Abstract: The present invention includes a tiltable control console positioned within a rear interior portion of a cab of a work machine, such as a backhoe loader. The work machine includes a seat rotatable between front and rear positions. The control console includes a tower assembly that enables tiltable movement of the control consoles between stowed and operating positions and a controller connected with the tower assembly. When the seat is in the front position, an operator may operate specific functions for a loader bucket of the work machine. When the operator is ready to operate specific functions for a backhoe bucket of the work machine, the operator may rotate the seat from the front position to the rear position. However, the seat may remain in the front position to operate the specific function for the backhoe bucket. At that time, the operator may move the control console from the stowed position to the operating position through the movement of the tower assembly.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of protecting a plurality of instruments on a control console from damage or vandalism. An instrument panel assembly is mounted in the control console and includes a housing and an inner mechanism rotatably mounted with the housing. The inner mechanism has an instrument panel portion wherein the plurality of instruments are attached and a security panel portion that has a substantially planar and blank surface. The inner mechanism is rotated by an operator (not shown) from an operating position wherein the instrument panel portion is accessible and the plurality of instruments are exposed to a secured position. In the secured position, the security panel portion is accessible and the instrument panel portion is not accessible so that the plurality of instruments are not exposed.