Snow Brake steering on Snow

[Jibber]

OK. I hate to ask dumb questions. But, here goes.

I have an L3130 with a loader and BH-90 backhoe. I store it in the garage so I leave the Backhoe on it thru the winter. Most of the time when I have heavy snow I use a blower. But, when it's just 4 to 8 inches I'll lower the bucket and cut myself a path to the main road.

My drive is a moderate downslope. Coming up the drive I have a problem when pushing snow in that the front tires like to come off the ground, or at least lose enough grip to steer. I could take off the backhoe and probably get more grip.. but that's more of a hassle than I want to get into for just pushing a little snow.

I've had people on this forum suggest using the brakes to steer, in other words.. hit the left brake to turn left.. right to go right. Well, that would seem to work great.. but.. I have an HST. I can't figure out a way to keep power on while braking with the same foot. The HST pedal appears to be big enough that you could get a heel on it while hitting the brake with your toe.. but it doesn't work out that way.

sooooo.. how do you do that?

I'm sure there is a simple answer to this dilema.. possibly using the "cruise control" hand lever??

 

[texbaylea]

jibber

The only way to do it is to use the cruise control unless you can figure out a way to apply the brake with your heel on the forward end of the treadle.

Cruise control is the most practical, forward only however.

Vernon

 

[roccon31]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I can't figure out a way to keep power on while braking with the same foot. The HST pedal appears to be big enough that you could get a heel on it while hitting the brake with your toe.. but it doesn't work out that way.
)</font>

that right there is the SOLE reason i paid extra for my green tractor. for loader and backhoe use, that pedal setup is useless. my 4115 has brakes on the left and go pedal on the right. i use my brakes to steer for alot of things. once you get used to it, you will be lost without it. i havent found a way to do it on my aunts bx22 either.

 

[Pks]

I use my hand on the brake pedal or I use cruise control which frees up my right foot. I prefer using my hand.

 

[Bob_K]

I'm not sure if I missed somehing here, When you are pushing back up the hill and you lose traction on the front wheels. You want to use the brakes to steer. And yes it can be done, But what I didnt see in your post is useing the FEL in the float postion. This is what I use and seems to work OK for me. And I have turf tire on mine.
Sorry if I missed something in your post...

 

[Freds]

I run into this once in a while, too. On flat ground even. I blame it on the 4WD, just like turning a 4WD vehicle when there's a little snow on the road. Sometimes the tires just want to float along and not turn you and yes, the FEL is in the float position.

I haven't tried brake steering in the snow, but I have when brush hogging. I just keep the left hand on the cruise lever like already mentioned. I've found myself using the cruise lever more and more because I don't really like the HST pedal on the L3130. It's too sensitive if you ask me and I have yet to find a spot to keep my foot where a bump won't affect the pressure I'm applying to the pedal. I didn't seem to have that problem with my old B7500.

JD definitely has a one up on bota here with their brake pedals.

 

[beenthere]

I asked that question of a sales rep at a big tractor show (how to 'brake' steer) when I saw the brakes were on the same side as the forward pedal. He simply said "most people don't know what the individual brakes are used for anyway, so it isn't important".
I would try the 'float' recommendation along with the curl function to get the bucket to stay engaged in the snow while floating.

 

[lmiller]

Jibber

It's a pain but I have put my left foot on the hst pedal and used my right for braking. Seems to me I saw Henro post that he does this too.

I'm not sure but I think that on my B7800 the "cruise control" releases when I hit the brake.

Lou

 

[dicker]

Hi

I use my FEL for removing snow.
I find that the trick to using the FEL is adjusting the bucket. I rarely use float going forwards. I find that float works better for me going backwards when grading in the summer.
When the tractor starts to loose steering, you have to adjust the bucket accordingly. I find that when using the FEL for snow removal, you have to be constantly adjusting the bucket. I have never used brake steering under these circumstances because I never had the need to.
Good luck

Richard

 

[khd]

Unable to use brake steer on my 7610 is the biggest problem I have with my Kub. I miss it from my old JD 755. If someone figures it out beyound using the cruise please let me know.

Kevin