Forwards and Backwards

[gbw]

Still pretty new at all of this. Had a Ford Jubilee for years, finally sold it for an '06 JD 4320 (175 hrs) eHydro w/400x, which I really like - man, what power, comfort, and ease of use!

Anyhow. I have a question and I hope you more experienced guys can help.

For whatever reason the forward / reverse pedals seem backwards to me. I tend to want to use the outside pedal for forward sometimes. Although I haven't done it yet, I probably will hit the reverse pedal while in cruise or when the tractor is otherwise moving.

I'm sure this isn't the best thing to do, but is it harmful to the drivetrain to hit one pedal while moving in the opposite direction with HST?

(Sorry! this goes in owning/operating)

 

[Dutch445]

Congrats on the new tractor!

The forward / reverse system follows along
with what JD has done since the early 90's when
they came out with 2 pedals on their lawn tractors,
and eventually into the 55 series hydro tractors.
It's been the same, forward on the left, then on the
right side is reverse. You will get the hang of it,
just a matter of getting some seat time to get
used to it. Before you know it, it will be 2nd nature!
If you are concerned about hitting the wrong pedal,
hold off on using cruise control until you are more comfortable
with the setup. I can't say what may happen if you have
cruise on, and you push down on the reverse pedal. With
the electronics you may find the tractor might return to
neutral, until both pedals are released, and you can restart.


enjoy the new tractor!

 

[kennyd]

As Dutch said...you will get used to it very quickly. You just need more seat time that's all. Congrats on your new machine.

 

[LBrown59]

I thought the petals were front to back of each other bad enough.
But Side to side is even worse.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

The forward / reverse system follows along
with what JD has done since the early 90's when
they came out with 2 pedals on their lawn tractors,
and eventually into the 55 series hydro tractors.
It's been the same, forward on the left, then on the
right side is reverse.

Earlier then the 90's....I'd say mid-80's... My 1988 F935 has the same pedal setup as my 2008 3520..
I want to say the 855's and such were released in 1985ish...So its been a while..

 

[WH401]

I thought the petals were front to back of each other bad enough.
But Side to side is even worse.

Beats a "treddle" any day.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Beats a "treddle" any day.

You got it...
Seriously, even MORE then the Crappy Orange dealer, what killed the Kubota for me was I just couldnt get over the "Treddle" B.S...... Talk about an uncomfortable monstrosity.... Seriously, I think it would be easier and more comfortable to drive one with a Hand Clutch..

Another benefit IMO to the twin pedals....when I snowblow in reverse (or any reverse tasks) I twist a little to the right...puts the reverse pedal at a nice location for extended use... When going foward...its a simple twist of the foot....my heel never leaves the rubber on the floor.

 

[JD755]

The first 55 series tractors were released for the 1986 model year. The dual pedals become very easy to use very quickly. Much better than the treadle. I agree with the comment about the reverse pedal being positioned well for operating while turned around operating three point implements in reverse.

 

[dfkrug]

...but is it harmful to the drivetrain to hit one pedal while moving in the opposite direction with HST?

No, it won't harm the drivetrain, but if you do it a lot, you will heat the
hyd fluid up fast as your 6000+ psi HST relief valves get constantly actuated.
And your tractor may screech at you.

As for the cruise control, I don't know what the 4x20 uses, but it should
resist foot pressure on the pedals until it is turned off. The x55s used a
mechanical clamp for the cruise control and the 4x00/4x10s used an
electro-magnet to lock the forward go pedal. A "smart" CC system, which
the 4x20s may have, would disengage as soon as you hit the go pedal.

I have had both the rocker pedal and 2-pedal HST tractors at the same
time. That was tough because switching from one machine to the other
was not natural. The only 2 (minor) advantages I see of the treadle over
the 2-pedal system is that the treadle can be used standing up and it is
easier to find the right foot position without looking. It is easier to hit the
wrong pedal in the 2 pedal system.

 

[JD755]

People should buy and use whatever pedal system they like and are most comfortable with. John Deere has promoted their two pedal system for more than twenty years and I like their claimed advantages. So I was surprised when they introduced Auto-HST with just one pedal as an option on the 3000 Twenty series. It requires moving a hand-operated lever to change the pedal from forward to reverse operation. It is hard for me to understand the advantage to that instead of just rotating my foot over from one pedal to the other. They advertise it makes it operate like a car for the new-to-tractors buyer. Maybe they are concerned about the new operator hitting the wrong pedal.