HST pedal technique

[Boondox]

I've heard many new tractor shoppers complaining about the awkwardness of the Kubota HST pedal. In private emails they refer to the heel/toe pedal. I've never used it that way. The way I do it, to go forward I press down on the front of the pedal and to go backwards I pull up on the front of the pedal. The only time I use my heel is when backing up long distances. It seems the angle of the pedal is only perfect under those conditions, since my butt pivots in the seat and my left foot lines up just right with the heel part of the pedal.

How do others use the Kubota version of the HST pedal?

Pete

 

[Bird]

Pete, no reason your method wouldn't work just fine, but I guess I just got in the habit of using the heel and toe method to start with and always stayed with it.

 

[Will_C]

Pete;
I have also always used the heel-toe method. It seems to have a built safety feature, that is you have to consciously lift your foot and move it back to reverse. I think you rmethod is worth trying, it would also require a seperate movement to reverse the tractor.
Will

 

[Boondox]

Maybe it just takes practice, but I've always had more control of my toes than my heel. The heel is on or off, while my toes allow fine adjustments. The way I do it is to keep my heel planted on the deck and use just the toes. Down to go forward, or pivot the heel and lift up with the toes to go back. When I do it like Bird it's all herky-jerky. Maybe that's why I can't dance /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif

Pete

 

[Frosty]

Sounds like the shift lever on a motorcycle. Toe under and lift to upshift, toe above and push down to downshift. I had a Honda trail bike with a dual heel-toe lever but never could get used to the heel part.

I saw a Kubota (2910?) with an elongated single foot control that looks like would work pretty slick instead of the heel-toe two pedal style. Anyone tried one of them? /w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif

 

[Hawkflyer]

Well I have large feet (before I get comments, I am also 6'3" so they are proportional /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif), and I use the heel/toe method. In fact my foot rests on both ends of the control and all I have to do to change directions is tip my foot the other way. Now if I am backing up a significant distance I will sometimes slide my foot back all the way and just press on the heel part of the pedal.

 

[Bird]

I can't dance, either, Pete./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif When I used my toe on the forward pedal, I kept my heel on the deck, and when I used my heel on the reverse pedal, I kept my toe on the deck. I'm afraid I'd be rather jerky, too, if I picked up my whole foot and put it on the pedal.