HST pedals: rocker or separate?

[rScotty]

I have a Kubota 3400 with the treadle pedal and for the most part love it. But as always there is a but. We own a marina and use this tractor extensively for moving boats around our facility. When using the tractor a lot like eight to ten hours a day in spring when the boats are going out and now in the fall when the boats are coming back,,,,,,,, the positioning of my foot on the pedal when backing really stresses the right knee thus causing great pain and swelling during the busy season. You may never use your unit as long at one time as I do but you mention arthritis so you might want to try before you buy to make sure it doesn't bother the old joints

I agree. The separate controls like JD has are a lot easier on my old joints than the Kubota treadle rocker is. When I was younger it wouldn't have made a difference, but reaching out sideways to work the Kubota rocker makes my knee and hip hurt. Thinking about it though..... It isn't the rocker so much as the weird position that Kubota's rocker position forces the operator into because the brakes take up the space where the rocker ought to be. Seems odd that Kubota doesn't offer a change-over kit for putting the brakes on the proper side to use them as wheel brakes just as all other tractors do.

But then Kubota doesn't spend much energy on fitting western ergonomics. On my M59 the seat swivels around to use the backhoe.....but there is a large handbrake on a heavy bracket that is welded to the floor boards right where your feet have to go to swivel around. It would have been simple to mount the handbrake on the other side of the seat, but as is, you can swivel the seat, and swivel your torso just fine. But actually turning around requires double-jointed ankles and feet. Hmm.....you know something? That's similar in a way to the ergonomic mistake they made positioning the HST treadle rocker. I wonder if the two mistakes are connected? And if either one is connected with the fact that the seat is a little low?
rScotty

 

[JerryK]

Someday, Orange will come to it's senses ... then their followers will 'love' the NEW two pedal design....with the two NEW left sided steering brake pedals where they belong [like on the JD/Mahindra/NH-Case/etc,] ... [ Heh, it's a slow day ]

 

[TripleR]

Seems odd that Kubota doesn't offer a change-over kit for putting the brakes on the proper side to use them as wheel brakes just as all other tractors do.
rScotty

They can't as they would have to ditch the stupid clutch (my opinion only) which they seem unwilling to do.

Someday, Orange will come to it's senses ... then their followers will 'love' the NEW two pedal design....with the two NEW left sided steering brake pedals where they belong [like on the JD/Mahindra/NH-Case/etc,] ... [ Heh, it's a slow day ]

Not me, we have both JD and Kubota and I HATE left foot brakes. I will just buy the last year model with right foot brakes.

 

[JerryK]

......AND..... why does Orange put TWO brake pedals on the right side of their HST tractors. Do you have to be in 'cruise mode' whilst you stomp down on one of the brakes to turn tightly....???? After all, that is mainly why tractors have two brakes. To assist keeping the rows straight while plowing and tight turns at the end of the rows. I can also do some fancy turns in the snow with my JD/rear snowblower in the winter...dragging the front tires around. [ still a slow day.... ]

 

[von-mil]

On my two-right-side brake model, I have found that it's possible to hit the left or right brake pedal and the HST at the same time by simply pressing on the HST with your heel instead of your toes and then use your toes to press the brake pedal.

 

[JerryK]

On my two-right-side brake model, I have found that it's possible to hit the left or right brake pedal and the HST at the same time by simply pressing on the HST with your heel instead of your toes and then use your toes to press the brake pedal.

I have done the same. Driven both treddle and dual pedal HST designs. Both are great..!! Just feels good to be a thick skinned Mahindra owner and stir up the thin skinned Orange guys once and awhile. Have to let the know that their exhaust smells just like any other diesel.... Have a great day...!!!!

 

[kiotiken]

......AND..... why does Orange put TWO brake pedals on the right side of their HST tractors. Do you have to be in 'cruise mode' whilst you stomp down on one of the brakes to turn tightly....???? After all, that is mainly why tractors have two brakes. To assist keeping the rows straight while plowing and tight turns at the end of the rows. I can also do some fancy turns in the snow with my JD/rear snowblower in the winter...dragging the front tires around. [ still a slow day.... ]

The "Other Orange" tractor guys take this stupidity one step further IMO. The two pedals are on the right side, but they pinned them together. Not sure what happens if you un pin them, I've always meant to try it out, but haven't bothered yet because I still only seem to have one right leg.

Last winter, before I had my Kioti, I used a JD to plow my rink. The two pedal set up on the left was perfect, I could turn the tractor on itself, as well as do the odd doughnut!

 

[TripleR]

I have yet to figure out why non Kubota owners are so bothered by the fact that Kubota owners like the way their tractors work. I would never even think of describing someone else's preference as "stupid"; certainly wouldn't take the time to go onto their brand forum and do it.

 

[chelydra]

I have yet to figure out why non Kubota owners are so bothered by the fact that Kubota owners like the way their tractors work. I would never even think of describing someone else's preference as "stupid"; certainly wouldn't take the time to go onto their brand forum and do it.

Combination of tribal loyalty and unbridled enthusiasm about their preferences? Heck, we all do it sometimes. But politeness is appreciated.

Personally, I think it's great that there are so many choices. I learned a long time ago that when there is just one combination of attributes available on a complex system, many or most of them will not be to my taste. Economics and marketing dictate that without customizability (pretty hard on a machine as integrated as a modern tractor), everything has to be built to the lowest common denominator. So in the US, it's almost impossible to rent a car w/o auto transmission, a power tool without every possible safety inconvenience - a chainsaw without a low-kickback loop or an extension cord with fewer than four or five UL-type tags and warnings.

I do think that these complaints may be a useful source of feedback to manufacturers, who can adopt or adapt each others' best practices while developing their own innovations. But once I found that alternating driving sides when traveling abroad was easy, and heard that pilots have no trouble switching between US/UK and French/Russian tail-rotor pedal directions, I decided that people are adaptable enough to work with anything. And when physical limitations make one system difficult, we can usually find another.

It reminds me of how much I disliked strawberry ice cream as a child. Then one day I realized that if chocolate and vanilla had never been invented, and "ice cream" meant "strawberry ice cream," I'd like the stuff just fine.

My assumption is that any group of engineers smart enough to build a construction machine will have worked hard to develop, test and refine each part of it, based on prior best practices. There is always more than one solution, and any given choice will seem awkward at first, and perhaps also later when compared with other solutions. Thank goodness for competition and the variety it brings. And - I'd still like the HST rocker pedal of a Kioti with the attachment convenience of a JD and the price of an LS. Oh, and I'd prefer it in burgundy or teal, with all fluid fills and drains easily accessible from the top or side.

-chelydra

 

[TripleR]

Combination of tribal loyalty and unbridled enthusiasm about their preferences? Heck, we all do it sometimes. But politeness is appreciated.

Personally, I think it's great that there are so many choices. I learned a long time ago that when there is just one combination of attributes available on a complex system, many or most of them will not be to my taste. Economics and marketing dictate that without customizability (pretty hard on a machine as integrated as a modern tractor), everything has to be built to the lowest common denominator. So in the US, it's almost impossible to rent a car w/o auto transmission, a power tool without every possible safety inconvenience - a chainsaw without a low-kickback loop or an extension cord with fewer than four or five UL-type tags and warnings.

I do think that these complaints may be a useful source of feedback to manufacturers, who can adopt or adapt each others' best practices while developing their own innovations. But once I found that alternating driving sides when traveling abroad was easy, and heard that pilots have no trouble switching between US/UK and French/Russian tail-rotor pedal directions, I decided that people are adaptable enough to work with anything. And when physical limitations make one system difficult, we can usually find another.

It reminds me of how much I disliked strawberry ice cream as a child. Then one day I realized that if chocolate and vanilla had never been invented, and "ice cream" meant "strawberry ice cream," I'd like the stuff just fine.

My assumption is that any group of engineers smart enough to build a construction machine will have worked hard to develop, test and refine each part of it, based on prior best practices. There is always more than one solution, and any given choice will seem awkward at first, and perhaps also later when compared with other solutions. Thank goodness for competition and the variety it brings. And - I'd still like the HST rocker pedal of a Kioti with the attachment convenience of a JD and the price of an LS. Oh, and I'd prefer it in burgundy or teal, with all fluid fills and drains easily accessible from the top or side.

-chelydra

For me, there is no way to excuse rude behavior and especially so in going on another forum to do so. I am glad people are happy with their choice as they should be having researched and bought accordingly, just have the courtesy to accept others have done the same and like their products because they fit the needs and not due to stupidity or brand loyalty.

I see also see something I like on most models and even a couple I don't on my own brands. I have posted favorably on just about every make out there and even forwarded posts/links on some Kioti models.

I have owned/own John Deere, Case, Ford, Kubota and Massey-Ferguson. I routinely recommend prospective buyers to look at and try out different makes and models before making a final decision.

As surprising as it may seem, I recently posted that when turning brakes are needed, brakes on the left like our renters JD 4610 were in my opinion easier to use. The fact that I don't like them does not negate their utility nor the fact that I and other Kubota owners like brakes on the right indicate stupidity or inexperience.

Yeah, for me the perfect tractor would be a combination of John Deere, Kubota, Kioti and TYM; not very familiar with Mahindra or LS.