Electric switch for joystick

[cbailey1956]

Hello, I am planning on adding a hydraulic thumb onto my JD 70d excavator. I have been unable to find a comfortable add on switch to power the electric selector / solenoid valve. I want to have it on the bucket joystick and be easily reached by thumb or finger without moving hand off stick. Really be nice to unscrew ball on end of handle and replace with handle similar to newer skidsteers. Open to suggestions? Thanks, Craig

 

[Industrial Toys]

I have had to improvise such things. Machining, adapting and welding. My number one resource (now) is E-Bay. Even if you can't find what you want, sometimes you can get the name of manufacturers, that you probably wouldn't see with those horrible hijacked and Ad filled Goggle searches.

I see some guy on E-Bay has remanufactured Joysticks for various machines for just over a couple hundred bucks, with switches. For what I have gone through in the past, that would be a bargain.

 

[countrybumpkin]

Something like one of these?

Sure Grip Controls

 

[PILOON]

I did that frequently on aircraft control yokes.
Generally drilled a suitable hole at yoke end and screwed in a small PTT micro switch that activated the transmit function.
Have also seen slightly oversized hole and epoxy to set the switch in place.

You probably would want an OFF-ON-OFF type switch (each push alternates from on to off)

 

[cbailey1956]

Thanks for the links, now I have choices and decisions.

 

[scdeerslayer]

I plan on doing the same as you to convert my mechanical thumb to hydraulic. I just discovered this yesterday:Cpi Weatherproof Switch, Push Button B7151-516 | Zoro.com

Couple that with this and it can attach to the joystick rod: Cpi Back Switch Housing HS2-52 | Zoro.com

That's kind of pricey but I'm sure it's less than a custom made knob.

Another idea I saw was to get an auto shift knob with a switch built in.

I plan to also use a toggle switch to switch from always on to being controlled by the push button.

 

[RNeumann]

Scorpion Technologies LTD. - Joysticks

This is what I have. The cleanest install if seen used heat shrink down the rod to protect and contain the wires.