When you convert a sewing machine to a treadle, it has to have a motor on the outside, so the belt has a place to connect at the right angle. Where the Avante is so big, and you can't reach the handwheel and still drive the machine, it wouldn't be a good candidate for a hand crank. I think you'd have to re-direct the belt to an outside source, and make it a treadle. Come to think about it.... I think the H.Q's are direct drive, which means they don't use a belt -- just shafts and gears. Hmmm... It gives a person something to think about...