Patent ID: 7353652

Claim:
In a loading apparatus comprising: a) a frame, b) a boom assembly rotatably mounted on the frame, the boom assembly including: i) a pedestal; ii) a rotating head rotatably mounted on the pedestal; iii) a first hydraulic actuator for rotating the rotating head; iv) a main boom arm pivotally connected to the rotating head; v) a second hydraulic actuator for raising and lowering the main boom arm; vi) a tip boom arm pivotally connected to the main boom arm; vii) a third hydraulic actuator for raising and lowering the tip boom arm relative to the main boom arm; viii) a tip boom extension telescopingly mounted on the tip boom arm; ix) a fourth hydraulic actuator for extending and retracting the tip boom extension; x) a bucket rotatably mounted on the tip boom extension and including at least one movable arm, to open and close bucket sides; xi) a fifth hydraulic actuator for moving said movable arm; xii) a sixth hydraulic actuator for rotating the bucket, c) a valve assembly including six hydraulic valves, each of the six hydraulic valves being hydraulically connected to one of the six hydraulic actuators for supplying hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuator, the improvement comprising: d) first and second three-function joysticks mounted on the frame at one position; e) a third and fourth three-function joysticks mounted on the frame at another position; f) each of said three-function joysticks including a handle which is movable with respect to first, second and third axes; g) a first set of three rods rotatably mounted on the frame and extending between and connected to the first and third joysticks; h) a second set of three rods rotatably mounted on the frame and extending between and connected to the second and fourth joysticks, each of said rods being mechanically connected to one of said hydraulic valves whereby rotation of one of the rods operates one of the hydraulic valves, whereby all of the six hydraulic valves are operable by either the first and second joysticks or the third and fourth joysticks.