Patent ID: 8380402

Claim:
Heavy equipment, comprising: a main body; a drivetrain coupled to the main body and configured to facilitate movement of the heavy equipment, wherein the drivetrain comprises: a first actuator, and a second actuator, wherein the first and second actuators provide both speed and direction for the movement of the heavy equipment; a work implement coupled to the main body, wherein the work implement comprises: a third actuator, and a fourth actuator, wherein the third and fourth actuators provide the position and orientation of the work implement; a control system for the heavy equipment allowing an operator to simultaneously control the drivetrain and the work implement, the control system comprising: a first main interface configured for operation by a first hand of the operator, wherein the control system operates the third actuator at least partially as a function of a signal provided by the first main interface; a first auxiliary interface integrated with the first main interface, wherein the first auxiliary interface is configured for simultaneous operation with the first main interface by a finger of the first hand, and wherein the control system operates the first actuator at least partially as a function of a signal provided by the first auxiliary interface; a second main interface configured for operation by a second hand of the operator, wherein the control system operates the fourth actuator at least partially as a function of a signal provided by the second main interface; and a second auxiliary interface integrated with the second main interface, wherein the second auxiliary interface is configured for simultaneous operation with the second main interface by a finger of the second hand, and wherein the control system operates the second actuator at least partially as a function of a signal provided by the second auxiliary interface.