[rdeyoe]

rdeyoe, great work on this mod. It is simply, but nicely done. I have a 149 I would love to do this to as I absolutely hate the hand control. Couple questions if you don't mind:

1. Are you happy with your placement of the shaft thru the frame, is there anything specific to keep in mind when choosing that placement?

The only things i had to miss when positioning the shaft was the brake switch mount and the brake pedal assy on the left. The switch is on a large channel between the frame sides, and protruding the shaft out the left side would hit the brake arm / park lock. I measured it off of the brake cross shaft...centerline to centerline forward of the brake cross shaft is about 3" and height is about 1.25" off the tread plate forward mount angle. That puts the bottom of the shaft about 1" above the tread plate. Having that 1" gap to the tread plate leaves space for the bottom of the arm to swing back into reverse.

2. The operating lever that you fabbed out of 1 x 1/4, what is it's measurement from the 1/2" hole that the shaft goes thru to the hole for the hydro rod connector?

I didn't really measure a length for the lever. I wanted it to be lower than the frame sides, so I just put it on the shaft, kinda held the hydro rod in place and marked it below the frame level. I moved it back and forward to make sure I was getting full travel on the hydro. I notched the front of the lever to get as much forward movement so the return spring would have good influence back to center. I would guess CL to CL, shaft to rod mount bolt is about 3.5-4". I can measure it if you need.

3. Do you have any reason to think you'd return it back to hand control?

I probably spent more time looking at the thing in my head than I did actually building it. I wanted to make sure that if it didn't work, i could put it back to stock pretty easily and without having to cut stock parts. That's why the funky rod connection. The forward ball joint is LH thread. I could have cut the rod and re-threaded, but i didn't want to mod that piece since it's RH thread on the other end. If i ever wanted to sell the tractor, i could sell as is or if the new owner wanted the original controls, they're easily put back. Now that it does work, i have no reason to return it to hand control and even less reason to sell it! It really is SO much easier to handle now. When i first mowed with this tractor, i somehow got confused working the hand lever trying to slow into a corner. Went forward with it and ran full speed into a concrete head wall. Bent the heck outta my mule drive and ate the steering wheel with my belly. With the foot control, i can zoom around, stop on a dime, steer and back a trailer more intuitively.

Thanks in advance for any help, and again, good job.

Thanks and no prob. If there's anything else i can clarify, just ask. I love having all kinds of info available publicly...it helps all of us.


1811woody; I'm wanting to (someday) build a loader. I can't imagine trying to work one with hand hydro controls....bucket down, steer, forward hydro, stop, bucket up + curl adjust, reverse hydro, steer some more etc. etc.....that would be a workout! I moved my lift lever to the left side because even mowing was a bit busy with both controls on the same side. I could have the lift back on the right or left now and not need three hands just to mow! I'd bet doing a foot control on an 1872 would be simple as well. That's a super, isn't it?...even more space to work with! I haven't looked at many pics of the supers, but they can't be too much different a setup than the QLs were as far as the hydro control goes, i wouldn't think.