Tubby Creek Farm wrote:
Sorry in the delay in replying. All this great cool weather has had us working even more.
As far as timeline I'm really hoping to have this up and running by spring
As far as welding, machine shop etc I do not have any equipment. However, I may get some assistance with welding, machine work and some $$$ through a state program. Threse guys have done accessible tractors before, just not a cub. Useually a tractor with hydro tranny.
You areright about accessing the cub from the right into a seat with a back rest.
If you have resources then I would go with those folks.
If I was going to build one, I would have one non-locking clutch-brake lever on the right. No need to lock the clutch and that will just burn the throw out bearing. The left brake shaft, 3/4 inch, is between the left pedal and the clutch pedal. Good place to mount a bushing and three levers. One under with a hole for a turnbuckle. Two on top, "U" shaped, one will go over the clutch about halfway up and the other will go over the brake pedal shaft about half way up. The "U" shape will allow the activation of the clutch or brake but not the otherway around. The pedals can be used as always without affecting the operation of the hand controls. To synchronize the brake-clutch action, put two bolts with lock washers in the crook of the "U" that is actually what would push on the clutch or brake. Adjust the bolts to get the proper clutch brake synchronization, That will change as the clutch and brakes wear so need some way to allow for that wear. The actual combined hand clutch brake lever can be mounted under the floor pan to come out between the fender and tire. Connects to the bushing and "U" levers with a rod and turnbuckle.
The hand lever can also mount by bolting to the bottom of the floor pan or a 3/16 thick plate can go under the floor pan and over the axle tube to mount there. Saves the floorpan cosmetics.
A separate parking brake latch would be needed as a lever on the left side by the gear shift.
Work the clutch-brake hand control with the right hand. If you need to stop for a while, pull the clutch brake to stop, put in neutral with left hand, pull the parking brake latch with the left hand, let go of the clutch-brake lever that was in the right hand to save the TO bearing.
If the plow lever or other implements would interfere with the right side hand lever, then that lever could be mounted on the steering column support post and extent to the right side of the steering wheel.
May also need to put a pin in the steering column support bushing, universal joint on the steering shaft, pull the pin, fold the steering wheel and shaft aside to get on and off the tractor.
The hand controls should be a one or two day project. Not really much to that part.
Getting on and off safely...you would be the expert on that part.
If your local folks can make hand controls then better to go with that, if not then let me know. Myself with the help of others should be able to whip out a set in a day or so.