Interesting thought

[D10R]

I got to thinking today, is it possible to modify a piece of heavy equipment so someone with a wheelchair can operate it? like hands only controls? I started thinking about this when I was talking to a friend of mine who has no use of his legs, and thought of this concept, just because he might enjoy working beside me in a dozer on some of my jobs.

Can it be done?

[digger242j]

Depending on the type of equipment and the way its controls are set up from the factory, I don't see why not. An excavator is already pretty much set up for hands-only operation. Travel control with the pedals certainly enhances productivity, but you could get by without it. Case or Cat skidsteers don't require input from your feet either. As far as other machine setups, a clever fabricator could probably come up with something to make them operate-able.

The issues I see that would be harder to deal with are ones like getting in and out of the machine. I read somewhere that slipping and falling while getting on or off the machine was the leading cause of injury to operators. Certainly that would be an issue to an operator that has less than full use of all four limbs.

Also, depending on the terrain, something might be needed to keep the operator in the seat. I've never really studied how much I use my legs to stablilize myself going down or across slopes, or over big bumps, but I'm sure it's a lot. Seatbelt use would certainly be required, and maybe even something more--a shoulder belt, or even a racing style harness?

Another thought is, how often an operator raises his butt out of the seat to get a quick look at something. From my few hours on a dozer, I realize that you can't see a whole lot in front of the blade anyway, but I know how far I want to lean over to one side or the other to try and see.

In terms of absolute productivity, how an operator uses his head makes more difference than how he uses his feet.

[Cat420]

A skid steer would probably be best. Something like a JCB Robot with a normal door like a car would be the easiest to get in and out. Other machines could be modified, but might not be much fun to run or be very productive. A skid steer also has the bar across your lap, which would help hold you in. I happen to really like skid steers, so that may be my personal bias coming through, but they seem to almost be made for anyone to run.

[Steve Frazier]

My thoughts are pretty much in line with digger242j's. I'm sure a machine could be modified, but getting in and out would be a problem and possibly dangerous.

In these days of litigation, I have to wonder what the insurance companies' positions would be on this. Would a handicapped operator present too great a liability, to both himself and the perception of those around him? I wonder what the ADA's position would be on this.......

[D10R]

On larger machines, I'd think a lift would solve the entry problem. Thanks for the help guys. This is a hypothetical question, but good to know it IS possible to be done if the supplies, and finances to do it.

[knucklehead98]

I was looking through old posts today and happened across this one. I worked with a guy that retired last november, that had a lift on his 310SG. It was placed in place of the left side steps. I don't have any pics of it actually on the machine, but worked out pretty well for him.I think he has MS,and does not have any muscle strength left. Damn shame to , he is a excellent operator. You learned early that you don't mess with Daveys hoe,and park it on level ,smooth ground. He would pull right next to his machine,get out of his truck,step on the step,and up he went.

Company paid like 2 grand for it. I know he made them lots of money by being able to continue to work,so it more than paid for itself. He had to retire because he was getting scared actually getting in and out of the seat.The last month he worked I had to walk him in and out of the motel every morning and every night. Also had to go out ahead of time to shop for a motel that he could get into. Took a little extra effort on my part but was well worth it in the end.

The company gave him the lift as part of his retirement. I think he is going to sell it . If anyone is interested let me know,and I will go get some pics of it to post

[bobcat ron]

I've met a company that does gas and water line services that has a mini excavator, a 5 ton cube van with the rear cab exit/entry cut out, the "disabled" (that word used very lightly as he showed me a thing or two) would just pop out the passenger seat (with some assistance from his partner/driver) and run the mini down a ramp and start work, apparently this was paid for by the government as part of his job training, pretty darn neat set up.

[AtlasRob]

I got to thinking today, is it possible to modify a piece of heavy equipment so someone with a wheelchair can operate it? like hands only controls? I started thinking about this when I was talking to a friend of mine who has no use of his legs, and thought of this concept, just because he might enjoy working beside me in a dozer on some of my jobs.

Can it be done?

In this day and age D10R anything is possible if the people involved are minded to make it happen. Go to the top of the class for even thinking about the possibility.
I worked along side a one legged exc op. He tested false legs for manufacturers, ( as a side line :) )as the grief he gave them in a month was more than the average disabled person gave them in a life time. :D
One legged he was one hell of a good traxcavator op, his favourite seat.
He's a desk jockey now but still very much in the industry. :thumbsup

:stirthepot a bit with a few manufacturers and see what sort of feed back you get. I am sure a few people on here could give you some good names and numbers to call.

I just went back to the top to reread the posts :eek: did anybody clock the date.

Does D10R still visit, how about an update.

[JDOFMEMI]

Latest thing out from Bobcat is a remote control option. Puts all the controls on a box you wear on a harness in front of you. Looks like the remotes I have seen on concrete pump trucks for years.
You could sit in a wheelchair, or in your truck and run it.
With many machines now going electric over hydraulic for the controls, it will be easier than ever to adapt the technology to other machines

[Boophoenix]

I have a freind who runs a track loader i beleive who is paralized. I haven't seen him in a couple of years, but he has some land in the area he takes fill on and pushes it off himself. I did hear he rolled it over once and had a little trouble there.

I can try to get some more details if yall would like, possibly some pics of his control setup.

He is also a mechanic on about anything with an engine. I worked with for a year or two on autos. There wasn't much he could find a way to do.

[greywynd]

A neighbor of mine is paralyzed from the waist down. He has a boom rigged up with a winch that he uses to lift himself in and out of his little kubota tractor. I haven't paid a lot of attention to how he does it, but he sits on a webbing/cushion that he hooks the winch to. Lifts the whole works up and then the arm will let him swing sideways enough to get into the seat.

Not sure how he does it, but then he can also hook the chair and pick it up, he'll just let it hang there by the door while travelling. It was actually one of his preferred methods for going to the local coffee shop until it was torn down this past winter.

[MKTEF]

Here around i heard of a hoist for wheel chairs.:cool:
U park the exc on flat ground besides the hoist, the disabelled drive his wheelchair in the hoist.
Is lifted up and he changes from the wheelchair and into the exc seat.
Wears a seat belt thats all, reaches the handles for the tracks.:D

The most interresting case was on tv some months ago.:)
A Guy with no functioning arms driving a truck with a crane.:eek:
He's got one very short and small arm, but its not useable for stearing.

He's got a stearing wheel on the floor that controls stearing, auto gearbox, brake and gas with the other foot.
Smal radiocontrolled system on his waist, for the switches that he controlls with the smal/short arm. Radiocontroll for the crane is used same way.

This guy handles lifting straps, crane, loades, secures, drives, u name it.
And he is earning for a living with his truck and crane....:)
And he is out on public roads.....
Truck is special built for his disabling problem..
And he is a master on using his feet and toes as arms when needed.:)

State here has a program, to help disabled to get spesial modified equipment if they want to work.:)

[ZAXIS]

Awesome comments guys. I have also thought of that when looking at an excavator, but unfortunately, I have done nothing about it. I would think that some type of remote start for the machine with umbilical type controls(like remote compactor) could power a hydraulic boom pole or lift for entry and person could use the wheelchair they are already sitting in. Just some thoughts-ZAXIS

[stretch]

The State of CT has a program to equip trucks so that they can be driven by physically disabled people...they run radio commercials about it. Have to look into it.

[Grader4me]

My thoughts are pretty much in line with digger242j's. I'm sure a machine could be modified, but getting in and out would be a problem and possibly dangerous.

In these days of litigation, I have to wonder what the insurance companies' positions would be on this. Would a handicapped operator present too great a liability, to both himself and the perception of those around him? I wonder what the ADA's position would be on this.......

There is a guy in my area that has no use of his legs. He operates a skid steer for the family business. I'm not sure how he gets in or out of the machine. More than once I've seen the single axle truck with a tag-a-long trailer going with the skid steer. Many times as well the operator has been in the skid steer on the back of the trailer:eek: Not a good plan...

[Boophoenix]

My friend is very mindful of his weight. Worse than most of my family members who are always on diets at the family dinner. This is so he can more easily lift himself.

If he din't have so much mechanic and truck driver among other things that make sailers blush. He would be an awesome person to visit newly injured people to show that there aren't many things you still can't do if ya set your mind to it.