Controls preference

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Rlachermeier

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Oct 14, 2015
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40
I have a Bobcat 751 and a Case 1816C. The 751 has combination hand/foot controls where the 1816 is hand controls only. I'm curious what people prefer. I personally prefer hand controls only whereas my wife likes the hand/foot combo. I'm wishing I would of got a 763.
 

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brdgbldr

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I think it all depends on what you're used to or use the most. I have an old 742B which is all mechanical and I also have a A300 which is all electronic, joystick only. I really like the hand foot controls better at the moment because they don't seem to be as touchy as the joysticks. However, I'm sure that after I've had more time with the joysticks they'll become second nature also.
 

koko

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Jan 30, 2022
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An 863G & a T300 here and once you get used to them it just doesn't matter, altho I can operate the hand foot combo much more smoothly. I think the difference is the amount of play in the track system.
 
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Rlachermeier

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Oct 14, 2015
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My biggest problem with the foot controls is flexing the heel far enough to fully engage the pedal. I'm sure with time it will get better
 
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Hotrod1830

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Sep 14, 2010
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513
I too had a problem flexing my ankle far enough "back" to engage the pedal. I ended up tack welding some square tubing to the heel portion of the pedal so my foot starts off more in the "toes pointing" position. It is more comfortable to raise/roll the bucket with the blocks.
 

imtools

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Feb 19, 2014
Messages
11
I've never used a skid steer with hand operated bucket and perhaps because mine is older technology (Bobcat 825) but I find it very difficult to precisely control with my feet. I will sometimes reach down and operate the pedal with my hand if I need to do fine grading. I have a mini-excavator where bucket motion just flows with hand controls.
 
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Rlachermeier

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Oct 14, 2015
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I too had a problem flexing my ankle far enough "back" to engage the pedal. I ended up tack welding some square tubing to the heel portion of the pedal so my foot starts off more in the "toes pointing" position. It is more comfortable to raise/roll the bucket with the blocks.
I had to do something similar for my granddaughter on her Eton 90. She was very capable of riding it just too short.
 

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sethb411

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Jul 13, 2019
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I think it largely depends on the type of work being done. Dirt work is the most demanding, because you need to make many different adjustments and do it smoothly at the same time. There's also a big difference between moving a pile of dirt and doing grade work.

I've operated many types of skids over the years, but mostly Bobcat 7763 (hand controls), T300 (Hand/Foot), and T870 (Hand/foot). My experience is having the foot controls makes for smoother, more agile control of the bucket/driving combination. When I have to apply force forward/back to move while leaning the stick left/right, I cannot get the precision. Keep in mind while you're trying to feather the controls the skid is tilting up/down and side to side.

It's not that I can't run it with hand controls only, but if I want to be fast and smooth at the same time, it's an easy decision.
 

Hotrod1830

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Sep 14, 2010
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At Rlachermeier, just when you think your helping someone the troll comes out ; ) . I was actually referring to an auto accident and the limited movement in one of my ankles. But thanks for the laugh . Carry on......
 

dljbelle

New member
Joined
Mar 29, 2014
Messages
2
Pilot controls. Hand/foot controls are old technology kept around because it is also cheaper technology. Plus, good luck using a foot throttle.
 
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