Third function/diverter grip

[chanceu]

While trying to decide whether to use a true third function or a diverter, one thing I noticed was the handle grips that comes with most of the kits available. These grips are made for a joystick that is verticle or at least mostly verticle.

My problem was the joystick on my tractor is almost horizontal and I couldn't see a grip with a button on the end being very easy or comfortable to use.

I found this grip that looked like it might do the job and now that I've used it for a while, I think it works great.

 

[chanceu]

The view from the drivers seat.

 

[PineRidge]

That thing looks so good you ought to put a patent on it. Nice work!

 

[chanceu]

Thanks, but the credit goes to Otto Engineering. They make custom control grips.

http://www.ottoeng.com/controls/control_grip_home.html

I found there site and the literature on their G3 universal grip. The grip in my picture is one that is pictured as a sample so I called to find out if it might be a stock item. They gave me the name of a distributer that buys that particular grip and in a few days I had one.

 

[RedRocker]

How bout a link to the distributor, that looks pretty handy.

 

[chanceu]

The distributer's web site is:

http://www.peerlesselectronics.com

I'm not sure which office I called to place the order and I don't think it matters since this product is shipped from NY.

I've attached the technical drawing for this grip. When I called, Peerless made me call Otto to get the exact part number because this grip is technically a custom grip. Otto sent this drawing so I could verify it's what I wanted.

It comes with the grip and the switch with about a 12" pigtail. Without looking it up, I don't know exactly, but the cost was around $38.

One thing I should note is the wire in pigtail is only 18-20ga, if that matters to anyone.

 

[RedRocker]

Thanks for the info, I like that setup the best of any I've seen.
How does it attach to the stick? Looks like it's threaded.

 

[chanceu]

The drawing doesn't show it, but it had a 3/4" square hole in the bottom. My joystick is around 1/2" in diameter. I found a couple 1/2" square bolts I had that fit snugly in the bottom of the grip, drilled them out to fit over the joystick, and glued them in. The grip already had 4 10-24 holes so I drilled/threaded them on through the bolts and secured it with set screws.

I probably could have found a way to thread it on to the end of the joystick, but by doing it the way I did, I got it down on the joystick about 3/4" more. It sticks out far enough already.

The grip is designed for a hollow joystick so the pigtail is meant to come out the same hole. The round part on the bottom of the grip has an inner and outer layer so I was able to drill a new hole and run the pigtail there. That worked out pretty well because it keeps the pigtail close to the joystick.

 

[chanceu]

I lied...the hole in the bottom of the grip is 1/2" square and I used 3/8" square bolts drilled out to just under 1/2".

 

[RedRocker]

Thanks for the info.