Older hydro owners... I need some advice

[ebinmaine 67,711]

I would like your input and maybe some reasons why as to where YOU would put the lift control lever of your hydro tractor.

 

On my 1970 Charger the lift control lever has been replaced by a generic three position lever like you might see on a log splitter.

 

The positions are:

Momentary on.

Centered to off.

Momentary on.

 

There are two places on this tractor where it is relatively practical for me to mount this control setup.

One is the face of the steering tower with the lever at the top pointing towards me. Up would be up and down would be down and there's plenty of room there if I leave the top cover off of the tunnel where the shift linkage sits.

 

The other possibility would be to lay it on the left hand footstep with the lever sticking straight up so pull towards me would be up and push away from me would be down.

 

Where would you put it?

Why?

Any other input or questions?

 

@Stepney

@JCM

@953 nut

@pfrederi

@WVHillbilly520H

@PeacemakerJack

@Achto

 

 

Whoever else you folks can think of please feel free to call them in...

[pfrederi 17,741]

That is the same pattern as the standard control.  Lift the lever plow goes up push lever don plow goes down. Can't you mount it on the side of the hoodstand?? On the foot rest would seem to be in the way...

[ebinmaine 67,711]

1 minute ago, pfrederi said:

That is the same pattern as the standard control.  Lift the lever plow goes up push lever don plow goes down. Can't you mount it on the side of the hoodstand?? On the foot rest would seem to be in the way...

It's actually the reverse of that because of the size of it, and me.

Remember I'm quite wide. So my left leg would clear that with ease if it was mounted on the step. 

 

I'm kind of leaning a little bit towards the steering tower face location but I really wanted to get other input. 

 

 

 

[ebinmaine 67,711]

Would any of you prefer to have access to both the forward and reverse lever along with the up and down lever on the same hand?

 

[ebinmaine 67,711]

These are the only two pictures I have of the control itself. It's quite large in comparison to a stock standard control.

 

 

 

[Achto 27,623]

My C145 has the control mounted on the center counsel of the tractor. This spot is OK but when you are running a snow plow it would be nice to have 3 hands. Speed/direction control and blade angle takes up your right hand, steering wheel in your left hand unless you want to raise or lower the plow. After some time I did get the hang of it though

 

My favorite is where I put the control on my Raider 12. I can raise or lower using my left hand without taking it off of the steering wheel.

Edited October 22, 2020 by Achto

[ebinmaine 67,711]

4 minutes ago, Achto said:

 

 where I put the control on my Raider

How did we go about attachifying that?

[Pullstart 62,923]

I imagine a fender is out of the question?

 

 

[ebinmaine 67,711]

5 minutes ago, pullstart said:

I imagine a fender is out of the question?

 

 

That's the second recommendation for that.

@Stepney there you go Spenser. 

 

That's an idea that I'm definitely going to have to put some thought to. The biggest disadvantage with putting it there is actually financial. 

That's a flip back fender which I would not disable so I can check the transmission fluid. Hoses would have to run down the back and into the transmission and piston from that position.

I already need to buy two hoses and that's going to run me $90 to $100. If I put it on the fender I'm going to need to buy two more hoses which will have to be a little longer and probably another $120 or so.

 

[Ed Kennell 38,268]

1 hour ago, Achto said:

My C145 has the control mounted on the center counsel of the tractor. This spot is OK but when you are running a snow plow it would be nice to have 3 hands. Speed/direction control and blade angle takes up your right hand, steering wheel in your left hand unless you want to raise or lower the plow. After some time I did get the hang of it though

 

Mt favorite is where I put the control on my Raider 12. I can raise or lower using my left hand without taking it off of the steering wheel.

 

Without question, it should be here where it can be reached w/o removing your hand from the wheel.     You must also add a foot pedal for motion control.  Then you have an efficient plow machine.

 

Left hand       steer and brake

Right hand    steer and angle blade

Left foot       brake

Right foot      f/r motion control

[JoeM 7,874]

EB I might have an original valve with newer hoses that mounted on the left side of the tower. I can look tomorrow. Probably just trade you if it will work for you??

I can look and take a few pics. 

[ebinmaine 67,711]

37 minutes ago, JoeM said:

EB I might have an original valve with newer hoses that mounted on the left side of the tower. I can look tomorrow. Probably just trade you if it will work for you??

I can look and take a few pics. 

Much appreciated Joe but I like the large size of the lever on this one. 

Big hands. Bigger gloves. VERY cold winters. 

Just need to experiment with it a bit to find a good attachment spot. 

[953 nut 55,347]

 

No doubt I am the oldest Hydro owner on the list of people you called on.        

For me the side of the tower with up is up and down is down seems best.       probably add a couple of 90s to the hoses that come off the face of the controle.

Older hydro owners... I need some advice

[JoeM 7,874]

8 minutes ago, 953 nut said:

list of people

Hey P.....you made the list! lol

 

15 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

I like the large size of the lever

A man got to fill good about his lever!

 

Don't over think it but I plowed for 15 years using one finger to raise and lower the plow. Sometimes you just have to use the lever you got!

Hydro on the right, plow control on left, worked pretty good for me. 

[pfrederi 17,741]

47 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

Much appreciated Joe but I like the large size of the lever on this one. 

Big hands. Bigger gloves. VERY cold winters. 

Just need to experiment with it a bit to find a good attachment spot. 

 

 

I wear Army Surplus trigger finger leather mittens with liners...no problem operating the lift. You only have to use it at the end of a pass

[ebinmaine 67,711]

8 minutes ago, pfrederi said:

 

 

I wear Army Surplus trigger finger leather mittens with liners...

That reminds me. 

I did buy some but they were too thin. 

I need to find some thicker ones. 

[Achto 27,623]

4 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

How did we go about attachifying that?

 

The whole set up is kind non conventional but works very well. I'm running an HY equivalent pump on the wrong side of the tractor with linkage running back to a handle mounted on the side of the dash.

 

Edited October 22, 2020 by Achto

[ebinmaine 67,711]

2 minutes ago, Achto said:

non conventional

Just in case you hadn't figured it out that's my favorite way to do things. 

 

 

[Achto 27,623]

4 hours ago, pullstart said:

I imagine a fender is out of the question?

 

4 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

That's an idea that I'm definitely going to have to put some thought to.

 

If I were to do the fender mount. I would mount the valve on a bracket under the fenders and cut a neat & clean hole in the fender for the handle to stick through. This would still allow you to flip the fenders back to gain access to the tool box & check tranny fluids.

[PeacemakerJack 10,738]

Sorry I’m late to this party EB but I’ve been having fun today with the family.  I like the idea of having it in a place where you can manipulate it with your steering wheel left hand.  I have plowed with Dan’s Raider and his levee placement works really well.  Kelli’s Dxi has the factory position on the dash (up is up and down is down.  That works well too.  I love the idea of the fender cause it is like the 1984 Super C but it would mean extra plumbing...

[Skipper 1,788]

Just a hint on the hoses. Surplus center has a bunch in ready made lengths at very reasonable prices

[ebinmaine 67,711]

Just wanted to throw a post in on this thread to tell you what looks like is going to be happening..

 

I found a shop local to me that builds hoses for a very reasonable rate. Looks like his prices are actually going to come out LESS than online.

 

@pullstart @Stepney @Achto

Your suggestion of using the seat pan or fender looks like it's going to be the winner. I've tried as much as I can to watch my habits with Cinnamon Horse and figure what is the most ergonomically correct for me and the way that I operate. I've also done this to some extent with the lifts at work but they are controlled with the opposite hands and feet so this one is just going to be another learning curve.

 

I've I've taken a couple of moments of Trina's time on two different occasions to show her what it is that I'm trying to accomplish and take recommendations or corrections from a separate set of eyes that see things from the angle of "not on the tractor." 

 

 

@Ed KennellKennell and @PeacemakerJack  (others?)

Some of you had mentioned really liking the idea of having the control near the steering wheel. Keeping in mind this is my first Hydro but also keeping in mind that the right hand fore & aft control of the tractor is right below the steering wheel, I'm fine as far as that goes. I've also noted while operating Cinnamon that when I get to the end of a plow row and I go to reverse my left hand is on the up and down lever and my right hand is on the shifter and it stays that way for at least a foot or two before I even grab the steering wheel.

 

I'll try to remember to update this post with further thoughts or results. 

[WVHillbilly520H 10,373]

6 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

Just wanted to throw a post in on this thread to tell you what looks like is going to be happening..

 

I found a shop local to me that builds hoses for a very reasonable rate. Looks like his prices are actually going to come out LESS than online.

 

@pullstart @Stepney @Achto

Your suggestion of using the seat pan or fender looks like it's going to be the winner. I've tried as much as I can to watch my habits with Cinnamon Horse and figure what is the most ergonomically correct for me and the way that I operate. I've also done this to some extent with the lifts at work but they are controlled with the opposite hands and feet so this one is just going to be another learning curve.

 

I've I've taken a couple of moments of Trina's time on two different occasions to show her what it is that I'm trying to accomplish and take recommendations or corrections from a separate set of eyes that see things from the angle of "not on the tractor." 

 

 

@Ed KennellKennell and @PeacemakerJack  (others?)

Some of you had mentioned really liking the idea of having the control near the steering wheel. Keeping in mind this is my first Hydro but also keeping in mind that the right hand fore & aft control of the tractor is right below the steering wheel, I'm fine as far as that goes. I've also noted while operating Cinnamon that when I get to the end of a plow row and I go to reverse my left hand is on the up and down lever and my right hand is on the shifter and it stays that way for at least a foot or two before I even grab the steering wheel.

 

I'll try to remember to update this post with further thoughts or results. 

On my 520s the column mounted controls are lift lever on the left (just like the manual lever) and motion control on the right... Hhhmmm you see a theme here? and unless I'm in a tight spot next buildings or vehicles I hardly ever use the foot brake. You may actually get used to this style set-up quite easily ... Just my .

[ebinmaine 67,711]

1 minute ago, WVHillbilly520H said:

You may actually get used to this style set-up quite easily

Yes sir I believe that to be true. Just a matter of seat time and practice. I'm self-taught on every other machine I've ever learned to run so hopefully this one goes smoothly. 

[WVHillbilly520H 10,373]

Just now, ebinmaine said:

Yes sir I believe that to be true. Just a matter of seat time and practice. I'm self-taught on every other machine I've ever learned to run so hopefully this one goes smoothly. 

Goes back to @JCM, Jim's confusion thread, the closer something is to what's "comfortable" the easier it is learn, those mid 70s-90s CC had the motion control and lift lever both on the right side.