Here is what it looks like with it's Bonnet on. The camo cloth stays attached to the shooting platform... and then folds up on top of the platform when not in use... and then the bonnet keeps it in place with a tight draw string attached all the way around. I simply loosen the string at the back, and the gray tarp folds down onto the front window area, which allows all the camo cloth to fold down everywhere.
This whole system is designed so that I can drive from the sitting-shooting-glassing position... while the vehicle is crawling along the prairie... but it's also able to be put into neutral with a quick push of the clutch rod.
I couldn't think of a good way to make an extended steering wheel system, so I just used two buckets and the steering wheel off a riding lawn mover.
The red bucket lid is bolted to the steering wheel... and the bucket has a screw down attachment system, which locks it in place with a simple quick twist of the bucket into the lid. This makes it quick and easy for on and off use encase I need to drive it normally. I also inserted a quick pin to keep it from unscrewing while in use.
Now I'll show you the operating system...it's different... not your average system...but who said chasing coyotes was normal anyways... or maybe it's just this coyote chaser that's not normal....LOL.
I inserted screws into the underside of the clutch and brake push rods, and adjusted them so that they lock into place on the back of the bracket board when the pedals are depressed. The gas rod has a snug twist fit into it's hole, so that simply turning it to the right applies gas, and twisting to the left...or... pulling it outward... releases the gas pedal. I don't see much of a need to use it much, because of only needing a crawling speed.
All three pedals have holes drilled into them. All three rods have pins in their ends, which are quickly inserted into the pedal holes. I used this pin system so that the rods can be removed quickly for normal driving.
Ideally... it can still be driven normally... but that's not it's true purpose. Today I'll be working on extending the key ignition switch. I want to be able to turn the ignition on and off from my shooting position, because I won't want it running while trying to take a shot... and I don't want to duck down all the time and reach up to the original switch. The factory switch will stay in it's place... I just need to splice into it and add the extended wires to the new switch. Hopefully it will work at both places.
Hopefully Hurricane Matthew will allow me to continue my work outside today... but... 100 mph-+ winds could make me sit inside and play on the computer instead... or reload some shells.
PS... I am taking money contributions for coyote fever medicine... it's a sickness you have to experience to understand... but once you get it... the only cure for it... is a lot of hanging pelts.
Send the money to Predator Masters... because it's ALL THEIR FAULT.
