foot control to joystick conversion?

[stoobs67]

A friend of mine is going to sell me his 753 for a very good price. Its in great shape. However it had foot pedal for bucket controls. I am not very good with them because I am 6'7 tall. From the way that i sit in the machine, I cant push on the backpedal. I have to put blocks inbetween my feet and the pedal....I know it sounds ridiculous. Anyways, for my question. Is it possible to convert to a joystick control? I have been told no, that it would be not cost effective. Before I gave up I wanted to do some research online. I am already getting this machine for a good price, and it might be worth it to invest in this IF its possible. Can anyone let me know if this is possible? And what it would take? Thank you.

 

[Tazza]

You will need two actuators, i thought in the 800 price range each. You will need the joysticks, a few hundred each. A new computer, again, a few hundred. Possibly a wiring loom, another 500 or so. It will need to go to the dealer to enable the actuators and any other devices attached to the machine. Honestly, its not worth the money. Hand controls are enough of a pain on their own, but to install them willingly, bad plan.
If you REALLY want hand controls, do your self a favour. Get the machine nice and pretty, sell it, use the proffits to buy a machine with hand controls already. It will be far cheaper.

 

[Tazza]

You will need two actuators, i thought in the 800 price range each. You will need the joysticks, a few hundred each. A new computer, again, a few hundred. Possibly a wiring loom, another 500 or so. It will need to go to the dealer to enable the actuators and any other devices attached to the machine. Honestly, its not worth the money. Hand controls are enough of a pain on their own, but to install them willingly, bad plan.
If you REALLY want hand controls, do your self a favour. Get the machine nice and pretty, sell it, use the proffits to buy a machine with hand controls already. It will be far cheaper.

After spanking enter, i remembered what my manual showed.... There was an option that actually used morse cables.... You could potentially fabricate these to work?
The pedals are adjustable, you can slide them back and forth to adjust the angle, is that an option?

 

[waggles]

After spanking enter, i remembered what my manual showed.... There was an option that actually used morse cables.... You could potentially fabricate these to work?
The pedals are adjustable, you can slide them back and forth to adjust the angle, is that an option?

My friend put a genuine bobcat cable operated hand control on the lift arms of his 753 H model. He likes it because of a bad knee. I dont know if that option is still available, I prefer the orginal control pattern . Although my S130 has a nice variable flow button for the 4in1 control.

 

[RickS250]

Ok I have to add my 2 cents in here. I'm 6'8" tall and have ran a 753 with no problems. My 1st loader was a 610 that I used for 16 years. Unless you have ankle problems I think you should try it or do like Tazza said and clean it up and buy a diff machine. I know guys that have the loaders with hand controls and when they go bad their not cheap to get fixed!! I didn't have allot of room in my 610 so I moved up to a S250 and really like the bigger loader!! More room easier to run and way way more power!!! Radman

 

[Wallaman]

After spanking enter, i remembered what my manual showed.... There was an option that actually used morse cables.... You could potentially fabricate these to work?
The pedals are adjustable, you can slide them back and forth to adjust the angle, is that an option?

Tazza: What do you mean by morse cables? On a 2000 763G will the pedals slide back and forth to adjust the angle? I have lost 90% of the muscles in my legs and have to use a long stick to operate the pedals which means I may as well piss into the wind. If the morse cable/pedal adjustment won't work for me I guess the only option is to sell and buy a unit with hand controls. Any advice on what to look for in a different unit? I can't afford anything very late model but would like to stay with something at least as big as a 763 or just a little larger. Thank you.

 

[KyMadMan]

Just a thought, couldn't you fabricate some pipe or square stock to attach to the pedals? Then run them up next to your drive control sticks? Something like an upside down y. Just spit balling here.

 

[Wallaman]

Just a thought, couldn't you fabricate some pipe or square stock to attach to the pedals? Then run them up next to your drive control sticks? Something like an upside down y. Just spit balling here.

Just a thought, couldn't you fabricate some pipe or square stock to attach to the pedals? Then run them up next to your drive control sticks? Something like an upside down y. Just spit balling here.

It probably would work but not in a 'fluid' motion such as being able to maneuver the position of the bucket/forks when moving forward or rearward. Thank you.

 

[fortworth-cowboy]

I can tell you that it is almost impossible to convert your machine into a Joystick machine. Unless you wanna spend almost the same amount as for a one year old machine.

 

[Wallaman]

I can tell you that it is almost impossible to convert your machine into a Joystick machine. Unless you wanna spend almost the same amount as for a one year old machine.

OK. Thank you for your response. I appreciate your opinion.

 

[ghs57]

Maybe a little off topic: I moved from my S175 hand/foot machine to a S590 joystick machine this year, mainly due to an ankle injury which made it difficult to heel the bucket pedal. In the meantime, another operator accidentally broke the rusted foot pedal mounts loose on both sides. So, I had to cut out the old pedals and mounts, fabricate new mounts and install brand new pedals. Now, the machine operated like new. All this to say that had this happened before I bought the S590, I probably would have passed on the new machine. I didn't realize how badly out of adjustment the old foot-pedals were due to the rusted mounts, and despite my ankle, I can run the old machine just fine now. I also find that joystick controls are not all I thought they were going to be. The old machine is more nimble and responsive, and not as sensitive to the slightest bump or movement. The joysticks are sensitive, and it's easy to overreact or overcorrect. There's a slight lag between hand movements and machine responses, and there is the unintended movement when your arms are jostled due to bumpy terrain.

Part of this may resolve as I log more hours in the S590. The new machine has all the bells and whistles, which are quite useful, but not essential. So I would suggest running both types of machines, and adjusting the seat/joystick position to find the optimum position for you, before closing which one you want to own.

 

[mrbb]

Maybe a little off topic: I moved from my S175 hand/foot machine to a S590 joystick machine this year, mainly due to an ankle injury which made it difficult to heel the bucket pedal. In the meantime, another operator accidentally broke the rusted foot pedal mounts loose on both sides. So, I had to cut out the old pedals and mounts, fabricate new mounts and install brand new pedals. Now, the machine operated like new. All this to say that had this happened before I bought the S590, I probably would have passed on the new machine. I didn't realize how badly out of adjustment the old foot-pedals were due to the rusted mounts, and despite my ankle, I can run the old machine just fine now. I also find that joystick controls are not all I thought they were going to be. The old machine is more nimble and responsive, and not as sensitive to the slightest bump or movement. The joysticks are sensitive, and it's easy to overreact or overcorrect. There's a slight lag between hand movements and machine responses, and there is the unintended movement when your arms are jostled due to bumpy terrain.

Part of this may resolve as I log more hours in the S590. The new machine has all the bells and whistles, which are quite useful, but not essential. So I would suggest running both types of machines, and adjusting the seat/joystick position to find the optimum position for you, before closing which one you want to own.

something else to consider, that from brand to brand, model to model
the sensitivity and reaction time on joy stick controls, are , IMO< all different,
they do not all respond the same, , or as fast, or be as sensitive

and there are adjustments that can be made on SOME Models to slow or speed things up./
down or the sensitivity on them

NOT all makes models allow adjustments but some do


this one reason, why operating a machine before buying can help prevent buyers remorse or satisfaction with the purchaser
and NO bash meant toward OP here
as even with testing/operating a machine, we many times find likes and dislikes down the road that only come from a bunch o hrs in seat time

seems I any how, can never find all the perks or defects on things till I own then a while, HAHA!

but a good test or demo on a machine before buying does up your odds a lot more than buying blindly!

 

[Wallaman]

Maybe a little off topic: I moved from my S175 hand/foot machine to a S590 joystick machine this year, mainly due to an ankle injury which made it difficult to heel the bucket pedal. In the meantime, another operator accidentally broke the rusted foot pedal mounts loose on both sides. So, I had to cut out the old pedals and mounts, fabricate new mounts and install brand new pedals. Now, the machine operated like new. All this to say that had this happened before I bought the S590, I probably would have passed on the new machine. I didn't realize how badly out of adjustment the old foot-pedals were due to the rusted mounts, and despite my ankle, I can run the old machine just fine now. I also find that joystick controls are not all I thought they were going to be. The old machine is more nimble and responsive, and not as sensitive to the slightest bump or movement. The joysticks are sensitive, and it's easy to overreact or overcorrect. There's a slight lag between hand movements and machine responses, and there is the unintended movement when your arms are jostled due to bumpy terrain.

Part of this may resolve as I log more hours in the S590. The new machine has all the bells and whistles, which are quite useful, but not essential. So I would suggest running both types of machines, and adjusting the seat/joystick position to find the optimum position for you, before closing which one you want to own.

ghs57: Thank you very much for your post. It is very easy to understand all you are saying about being used to foot pedals and not having used hand controls ever. I bought my 2000 763 new and used it 7 days a week 10-12 hours daily for 15 years. From 2015 till my neuropathy took it's toll on my legs in 2023 I still used it 5-6 days a week. The foot pedals were just a natural reflex motion of my thoughts. I had asked Tazza if the 2000 763 foot pedals were adjustable and would slide back and forth but got no response. Do you know if there is any way to 'loosen' the pedals so it doesn't take as much leg/foot strength to push them?

 

[Wallaman]

something else to consider, that from brand to brand, model to model
the sensitivity and reaction time on joy stick controls, are , IMO< all different,
they do not all respond the same, , or as fast, or be as sensitive

and there are adjustments that can be made on SOME Models to slow or speed things up./
down or the sensitivity on them

NOT all makes models allow adjustments but some do


this one reason, why operating a machine before buying can help prevent buyers remorse or satisfaction with the purchaser
and NO bash meant toward OP here
as even with testing/operating a machine, we many times find likes and dislikes down the road that only come from a bunch o hrs in seat time

seems I any how, can never find all the perks or defects on things till I own then a while, HAHA!

but a good test or demo on a machine before buying does up your odds a lot more than buying blindly!

mrbb: Thank you. Very informative. Eye opening.

 

[mrbb]

Some food for thought for you maybe??

But ,how and where you place your feet on the foot controls can also, help with how much effort is needed to move them
its about leverage

some times if you add a little to make the levers longer or , just modify them so there taller//longer,steeper angled, you can then use less foot pressure to move work them
I would think you can add some small blocks to top or bottom of a petal with a clamp or vice grips or such, to try different sizes and adjustment till you find an easier angle, you like,
that or maybe just modify them so there maybe closer to you, so you have more muse to move them, than when your leg/heels is more extended from your body!
little things can make big difference over a shift!


and from there, you could always weld things in place so its safe and solid for extended use!

something I found also, is pending what foot wear I am wearing matters, I always noticed that certain boots were stiffer than others, had larger foot prints, than others of same size
and the larger boots, helps me use less effort to work petals, leaving me more fresh at end of a long day!

 

[Wallaman]

Some food for thought for you maybe??

But ,how and where you place your feet on the foot controls can also, help with how much effort is needed to move them
its about leverage

some times if you add a little to make the levers longer or , just modify them so there taller//longer,steeper angled, you can then use less foot pressure to move work them
I would think you can add some small blocks to top or bottom of a petal with a clamp or vice grips or such, to try different sizes and adjustment till you find an easier angle, you like,
that or maybe just modify them so there maybe closer to you, so you have more muse to move them, than when your leg/heels is more extended from your body!
little things can make big difference over a shift!


and from there, you could always weld things in place so its safe and solid for extended use!

something I found also, is pending what foot wear I am wearing matters, I always noticed that certain boots were stiffer than others, had larger foot prints, than others of same size
and the larger boots, helps me use less effort to work petals, leaving me more fresh at end of a long day!

mrbb: Again, I certainly agree with you that the angle of the pedals would make all the difference in the world. I have already got wooden blocks on the front of the pedals, but they make little difference and the heel is zilch. I believe if the pedals were on a 45 degree angle from my body they would be useable.

 

[ghs57]

ghs57: Thank you very much for your post. It is very easy to understand all you are saying about being used to foot pedals and not having used hand controls ever. I bought my 2000 763 new and used it 7 days a week 10-12 hours daily for 15 years. From 2015 till my neuropathy took it's toll on my legs in 2023 I still used it 5-6 days a week. The foot pedals were just a natural reflex motion of my thoughts. I had asked Tazza if the 2000 763 foot pedals were adjustable and would slide back and forth but got no response. Do you know if there is any way to 'loosen' the pedals so it doesn't take as much leg/foot strength to push them?

That's a tough one. If those pedal mounts are anything like mine, they are not designed for that kind of adjustment. It may be possible to lift the back of the pedal bracket so that it is inclined instead of fairly flat. In fact, that would have worked in my case since I could not push my heel down very far. Even a block on my heel would have helped-before I repaired them.

 

[ghs57]

something else to consider, that from brand to brand, model to model
the sensitivity and reaction time on joy stick controls, are , IMO< all different,
they do not all respond the same, , or as fast, or be as sensitive

and there are adjustments that can be made on SOME Models to slow or speed things up./
down or the sensitivity on them

NOT all makes models allow adjustments but some do


this one reason, why operating a machine before buying can help prevent buyers remorse or satisfaction with the purchaser
and NO bash meant toward OP here
as even with testing/operating a machine, we many times find likes and dislikes down the road that only come from a bunch o hrs in seat time

seems I any how, can never find all the perks or defects on things till I own then a while, HAHA!

but a good test or demo on a machine before buying does up your odds a lot more than buying blindly!

There may be such adjustments on this machine. I have a digital copy of the manuals, so I need total a closer look. I am getting better at it, but I'm much better on the hand/foot machine.