Electric joysticks for botex

[jsy440]

Hi Guys, just wondered if anyone had electric joystick controls on botex timber trailer, just wondering how responsive etc as quite an expensive change over, we are nearly all forestry bases so keen for a bit more comfort in the cab. Any views are much appreciated ?

[Tom D]

I have them, they are really good, take a wee bit of getting used to after the valve ones. Mine have been on the crane since it was fitted. My old crane had valve controls. I wouldn’t go back.

[jsy440]

Thanks Tom, I’m pretty keen, not a cheap operation but like the idea  being able to sit back in the seat and not lean over a valve block all day. Also although rarely done, taking the valve block of the back of tractor is an utter b####rd. 

[LGP Eddie]

I tried them up at Wilsons and thought them brilliant. 

Much easier if you’ve multiple operators, as anyone coming from an Excavator will get on with them straight away.

They would make a massive difference to a decent length shift.

 

 

Eddie.

[John Shutler]

I wish I’d had them fitted when I got my newer tractor 13 months ago. 7-8k to add them now. Also looked a getting scanreco remote controls fitted for about the same cost 

[Big J]

I'm only 150 odd hours into my forestry tractor ownership, but I don't find the valves too bad. You can feel that you've done a shift, and even jumping between the electrohydraulics on the forwarder and tractor isn't too much a lurch. 

I'd go for electric joysticks on the next one though, as I can't justify the cost for conversion.

 

[Spruced]

Recently got crane with electro controls, wouldn't go back either and I cannot agree more about putting the valve block into the back of a tractor window, if you're ever going to give yourself a hernia this would be the time.

 

I did make up a frame to hold the valve block attached on an arm fastened to the bottom of the crane which folded up and down and this did help but still cumbersome.

 

An option to consider halfway between manual and electro is the pilot hydraulic one, you have a valve block mounted on the crane and there are much smaller pipes coming into tractor and there's only half as many. I got one to replace the manual block on a Farmi chipper with crane. Haven't installed it yet but the joysticks and pilot lines are very light.