I run a sickle bar cuter on my BCS 739, so the handlebars are in opposite direction of rear mounted attachments. To go forward, I move the direction lever backwards towards me, and I'd like to reverse the function of the lever so that pushing it forward makes tractor go forward, and pull to rear to make it go in reverse. How to do this? I nearly crunched myself the other day when I forgot the control setup and backed the machine into me while intending to go forwards. Thanks
BCS 739 Reverse the forward/reverse lever orientation to work backwards from factory set-up
- Thread starter Dunno
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Hi Dunno 
As no owners of a BCS 739 have come forward yet, I hope that I might be able to help a little.
I have no experience with the BCS 739, but I have had a BCS 740 for 12 years now, and I had similar thoughts as you back then when I got it. I don’t know if the forward/reverse-mechanism in your tractor is the same as in mine, but it could be, as we both have tractors with the PowerSafe clutch. If my photos doesn’t look familiar to you I’m sorry, and you might forget the rest of my reply.
I fully understand your frustration, and it is of course also very counterintuitive that the handle is in the opposite direction of the travel of the tractor. This can as you rightly say, also be very dangerous - especially if you often switch between front- and rear-PTO mode. I am the only user of my tractor, and I only use it in the front-PTO mode, so having the reverse-handle in the „wrong“ position, has become my „normal“.
Sadly I don’t see how one should be able to change the direction of the reverse-handle. I just made these 2 photos of my tractor:
When the reverse-lever (the vertical lever connected to the transmission housing at the end of the cable), is moved in the direction towards the engine as on the left photo, the tractor will drive in the direction of the engine (to the right on the photo). When the reverse-lever is moved in the direction away from the engine as on the right photo, the tractor will also drive in the direction away from the engine (to the left on the photo). The reverse-lever doesn’t care about the position of the handlebars of course, the same way the gear- and PTO-levers also don’t.
Notice that the end of the wire in the cable is fixed to the tractor, whereas the forward/reverse-lever is moved by the sleeve of the cable! This makes it very difficult to reverse the action I think.
On models with steering brakes, you will have the same issue as with the forward/reverse-handle. When in the rear-PTO mode, the left brake-handle will brake the left wheel, and the right brake-handle will brake the right wheel. In front-PTO mode though, this is also reversed, as the left wheel becomes the right wheel, and visa versa. Swopping the 2 brake-cables at the brakes is an easy task though, and I also did that some 12 years ago, as braking the opposite wheel when working, felt very awkward and unsafe.
This is all a bit difficult to explain in writing I find, but I hope it makes sense?
Sorry for not being able to solve your problem, but I think that this is part of the price we all have to pay for the convenience of a reversible handlebar.
Best regards
Jens
As no owners of a BCS 739 have come forward yet, I hope that I might be able to help a little.
I have no experience with the BCS 739, but I have had a BCS 740 for 12 years now, and I had similar thoughts as you back then when I got it. I don’t know if the forward/reverse-mechanism in your tractor is the same as in mine, but it could be, as we both have tractors with the PowerSafe clutch. If my photos doesn’t look familiar to you I’m sorry, and you might forget the rest of my reply.
I fully understand your frustration, and it is of course also very counterintuitive that the handle is in the opposite direction of the travel of the tractor. This can as you rightly say, also be very dangerous - especially if you often switch between front- and rear-PTO mode. I am the only user of my tractor, and I only use it in the front-PTO mode, so having the reverse-handle in the „wrong“ position, has become my „normal“.
Sadly I don’t see how one should be able to change the direction of the reverse-handle. I just made these 2 photos of my tractor:
When the reverse-lever (the vertical lever connected to the transmission housing at the end of the cable), is moved in the direction towards the engine as on the left photo, the tractor will drive in the direction of the engine (to the right on the photo). When the reverse-lever is moved in the direction away from the engine as on the right photo, the tractor will also drive in the direction away from the engine (to the left on the photo). The reverse-lever doesn’t care about the position of the handlebars of course, the same way the gear- and PTO-levers also don’t.
Notice that the end of the wire in the cable is fixed to the tractor, whereas the forward/reverse-lever is moved by the sleeve of the cable! This makes it very difficult to reverse the action I think.
On models with steering brakes, you will have the same issue as with the forward/reverse-handle. When in the rear-PTO mode, the left brake-handle will brake the left wheel, and the right brake-handle will brake the right wheel. In front-PTO mode though, this is also reversed, as the left wheel becomes the right wheel, and visa versa. Swopping the 2 brake-cables at the brakes is an easy task though, and I also did that some 12 years ago, as braking the opposite wheel when working, felt very awkward and unsafe.
This is all a bit difficult to explain in writing I find, but I hope it makes sense?
Sorry for not being able to solve your problem, but I think that this is part of the price we all have to pay for the convenience of a reversible handlebar.
Best regards
Jens
Lnk
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Is it possible to move the cable that controls the direction to either above, or below the lever pivot point? If above, when you push forward, you push the cable, and if below, the same action pulls the cable. I don't own a bcs, but have gravely tractors, one old style with opposite lever to travel direction, and newer with same lever to travel direction. I prefer the opposite directional levers.
Good luck.
Good luck.
/ BCS 739 Reverse the forward/reverse lever orientation to work backwards from factory set-up
#4
Hi Jens and Lnk,
Thank you Jens for that thorough look at the issue. I’ve looked at it from all angles like you, and there is no easy way to do it. Lnk, the lever is a somewhat complicated affair, as the differential lock up is mounted on the other side of the bar to the same bracket. But, you have me thinking that if I can mount the cable so it connects from the rear of the bracket instead of the front, then it would do as you suggest.
I’ve been used to running my skid steer and other equipment where you push on the control to go forward and pull for reverse. Until I figure it out or re-program my brain for this machine, I’ll have to be extra careful. 11hp driving 400lbs of equipment can ruin your day if not careful.
I’m considering a hydrostatic drive machine for my next purchase, and if this is an issue will make sure it can be resolved before buying.
Best regards.
John
Thank you Jens for that thorough look at the issue. I’ve looked at it from all angles like you, and there is no easy way to do it. Lnk, the lever is a somewhat complicated affair, as the differential lock up is mounted on the other side of the bar to the same bracket. But, you have me thinking that if I can mount the cable so it connects from the rear of the bracket instead of the front, then it would do as you suggest.
I’ve been used to running my skid steer and other equipment where you push on the control to go forward and pull for reverse. Until I figure it out or re-program my brain for this machine, I’ll have to be extra careful. 11hp driving 400lbs of equipment can ruin your day if not careful.
I’m considering a hydrostatic drive machine for my next purchase, and if this is an issue will make sure it can be resolved before buying.
Best regards.
John