Hand Control for John Deere 425 Series Lawn Tractor

“A modification than can certainly add to life’s simple rewards.”

Shown below is a 1999 John Deere Model 425 tractor fitted with a remote hand control to allow a C6 quad to operate the hydrostatic drive linkage.

John Deere lawn tractor with a hand control mounted on the left side of the tractor.

This owner wanted to continue to use his John Deere garden tractor series because it was much more reliable than other models he has previously owned. He lives in the country with his wife on three plus acres of lawn he maintains by helping as often as possible. This modification still maintains the OEM pedals mounted on the right side for his wife (or any other operator to use) to operate the lawn tractor. Quite often, however, others also use the hand control. Simply pushing the self centering lever forward or pulling it back operates the tractor in the same manner. Let go of the lever and the tractor returns to the hydraulic stop position.

The John Deere lawn tractor was easy enough to convert once they removed all the shrouds. It is operated by a lever operated remote cable from the hydraulic industry that would be used to control a hydraulic spool valve. The cable was long enough to fish across the frame to the right side where the steel rod is to control the hydrostatic drive. We mounted a 90 degree bracket to the frame that holds and adjusts the control cable, then welded a "flag" bracket to the steel rod to secure the end of the cable. When the control lever is

pushed forward, the inner cable pushes the steel rod rearward moving the tractor forward. Releasing the lever automatically returns it to neutral. Pulling the lever reverses the tractor. The lever is mounted on the left only because of this operator’s disability, as a C6 quad. His left is a bit weaker so he steers with his right arm/hand. The cruise control that the tractor is equipped can also still be used with the hand control. Shown below is a photo of the hand control from the left side of the tractor with the shrouds removed.

John Deere lawn tractor hand control viewed from the left side with tractor shrouds removed.

For more information, please contact Northend Mobility, by email, or contact us by phone (905) 735-5552.