From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

Long story but basically age and use has led to a failure of a 12V DC
manual switch on my farm hedge trimmer!

The unit was first made in 1976 so it probably doesn't owe me anything nevertheless finding a spare will be painful:-(

So! Can I Fudge the operation with a set of modestly priced microswitches?

The requirement is to feed 12V solenoids controlling the m/c hydraulic cylinders. I don't have an easy way of measuring the current but guess
it will be less than 2 amps.

Now there are lots of Chinese toggle switches offering (on) off (on)
(ie. non latching) operation with silver contacts rated at 5amps.
Bearing in mind the function may be required several times in a single
minute, is their capability up to the job?

Tim
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From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

Timatmarford <tim@marford.uk.com> wrote:

Long story but basically age and use has led to a failure of a 12V DC
manual switch on my farm hedge trimmer!

The unit was first made in 1976 so it probably doesn't owe me anything nevertheless finding a spare will be painful:-(

So! Can I Fudge the operation with a set of modestly priced microswitches?

I don't see why not. In a rather more pedestrian domestic hedge trimmer I
took apart, both switches are just regular microswitches and they take the
full mains load (~2.5A).

The main thing will be to get something to fit mechanically.

The requirement is to feed 12V solenoids controlling the m/c hydraulic cylinders. I don't have an easy way of measuring the current but guess
it will be less than 2 amps.

Now there are lots of Chinese toggle switches offering (on) off (on)
(ie. non latching) operation with silver contacts rated at 5amps.
Bearing in mind the function may be required several times in a single minute, is their capability up to the job?

Probably, although I might be tempted to look up what CPC have to offer. At least there you know you're getting decent quality, and not subject to spec-sheet inflation.

Theo
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From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 26/02/2026 18:42, Timatmarford wrote:

Long story but basically age and use has led to a failure of a 12V DC
manual switch on my farm hedge trimmer!

The unit was first made in 1976 so it probably doesn't owe me anything nevertheless finding a spare will be painful:-(

So! Can I Fudge the operation with a set of modestly priced microswitches?

The requirement is to feed 12V solenoids controlling the m/c hydraulic cylinders. I don't have an easy way of measuring the current but guess
it will be less than 2 amps.

Now there are lots of Chinese toggle switches offering (on) off (on)
(ie. non latching) operation with silver contacts rated at 5amps.
Bearing in mind the function may be required several times in a single minute, is their capability up to the job?

Tim

I can't quite visualise the machine - any chence of some pictures.

I'm not sure whether you mean a hand-held reciprocating device wheich
may be battery, mains or petrol driven, or a tractor attachment with a
large circular saw type blade or a reciprocating cutter or something
which looks like a lawnmower on the end of an arm.
--
Cheers,
Roger
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From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 26/02/2026 19:59, Roger Mills wrote:

On 26/02/2026 18:42, Timatmarford wrote:

Long story but basically age and use has led to a failure of a 12V DC
manual switch on my farm hedge trimmer!

The unit was first made in 1976 so it probably doesn't owe me anything
nevertheless finding a spare will be painful:-(

So! Can I Fudge the operation with a set of modestly priced
microswitches?

The requirement is to feed 12V solenoids controlling the m/c hydraulic
cylinders. I don't have an easy way of measuring the current but guess
it will be less than 2 amps.

Now there are lots of Chinese toggle switches offering (on) off (on)
(ie. non latching) operation with silver contacts rated at 5amps.
Bearing in mind the function may be required several times in a single
minute, is their capability up to the job?

Tim

I can't quite visualise the machine - any chence of some pictures.

I'm not sure whether you mean a hand-held reciprocating device wheich
may be battery, mains or petrol driven, or a tractor attachment with a
large circular saw type blade or a reciprocating cutter or something
which looks like a lawnmower on the end of an arm.

McConnel HY REACH SUPER.E should find one.

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From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 26/02/2026 18:42, Timatmarford wrote:

Long story but basically age and use has led to a failure of a 12V DC
manual switch on my farm hedge trimmer!

I take it this isn't a cordless hand held :-)

The unit was first made in 1976 so it probably doesn't owe me anything nevertheless finding a spare will be painful:-(

So! Can I Fudge the operation with a set of modestly priced microswitches?

Why microswitches?

The requirement is to feed 12V solenoids controlling the m/c hydraulic cylinders. I don't have an easy way of measuring the current but guess
it will be less than 2 amps.

Almost anything will do that

Now there are lots of Chinese toggle switches offering (on) off (on)
(ie. non latching) operation with silver contacts rated at 5amps.
Bearing in mind the function may be required several times in a single minute, is their capability up to the job?

Almost anything will do 12v DC

Do you want momentary or latching?

Push, toggle or rocker?

Tim

--
Any fool can believe in principles - and most of them do!



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From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 26/02/2026 19:56, Theo wrote:

Timatmarford <tim@marford.uk.com> wrote:

Long story but basically age and use has led to a failure of a 12V DC
manual switch on my farm hedge trimmer!

The unit was first made in 1976 so it probably doesn't owe me anything
nevertheless finding a spare will be painful:-(

So! Can I Fudge the operation with a set of modestly priced microswitches?

I don't see why not. In a rather more pedestrian domestic hedge trimmer I took apart, both switches are just regular microswitches and they take the full mains load (~2.5A).

The main thing will be to get something to fit mechanically.

The requirement is to feed 12V solenoids controlling the m/c hydraulic
cylinders. I don't have an easy way of measuring the current but guess
it will be less than 2 amps.

Now there are lots of Chinese toggle switches offering (on) off (on)
(ie. non latching) operation with silver contacts rated at 5amps.
Bearing in mind the function may be required several times in a single
minute, is their capability up to the job?

Probably, although I might be tempted to look up what CPC have to offer. At least there you know you're getting decent quality, and not subject to spec-sheet inflation.

The first question is does the switch latch or re-open when the operator returns to the mid position.

My other concern is some form of R/C snubbing to protect the contacts
from the inductive kickback.

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From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 26/02/2026 20:09, Timatmarford wrote:

McConnel HY REACH SUPER.E should find one.

Ah..from the manual...

"This control box mounted in the tractor cab contains six micro switches
in three switch blocks with spring centred operating levers, also a two position toggle switch"

There are also some diodes...they will need checking.

BUT it seems like there is no reason anything other than bog standard microswitches would be employed.

e.g. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Heschen-switch-V-16-1C25-Button-250VAC/dp/B073LX2K19/ref=asc_df_B073LX2K19
--
No Apple devices were knowingly used in the preparation of this post.

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From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 26/02/2026 20:09, Timatmarford wrote:

On 26/02/2026 19:59, Roger Mills wrote:

On 26/02/2026 18:42, Timatmarford wrote:

Long story but basically age and use has led to a failure of a 12V DC
manual switch on my farm hedge trimmer!

The unit was first made in 1976 so it probably doesn't owe me
anything nevertheless finding a spare will be painful:-(

So! Can I Fudge the operation with a set of modestly priced
microswitches?

The requirement is to feed 12V solenoids controlling the m/c
hydraulic cylinders. I don't have an easy way of measuring the
current but guess it will be less than 2 amps.

Now there are lots of Chinese toggle switches offering (on) off (on)
(ie. non latching) operation with silver contacts rated at 5amps.
Bearing in mind the function may be required several times in a
single minute, is their capability up to the job?

Tim

I can't quite visualise the machine - any chence of some pictures.

I'm not sure whether you mean a hand-held reciprocating device wheich
may be battery, mains or petrol driven, or a tractor attachment with a
large circular saw type blade or a reciprocating cutter or something
which looks like a lawnmower on the end of an arm.

McConnel HY REACH SUPER.E should find one.

Googling for that brought up an Operation and Spare Parts Manual. I
assume that it's the microswitches in the Switchbox shown on Page 60
(Page 58 in the thumbnails) to which you are referring. They have a part number 84 02 021. I don't know whether they're available from McConnel
if the firm still exists? But in ane case, they don't appear to be
anything fancy - so there will be lots of generic replacements.

https://my.mcconnel.com/wp-content/uploads/pdf-manuals/pdf-operator-manuals/archived-operator-manuals/power-arms/Hy-Reach-Super-E-Operator-Parts-Manual1.pdf
--
Cheers,
Roger
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From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 26/02/2026 20:16, The Natural Philosopher wrote:

On 26/02/2026 18:42, Timatmarford wrote:

Long story but basically age and use has led to a failure of a 12V DC
manual switch on my farm hedge trimmer!

I take it this isn't a cordless hand held :-)

The unit was first made in 1976 so it probably doesn't owe me anything
nevertheless finding a spare will be painful:-(

So! Can I Fudge the operation with a set of modestly priced
microswitches?

Why microswitches?

The requirement is to feed 12V solenoids controlling the m/c hydraulic
cylinders. I don't have an easy way of measuring the current but guess
it will be less than 2 amps.

Almost anything will do that

Now there are lots of Chinese toggle switches offering (on) off (on)
(ie. non latching) operation with silver contacts rated at 5amps.
Bearing in mind the function may be required several times in a single
minute, is their capability up to the job?

Almost anything will do 12v DC

Do you want momentary or latching?

Push, toggle-a or rocker?

The cutter head movement is in view from the tractor cab (so long as the
Sun isn't shining on the grubby window) and needs to stop when the
switch is returned to the centre position.

I have found a CPC 600H series switch (https://cpc.farnell.com/apem/637h-2/switch-toggle-spdt-mom-off-mom/dp/SW03599?st=sealed%20switch)

which looks capable of 10 amps. I can probably re-use the original R/C snubber.


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From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 26/02/2026 20:52, Timatmarford wrote:

On 26/02/2026 20:16, The Natural Philosopher wrote:

On 26/02/2026 18:42, Timatmarford wrote:

Long story but basically age and use has led to a failure of a 12V DC
manual switch on my farm hedge trimmer!

I take it this isn't a cordless hand held :-)

The unit was first made in 1976 so it probably doesn't owe me
anything nevertheless finding a spare will be painful:-(

So! Can I Fudge the operation with a set of modestly priced
microswitches?

Why microswitches?

The requirement is to feed 12V solenoids controlling the m/c
hydraulic cylinders. I don't have an easy way of measuring the
current but guess it will be less than 2 amps.

Almost anything will do that

Now there are lots of Chinese toggle switches offering (on) off (on)
(ie. non latching) operation with silver contacts rated at 5amps.
Bearing in mind the function may be required several times in a
single minute, is their capability up to the job?

Almost anything will do 12v DC

Do you want momentary or latching?

Push, toggle-a or rocker?

The cutter head movement is in view from the tractor cab (so long as the
Sun isn't shining on the grubby window) and needs to stop when the
switch is returned to the centre position.

I have found a CPC 600H series switch (https://cpc.farnell.com/ apem/637h-2/switch-toggle-spdt-mom-off-mom/dp/SW03599?st=sealed%20switch)

which looks capable of 10 amps. I can probably re-use the original R/C snubber.

That's 10 amps AC. It will be a lot less for DC but may still be adequate.
--
Cheers,
Roger
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