Driving w/parking brake on

[rScotty]

Over in the thread about changes that people would like to see in their Kubotas, several owners said they would like some sort of better warning that the parking brake was still on.

I've left mine on. Not for long, but I have done it - and that got me to thinking...Has anyone ever damaged their tractor by driving with the parking brake on? How much is too much? Does it wear out the shoes? What else? Can it cause a problem other than just wearing out the shoes? Does it even wear out the shoes?
rScotty

 

[n8wrl]

I submitted feedback to Kubota a couple of years ago with this problem. In direct sunlight I cannot see the parking brake warning light on my L5030 very well. IN fact, many of the indicators appear 'on' when they're not.

I also suggested some sort of 4WD indicator. They thanked me for my suggesitons...

 

[mswlogo]

Over in the thread about changes that people would like to see in their Kubotas, several owners said they would like some sort of better warning that the parking brake was still on.

I've left mine on. Not for long, but I have done it - and that got me to thinking...Has anyone ever damaged their tractor by driving with the parking brake on? How much is too much? Does it wear out the shoes? What else? Can it cause a problem other than just wearing out the shoes? Does it even wear out the shoes?
rScotty

Well it can't be good. I smelled something burning one time that I did it.
Probably cooks UDT fluid too.

 

[Muskrat84]

After reading a couple threads about brakes, it seems the newer series of tractors don't have very good brakes. On my B2400 the parking brake locks the left brake hard enough that even if the brake pedals aren't latched to make them one pedal it will still send me spinning in circles if I forget to unlatch it.

Do the newer tractor not have the same or better braking system?

 

[4shorts]

Driving with the brake on is something we've all done. They should do to the tractors what they did with the new Kubots Zero turn I just purchased. If you leave the park brake on and go to move it, if you don't release the park brake with in 5 seconds it will shut down the machine. I also agree that some sort of 4X4 indicator should have been added to the tractors.

 

[rScotty]

I submitted feedback to Kubota a couple of years ago with this problem. In direct sunlight I cannot see the parking brake warning light on my L5030 very well. IN fact, many of the indicators appear 'on' when they're not.

I also suggested some sort of 4WD indicator. They thanked me for my suggesitons...

Wow! A 4WD indicator! How about that....
I realized I didn't even know if I had one on our new M59. Probably do since it just came out last year.
But I'll go check.

Back now. I just ran out to start the tractor and see if it did, but the sun is out today so I cannot tell if any of the indicators on the display are on or off. Tried shading it with my hand, then with my shirt, and finally with a tarp..... but still cannot say anything for sure about the indicators. Just can't tell. Darn.

I'll check again later - maybe this evening at dusk - and let you know if the M59 has the 4WD indicator.

Hmm....it occurs to me that Kubota isn't doing too well on the visual display thing if I have to wait till dusk to check the indicator/warning lights on a $50K machine. Suggestions? Alternatives? Maybe we need to solve this one ourself.
rScotty.

 

[Leejohn]

I was doing the same thing alot on my L4240. On my b7800 when the brakes are set you don't go anywhere. I put a buzzer on the parking brake switch and I haven't done it since. But the bad thing is when you have to lock the brake and have to have the tractor running. That part, kind of drives you crazy. I'm thinking of putting a switch on it , but then you are right back to 1st base. I guess I'll go crazy before my time, the old woman thinks I'm already there, but what do they know?

 

[LBrown59]

Wow! A 4WD indicator! How about that....
I realized I didn't even know if I had one on our new M59. Probably do since it just came out last year.
But I'll go check.

Back now.
1* I just ran out to start the tractor and see if it did, but the sun is out today so I cannot tell if any of the indicators on the display are on or off. Tried shading it with my hand, then with my shirt, and finally with a tarp..... but still cannot say anything for sure about the indicators. Just can't tell. Darn.

I'll check again later - maybe this evening at dusk - and let you know if the M59 has the 4WD indicator.

Hmm....it occurs to me that Kubota isn't doing too well on the visual display thing if I have to wait till dusk to check the indicator/warning lights on a $50K machine. Suggestions? Alternatives? Maybe we need to solve this one ourself.
rScotty.

What good is A 4WD indicator that you still can't tell after going through all of
1*this?

 

[Willl]

Leejohn, maybe you could tie into your neutral switch so no power to noise marker while in neutral ?

 

[n8wrl]

It's a minor thing, really. I have tried to start with the parking break more than once. There is an indicator, and i can't always see it. But the tractor does tell me, especially in a higher range.

The 4WD would be a nice-to-have as well - I don't use more than a couple of times a week and on the L5030 the lever is by my foot and easy to see.

 

[soulasphil]

The problem is not limited to Kubota. On my JD 3520 there is a 4WD indicator that can be seen easily. There is also a parking brake indicator, but either because of the steering wheel or because of the sunlight, I very often fail to notice it and drive off with the brake on. A bright blinking light or a buzzer would be very helpful.

 

[Leejohn]

Leejohn, maybe you could tie into your neutral switch so no power to noise marker while in neutral ?


I never thought of that. I'll check and see if I can do that, good ideal.

 

[thavil]

Do the newer tractor not have the same or better braking system?

Must not because in low range on my BX24, I can drive off with the brake set and barely tell a difference. High range is a different story, I can immediately tell that the brake is on.

 

[lawn_king]

Driving with the parking brake on is part of the kubota legacy. Your not a true kubota owner until you have done it half a dozen times.

 

[bstrom]

Sort of like a "right of passage"?

 

[newbury]

Driving with the parking brake on is part of the kubota legacy. Your not a true kubota owner until you have done it half a dozen times.

And on the second day you realize what that lever is

 

[jesseb3@att.net]

Since nobody bit on my post on the last "parking brake on" thread, I think I'll go ahead and add the indicators for the brake, as well as 4WD. I hadn't thought of that one.

Total cost should be less than $50 for both. Anyone wanna' buy a kit for BXs if I put it together? There won't be too much markup.

Jesse

 

[have_blue]

Anyone wanna' buy a kit for BXs if I put it together? There won't be too much markup.

Jesse

If I had a BX I would. Unfortunately I have an L4400. I need to chase down some kit to make safe from my forgetfulness.

 

[rScotty]

OK. I did remember to check yesterday evening after sundown and can report that the M59 does NOT have a 4wd indicator. Panel is visible when not in direct sun. After stopping down by the creek to look at some trout I drove off thinking of fish and forgot the parking brake again...Darnit!! It's just way too easy to do. Not sure that the parking brakes is worth all the problem anyway. We bought the machine new and the brake never was strong enough to make much of a difference in the way she starts off - particularly if we are on any type of slight incline. Or to hold on a hill for that matter. But this time I sensed it was on within about 50 feet so at least no new harm done.

The rest of the chores went easy and it wasn't till I got back and was getting off that I looked at the lever and saw I'd been in 4WD all the time. Oh well....

Jesse, I'd buy a kit. A warning light is all that is needed for the 4WD. Leaving it in 4wd is wasteful, but it isn't going to hurt the tractor. For the brake warning it already has a light and I've wired up one on the dash to back it up. What I'd like and would pay for is a kit with an audible beeper alarm that works only if the wheels turn while the brake is on.
rScotty

Since nobody bit on my post on the last "parking brake on" thread, I think I'll go ahead and add the indicators for the brake, as well as 4WD. I hadn't thought of that one.
Jesse