Pneumatics on my spindle question

I'm working on a Bridgeport 2J converting it from NC to CNC.
It has a pneumatic cylinder on the brake and another on what I think
is the spindle lock. The wiring goes to 4 relays and there are some
spindle control toggle switches on the Z axis motor mount. Does
anyone know what his is for (before I hack into it)? The nearest I
can come up with is maybe its a fast tool change, but I don't see how
the drawbar is disengaged.

Also, has anyone tried to rig a Microswitch based joystick (Wico
arcade game type), and other puch button controls, to the switch
contacts of a PC keyboard to mimic the hotkeys?

Thanks and regards,
Jeff