cab space

[sulky]

been on hear a while now but first post do any of you lads know of a cab with more space between pedals and seat, looking for 2.8 to 6 ton size ,i have bad ankles cant bend them up far, ok tracking forward but about impossible reverse ,have tried volvo/neuson/kubota ?

 

[Stubota86]

Have you tried the Yanmar SV26? I’ve not been in one but heard great reviews of them?

 

[doobin]

I think you'd be best to look at getting the tracking on the joystick somehow. Tracking backwards with feet on the pedals isn't comfortable in any machine I've used, and it'll jsut make your ankles worse!

 

[craig]

I think you'd be best to look at getting the tracking on the joystick somehow. Tracking backwards with feet on the pedals isn't comfortable in any machine I've used, and it'll jsut make your ankles worse!

CAT?

 

[GazCro]

Possibly look at whether you could modify the pedals to suit you better. I don't find any smaller machines great for tracking backwards using pedals as you tend to sit higher up and further forward in them.

 

[Monkeybusiness]

I tend to use the balls of my feet to track forwards or backwards as I find it more comfortable.

 

[Storrsy]

Nicest pedals I’ve have used were in a 6 ton hitchi, zx65u. As they were really low to the floor it doesn’t take much ankle articulation to work them backwards.
Every machine is just a little different so probably a case of trying a few and seeing what suits- I’m sure it would be easy to get something fabricated to suit your foot geometry if not.

 

[Smiffy]

Nicest pedals I’ve have used were in a 6 ton hitchi, zx65u. As they were really low to the floor it doesn’t take much ankle articulation to work them backwards.
Every machine is just a little different so probably a case of trying a few and seeing what suits- I’m sure it would be easy to get something fabricated to suit your foot geometry if not.

I'm surprised I find the zx65 to be a cramped and horrible cab in fact all Hitachi cabs are that have a kingpost

 

[Storrsy]

I'm surprised I find the zx65 to be a cramped and horrible cab in fact all Hitachi cabs are that have a kingpost

Yeah cab is quite small, and the exit is too, but the pedal geometry is just right IMO.

 

[Danny]

Caterpillar now do joystick control which could be a big bonus for you

 

[GazCro]

Caterpillar now do joystick control which could be a big bonus for you

If it works how i think it does its a bit of a gimmick imo. It uses the left joystick which means you lose slew and dipper while using it. Fine if you're just tracking from a to b but useless if you're actually working the machine and moving on a bit at a time.

 

[Keif]

If it works how i think it does its a bit of a gimmick imo. It uses the left joystick which means you lose slew and dipper while using it. Fine if you're just tracking from a to b but useless if you're actually working the machine and moving on a bit at a time.

The main thing is to be sure what mode it's in. Lol. I'm glad my beater truck was next to it that morning....warmed machine up, hopped on it jammed the stick think I was driving and it wasn't it drive mode.....the slew is fast when your not expecting it. I think the driver's door was the only panel on that truck without a dent. So I really just made it match the rest. Lol

 

[sulky]

thanks for the replies so far ,the main reason i asked was im looking at updating machine and as we mainly do drainage and ditching (me) have to track back quite a lot at times ive heard about joy stick control (cat ect) i did wonder if it was possible to have a switch like some teleporters frw/rev re claas scorpion ect also looked at yanmar who have a panel below windscreen for toes to go in thinking to extend this and move pedals forward if possible . ive even tried wood blocks but no help ,something like a inching switch even had my pal surgest for a laugh four pedals in line two each track ,went to kick his ass but then got thinking ?

 

[Shovelhands]

There’s lots of cobble together type ideas, moving the pedals forward and altering the bottom window sounds Interesting....
Using different pedal arrangements. Even different pedal valves.

But the easiest option is surely going to be having joystick tracking added. But I assume you are going to need a control system and new joysticks, as used for a tiltrotator, such as Engcon or Rototilt?
If there’s ever a chance in the future that you may invest in a tiltrotator then this would be the way to go for sure. But even if a tilty isn’t on your radar, then it still might be the best option?Even if it’s not the cheapest!
This also opens up your options on buying the machine, as other things can take priority on making your machine choice.
You may need to investigate the joystick control before you make a machine purchase though, as there may be machines that are difficult to add the system to? A machine with a mechanical link from the pedals/levers will be difficult I imagine? So this might be worth asking beforehand?

Having said all that, I don’t find the pedals too bad in my 86c, no idea if the smaller machines in the range are the same in this area? I’m sure it’s the same cab on 57c?

By far the best pedals ever imo, were fitted to the old 800 series JCBs, they were rexroth units and have never been beaten imo. I suppose in theory they could be retrofitted to any machine with pilot controlled tracking, but how practical that sort of conversion would be is anyone’s guess?

 

[Smiffy]

If you want to move the pedals further forward some machines have the lower windscreen removable with storage behind the seat something could then be added on to the pedal or just allow you to better position your seat
I have to operate the 8.5t Hitachi's without the window as my feet are to big to fit the pedals otherwise

 

[Randla]

But the easiest option is surely going to be having joystick tracking added. But I assume you are going to need a control system and new joysticks, as used for a tiltrotator, such as Engcon or Rototilt?
If there’s ever a chance in the future that you may invest in a tiltrotator then this would be the way to go for sure. But even if a tilty isn’t on your radar, then it still might be the best option?Even if it’s not the cheapest!

I did think of suggesting what you have said, James, but held back on the basis that a) it's not a cheap route (especially if a tilty isn't on the wishlist horizon) and b) the digger model wasn't mentioned. It sounds as if @sulky is considering a new(ish) digger anyway, in which case the options are pretty much out there. If you go down the 'prepare for a tilty and fit SS10 with steering control' route you're into a top hitch, joysticks and control system, buckets and the extra over for the joystick tracking. Hitch and bucket will set you back between £2500 and £3500 (ish) for upto 6T, control system, joysticks and installation probably close to £5k and the track control valves and calibration another £2500. Budget at least £10k

I remember being asked if it was possible to fit tilt and rotate on the same joystick (the Op had a disability), which it was. However, the costs for these sorts of thing are currently uneconomic. This raises a wider question about DDA.

Lights blue touchpaper and retires.............

 

[V8Druid]

........ even had my pal surgest for a laugh four pedals in line two each track ,went to kick his ass but then got thinking ?

like a ducks pedals ... 1 for forward 1 for reverse ...... for each track

rexroth .... and not a very big unit really .... but as said ... servo control needed for the tracking

......By far the best pedals ever imo, were fitted to the old 800 series JCBs, they were rexroth units and have never been beaten imo. I suppose in theory they could be retrofitted to any machine with pilot controlled tracking, but how practical that sort of conversion would be is anyone’s guess?

anything like these James? ...
or these

 

[Shovelhands]

like a ducks pedals ... 1 for forward 1 for reverse ...... for each track View attachment 18748
rexroth .... and not a very big unit really .... but as said ... servo control needed for the tracking

anything like these James? ...
or these
View attachment 18749

No, nothing like those.
The problem with a lot of these modern track pedals is they don’t actually pivot in the middle of the pedal, they are fixed too far away from the actual pivot, so you are moving the pedal forwards as much you are tipping it, if that makes sense?
The old JCB ones pivoted about half and inch under the sole of your foot, and that’s what makes them brilliant.

 

[fred]

cant you use the levers with your hands ?

Ok its nice to have movement on the sticks to save taking hands off but ££££

Regarding DDA, manufacturers should be required by law to make them ready. No reason as all that any function could be on either stick decided on by the user. It's just software at the end of the day. If it was someone who worked for me who was worth the long term investment I'd get it done no question.

For someone with no use of their legs, machine operating would be an ideal job to get outside and do just the same as a 'normal' person.

 

[Hg2702]

A

If it works how i think it does its a bit of a gimmick imo. It uses the left joystick which means you lose slew and dipper while using it. Fine if you're just tracking from a to b but useless if you're actually working the machine and moving on a bit at a time.

Ah but you don’t you then set that up on the right joystick using the rollers as far as I’m aware / was shown