Brakes won't stop tractor

[PT Larkin]

I bought a used 1782 Cub Cadet Garden tractor a week ago. Has a Kubota diesel engine with a hydrostatic drive. Being unfamiliar with this type of drive, my test drive was pretty short. When I wanted to stop, I stepped on the brake..tractor stopped..no problems. I decided based on advice from friends to buy this tractor since it would do everything I required.
We went to pick it up with a cube van. I started the tractor and set the power to a minimal amount (like I had for the test drive), the guy I bought from mentioned I would need more power to get it into the truck, so I increased the power abit. He then suggested I would need full power and he reached over and cranked it up. This made the hydrostatic drive very sensitive. I decided to back into the truck so I could drive out. I proceeded to turn it around but got going faster than I intended. My reaction was to brake..first left, and when that didn't stop it I leaned on both left and right petals. It did not help. Didn't have any time to think about other options before I plowed into his Garage door. Lucky for me (I guess), he had his Jaguar parked behind the door which prevented me from going right thru. He was remarkably cool about the whole incedent and after abit of work we got the tractor going again and he loaded it. Since I know wood (not tractors) I intend to replace his 2 garage door panels. I haven't heard anything about the Jag..damage appeared to be cosmetic (grill and licence plate), but it's difficult to tell.

I now know the brakes should have switched the hydrostsatic drive to neutral (based on the manuals) and am wondering if anyone has and schematics that show the link between the brakes and the hydro static drive so I can get it connected properly. I would like to think I would react different in another emergency situation, but just in case I'd like the brakes to stop the tractor even if mowing or blowing at full power.

Any suggestions will be appreciated

Thanks, Pat

 

[Soundguy]

i've yet to EVER see ANY tractor brakes that can stop the engine at full power.

too much power.. not enough braking surface.

coasting or pulling a non powered load? sure.

soundguy

 

[alchemysa]

Welcome to the No Brakes Club.

I don't know anything about Cadets but in my Kubota I'm pretty confident there is no link between the brakes and the hydro. (That sounds like a complicated recipe for creating more problems). The main problem in your case is that the hydro did not return to the central neutral position when you took your foot off the hydro pedal. It should have done that regardless of whether you touched the brakes or not. In fact it must, or I think you are going to have some serious problems. You need to get the 'return to neutral' adjustments sorted out. Good luck with it.

By the way, Hydros have more more speed but less 'power' the more you push the pedal. Pushing the pedal to the floor (a natural reaction) actually reduces power. Its possible you pushed the pedal too hard and kind of jammed it down. You get most climbing power from a hydro if you boost the revs (with the hand throttle), but only touch the pedal quite gently.

PS. Sorry, I just googled a pic of the Cadet. I was probably picturing something a little larger, so the brake, clutch, and hydro links are probably very different from my kubota. Nevertheless the hydro pedal must return to neutral of its own accord when you take your foot off the pedal.

 

[PT Larkin]

The Cub Cadet doesn't have a pedal for speed. It has a lever for power on the left, and a lever for speed on the right. The speed lever is also forward, neutral and reverse. I guess I'll just have to get used to operating the speed control instead of the brakes

 

[alchemysa]

The Cub Cadet doesn't have a pedal for speed. It has a lever for power on the left, and a lever for speed on the right. The speed lever is also forward, neutral and reverse. I guess I'll just have to get used to operating the speed control instead of the brakes

Like I said.. I don't know anything about Cadets!. But you might get a better response from someone who does in 'Parts and Repairs' or 'Owner Operating'.

 

[farmboy12]

I don't know anything about your tractor, but...from what you describe it appears your tractor has the hand operated hydro? Where you push the lever in the direction you want to go? And it stays there until you move it back?

I had a CC1450 a while back that did that. The brakes were none on that tractor. There was a pedal for it, but they were so worn. I wouldn't imagine that even if my brakes worked, they would not stop that 14hp gasoline in while it was in forward or reverse.

Glad you're okay, but don't feel too bad, whenever you learn a new transmission...there will be troubles.


Kyle

 

[PT Larkin]

I don't know anything about your tractor, but...from what you describe it appears your tractor has the hand operated hydro? Where you push the lever in the direction you want to go? And it stays there until you move it back?

I had a CC1450 a while back that did that. The brakes were none on that tractor. There was a pedal for it, but they were so worn. I wouldn't imagine that even if my brakes worked, they would not stop that 14hp gasoline in while it was in forward or reverse.

Glad you're okay, but don't feel too bad, whenever you learn a new transmission...there will be troubles.


Kyle

You are right, its the hand operated hydro. I guess there is no chance the brakes will stop this one..its a 17 hp diesel Kubota engine.
Thanks for the responses..Guess I need to learn how to drive it with the lever.

 

[farmboy12]

I pretty much drove mine with my hand on the lever, if I needed to stop, i would pull it back, one hand on the wheel, one on the lever. And you have much more with a 17hp Kubota over my 14hp Kohler. They are, however, very tough old tractors and wouldn't hesitate to put them through anything.


Kyle

 

[jimmysisson]

I have a 1440 gas 14 hp CC. It has disc brakes that will stop it, and they also push the hand hydro lever into neutral, or almost. I'm guessing on yours some of that linkage is missing or out of adjustment. I think mine is about 1993 or so, not sure, about 500 hours.
Jim

 

[PT Larkin]

Do you have any pictures or info about the linkage on your cub cadet Jim? I haven't found anything out about it yet. Mine is a '95 so I imagine it should be similar