Action Claw skill crane conversion...button to joystick

[scobod22]

Recently purchased a fully functional and in great shape (with the exception of the missing bill feed) Action Claw machine. I believe that it is manufactured by Elaut, but not sure. This does not seem to be a widely popular machine. Just bought the machine for my sons room as we are tired of spending lots of money at the stores and coming up empty handed. I don't know much about it at all. My question is that from the pictures I have provided, does it seem possible that this board will accept a 4 way joystick with drop button instead of the 2 way joystick with no drop button. Its an up and across joystick design. The wires leading to the joystick have 4 female connectors that are not in use. I have tried contacting a local "arcade repair" shop, but they said that I would have to bring in the machine so they can look at it. I hope I took a good enough picture of the board. If I can convert this thing to what I want for less than 75 dollars, then I will, but if not I will just leave it the way it is. I have no manual nor can I find one specific to my machine.

[scobod22]

Technically it is already a joystick, but you guys know what I mean.

[DLinkOZ]

Most that I've seen (such as my grayhound) have the option to convert, and include wiring and relays to control it.  I *think* this is your manual:

http://ohwow-arcade.com/Assets/Game_Manuals/BIG%20CHOICE.PDF

Which shows the wires for the additional movements.  That doc even shows a proper joystick with fire button to do what you want.  You would probably be able to just find a garden variety with the fire button on top and hook it up.  Check for dip switch settings (I didn't read through that entire pdf), as I know that mine has settings to change from two way auto-drop to four way triggered drop.