4300 brakes

[Bob_Trevithick]

I'm wondering how good the parking brake system is on the 4300?

I did a search, but the closest I found wasn't reassuring.. somebody said they towed a huge log, and by mistake did it with the parking brake on. I forget what brand they had.. it wasn't Deere.

Makes me wonder! Can I count on the parking break to keep the thing from moving if there is a mild slope? For that matter, how powerful are the brakes when riding the tractor? Can you stall the tractor right out, or are they a bit weak?

I haven't the heart to try this on my un-broken-in machine, but maybe someone else has had occassion to find out?

And yes, I know all of this hinges on proper brake adjustment, etc. Just looking for a general feel for it.

Thanks...

 

[RoyJackson]

My 670 parking brakes aren't so hot.
Whenever I've got to park and idle, I put the FEL down (bucket angled slightly downward) as well as the backblade.
I've a set of chocks I use as required. These are just two (2) 4" x 4" x ~8" wood blocks with a 3' length of rope attached to both. I've not yet found a permanent place to mount them (for carrying until used) on the tractor. Right now, I pretty much leave them in the FEL bucket until I need them.
I'm sure your 4300 has better brakes (at least until you forget to take the parking brake off when you're driving). Although my '90 tractor has never drifted on me (yet!!), I just think chocks are a good and cheap precaution.

 

[Bird]

Bob, both my Kubotas have had very good brakes and I suspect your Deere does, too. However, the engine has enough power that you certainly can take off with the park brake set. I think we've nearly all done it. But after the first time or two, you'll probably immediately recognize the difference in the sound of the HST when you first step on the pedal with the park brake set. Of course, most of us (well . . ., me anyway) have done it by accident, but it's probably not a bad idea to set the park brake, ease down on the pedal, and see what it sounds like, then release the brake and do it again. You'll hear the difference.

 

[Bob_Trevithick]

Thanks, Folks. I guess in any event, try to work on level land, and don't ever trust any one safety mechanism entirely. I may not have a problem with forgetting to release the brakes, as there is a bright red light on the dash when they're engaged. Although on a sunny day it probably could (and will) happen.

The chocks idea sounds good. I do most of my implement changing in the garage, so having a set handy sounds good. I agree it might be hard to do in the field, but lowering the front blade with some down-pressure might help too.

Thanks again for the replies!

 

[blurrybill]

Keep it up, Bob! I continue to follow you all over TBN. This is another question I would have/will ask when I finally get my 4300/4310.

 

[beenthere]

Try them out! Put the parking brake on, and try to move forward or back. You will know how it works then. The parking brake on my 4300 works very well, and on a steep slope too. Of course, it depends on the traction you get with the rear wheels. Also, watch that you don't have a bucket full, set the brake, forget to lower the bucket to the ground, and lose 200# of 'rear' weight when you step off the tractor. The rear traction factor changes a bit. Your 4300 has great brakes. Get used to them so you know what they will do and will not do. The fact that your tractor is new, doesn't mean it 'has to be broken in' before you use it to its fullest extent. Also, in an emergency, there usually isn't time to be thinking about things, just reaction time to do the right thing. Brakes are an emergency item, IMHO.

 

[jfakerj]

Bob_Trevithick

I'm wondering how good the parking brake system is on the 4300?

The brakes on my 4300 are ok. the turning brakes are great and take very little foot pressure to activate. The main brake on the other hand takes quite a lot of foot pressure but seems to work ok. The parking brake is easier and better applied if I push on the main brake first. It seems like I have to pull on the handle pretty hard if I don't. It holds well though. I try not to park on a down slope if I can help it. I'll usually park side ways if I can. I've seen too many things happen---break---stop functioning or what ever to completly trust the brakes. Also, if you use the bucket as the brake be aware that fels do bleed down over time and if you leave the bucket with with it angled into the ground, after a few hours it could bleed flat reducing your holding power.

 

[MossRoad]

A friend of mine's brother-in-law set the parking break on his tractor, left the loader up, got off the unit and was working on a dirt embankment by hand. The parking break failed and it rolled down the slope. He turned around just in time to see it pinch him in the mid section between the embankement and the loader bucket. He managed to yell for help. Someone pulled the unit off of him and the fire department arrived and put him into a helicopter. He passed away in flight. Left a wife and 4 kids behind. A reminder to all of us to follow common safety practices. I never get off of my tractor unless the implements are stopped and lowered to the ground and the parking break is set. Sometimes you have to leave the engine runing, ie.. log splitting, cold weather warm up. Just always keep in mind what could happen. Wheel chocks are an excellent idea.

 

[Thomas]

Least on B7100HST its a sounds you won't for get.
I too have forgot to release the parking more than once./w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif
Like Bird said the tractor will over come the brake..I believe most do except the big boys.

 

[Bob_Trevithick]

<font color=blue>...The brakes on my 4300 are ok. the turning brakes are great and take very little foot pressure to activate. The main brake on the other hand takes quite a lot of foot pressure but seems to work ok. The parking brake is easier and better applied if I push on the main brake first. It seems like I have to pull on the handle pretty hard if I don't. It holds well though.</font color=blue>

Hi Jerry,

At first your post really confused me, but then it dawned on me that probably you have an HST and I have a SyncReverser. But either way, I wonder about the part where you talk about applying the parking brake without first pushing down the brake pedal. On mine, the brake pedals have to be down, and then you pull a small knob out to hold them down. It was the same with my little GT235. Does your manual mention anything about this?

Thanks for the feedback...

Bob

We must have very different systems, I think.