Foot Throttle ?

countrybumpkin · Dec 28, 2014

Just curious if anyone has modified there foot throttle to improve the peddle position? The new kioti NX5510 cab I just bought has the foot throttle really hi off the floor and too close to the seat for me to comfortably use. It's drive by wire so no linkage the rod comes right off the side of the switch mounted under the dash.

Raincoast · Dec 29, 2014

I have a new DS4510HS with the same positioning problem. Mine may be quite different from yours, as it is a simple cable system.
For me, not only is the pedal too high but it is way too close to the brake pedals. The shaft is made from a very hard steel, but with some heat and a bit of care, I'm sure it can be re-shaped to get it in a comfortable position. If the rod loses it's temper & gets too soft to hold its shape, I'll fabricate a new one.
I cold bent it a bit today, but wasn't able to get it where I wanted it & started to bend the attach bracket.
I think I'll make up a "pattern" using some soft steel rod & use the pattern to get the new bends in the right places.
Good luck with yours... So far, this is the only thing I have to complain about on my tractor. P*ss poor bit of design, but should be a minor issue to fix. (Famous last words?)

countrybumpkin · Dec 29, 2014

Yeah, I haven't really looked at how or where I really would like the pedal to be yet, been hooking up new led lights, cameras, monitor, radio, and dvd. But that will be my next major modification. A few of the other brands I looked at had the same issue for my liking, but that is some thing I can easily change. I'll post more as I get to working on the modification

motownbrowne · Dec 29, 2014

DVD...That's a joke, right? Or did you really put a DVD player in your tractor??

countrybumpkin · Dec 29, 2014

No actually I am, it's not for watching but more for listening, I do it all the time in the house or shop with movies or racing vids I've watched dozens of times. Gives you something else besides the radio when you are in the cab for 10 - 12 hour days.

ovrszd · Dec 29, 2014

Not having seen your setup, I'd say it would be simple to modify. Just be careful about changing the length of the pedal arm, which will definitely change the amount of movement required.

On my old Ford which is mechanical linkage, I changed the length of an arm to change the ratio, requiring less pedal movement to get thru the range of the injector pump arm and lowering the start point of the pedal.

My Kubota has a very nice foot throttle. Good placement. Good height. And perfect range of motion required.

At the end of the day, little things like this can make the memory pleasurable or painful.

countrybumpkin · Dec 29, 2014

Yep I use it all the time if not doing something that requires a set position for any length of time. The open station kubota I have is far enough out and through the floor that I can rest my heel on floor board and just rock my foot back and forth. The new one you have to hold your foot up off the floor.

ovrszd · Dec 29, 2014

Bummer, I wouldn't like that at all. I'm just like you. Only time I use the hand throttle is for PTO work or roading the tractor.

Raincoast · Feb 7, 2015

Well... I said I'd post pics when I got the throttle pedal where I wanted it, so here goes...
It ain't pretty, but it works fine. First, I put a piece of card stock under the pedal & traced out the original position. Then I sat in the seat & had my wife put an X on the paper, just below the ball of my foot in the most comfortable position I could find. Then I drew the pedal in the new spot & played connect the dots, ending up with a change in length & a change in angle of the first bend. I removed the pedal assembly & heated the first bend to dull red with a propane torch. It bent real easily & after spritzing it cool with water, it seems to have retained its temper. I made one cut & overlapped the two pieces about 1 3/4". Clamped them down to the bench with about 5 degree tilt down on the pedal at my buddy's welding shop & he welded the pieces back together. I may adjust it a bit more to get the pedal a bit lower, but its pretty much perfect (for me & my screwed up right foot) as it is.
It sure is nice to have a foot throttle. Was a real pain before the change.
The scraps of plywood are only there to give some contrast to the background.

I also did a quick & dirty lever extension for the new rear remote valve. I picked up a length of 5/16" steel rod at Lordco & bent a short piece to the angle I wanted. Threaded the end for a reddi-rod (Allthread, south of the border) "long nut" to connect the two pieces. I didn't have an 8mm die, so I just drilled out the threads halfway through the nut, roughed up the surface of the original lever & epoxied the pieces together. The threaded section is locked with a jam nut. The original rubber handle fits fine, so no change there. Easy & effective with almost no metalworking tools available. (My shop is currently dedicated to fine woodworking, but thats going to have to change a bit)

As you can see from the pics, it's STILL raining here. Almost wishing for some snow, just for a change of pace!
Cheers. Dan

Jim Timber · Feb 7, 2015

I discovered today that my insulated muck boots catch on the block casting in front of the foot throttle if I don't watch my heel position.

I'll probably do something to prevent that before too long. I'd been considering adding a pad, as JD's use a bent bar with a rubber cap, and the previous owner did away with that before I got it.

Raincoast · Feb 7, 2015

Yeah... It's important that controls be comfortable & easy to use. Even with heavy gloves & footwear.

countrybumpkin · Mar 1, 2015

Finally started the foot throttle relocation. I have the new support and extension done, just have to bend up the new rod and slide it into the tube. Funny thing , after removing the original pedal out of the way, I started trying to find a comfortable location for the new pedal by setting in the seat and placing my foot over where it felt comfortable. After deciding on a location I was going to mark that spot on the floor mat with masking tape, while doing so I felt a " soft " spot in the rubber mat where I placed the tape. So I raised the mat up to see why and low and behold there is a " knock out " in the mat and a cut out in the vision pad under the mat not sure if that mat is used on models that have a floor mounted pedal. Any how here are a couple pics of my progress.

countrybumpkin · Mar 4, 2015

Finished up a pedal that seems to be really comfortable, we will see. Here is a pic before paint and final install.

Raincoast · Mar 4, 2015

Good to see you getting the job done, CB. Since I relocated my pedal, I don't think I've used the hand throttle at all, except when setting the RPM for running the backhoe. The pedal is still not exactly where I want it, but 10 minutes with a torch & a slight change in one bend will get 'er done. It's like a different machine now! Looks like you are doing a way prettier job than I did.
Now, I just need to get the seat to move 2" further back & it'll be perfect.
Enjoy!

countrybumpkin · Mar 4, 2015

Slow process, I have had the tractor at my work sense I bought it and been doing all my mods in the evenings or weekend days that I work. I don't need it right now at home , sense I have the kubota there, so figured get all the additions and accessories done before I start using it. It's amazing how much more comfortable and convenient it feels after relocating it. Still need to paint my quick hitch after modifying it to fit the cat 2 hitch, a skid plate for fuel tank and belly, and a dome light switch on the door.

ovrszd · Mar 5, 2015

I'm a firm believer in making these changes early on in ownership. If you run the tractor long enough you will simply adjust yourself to the awkward location of something. My wife struggles with this philosophy. Especially when she sees me attacking a new tractor and making changes.

If I reach for something and it's not quite where I reached, after a couple times, I move the object in question, rather than forcing myself to reach farther.

countrybumpkin · Mar 5, 2015

Yes, it was in a very awkward location for sure, now it's SO much more comfortable , I also raised the seat a inch to give me a bit more leg room it just didn't "feel" right. Now to figure out how to make the steering wheel telescopic.

ovrszd · Mar 5, 2015

Yep, telescopic steering is awesome. I had an old JD455 that I used to mow the yard with. It had a good suspension seat and tilt/telescopic steering. that little tractor was a pleasure to run.

My M9540 is rarely used by anyone but myself so it doesn't get changed a lot. But it's sure nice when needed.

Every tractor with a tilt wheel should also have telescopic.