Patent ID: 8100218

Claim:
A steering, engine speed and implement control mechanism for operating a vehicle, the control mechanism comprising: a control handle mounted on the vehicle, the control handle having a trigger and configured to deflect in a plurality of directions along more than one axis by movement of an operator's hand; a steering direction of the vehicle related to manipulation of the trigger and a movement of the control handle about at least one axis, such that manipulation of the trigger moves the vehicle at least in the fore or aft direction, and left or right rotational movement of the control handle about a vertical axis moves the vehicle in a left or right rotational movement, respectively, an implement movement related to a movement of the control handle along more than one axis, such that movement of the control handle upward and downward along the vertical axis moves a lift assembly connected to the vehicle in an upward and downward direction, respectively, and deflection of at least a portion of the control handle along a longitudinal axis fore and aft moves a bucket connected to the lift assembly upward and downward, respectively; an actuating element for changing the speed of the engine of the vehicle, attached to the control handle and conveniently movable by an operator's digit to a plurality of positions to effect the desired engine speed; and a control circuit operably connected between the actuating element and a throttle control mechanism, the control circuit having predetermined maximum and minimum engine speeds programmed therein, such that continued activation of the actuating element by the operator's digit does not cause the engine speed to increase or decrease beyond the maximum and minimum engine speed programmed therein.