B7100 right foot clutch pedal mod?

Tom in Arizona

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Due to a stroke I have very limited use of my left arm and leg, and operating the clutch is very difficult and unreliable.

I have an older 79/80 B7100 and am hoping someone has come up with a right foot clutch pedal mod or assist rather than trying to reinvent the wheel.

Thanks for any ideas,

Tom
 

North Idaho Wolfman

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Tom,
I will look at mine in the AM to see if I can come up with anything.
But right off the top of my head it would probably be easier to get a newer HST tractor for your needs.;)
 

hodge

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Tom,
I will look at mine in the AM to see if I can come up with anything.
But right off the top of my head it would probably be easier to get a newer HST tractor for your needs.;)
That was my thought, but there are (at least) two considerations-
1) Money
2) Even with a hydro, the clutch is used to start (disengage driveline) the tractor and engage the pto. So, it still needs to be addressed.

How about a handle that can be (cross) reached with the right hand? Push it forward to disengage, like the hand shifters you can get for an ATV. It would need to be ergonomically planned, but you could make it so it attaches to the clutch pedal, and is easily installed/removed. That way, the tractor isn't heavily modified, hurting resale.
 

TripleR

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Kennyd4110

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2) Even with a hydro, the clutch is used to start (disengage driveline) the tractor and engage the pto. So, it still needs to be addressed.
Not on a JD

Seriously though, I think some of the newer HST Kubota's have a electrically activated PTO like JD uses so there is no clutch on these. The money problem however is not easily overcomed though...
 

TripleR

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Not on a JD

Seriously though, I think some of the newer HST Kubota's have a electrically activated PTO like JD uses so there is no clutch on these. The money problem however is not easily overcomed though...
The new L60 has the electric PTO independent PTO and have eliminated the clutch and it appears the new Bxx50 Series also has the independent PTO and no clutch, of course this is on the HST and cost is significant.
 

Tom in Arizona

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B7100 w/ rough cut mower & box scraper
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Munds Park, Arizona
That was my thought, but there are (at least) two considerations-
1) Money
2) Even with a hydro, the clutch is used to start (disengage driveline) the tractor and engage the pto. So, it still needs to be addressed.

How about a handle that can be (cross) reached with the right hand? Push it forward to disengage, like the hand shifters you can get for an ATV. It would need to be ergonomically planned, but you could make it so it attaches to the clutch pedal, and is easily installed/removed. That way, the tractor isn't heavily modified, hurting resale.
That's along what I am thinking, currently using my right hand to assist left foot but awkward. Perhaps I can fabricating some sort of U or V shaped rod on a pivot bracket to cross over the center. All ideas appreciated.
 

ipz2222

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My bx does not use a clutch pedal and it is hydro. Don't even use a pedal to engage the pto. Just move a lever with your hand.
 

hodge

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We are digressing- he doesn't have a John Deere, and hasn't expressed the desire or opportunity to get a BX. He has an older, gear driven B7100. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it sounds like the most viable solution is one that works with the tractor that he has.
 

Tom in Arizona

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We are digressing- he doesn't have a John Deere, and hasn't expressed the desire or opportunity to get a BX. He has an older, gear driven B7100. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it sounds like the most viable solution is one that works with the tractor that he has.
Correct, replacing the tractor is not an option. Designing a linkage to the right side is what I am working on.
 

hodge

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Correct, replacing the tractor is not an option. Designing a linkage to the right side is what I am working on.
I bet it can be done, and for cheap, too. Gears are turning.
 

BadDog

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I'm not sure about any way to convert the clutch to right side without some sort of Rube Goldberg linkage system. However, I don't think it would be terribly difficult at all to convert to a hand clutch. I know asymmetric bias is often universal (hand and foot), but if your left hand works adequately, that might be an option?

Never mind, reread the first post and I see that your arm is also involved. I'll try to take a look at mine tomorrow and see what might be contrived. Not sure it would be any less complex, but are you open to a right hand clutch?

Here is another idea just off the top of my head. What about a screw based linear actuator? Smooth analog travel with simple toggle, perhaps mounted on the shifter. One direction to depress, center dead to hold position, the other direction to release.
 
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Eric McCarthy

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I bet it can be done, and for cheap, too. Gears are turning.
Boss I know your gears are cranking up pretty fast. Mine are too. I'd be willing to load up and haul my B6100 gear out to your place for a mock up and see if our two heads together can come up with a device to solve this man's problem. Could be a week or two before I could head your way.
 

ipz2222

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I scanned one of those links tripler listed and saw something that might work. A 12 volt linear acturator. northern tool, # 125010-2308
 

hodge

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I'm not sure about any way to convert the clutch to right side without some sort of Rube Goldberg linkage system. However, I don't think it would be terribly difficult at all to convert to a hand clutch. I know asymmetric bias is often universal (hand and foot), but if your left hand works adequately, that might be an option?

Never mind, reread the first post and I see that your arm is also involved. I'll try to take a look at mine tomorrow and see what might be contrived. Not sure it would be any less complex, but are you open to a right hand clutch?

Here is another idea just off the top of my head. What about a screw based linear actuator? Smooth analog travel with simple toggle, perhaps mounted on the shifter. One direction to depress, center dead to hold position, the other direction to release.
How fast/slow would that be? It would have to cycle appropriately so that the clutch doesn't engage too slowly/slip, or too fast and jerk.
 

Rob

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Leafy England....
There is a more straight forward way to have a right hand clutch on these early b series, but, it does mean losing the split rear brake facitily, but then how often is it used aanyway, i very rarely use the rear brakes independly anymore.
just keep one brake pedal for the brakes and the other for the clutch, quite easy to fabricate a new linkage for using a right hand side pedal as the clutch as the brakes use the same pivot shaft.
cant see it being a major problem to make a conversion .
have a look at the pedal layout and you'll see what i mean.
rob
 

Tom in Arizona

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Munds Park, Arizona
There is a more straight forward way to have a right hand clutch on these early b series, but, it does mean losing the split rear brake facitily, but then how often is it used aanyway, i very rarely use the rear brakes independly anymore.
just keep one brake pedal for the brakes and the other for the clutch, quite easy to fabricate a new linkage for using a right hand side pedal as the clutch as the brakes use the same pivot shaft.
cant see it being a major problem to make a conversion .
have a look at the pedal layout and you'll see what i mean.
rob
Thanks Rob, had not considered that concept and I will explore that.
 

BadDog

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How fast/slow would that be? It would have to cycle appropriately so that the clutch doesn't engage too slowly/slip, or too fast and jerk.
Different actuators work with different rate and travel limits, and can vary depending on the controller inputs. I've seen them in manufacturing setups that have what I would consider about the right travel and rate compared to the way I use the clutch. And the rate can even be varied so that it comes to a point smoothly for initial engagement, then accelerates to complete the travel. That's what made me think of them. Certainly not as simple or fool proof as a mechanical linkage, but once configured, other than keeping the clutch adjusted to the same take-up, it should work well for most stuff. The only problem I see is that in the simple solution it would be pretty much set and non variable. So if you found yourself in an off-camber or otherwise precarious situation, there would be no option to "feather it" or the like.
 

North Idaho Wolfman

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I checked it out, like Rob pointed out swapping the brake and clutch is pretty simple on that model. you will just need to make some new linkages.
It would end up giving you one useful brake right side, since your left side is impaired but if you normally take it slow and easy and no steep hills then you would be fine with that set up.
 

Rob

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Leafy England....
just thought of a couple more ways , but my first is probably easiest to be honest as it involves less fabriacting of parts, with a little bit of creative fabriaction of a few linkages it will still be possible to have both rear brakes work correctly via the single pedal and leaving the other for the clutch.
I cant see it taking long to do the conversion and certainly cost very little.
keep us updated on how you get on.

good luck sir.
rob