setup with 2 pedals for swing or a Ford New Holland multi stick 4 levers. They are push pull and are very easy can be a little hard on the hands on a bigger machine I have on Old Ford hoe and it like that I also like the Case setup to. For beginners they like the push pull. Ive dug many miles of pipe trenchs and stumps with both kinds and like them.

Lasgambler · Sep 8, 2008

Matt_Jr said:
I wonder if the only reason we havn't seen it is 'cause the curling torque required of the wrist would cause a lot of fatigue to over come the pressure in the valve (resulting in carpal tunnel's) during prolonged use?

Thats what I was thinking. I'm sure there's some Lawyers, waiting, hoping someone does introduce this design.

CCWKen · Sep 8, 2008

Brilliant!!!!!!!!! Great idea. A little refinement to cover the gearing would go a long way. Keep in mind that you'd have to use two single valves as movement on one axis is horizontal and one is verticle. I still like it and it leaves the option open for twist motion as well. I may have to swipe the idea.

alchemysa · Sep 9, 2008

CCWKen said:
Brilliant!!!!!!!!! Great idea. A little refinement to cover the gearing would go a long way. Keep in mind that you'd have to use two single valves as movement on one axis is horizontal and one is verticle. I still like it and it leaves the option open for twist motion as well. I may have to swipe the idea.

On most backhoes I think you'll find the dipper and bucket valves are both vertical. The sideways movement of the lever pulls the bucket spool up and down.

Please do swipe it and see if it works. It may not even need gearing. A simple lever connected to the linkage may be as effective. Fatigue may not be a big factor on a small 'domestic' tractor. My limited experience is that they usually only get used for relatively short periods.