TripleR
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2009
- Messages
- 18,615
- Location
- Missouri
- Tractor
- Kubota M8540HDC, L5740HSTC, BX2200, BX2660, John Deere 425&1025R, Case, Massey Ferguson, Ford
I think the damage potential to the front/rear differential while using split brakes is way overstated. When I am in 4wd and pushing a loader bucket the front wheels often are turning at different rates (one slipping while the other is not turning). If I'm using a boxblade on uneven terrain, the front will be pulled/pushed left or right easily unless I use the split brakes to hold the path true. Mostly, I'm trying to use my brakes to hold my tractor in a straight line or compensate for uneven traction when in soft dirt or mud on one side only.
My front end gets pushed all over the place by just normal use of rear ground engaging implements and front loader work. If a dealer told me I should not use the installed split brakes on my tractor, I'd suspect he had warranty issues and is trying to cover for a design issue. Do you suppose that same dealer might accuse me of using split brakes if I brought my tractor to him for a front differential repair under warranty?:thumbdown: Not using split brakes for high speed turns makes all kinds of sense, but not using them to hold the tractor straight when you are in 4WD makes no sense to me whatsoever.:confused3: Of course, trying to use split brakes when you have differential lock engaged is just asking for trouble. It's impossible to do both at the same time.
It also makes good sense to me to use split brakes to help track perfectly where you are turning instead of the letting the front end understeer and keep going straight. Making the tractor go where the wheels are pointed seems to be normal to me. If understeer never happens to you, then you surely don't need to use split brakes.
I don't worry about it personally, I think we are just wondering why one manufacturer specifically says not to.