DIfferential braking

[thcri]

Bird,

Your absolutely right!!! There is a switch on my left brake. I just turned the key on, flipped the cruise on, light came on and then hit the left brake, off went the light. Did the same thing on the right side and the cruise light stayed on.

So if you plan on doing things to the right or plan it that way you should be ok. But gee why could not one pull the switch. Yes it is a safety feature but what makes going to the right safe but not to the left??? I take no responsibility for anyone disconnecting their cruise brake switch. Actually I disagree with the brake even turning the cruise off on high speeds. Them hydros slow down pretty quick on their own and them steering wheels don't taste too good.

murph

 

[Anonymous Poster]

murph,

It's kinda like having your right turn signal stuck in the 'on' position. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Plan your work, then work your plan, shouldn't be a problem.

 

[jinman]

Mike, I think if you've never had a tractor with differential braking or had to use it, you will probably never miss it. I learned to drive a tractor on a '51 Ferguson TO-20 and it had a single brake pedal in addition to brake pedal on both the right and left side that worked the associated wheel's brake. When plowing and at the end of the row, we'd stand on that right or left brake and turn the tractor on a dime. My second tractor was/is a Ford Jubilee and it has two brake pedals on the right side that can be used independently or as one by stepping on both at the same time. When I went to buy a Boomer, I was so used to differential braking that I was thrilled to find the Class III Boomers had a brake pedal and hydro pedal setup I was instantly comfortable with. Again, if you've never had it, you probably won't miss it and should not let that bother you about the Class II Boomers. ...just my opinion.

 

[beenthere]

You could solve the brake problem with a Deere. They had a bit more foresight, or something, to put the left/right brakes on the left side. I have had no trouble adapting to that side and could not operate a tractor without the use of individual rear brakes. If you don't use them, that is fine by me too. Your conditions of usage are more limited than mine.

Using the differential lock helps avoid some of the need for using individual rear brakes.

When plowing snow with a front blade, the blade may try to crowd the front end (also when using the FEL) at which time the use of the brake to help keep the tractor going in the direction you want it to go will come in mighty handy. While operating on slopes, where the high side is a bit lighter and traction is lost, braking the high side wheel lightly to give more traction to the lower side gives control back to the operator. You don't want to have to put the cruise on to do this.

 

[thcri]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Using the differential lock helps avoid some of the need for using individual rear brakes. )</font>

When I use my differential lock my tractor goes straight forward /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

murph

 

[beenthere]

And I didn't mean it was for turning. Without differential lock, the individual brakes can help hold a single spinning wheel from spinning and causing power to the non-spinning wheel, negating the action of the differential. A balance is needed so both wheels give as much traction as possible. I find my differential lock is useful and do not use the individual brakes in its place. However, without diff. lock, individual brake usage would be "necessary" when traction is "different" on one side of the tractor than the other. Hope you get the picture now. Sorry for causing confusion. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[thcri]

Beenthere,

I just had to take a shot at ya. We were all talking about turning with the brakes and then you put that in there. Yes your right with the differential loc on hill sides. My 29d with sensi-trac I never really have to worry about that stuff. It pretty much holds its own. As far as turing with the brakes, I use to do that a lot on larger tractors with large tool bars on the 3 point but never with these little 4 wheel drives

murph

 

[Kent]

Split brakes and (front) snow blowing

I never thought I would unlink the two pedals (and would never do it on dry pavement), but I liked having the option just in case. (one reason I went for the TC40D was the brakes on left, hydro on right and NO treadle).

I have since learned that with the snowblower out front that once the front tires hit ice or dig deep in the "snow shoulder" that steering via the steering wheel is impossible/useless. So I am constantly steering the rig using the left or right brake. The brakes are a bit noisy/scraping sound, but do the job quite well!

 

[tc35dforme]

Re: Split brakes and (front) snow blowing

Kent,

That's 'sactly what I was thinking. The only time I unlock mine is when I need to negotiate some slippery surface without the needed traction up front. Used them quite a bit this winter !!

 

[jinman]

Re: Split brakes and (front) snow blowing

Kent, if you backdrag with your FEL bucket, you'll also find a use for differential braking. If your front wheels lift off the ground, you can steer the tractor quite easily with the rear brakes. That's where I use mine most often. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif