Accidentally drove 7710 with parking brake engaged

Dr_Zinj · Oct 17, 2013

I occasionally catch myself driving with the parking brake engaged on my Bobcat CT230. Of course the parking brake is the regular brakes only with the catch lever engaged. In low range with the tach running 2K and you'll barely notice until you smell them cooking. Middle range and you'll notice quickly. High range and it will stall the engine out before you go anywhere. If flames are coming from the wheels, then you overheated your brakes. If you can set the parking brake and leave the tractor on a slope in neutral and it stays there, you're okay. The best I can say is double check every time you go to use the forward or reverse pedal. It's better to set the parking brake and forget you left it on, than to hop off the tractor without it.

kco · Oct 17, 2013

As others said, likely no harm done. I have done it several times on my DK35 HST. I find the HST is easier to make the mistake compared to my previous gear tractor. I notice I tend to make the mistake when returning to the tractor after preparing to do work that requires a lot of concentration (such as hauling a log out of a tricky location).

One habit I have more or less developed is I lightly tap the brake to check it once I am under way.

I find the park brake warning easy to miss in bright conditions. I would like to set up an audible warning (like a backup alarm) to warn if I move the tractor with the parking brake engaged. It should be possible to rig a circuit using the existing park brake warning switch and adding another switch to detect when the HST pedals are off the centre position, or simply when the forward pedal is pressed (as you are not likely to go too far with the tractor in reverse).

One thing....it was nice of your friend to admit that he made the mistake, and nice of you to loan him the tractor.

oosik · Oct 18, 2013

Been there, done that AND it will certainly happen yet again.

Dead Horse · Dec 4, 2013

A lot if not most tractors have the brakes bathed in oil. They last indefinitely, even with the occasional ooopsie... If applying the brake stops the tractor, you are good.