Using clutch as a brake?

[son of man]

Hi all,
I'm new to operating tractors and had a question... Mine has split brakes that I use to make sharper turns. However, I don't like using them to come to a complete stop. I don't feel comfortable simultaneously depressing both pedals. I have a small pond so I need the tractor to stop when it's time to stop. Furthermore, it stalled a couple of times using both brakes in medium and high gear. Therefore, I have been using the clutch as a brake. Is this correct or could it prematurely damage the clutch?

 

[SPYDERLK]

So, you are staying in an opposite gear and resisting downhill motion with the clutch? -- Yes that wears the clutch. Maybe you could use brakes and clutch to ease clutch wear. Also use a low gear.

 

[Ivan49]

If there is a lock on the pedals lock them together then it will brake both wheels at the same time

 

[son of man]

no, i'm not moving downhill or anything - just normal operation on fairly level ground. Does that make a difference? yeah, I use low gear when I'm working around the pond.

 

[son of man]

yes, I can latch both pedals. however, I won't be able to use the split brakes for turns.

 

[bcp]

... However, I don't like using them to come to a complete stop. I don't feel comfortable simultaneously depressing both pedals. ...

That's how they were meant to be used. You aren't trying to use two feet on the brakes at once, are you?

Bruce

 

[bspeedy]

I think you will need to define the statement 'using the clutch as a brake'. To me, that means slipping the clutch which will wear it out in short order. Also, please explain your discomfort depressing both pedals so we can understand and perhaps help.

 

[son of man]

That's how they were meant to be used. You aren't trying to use two feet on the brakes at once, are you?

Bruce

both brake pedals are on the right side of the tractor so i'm not trying to use both feet at once. however, I kind of feel like I have to turn my foot diagonally to depress both pedals at once. furthermore, since the tractor is still in gear, it feels like it still wants to move.

 

[son of man]

I think you will need to define the statement 'using the clutch as a brake'. To me, that means slipping the clutch which will wear it out in short order. Also, please explain your discomfort depressing both pedals so we can understand and perhaps help.

I mean fully depressing the clutch while the tractor is moving forward or reverse to disengage the transmission and make it come to a stop.

 

[TerryR]

both brake pedals are on the right side of the tractor so i'm not trying to use both feet at once. however, I kind of feel like I have to turn my foot diagonally to depress both pedals at once. furthermore, since the tractor is still in gear, it feels like it still wants to move.

I mean fully depressing the clutch while the tractor is moving forward or reverse to disengage the transmission and make it come to a stop.

You mean you are trying to stop the tractor with the brakes while it's still in gear and the clutch engages? You can't do that - you have to release the clutch or the engine will stall, or if it's in a low enough gear it just won't stop.

But, once you have depressed the clutch, yes you normally apply both brakes with one foot. It takes a bit of practice to put the foot half way on each peddle, but why is that a problem?

Terry

 

[Dewbie]

Not sure if we understand your question..If you're trying to come to a stop then u need to push the clutch in and hit the brakes if need be. If ur just trying to slow down a bit for whatever reason then idle down. The tractor won't stop if its in gear and the clutch peddle is let out and you only use the brakes. Hope this helps

 

[McREBEL]

I mean fully depressing the clutch while the tractor is moving forward or reverse to disengage the transmission and make it come to a stop.

I think this is what you want do if you are coming to a complete stop. If I understand correctly, you are not technically using the clutch as a brake. You are just disengaging the transmission.

To stop: press the clutch, then step on the brakes if needed.

If you try to completely stop without disengaging the transmission you will stall as you stated. That's not good for brake longevity either.

 

[son of man]

maybe I need to provide a little more info concerning my tractor... it's not like the manual transmission in a car where you depress the clutch and change the gear while the car is moving. I have to come to a complete stop before I switch gears.

so let's say I'm travelling in medium 2nd gear without the split brakes latched and I want to switch to medium 4th gear. I normally fully depress the clutch and the tractor immediately comes to a stop. Then I change gears, slowly release the clutch and continue on my way.

 

[/pine]

Do you not use neutral (on level ground) ?

 

[McREBEL]

so let's say I'm travelling in medium 2nd gear without the split brakes latched and I want to switch to medium 4th gear. I normally fully depress the clutch and the tractor immediately comes to a stop. Then I change gears, slowly release the clutch and continue on my way.

Sounds normal. Continue on.

 

[Dewbie]

Sounds normal. Continue on.

I agree so long as you don't hear any grinding then it sounds like you're operating the tractor correctly

 

[son of man]

so if I understand correctly, I should only depress both brakes to slow down but not completely stop? if I want to come to a complete stop, I should depress the clutch? however, I may need to also depress both brakes to stop any momentum?

 

[McREBEL]

so if I understand correctly, I should only depress both brakes to slow down but not completely stop? if I want to come to a complete stop, I should depress the clutch?

If it were me I would throttle down if I only wanted to slow down.

If I wanted to stop, then press the clutch and then use both brakes if needed.

 

[McREBEL]

Do you have an operator's manual? If not, I would highly recommend getting one if you can. It should cover all the questions you have asked and more.

 

[son of man]

Do you not use neutral (on level ground) ?

I don't have neutral on my tractor.