The HCT402-D Differential Drive Kit lets a single joystick operate the two travel levers of a tracked or dual hydraulic-motor vehicle. Nothing inside the hydraulic circuit is modified: a servo motor is mounted on each manual lever, and the joystick in the cab drives both of them proportionally and simultaneously.
The kit combines two AXI HC402 servo motors, a two-axis industrial joystick and the custom mixing firmware that ties them together. Push the stick forward and both levers move forward; push it fully to one side and one lever goes forward while the other reverses, pivoting the vehicle 360° on the spot; lean it slightly to one side while travelling and the inner motor slows down for a smooth turn.
HCT402-D at a Glance
- Motors
- 2 × HC402 servo
- Force
- ~20 kgf per motor
- Voltage
- 12V & 24V (7–40V)
- Control
- Two-axis joystick
- Steering
- 360° pivot turn
- Protection
- IP67 + reverse polarity
How Differential (Skid-Steer) Drive Works
Differential drive steers a vehicle by running its left and right sides at different speeds rather than by turning a wheel. HCT402-D's firmware reads both joystick axes and produces an independent command for each lever:
| Joystick | Left lever | Right lever | Vehicle behaviour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forward | Forward | Forward | Straight ahead — speed follows stick travel |
| Backward | Reverse | Reverse | Straight back — proportional |
| Full right | Forward | Reverse | Pivot right on the spot (360°) |
| Full left | Reverse | Forward | Pivot left on the spot (360°) |
| Forward + slight right | Faster | Slower | Smooth right turn — inner side slows |
| Forward + slight left | Slower | Faster | Smooth left turn |
| Centred | Neutral | Neutral | Levers return to centre, motion stops |
Highlight Features
What's in the Kit
Installation
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Mount the motorsBoth servos are bracketed onto the travel levers without restricting their mechanical range.
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Power and harnessThe system runs from the vehicle battery (12V or 24V); the joystick cable is routed into the cab.
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Lever range calibrationEach motor learns the mechanical end points of its lever so no pressure is held against the stops.
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Direction and mixing setupAxes are inverted in software to match motor orientation, then a test drive finalises the response curve.
This kit controls vehicle travel. Perform first calibration and testing with the tracks or wheels lifted clear of the ground, or in a safe open area.
Fit an appropriately rated fuse in the supply line and keep the vehicle's mechanical emergency stop accessible at all times.
Applications
- Tracked carriers and mini dumpers
- Tracked drilling and boring chassis
- Tracked cranes and access platforms
- Tracked orchard, spraying and garden machines
- Snow and off-road tracked carriers
- Skid-steer loaders
- Floor treatment and cleaning machines
- In-plant tugs and carriers
- Agricultural and greenhouse vehicles
- Military and special-purpose tracked platforms
- Remotely driven robotic chassis
- R&D and prototype vehicles
- Stationary hydraulic test rigs
Wired or Wireless?
When the control station sits away from the hydraulics
The standard kit ships with a wired joystick — the most stable and economical answer when the cab is close to the valve block. Where the control has to be separate from the machine, the same drive logic can be delivered wirelessly.
Warranty & Support
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly does HCT402-D do?
It drives the two travel levers of your hydraulic valve with a servo motor each, and manages both from a single joystick using differential drive logic — one hand instead of two, fully proportional.
Does my hydraulic system need modification?
No. Valve block, hoses and levers stay as they are; the motors bolt on externally. No oil line is opened, and with the power off the levers still work by hand.
How does the pivot turn work?
Leaning the stick sideways commands one lever forward and the other in reverse, so the tracks counter-rotate and the machine turns within its own footprint — proportionally, so a small lean gives a slow pivot.
What is the enable button for?
It is a dead-man safety button. Unless it is held, joystick movement produces no command — accidental contact in the cab cannot start motion.
12V or 24V?
The system runs on 7–40V, so 12V and 24V batteries are supported directly. Control characteristics hold up even as the battery drops, and reversed supply leads draw no current and cause no damage.
Can it move more than two levers?
The standard kit covers the two travel levers. Extra axes from the same motor family can be added for bucket, tipper or boom functions; the control layout is then planned per project.
Why is there no price listed?
Mounting hardware and firmware tuning depend on the valve type, lever geometry and cab distance, so the kit is quoted individually. Send photos of the machine and a close-up of the valve block and we reply with price and lead time the same day.
Product Video
HCT402-D — AXI Teknoloji's single-joystick differential drive solution for tracked and dual hydraulic-motor vehicles, built on the HC402 servo motor.