What does a fender switch do, and how does it make working alone easier?
A raise/lower switch placed on the rear fender lets the operator align the lower links with the implement pins while standing beside the tractor, without climbing into the cab. With these switches the movement is deliberately slow; this way you can align the lower link ends with the implement pins precisely, watching with your own eyes. Fender switches are included as standard in the AXI ELF-812 set.
The hardest part of attaching an implement is bringing the lower link ends into line with the implement pins. Done by looking from the cab, it means climbing down and up again many times. A fender switch makes this a one-person job:
- The operator stands beside the implement and sees the links with his own eyes.
- With short taps on the switch he raises or lowers the links by a few centimetres.
- Once the pins line up, he attaches the implement.
On these switches the movement speed is deliberately kept low. The aim is not to lift quickly but to align precisely; fast movement both makes alignment harder and increases the risk of the operator being caught between the links and the implement.
The fender switch is a widespread and well-established solution in the industry; the ELF-812 set brings this function to classic hydraulically controlled tractors as well. Safety: when using the switch, do not put your body between the implement and the lower links, keep the tractor handbrake applied and the gearbox in neutral, and make sure nobody else is in the area.
Full coverage of the topic: Converting a tractor hydraulic lever to electronic control