FEL lever - shortened.

[Chilly807]

I'm still on the fence. At 6' and 200 lbs, it's definitely in my way when wanting to mount from the right side. On the other hand, I like the finer control it gives over the loader, especially with cold gloved hands. I might try to gear up a sleeve arrangement so I can change the length to suit the day.

Chilly

 

[FSE]

I cut 5 inches off of the FEL lever today; now much easier to get in or out from the right side.

BX2660.

Easy steps:
twist off the knob.
remove bolt holding plastic housing.
remove plastic housing and rubber boot.
remove two nuts attaching lever.
take lever to workbench vise for a clean cut.
reverse steps to reinstall.


Probably not necessary to remove the lever but it was easy enough.

What holds the knob on the end of the rod? Do you just twist and pull it off? Do you need to put something on it like epoxy on it when reinstalling it?

 

[psvines]

I wasn't sure at first, but twisted and pulled very hard and it came off. There doesn't appear to have been any glue. And likewise, reinstalling was simply pushing and twisting; it seems very secure.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I looked at my BX2660 lever yesterday and sort of twisted the knob to see how it comes off. Didn't try real hard but it's on tight. Maybe someone will come up with a hinge for half way down the shaft that will let it hinge forward then flop back down for those of us afraid to cut the shaft. I also hate not being able to mount from either side so I'm going to pay more attention to my usage of FEL to determine if a shorter shaft would be better, same or worse for FEL usage. This is a great idea for a possible improvement of a great tractor. Guess long legged guys that keep the seat all the way back may not like it unless they have extra long arms to go with the extra long legs..

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I'm still on the fence. At 6' and 200 lbs, it's definitely in my way when wanting to mount from the right side. On the other hand, I like the finer control it gives over the loader, especially with cold gloved hands. I might try to gear up a sleeve arrangement so I can change the length to suit the day.

Chilly

Post this when you figure it out. Make it as simple as possible and give us what row and part numbers at TSC or ??? to go get our parts. I think your on to something. Fit it over the cut off shaft and slide it up and down over the shaft with a threaded hole for a twist top handle like on ROPS. I may have to visit my machinist brother in law at his machine shop if you don't get us some off the shelf parts.

 

[psvines]

I cut 5 inches off of the FEL lever today; now much easier to get in or out from the right side.

BX2660.

Easy steps:
twist off the knob.
remove bolt holding plastic housing.
remove plastic housing and rubber boot.
remove two nuts attaching lever.
take lever to workbench vise for a clean cut.
reverse steps to reinstall.


Probably not necessary to remove the lever but it was easy enough.

I've now got quite a few hours on it with the shortened length and am very happy with it. Used it for removing 24" of snow on a 1/4 mile gravel driveway, and a few times for hauling buckets full of firewood to the house. For the firewood location, access on the right side is desired, so it's been great. I'm 6'2 if that helps anyone decide.

 

[Chilly807]

What I may do is cut the lever, then thread the ends of both pieces. A piece of aluminum bored on both ends and threaded internally will allow for at least some adjustment with a couple of lock nuts.

My lever is 13mm diameter, 0.512". I'd like to make the sleeve about 5 inches long for a wider range of adjustment, it'll depend on how far I can get the tap inside the bored sleeve. I'm thinking lots of anti-seize is going on the threads, dissimilar metals and water is a recipe for seized threads.

May be a while til I get around to it, I'll post some pics when I do.

Chilly

 

[Usta]

I cut 4 1/2 inches off my BX2660 lever last week. Should have done it sooner. It is so much better and actually more comfortable using the lever.

I had my doughts and was wondering ... is the knob screwed on? Nope, just pressed on. Twists off easier if knob is warm. Is the shaft hollow? Nope, solid steel.

If in doubt, Shorten it only an inch at a time.

 

[tom correa]

It's been a couple of weeks now since I cut 5 inches off of my brand new BX25 FEL control shaft and I don't know why anyone would be afraid to do so. You will not regret it. Who ever thought of putting such a long shaft on it surely must be a very very small person. I'm 5 foot 11" and it is now just right. I wouldn't want it any other way. I can get on and off the right side now without any trouble. And once you figure out that the knob is just pushed on the shaft and you pull it off, it is a matter of 15 min. to retrofit it to the length you want.

 

[Bedlam]

Maybe the manufacturers will take note and start to have them adjustable. a simple rod inside a tube with a wing nut. plain and simple.

 

[bruiserx2]

I cut 3 and half inches off the joy stick. It was easy, I cut it with a hack saw blade on my jigsaw and then used a grinder to smooth the edge. It is much better now and I do not think I lost any control. I am 200lbs and 5 foot 11 inches if that helps anyone. I may even take off more but I want to have a few more hours with it before making that decision. I can always take off a little more.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I cut 3 and half inches off the joy stick. It was easy, I cut it with a hack saw blade on my jigsaw and then used a grinder to smooth the edge. It is much better now and I do not think I lost any control. I am 200lbs and 5 foot 11 inches if that helps anyone. I may even take off more but I want to have a few more hours with it before making that decision. I can always take off a little more.

Long arms or short arms? That's really close to my dimensions and I'm considering cutting mine off.

 

[bruiserx2]

Jacket size is 44 reg and shirt is 17 and a half neck and I beleive 35.

 

[beckmurph]

I don't want mine shortened, I want a joy stick on the right fender like the new Cub/Yanmar.
I would much rather have the loader control close to my right hand. Lots of loader work really tires your arm reaching for the control all the time.

 

[radioman]

OOOHHHH!!!!! I am cringing!!! I want to chop it off to make it shorter too, but hate the thought of losing stock length!! In some ways with the BH on and need to raise the FEL to move forward, I wish it was longer. On the other hand I use the BH on BX less then 50 % of time so it would be more useful to be shorter. I think I am gonna explore a way to have a telescoping, locking extension built in.

What do you guys think? chop it off so it shorter for ease of access on right but able to extend FEL lever further then it is now for BH work?

 

[Deano]

Radioman,

Cut the da** thing off!! If you don't like it, $14.52 gets you a new one!!

LEVER CONTROL
7J612-62213
1 Needed for Job S/N >=52067
$14.52 Ships in 3-5 business days

From Messick's


Deano

 

[/pine]

I'm considering adding some style and shortening the stick at the same time by bending a offset in it...for some reason long straight joysticks just look out of place...

on a similar topic...can anyone tell me if there was originally a rubber boot on this ? anyone have a link to a source for after market boots?

this is from a mid 90's b series

 

[Chilly807]

I finally cut about 5 inches off, the jury's still out on the results. I can get on and off better on the right side now, but I don't really like the feel of the control now. Kubota chose the springs with the longer lever in mind. I'm going to wait until spring and see if it grows on me. If not, a few minutes with the welder and it's back to full length.

Chilly

 

[bruiserx2]

I just spent 5 hours plowing pushing lifting and moving snow. I could not be happier with the shortened lever. To those that mentioned control. I feel that the control of the FEL is better now and more responsive. I do not need to move it as far in the different directions to get it to react. MUCH BETTER.

 

[JDGREEN4ME]

That long ars handle on the bx series is the stupidest looking thing on the machine.

That is one of the "ergonomic" issues I have with the Kubota. It isn't comfortable (to me)plus as mentioned it just looks stupid.