Conversion for Handicapped Operator

[RW in SC]

My 80 year old father has a difficult time holding the clutch down on his 3930 4WD Ford tractor. Has anyone converted such to a hydraulic cylinder (master and slave cylinder) set up or have any other ideas about how to make the clutch less rigid so that he can still operate it?

 

[CCWKen]

Well, the clutch can't be weakened or it will slip. The actual clutch throw isn't very much so a master/slave should work. The only problem I see is making the bracket(s) and location of the parts. Good idea!

Even my 3910 clutch gets hard after a day or two of mowing.

 

[oldhippy]

I don't see why a hyd clutch would be all that hard to rig up. The ones that they use on stock cars does not seem to have much feel. It might be a problem on a tractor if you had no feel and when you released the clutch it engage to fast. I have a allis wd with a hand clutch that is pretty easy to pull. With the extra length in the handle the pull is pretty light. We were going to put one on a tractor here at work but the guy retired before we got it done. If you can't find anyone local for you fab work. We will get them done. I don't won't to see anyone stop using the tractor if we can make it happen. big dan

 

[RW in SC]

Thanks for the suggestions; I'll do some measuring and see what I can get figured out. I thought perhaps someone might have already invented this "wheel."

 

[Runner]

What about rigging up some kind of hand clutch, like maybe a bar or pipe attached to the clutch pedal/linkage?

 

[RW in SC]

That might work, although with the front-end loader there's not a lot of room for more apparatus. Still, your suggestion might be the best, and quickest, option.

 

[patrick_g]

A neighbors son is handicapped and has no effective use of his legs. The son's tractor is modified for all hand controls,including the clutch. So far his only problem has been the steering wheel, it broke. He rides a 4 wheeler just fine but come to think of it I just never noticed how he shifts it. It must not be too tough or I would have noticed

Pat

 

[Treemonkey1000]

I am agreeing with adding a push bar of some sort that he could use his arm to assist the clutch leg. He may have his hands full though steering and moving FEL or shifter. Another thought was to see about changing the fulcrum point to add more leverage via the pedal. That sounds like it would be just as much work as adding the hydraulic cylinders. You might call any of the local tractor dealers to see if they have set up something like this. Also make sure the pedal linkage is greased or oiled up to minimize the friction as much as possible.
It would be interesting to see what you come up with.

 

[Charlesaf3]

how about trading it on an hst tractor and taking the clutch out of the equation?

 

[RW in SC]

I raised that as an option for my Dad to consider. He's thinking about it, but the money is a factor. Thanks for the suggestion though.

 

[sandman2234]

I was thinking along the lines of an additional extension of the clutch pedal, but not only extending the pedal, but actually adding a higher second pedal that is a little closer to the operator, so it doesn't interfere with the original pedal, or other users of the tractor. The drawback is the older fellows usually don't have the ability to raise their legs an extra couple of inches comfortably. I picture a side view of a "C" with the bottom part of the C straightened out to run alongside the existing pedal and the top part of the C having a step/footrest on it.
David from jax

 

[RW in SC]

One factor making operating the clutch more difficult on the Ford is that the operator has to push down rather than pushing forward. So, I'm thinking about seeing if I can re-do the pedal to where the main force is pushing forward as opposed to pushing down. Pressing the pedal down while in a seated position is much more difficult that pushing forward while seated.

I even thought about rigging up a cable and pulley system (block and tackle) that would multiply the force and thus reducing the amount of force needed to move the pedal/clutch.

RW

 

[patrick_g]

I even thought about rigging up a cable and pulley system (block and tackle) that would multiply the force and thus reducing the amount of force needed to move the pedal/clutch.

RW

If you made the pedal about 1/2 as hard to push by employing a block and tackle you would about double the distance you would have to push the pedal. Their may be a couple issues with that, things like is there room for that much pedal movement and can the operator comfortably raise his foot twice as high in a timely manner?

Pat

 

[hdbikercouple]

why not put a leverand a connecting rod to the petal to push down with his left arm. mount the pivot point front at hood high and lever coming back to him so he canlift and drop such to help with the clutch

 

[DraftHorse]

If you can, take a look at the Jeep Cherokee. My 89 has the system that you were thinking about with using a master/slave setup. Not knowing the setup on the ford, it might work for you.

 

[oldhippy]

Harley had a mouse trap to assist with the clutch years ago that was a simple spring assisted design. You might think about something like that. It would have to be made larger to handle the stiffer foot clutch. I am going to try and attach a picture of the parts. I could not find a picture that explains how it really works, but if there is someone around who used to ride harleys back when you had to have tools and know how to use them, they could show you how it works. big dan

 

[RW in SC]

Thanks for the continuing suggestions.

RW

 

[Brad_Blazer]

I wonder if a hydraulic cylinder type power assisted steering setup could be adapted to the clutch linkage? Even a completely hydraulic clutch with a lever or solenoid actuated valve.

The action I imagine for a lever is spring to rear with clutch engaged, push to middle to hold position, and push full forward to disengage clutch. Maybe a position indicator with the contact position tagged.

Alternatively a simple momentary switch/lever to disengage the clutch with a slow release action not controlled by the operator. The gears also need to self-align well for this to work.

Does the tractor have good brakes that he can operate effectively? That may become even more important as his ability to manipulate/feather the clutch is reduced.

If more than one system needs an upgrade a nice newer HST tractor starts to make more sense both costwise and in terms of safety.

 

[linrick1]

RW, have you considered maybe using a power brake booster setup? I would think that mounted so as to use the boosters effective travel range you could have a power assisted clutch using vacuum from the intake manifold. This setup would also be proportional so your father would still be able to feather or slip the clutch as needed......just a thought, good luck with whatever you end up doing, Rick

 

[RW in SC]

Thanks for the suggestions. I've not checked into it, but would the Ford Diesel engine have a vacuum pump? In other words, would I have a means of operating the brake booster since it requires a vacuum?