I just got back from looking at my new mini ex. I found a Kubota mechanic who is modifying a KX040-4 so I can run it despite missing my left arm. The modification was not nearly as hard as I feared. He expects to be done today.
Here is what it took. He dismounted the left joystick hydraulic valve leaving the joystick handle so it appears stock despite having no functionality. He then rerouted the hydraulic lines and valve to below the floor board on the left side. He had to extend one hydraulic line that was too short, but that was it.
Next, he put a spacer between the relocated joystick valve and the steel floor board so the valve could be bolted solid to the floor board. He made a little bracket to bolt it up. On the top side he glued a boot on the rubber mat to keep dirt out of the joystick valve. (This might need to be beefed up.) It looks like it came from the factory this way.
The hardest part was making a pedal. Our initial thinking was to make a big one nearly the size of a boot sole and angle it back so your ankle could articulate and run the joystick. It turns out the smaller version pedal (about 3" in diameter seems to work better in testing. After I run it awhile I'll know for sure. The key will be the ability to make fine movements without extra fatigue after running it all day. He's mounting the pedal today and should be done.
I'm very excited and will post a video when I get it out to our place. I've been trying to get this done for more than a year. I'll bet money there are others who need a similar modification, especially given the vast number of amputees from our armed forces serving and getting wounded. With this mod I'll finally be able to operate the boom, dipper, bucket curl, and house rotation all at once like everyone else. All that is left for me is to practice, practice, practice until I get proficient. Can't wait.
Here is what it took. He dismounted the left joystick hydraulic valve leaving the joystick handle so it appears stock despite having no functionality. He then rerouted the hydraulic lines and valve to below the floor board on the left side. He had to extend one hydraulic line that was too short, but that was it.
Next, he put a spacer between the relocated joystick valve and the steel floor board so the valve could be bolted solid to the floor board. He made a little bracket to bolt it up. On the top side he glued a boot on the rubber mat to keep dirt out of the joystick valve. (This might need to be beefed up.) It looks like it came from the factory this way.
The hardest part was making a pedal. Our initial thinking was to make a big one nearly the size of a boot sole and angle it back so your ankle could articulate and run the joystick. It turns out the smaller version pedal (about 3" in diameter seems to work better in testing. After I run it awhile I'll know for sure. The key will be the ability to make fine movements without extra fatigue after running it all day. He's mounting the pedal today and should be done.
I'm very excited and will post a video when I get it out to our place. I've been trying to get this done for more than a year. I'll bet money there are others who need a similar modification, especially given the vast number of amputees from our armed forces serving and getting wounded. With this mod I'll finally be able to operate the boom, dipper, bucket curl, and house rotation all at once like everyone else. All that is left for me is to practice, practice, practice until I get proficient. Can't wait.
