Joystick handles needed

[toivo1037]

I am planning a little conversion project where I want to change a 4 stick hoe to a 2 stick and I need some joystick handles for hyro valves. Not sure of my required length yet, but 8 to 12" will probably work.

I have found that they are kinda hard to find, unless I am just not using the correct search terms. I did find these: https://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?UID=2009041419342005&item=9-1905&catname=hydraulic But $96 come on, for a steel shaft and plastic ball??? And that is the cheapest that I have found these for!

Anybody found something similar? I am going to get my measurements this weekend, and then I will know for sure if I need bent sticks, but I think I will.

 

[Taylortractornut]

Search for Control Grips Thats what I had to do to find a set to put on my skid steer handles for running the grader. I think I used Sure Grip THey were alot less expensive than others and even custom mounted the buttons to run the valves They were 275 for a pair with 4 buttons each and wiring harness. They are from Camloops BC. I called Erskine because I had a catalog from them For a similar setup I put on a customers machine. Eriskine and the company that supplied the control grip was 685 dollars each. puls another 50 for each button.

 

[Leejohn]

Just to give you ideal. Go to a lawn mower shop and look at the steering rod and other linkage rods off of mowers. You can heat and bend as needed. They also are threaded, if not you can put threads on them but go slow and use alot of oil. For the ball you get them all over. I used golf balls before and they worked good. About the cheapest you can go.

 

[Tig]

It wouldn't take much to have them fabricated. Or put you old rods in a vice and bend em to suit.
I could not bring myself to spend $95 on one of those.

 

[kennyd]

I think you all are missing the point...he wants to change a old four-stick backhoe control valve over to a modern two-stick setup. There is a lot more parts needed than just two sticks!

I think there was a post about this on the machinebuilders site...but there is more to it than you think.


EDIT:
I just found these post's on MB:

ONE

TWO

And there are more over there if you search...

 

[toivo1037]

Sorry I wasn't clear enough in the first post, but kennyd is exactly correct. An by the way, I have printouts of those 2 MB posts on my desk right now, that is what I am planning on. I just can't believe that handles are that expensive! I may look at just putting a piece of pipe on there, with maybe a bicycle grip. A trip to the junkyard is probably in order. I know they don't have any backhoes, but maybe something that I can use.

 

[kennyd]

Just get some 3/8" or 1/2" rod and make your own handles-bent the way you need then. If you can fab the other parts, then surely you can do that also.

Oh, and by the way-I think you where very clear in your post as to what you wanted to end up with, but I got the feeling you did not know what it would take to get there...

 

[CCWKen]

The Surplus Center joystick is not just a rod and ball for $95. It has all the linkage to operate a "PRINCE SV stack valve". It's just not shown in the photo. The boot for the linkage is an additional ~$17. If you're not able to fabricate the adaptor plate (lack of time, tools, hardware or whatever) then the price may be reasonable. Keep in mind that the joystick is for a Prince valve so unless you have the Prince SV series or matching configuration, it won't work without modification. If all you need is the stick, that can be made from cold-rolled rod available at most any hardware store. And anyone with threading dies can put threads on it. Handle balls run anywhere from $1 to $5 depending on size and shape.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

...A trip to the junkyard is probably in order. I know they don't have any backhoes, but maybe something that I can use.

Ah, yes: The junk yard. You never find what you want, but you always want what you find.

Have you figured out how you are going to do your linkages yet? You may want to figure that out before you decide to discount the SC option. If you have figured it out, please post. I'd love to see a simple way of rigging a joystick.

 

[toivo1037]

Yes, I think I have it all figured out. I got some old lever handles from a CAT loader from the junkyard. I can re-use several of the heim joints that are already on the backhoe. All I need right now is a piece of plate steel, and 2 large heim joints. NAPA will have to special order the heims though, but I am considering just using a short tie-rod end, as it is going to be almost the exact same thing.

I decided to model it after the linkages in my dads small Kubota hoe, instead of the one on machine builders website. The linkages will work out better with that design. This all sounds Frankenstein, but it would look/work fine once I get it done.

I already have the before pics, I will post the after pics when I get it working. Going to be several weekends before I can get to it though, kinda busy right now.