How do you steer these machines?

[DT86]

Tractor mechanic told me that the dual brakes on a Ag tractor are for keeping the tractor following the rows whether straight or curved. Tractors tend not to turn with heavy ground engaging equipment like planters and cultivators. Thus, 'guiding' the tractor using the brake pedal to follow the row. He also stated that locking the brake to twist the tractor around eventually will damage the brake, or worse yet, break a axle. Proper way is to stop, raise equipment and turn even if you have to backup.

I bought a JD 950 years ago that the left brake was completly worn out from the old farmer 'spinning' the tractor at the end of the garden row. Everything was worn or broken on the left side and the right side had minimum wear. The tractor was only 4 years old and he planted about a acre garden.

Just my :2cents: worth

There is a world of difference in a 950 and a Ag tractor.

 

[kneedeep]

There is a world of difference in a 950 and a Ag tractor.

He was talking about AG tractors- would the principle apply for any dual brake tractor

 

[Rock knocker]

I bought a JD 950 years ago that the left brake was completly worn out from the old farmer 'spinning' the tractor at the end of the garden row. Everything was worn or broken on the left side and the right side had minimum wear. The tractor was only 4 years old and he planted about a acre garden

I have a 950, and not to say that the previous owner of your tractor didn't cause premature wear to the left side of the machine, but those brake drums collect dust and dirt, and you can wear out the brakes just driving.

 

[DT86]

He was talking about AG tractors- would the principle apply for any dual brake tractor

I was saying the AG tractors are built to handle it. Show me a farmer that will stop and backup to turn instead of using the brakes.

 

[D7E]

Tractor mechanic told me that the dual brakes on a Ag tractor are for keeping the tractor following the rows whether straight or curved. Tractors tend not to turn with heavy ground engaging equipment like planters and cultivators. Thus, 'guiding' the tractor using the brake pedal to follow the row. He also stated that locking the brake to twist the tractor around eventually will damage the brake, or worse yet, break a axle. Proper way is to stop, raise equipment and turn even if you have to backup.

I bought a JD 950 years ago that the left brake was completly worn out from the old farmer 'spinning' the tractor at the end of the garden row. Everything was worn or broken on the left side and the right side had minimum wear. The tractor was only 4 years old and he planted about a acre garden.

Just my :2cents: worth

If you need to use breaks in the row you need a bigger tractor . Turning on the end with a 2wd is fine if the implement is raised .

 

[D7E]

I was saying the AG tractors are built to handle it. Show me a farmer that will stop and backup to turn instead of using the brakes.

With modern fwa on narrow mounted machines nearly all will stop and back up if headland is small .

 

[KennyG]

Tractor mechanic told me that the dual brakes on a Ag tractor are for keeping the tractor following the rows whether straight or curved. Tractors tend not to turn with heavy ground engaging equipment like planters and cultivators. Thus, 'guiding' the tractor using the brake pedal to follow the row. He also stated that locking the brake to twist the tractor around eventually will damage the brake, or worse yet, break a axle. Proper way is to stop, raise equipment and turn even if you have to backup.

Maybe things have changed but when I was growing up, we used full turning brakes every time we turned in the field. My brother still has some of those tractors (about 60 years old) and we never broke an axle or had unusual brake wear. We would raise the equipment if it was convenient but we'd still pivot on the brake. Backup? That would be embarrassing.

 

[pat32rf]

Isn't that why they are called steering brakes???