Disability Mods

[PearOrchard]

I've been paralyzed for 18 years and started farming 6 years ago. The only mod I have on my tractor is a winch and pulley setup to get in it. I'd like to add more mods such as a clutch/brake lever, an electric actuator to release my quick hitch, and some sort of rear quick hitch. I also have a powerchair rigged up to be remote control and a RZR with a single brake/accelerator lever. Anyone else have any mods to make any equipment accessible?

 

[ruffdog]

The only mods I've done for people are installing hand controls in cars and trucks but I know the University of WI has done some work with these people:

Equipment and Vehicle Modifications

 

[atsah]

I have done many modifications over the years to farm equipment but there is liability in doing so for others, I can give you some ideas when I’m not typing on a phone. It would take less time for me to tell you what farm machinery I haven’t modified. I can PM you tomorrow if you like. Check this site out..



Assistive Technology

 

[RNeumann]

Can you list the implements you have or use? What tasks you do and or want to do.

 

[PearOrchard]

I currently have a Puma 160 with loader. I have been plowing my own rice fields with a 17ft Krause for the last 4 years. I also have a levee push, ditcher, and leveling blade. I need no help getting in my tractor, but connecting implements, right now, is super exhausting and time consuming if I don't have assistance. Connecting hoses to the tractor is difficult also because the ports are too high. That's why I would like to rig up a rear quick hitch on the draw bar and have permanent hoses connected to the tractor ports that I can connect to separate ports that are on all my implements. I only use the clutch when starting my tractor and I don't really use the brakes when I have the Krause dragging behind me, but when doing loader work it would make my life easier to have both. I am trying to push the limits of my independence. I am actually a C5/6 quadriplegic which means my hands and triceps are paralyzed. I rely on a powerchair to get around, but I live alone on the farm and do almost 100% of the tractor work. I have a 1660 combine I'm looking to get customized for me as well. I'm not necessarily looking for help, but any advice is much appreciated. I'd like to get in contact with more wheelchair-bound farmers and see how they overcome the tremendous hurdles of farming.

 

[4570Man]

What’s the budget? Have you considered a JCB side entrance skid steer of a compact telhandler? Changing implements on my Kubota is a snap, but getting in and out of a regular skid steer probably isn’t very suitable for you.

 

[ruffdog]

Here is a person with a lift to get in a large tractor. Being that your hands and triceps are not helping as they should, I'm sure the climbing around can be a challenge.

Disabled Farmer Has Chair Lift Tractor - YouTube

 

[strantor]

I was imagining plugging in hydraulic QDs while sitting in a wheelchair, and I was thinking that would probably be hard to do, with nothing solid to push against and the chair moving around. I was going to recommend this type of QD which doesn't require much force. But then I read that you don't have the use of your hands, either. So now I'm really quite baffled as to how you do any of this, and I can't think of anything that seems helpful.

 

[atsah]

C5/6 and farming by ones self is a tough one. I have a couple of friends that are in the same situation that do a lot of things but hooking and unhooking 3pt implements isn't easy for someone that has full strength in there whole body on a big tractor. I'm a para T6 and I do it but it isn't easy and I need every ounce of strength I have to do it. I find hooking a PTO shaft up to the tractor is a real PITA and it takes me hours sometimes to get it on there.

The ideal setup would be to hook what you use to each tractor and leave it there, not always possible but that would be the perfect thing to do.
I'm not sure how you are clutching your tractors without an extension of some kind? Brakes, clutches hand controls are easy, the 3pt hooking and unhooking is the problem.

Do you have pictures of your tractors? cab setup, transmission, pedals, seat, winch, pulleys etc?

 

[LouNY]

I'm not disabled but a couple of years ago I had a knee replaced, so instead of hauling and unloading wagons,
I got shifted to running the chopper tractor, to make it easier for me we ran a rope from the tractor to the chopper hitch to pull the draw pin out with, it helps a lot. We are still doing so.

There are a few different quick hitches for drawbar implements;
one is http://bergmanmfg.com/
for hydraulics
Multi-X Range | CEJN
MK / Couplings / Products / Home / VOSWINKEL - Armaturen, Kupplungen, Rohrleitungen - High Technology Made in Germany
for the pto
Easy PTO quick connect for any attachment - Tractor PTO Link
As far as the 3 point I'm not a fan of the standard quick hitches,
My Branson 8050 has this style lower arm lift connectors and I find these easier to work with, and they can be released with a rope if desired, they are nice for semi-mounted also.
Quick Coupling Hooks | LH Lift

The different hitches mostly seem good and the hydraulic multi connectors seem decent may be a pain to keep clean.
The PTO I'm not sure about.
Good luck with your endeavors

 

[PearOrchard]

C5/6 and farming by ones self is a tough one. I have a couple of friends that are in the same situation that do a lot of things but hooking and unhooking 3pt implements isn't easy for someone that has full strength in there whole body on a big tractor. I'm a para T6 and I do it but it isn't easy and I need every ounce of strength I have to do it. I find hooking a PTO shaft up to the tractor is a real PITA and it takes me hours sometimes to get it on there.

The ideal setup would be to hook what you use to each tractor and leave it there, not always possible but that would be the perfect thing to do.
I'm not sure how you are clutching your tractors without an extension of some kind? Brakes, clutches hand controls are easy, the 3pt hooking and unhooking is the problem.

Do you have pictures of your tractors? cab setup, transmission, pedals, seat, winch, pulleys etc?

I don't use brakes. I just downshift then shift to neutral because it's so flat around here. I don't care for adding hand control linkages to the pedals because my legs would get caught up in them. I have muscle tone so I can hold the clutch in if I put my foot on it. Letting off is another story sometimes. Only mod I have on my tractor is this winch/pulley setup:



The winch cable runs up to a pulley at the top/front of the door, then over to another pulley mounted over the trainer seat, then through a pulley hook and finally back up to the second pulley. I have a wireless remote that I press with my teeth as I guide myself up. It's really simple. I wear a mountain climbing harness to hook to.

 

[atsah]

Seems to be working for you. So do you want to install a removable clutch extension so that you can situate yourself in the cab then slide it down over a simple stud so you can push the clutch down? Would you push the clutch with the palm of your hand or your forearm?

 

[tcreeley]

I walk with 2 canes and this summer I started toting an oxygen tank around with me. I use a scooter to save my breath.

I have two steps to climb up onto my tractor (1st one step then I added the lower step) and a hand lever attached to the pedal for braking. I've mounted the seat further back because I can't fold my legs and use them spread apart..

 

[PearOrchard]

I was imagining plugging in hydraulic QDs while sitting in a wheelchair, and I was thinking that would probably be hard to do, with nothing solid to push against and the chair moving around. I was going to recommend this type of QD which doesn't require much force. But then I read that you don't have the use of your hands, either. So now I'm really quite baffled as to how you do any of this, and I can't think of anything that seems helpful.

Haha. I'm not your average quadriplegic.

 

[PearOrchard]

Seems to be working for you. So do you want to install a removable clutch extension so that you can situate yourself in the cab then slide it down over a simple stud so you can push the clutch down? Would you push the clutch with the palm of your hand or your forearm?

I would use my hand, but after experimenting with using my leg yesterday I think I may try to rig up a brace to keep my foot on the clutch and a second spring to help return the clutch pedal. I may do something similar to what you're saying, but use an offset stud to connect the brace to.

As far as strength goes, I use leverage to do things that many abled-bodies can't do. Sometimes it takes me more time, but I get the job done. I am right now having to rely on people to help me get equipment usable, but I hope this will help with that:

LIFE ESSENTIALS TRUCK LIFT - YouTube

 

[ruffdog]

That truck lift looks good and I like the range it has. We need trucks that can be used like tractors like these:

No need Tractor when you have Truck - YouTube

 

[daugen]

this is a very helpful thread even for those of us not with severe disability, some of us are just slowly falling apart...
Severe osteoarthritis and spinal degeneration disease, a fused neck, etc is getting me to the point where implement attachment is
just too hard. I have been whining about pto connectors for years, saying current method was designed in our grandfather's time, surely there's a better way. And it looks like there is, though interesting that oem builders won't offer as an option.

JD has come out with an inching control on their new 4066R model and I have looked at that carefully as a way to improve upon Kubota's extendable forks. But not made for larger tractors. Having external controls for rear lift arms is my next goal.

I have limited use of my right arm and drive mostly with my left arm only. Spinner knobs on wheels are great. But of course then your left arm gets tired doing all the work. Am about to sell my larger Massey because an all manual tractor is like a visit to the gym for me, a huge workout that leaves me very sore. Leg cramps at night from depressing clutch, etc. Want to go to a utility tractor but have zero experience with power reversers and wonder how that will work. Some look really easy, forward, neutral and reverse with light touch actuator. Anyone have a power reverser that's isn't easy to use? That I should avoid...

I'm really impressed by what some of you do to maintain self reliance. My hat is off to you.
And I'm sure looking at what you do to see if it could help me down the road.

 

[aczlan]

Daugen, we have a Kubota L3830 GST (their "clutchless" 12 speed reverser transmission). It is nice, one catch though, when you are at PTO RPM and put the F/R lever into gear (such as when baling and stopping to let the baler catch up), it can jerk pretty badly. I wish there was a way to slow the engagement of the hydraulic clutch pack a little bit so that it had a little more of a ramp up vs slamming into gear.

Aaron Z

 

[LouNY]

The three power shuttles that I use, Case IH, Ford New Holland and Branson all work about the same.
Left hand under the steering wheel, from center "neutral" a push forward and they will move out nicely, back to center a touch of brake to stop pull back for reverse and repeat as needed.
My Branson actually engages smother with the shuttle control then with the foot control "clutch" which is just a rheostat. No linkage type connection.

 

[daugen]

thanks guys, one of the videos I saw showed how you could dial your hydraulic response time down, I think it was a Messick's video on a Kubota.
Do the other brands have that to reduce the jerkiness?

Really spoiled by the hydrostatic pedal. Easy to modulate, easy to stop, push to go, let off to stop, use cruise as much as possible.
And hydrostatic should be easily modded for hand control. Heck I drive my Kubota while mowing and most other jobs other than loader work by using the cruise lever on the left side. It comes right to hand, very ergonomic. For me, a tilt and telescopic wheel that puts the powershuttle "right to hand" would be great.

With what some of the rest of you are working through, successfully it seems, I'm going to stop whining. Though I intend to continue to call
greasy pto connectors all kinds of names.