Control mechanism for operating a tractor

A control mechanism for operating a tractor including a transmission having a plurality of operating conditions, comprising:

• a steering selector apparatus including a tiller arm having a mounting portion and a handgrip portion, the steering selector apparatus being mounted on the tractor so that the tiller arm is swingable solely about a fixed upstanding axis with the handgrip portion extending generally laterally in a central position of the tiller arm;
• first control means for steering the tractor in response to swinging movement of the tiller arm about the upstanding axis in either direction away from the central position;
• and
• second control means for selectively effecting a change in the operating condition of the transmission in response to rotational movement of the handgrip portion on the mounting portion of the tiller arm.

A control mechanism for operating a vehicle including a transmission having a plurality of operating conditions, comprising:

• a first member mounted on the vehicle for swinging movement about a fixed upstanding axis in opposite directions away from a central portion;
• steering means for steering the vehicle in response to swinging movement of the first member;
• a second member rotatably mounted on and adaptable to swing the first member by being manually grasped;
• and
• transmission means for effecting a change in the operating condition of the tractor in response to rotary movement of the second member.