Snow Brake steering on Snow
- Thread starter Jibber
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Henro
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<font color="blue"> 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.</font>
Yep...necessity is the mother of invention... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
Last year I visited Bud, a member here who lives very close to me. He had a neat idea that he installed on his B2400 Kubota. It was a piece of steel bar (forget what size but not that large in cross section) that he welded on the front of his HST pedal, and which went about 18" across the deck. On the end of that rod he had welded on a pedal, and this gave him control of the HST in the forward direction with his left foot, and left his right foot available for brake steering.
The reason he needed to do this is he uses a bagger on his tractor, and the weight of the bagger on the back made normal steering on his slope difficult when grass cutting. I think the hardest time was when turning from cross slope to up slope...
It looked like a really neat improvement and is perhaps something I will copy in the future.
Yep...necessity is the mother of invention... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
Last year I visited Bud, a member here who lives very close to me. He had a neat idea that he installed on his B2400 Kubota. It was a piece of steel bar (forget what size but not that large in cross section) that he welded on the front of his HST pedal, and which went about 18" across the deck. On the end of that rod he had welded on a pedal, and this gave him control of the HST in the forward direction with his left foot, and left his right foot available for brake steering.
The reason he needed to do this is he uses a bagger on his tractor, and the weight of the bagger on the back made normal steering on his slope difficult when grass cutting. I think the hardest time was when turning from cross slope to up slope...
It looked like a really neat improvement and is perhaps something I will copy in the future.
higgy
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- Kuota L3130, Ford 9-n, Allis AC, and a JD 4020 with powershift
doesnt that only happen when both of the breaks are pushed at the same time or are locked together?
I use the cruse and brakes at the same time.
I use the cruse and brakes at the same time.
OP
Jibber
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Sorry to be just getting back to this.. I get the short straw on computer time with the kids and wife hogging the machine these days..
Yes, I use float on the bucket.. although when the front tires ride up I've found that raising the bucket a tad to take the weight off helps steering. I do put it in 4wd in snow.. figured that would help.. but you may be right that 2wd will help the steering since there's little grip on the snow anyway. I'll try that.
I'm glad that I am NOT crazy.. and this appears to be something Kubota and probably others have not anticipated in the design. I'll try using the cruise lever.. although I'm sure with the auto release on braking.. that will mean keeping one hand on the lever.. one on the wheel.. hey.. I'll have to float the bucket because I've run out of hands for the loader!
I guess I should just take the BH off! That might give the front end more weight and solve the problem.
Yes, I use float on the bucket.. although when the front tires ride up I've found that raising the bucket a tad to take the weight off helps steering. I do put it in 4wd in snow.. figured that would help.. but you may be right that 2wd will help the steering since there's little grip on the snow anyway. I'll try that.
I'm glad that I am NOT crazy.. and this appears to be something Kubota and probably others have not anticipated in the design. I'll try using the cruise lever.. although I'm sure with the auto release on braking.. that will mean keeping one hand on the lever.. one on the wheel.. hey.. I'll have to float the bucket because I've run out of hands for the loader!
I guess I should just take the BH off! That might give the front end more weight and solve the problem.
RobertN
Super Member
Here is my take on it, after trying to use the steering brakes on my B8200HST. They work fine on my Farmall A, and on the Ford 8N I have driven.
I think Power Steering and 4WD have changed how steering brakes would be used and needed. Most more "modern" tractors have power steering. Some don't; my B8200 is a late 80's B2710 forerunner and PS was optional. Anyways, most have power steering, and tighter steering than the older 2WD tractors. Even without steering brakes, my B8200 turns pretty dang tight; much tighter than my wide front Farmall of very similar size, and better than my Dad's old Ford 2N.
With 4WD, it throws a kink in things too. Steering brakes are effective in 2WD. But, in 4WD, you have a front tire that is tryin to drive. If you use the steering brake, you are kind of dragging the front around a bit; it does not work so well with that extra tire trying to get traction up there. I also think it is harder on the 4WD drivetrain if you try to use the steering brake.
I have tried on my B8200HST to make it work. Yes, it is hard to heel and toe the HST and the brake. I do not like the idea of the cruise control; if I am manuevering, I usually want to vary ground speed too.
Also, I have done it heel and toe, while trying 2WD vs 4WD. In my "test", it didn't work very well in 4wd... Spun her on a dime in 2wd, much like my Farmall, and the 8N I have driven.
I think the best answer is to let the power steering do the work.
I think Power Steering and 4WD have changed how steering brakes would be used and needed. Most more "modern" tractors have power steering. Some don't; my B8200 is a late 80's B2710 forerunner and PS was optional. Anyways, most have power steering, and tighter steering than the older 2WD tractors. Even without steering brakes, my B8200 turns pretty dang tight; much tighter than my wide front Farmall of very similar size, and better than my Dad's old Ford 2N.
With 4WD, it throws a kink in things too. Steering brakes are effective in 2WD. But, in 4WD, you have a front tire that is tryin to drive. If you use the steering brake, you are kind of dragging the front around a bit; it does not work so well with that extra tire trying to get traction up there. I also think it is harder on the 4WD drivetrain if you try to use the steering brake.
I have tried on my B8200HST to make it work. Yes, it is hard to heel and toe the HST and the brake. I do not like the idea of the cruise control; if I am manuevering, I usually want to vary ground speed too.
Also, I have done it heel and toe, while trying 2WD vs 4WD. In my "test", it didn't work very well in 4wd... Spun her on a dime in 2wd, much like my Farmall, and the 8N I have driven.
I think the best answer is to let the power steering do the work.
_RaT_
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I agree Robert. I never need differential braking. I know some folks will lift their entire tractor front end off the ground. I find that is a practice a more inexperienced operator will use. As was mentioned, you can easily use differential braking on a Kubota in forward with the hand lever (cruise control).
_RaT_
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Make sure your not putting your whole foot on the pedal, if you are, this would explain your problem with sensitivity. Get your heel on the floor board when going forward. I find it remarkedly easy and precise to control my speed with the single pedal, especially on rough terrain.
CTyler
Veteran Member
I notice a big difference using differential braking in 4WD. I use it mostly when moving snow cause I start getting sucked off the edge of the drive.
_RaT_
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I have zero experience using one in snow since we do don't get it. I should be sure to clarify my comments especially since this is a question asking about brake steering in snow. I've mentioned it before that if you really need differential braking and want HST, the Kubota is probably not for you. Do you guys ever consider putting chains on the front tires?
CTyler
Veteran Member
Jibber, do you need the BH in the Winter? I'd put a rear blade back there and not float the FEL.
When we get heavy snow, 16" in the last one. I hold the bucket up aprox a foot or so and drop the rear blade. Depending on drifts etc.. the rear blade may get held up some on the first pass as well.
When we get heavy snow, 16" in the last one. I hold the bucket up aprox a foot or so and drop the rear blade. Depending on drifts etc.. the rear blade may get held up some on the first pass as well.