steering brakes

stockton · Jul 15, 2009

Is there a reason why Kubota has there steering brakes on the same side as the hydro. peddles? How do you make tight turns, keep tractor in line when going up a wet muddy trailer? I consider this a big fault.

JOHNTHOMAS · Jul 15, 2009

9th Kubota purchase in 6 years and have never needed or tried steering brakes myself. Haven't came up with a single time that I felt I needed to use them.

amigauser · Jul 15, 2009

The only 'trick' I have seen mentioned here is using the cruise control to operate the hydro while using your feet on the brakes.

kennyd · Jul 15, 2009

One of the mysteries of Kubota's ownership that has been discussed/argued 100's of times here on TBN...

And Welcome

Lyrch75 · Jul 15, 2009

It was the same way on my first New Holland.

Monkeyed around with the cruise control and hitting the brakes, then realized its 4wheel drive and those big front tires are not going to behave as I was used to on fullsized RWD tractors. After that I left them linked together and only play with steering brakes on 2wd tractors in a hay field or pulling a plow.

MikeInEburg · Jul 16, 2009

The few times that I've had to use brakes for steering, I simply swing my left foot over to use the brake, while using right foot for HST pedal. It happens so rarely that it's a non-issue for me. One could also engage the cruise control, leaving right foot available for brake duty.

Mike

James Loehr · Jul 16, 2009

Have a 03 L3130 and the brakes have been locked together from new. There are always better options to makeing a turn than using the brakes. It wears brakes out fast using them for turning. I would use them if there was no other option.

ttstraw · Jul 16, 2009

I asked this same question a couple few weeks ago, will admit its odd they have it set up that way. But I did give it a try one night mowing, swung the left foot over and mashed the left brake...she turned darn quick so it will work thats for sure....pretty much like a zero turn but I suspect its rough on brakes.

Shantycoke · Jul 16, 2009

Works on the same theory as my old '49 Farmall. Set the throttle (cruise) where you want it and you can steer with the brakes. Worked well on my old tractor and works just as well on my Kubota.
Pat

JOHNTHOMAS · Jul 16, 2009

Shantycoke said:
Works on the same theory as my old '49 Farmall. Set the throttle (cruise) where you want it and you can steer with the brakes. Worked well on my old tractor and works just as well on my Kubota.
Pat

Accepting the fact that you can steer with your brakes, this works better than turning the steering wheel? If so, in what way? Are the brakes locking on both wheels on one side or just front or just rear wheel? I know I can shift my straight transmission car without pushing in the clutch but I prefer pushing in the clutch so I guess I'm really missing something with this brake steering option.