Adapting a tractor-UPDATE

Anonymous-0 · Jul 9, 2008

I contacted Purdue University about adapting a tractor to drive from my wheelchair w/ hand controls. They guy was very nice and said it is very doable. He gave me a number to call about getting a lift custom fabricated. Fine...

Well I called this guy and he gave me a 32 minute lecture on how I need to double our farm size and hire people to drive tractors and for me to sit back and manage people. Well obviously not what I wanted to hear!

I understand his thought, but it just torked me off he's telling me how to run my farm.

Thanks
Jake

Hotflashjr · Jul 9, 2008

If you want to be out there on your machines all the power to you. Have you talked to a local fabricator yet? A friend of mine is a welder and he has modified many things over the years for people who wanted to do the things they wanted, but couldn't use a typical set up. I don't think he has ever done a tractor though. Don't let the ignorant people get you down.

Harvesterguy · Jul 9, 2008

Here in DE we have a program called Agrability that helps disabled farmers modify their tractors, etc, sometimes at no expense to the grower. My email is open; shoot me a line and I will forward your information to our coordinator here and hopefully they can get you in touch with the right person in your area. I think this is a nationwide program, so its quite possible that you just haven't found the right person yet

Dick L · Jul 9, 2008

It can and has been done. you happened to get someone to talk with that wanted to give you a personal opinion rather than information. Seems to happen more ad more. Opinions rather than facts that is.
A young farmer was was featured on a TV news segment that had been injured in a farm accident and confined to a wheelchair. They installed an electric lift that would lift him up and into his very large John Deere 4 wheel drive tractor cab. It has been a few years back and I do not remember many details. Don't stop digging because of one insensitive person.
I will look around to see what I can find.

rustyfarmall · Jul 9, 2008

I also know it can be done because there are such things as wheelchair accessible conversion vans and buses. I have seen a few of these. A hydraulically operated platform unfolds and is lowered to ground level, you roll your chair onto it, and then it lifts you up and into the van, where you then roll yourself into position behind the steering wheel. I'm sure there is a few websites from the folks that build these things but it may take a bit of searchin' to find them. I thought I knew of one, but it turns out that company makes a little different kind of product and is not really what you are looking for.

Bob M · Jul 9, 2008

Jake - You're just haven't connected with the right person(s) yet!

Here's a Super MTA spotted at a local show a couple years ago. It's been very cleverly adapted for a wheelchair-bound operator. He can roll in with his wheelchair, board, start and safely operate his tractor with no outside assistance whatsoever. (The platform lift pump is electric - operates even with the tractor engine shut down). The adaptation is TRULY a work of art.

Good luck to you!!

Anonymous-0 · Jul 9, 2008

Yes, you are bound to get advice like that. (I did also, and chose to ignore it). That advice is not necessarily wrong (or right) but as you say "not what you wanted." There have been numerous ingenious ways of modifying tractors, I have partnered on modification of a few. In my case, and in most cases Barrier 1 was reaching the tractor seat. The modifications I have been involved with were for individuals with sufficient arm strength to drive an automobile with hand controls. From your earlier post I assume this may not be your situation. I do recall seeing a young fellow from either Nova Scotia or New Brunswick, Canada that operated a Skidsteer on a family dairy farm. If I recall, he entered and exited using a sling type lift (with minor assistance). Once in, it's not hard to imagine joystick operation. Often (and definitely in my case) cost was a major factor. Keep looking and keep us posted. We could exchange email addresses if desired. At the moment I can't recall any specific modification that meets (what I believe to be) your requirements. Try www.lifeessentialsweb.com for lifts and other devices.

Anonymous-0 · Jul 9, 2008

That lifeessentials isn't the sight I was thinking of. I'll keep looking.

Anonymous-0 · Jul 9, 2008

That's the SORT of modifications I was talking about below (although I don't suppose that particular one lets you use the tractor for much other than transportation). It got him on a tractor though.

kyplowboy · Jul 9, 2008

I know a guy who has limited use of his arms and nothing going on with his legs from a car wreck 15 years ago. At one time his family had a 4440 with a cab that was riged with wheel chair lift and set up with all hand controls just like his van. He did most of thier disk'n every spring and fall. If I get a chance I will look him up and ask if they did it thier selves or if they had it done. If i can I will try to get you some pics.

Dave

jose bagge · Jul 9, 2008

That is really awesome! I hope this was produced by freinds rather than cubic $$

sjh · Jul 9, 2008

Jake
Shoot me a e-mail. I know the guy on that SMTA.

Anonymous-0 · Jul 9, 2008

Google AgraAbility. Purdue might be a part of that, but it is a midwest (and beyond) consortium of agr colleges programs to adapt farm machines for disabled farmers. One of my projects is listed on their site- simple hand clutch that cost about 5 bucks to make. Don't let one bad apple get you down- plenty of good people with reasonable ideas to help you out.

Anonymous-0 · Jul 9, 2008

Thanks for all the replies and encouragement.

Life Essentials was the place I talked to and gave me that speel.

The lift on the Farmall looks very nice.

I have contacted Agrability and they were clueless on a project like this.

Several asked for my email it is ... spece @ j-hacsfarms.com take out the spaces. Put something in the subject about ytmag.

Jake

Nikolas Britton · Jul 9, 2008

Just put linear actuators on the steering wheel, throttle, hydrostatic, and brake so you can remotely control it. Then add GPS enabled computer numerical control so you can watch TV while the tractor does all the work for you!

If you really want to ride in the tractor, move all the controls to the front loader bucket. haha! Or better yet move all the controls to the pto lift arms

The simplest thing I can think of is to remove the seat and build a deck for your wheel chair to sit on... then build a ramp so you can wheel yourself up there... The only problem is if the tractor dies... you'll be stuck up there unless you can drive it back to the ramp.

Lanse · Jul 9, 2008

whatever you end up doing, good luck to you. If you are determined enought to ignore that person, you can surely get something riged up.

bigjt · Jul 10, 2008

Jake

First thing I would do is call the person at Purdue back and kindly relate to him your experience with the person he recomended. They may have another source but more important he should know what you got for a responce so he won't recommend that person again.

As to what you want to do there are alot of good recomendations on this thread and I don't have any like those to add.

I do have a neighbor that was unable to climb the ladder to his combine due to heart problems etc. He and his son got busy one day with a small 12v winch and a extension ladder and in about a day they had a elevator for him.

I have had some people in my life that instilled the attitude that if you have some imagination, a torch and welder you can do almost anything.

jt

Adapting a tractor-UPDATE

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