Dynamically stable ergonomic control for man-up lift truck

A method of controlling throttle operations of a man-up lift truck using a one-handed operator control device, the one-handed control device comprising a handle configured to be held and operated by a hand of an operator, the method comprising:

• in response to rotation of a wrist of the operator, rotating the handle of the operator control device about a pivot point that is fixed in relation to the man-up lift truck;
• driving the man-up lift truck forward in response to clockwise rotation of the handle;
• and
• plugging or reversing the man-up lift truck in response to counter-clockwise rotation of the handle.

A man-up lift truck comprising:

• a platform arranged on a lift;
• an operator control device arranged in a control panel and configured to control throttle and lift operations of the man-up lift truck;
• the operator control device comprising a handle arranged on a support in a manner that permits the handle to rotate about a pivot point, wherein the support is rigidly affixed to the man-up lift truck in a manner that maintains the pivot point in a fixed horizontal position with respect to the lift truck during operation of the man-up lift truck;
• and
• wherein rotating the handle in a clockwise direction drives the man-up lift truck in a forward direction, and
• wherein rotating the handle in a counter-clockwise direction stops the man-up lift truck and operates the man-up lift truck in a reverse direction.

An operator control device for a man-up lift truck, said operator control device comprising:

• a handle pivotably arranged on a support structure so as to pivot about a pivot point, wherein said support structure is configured to be secured to the man-up lift truck such that a horizontal and a vertical position of the pivot point is substantially fixed with respect to the lift truck during operation of the man-up lift truck;
• the handle comprising an upper surface contoured to ergonomically support a hand of an operator with an operator's wrist arranged substantially directly above the pivot point;
• and
• wherein the handle provides dynamic stability to the operator by permitting the operator to use the handle to provide a bracing force during forward, plugging, and reverse operations of the man-up lift truck.