Hydro Question

[Steve_Miller]

I'm considering (going to) getting a new tractor with HST but am still leery of some of the scenarios that pop into my head, the latest being, if your foot slips off the hydro pedal will the tractor lurch to a complete stop if your in low range. I would assume in high range the tractor weight would not allow it to stop on a dime. I thought of this scenario today as this is what actually happen to me on my B7200DT today. Example your in the woods and going over a stump snaking some trees out and the rear wheel drops off the stump causing your foot to slip off the pedal.
By the way I'm looking at the B7610, TC24DA, B2410, B7800, TC30 as my next baby.

Thanks in advance
Steve

 

[jinman]

If your foot comes off the pedal, the tractor stops, very quickly in any range. In low range you won't be going that fast, so a sudden stop isn't all that bad. In high range, your tires may actually skid some, and I think that's the more dangerous scenario for being thrown about.

Solution: Wear your seat belt and don't go too fast for the situation you are in. Also, I can't think of a better safety device than a tractor that stops when your foot comes off the pedal. If you ever get knocked unconcious by a tree limb, they will find you knocked out in your seat with your tractor sitting still. If it were a gear tractor, who knows how far you might go before stopping, turning over, or.... /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[OkeeDon]

In my experience, it will not "lurch" to a stop. In fact, if you are on a grade and take your foot off the pedal, it will drift down the hill. I don't have any hills, but I do have swales with relatively steep sides. When I'm working nose down in one, I don't use the brake - I actually keep pressure on the reverse pedal to avoid rolling down.

Hydro isn't like a brake -- its a fluid thing, and momentum can overcome the "stopping" action. It's hard to describe until you've felt it. If your foot slides off the pedal, if you're going real slow, you'll stop. If you're going faster, you'll slow down, but you'll have time to put your foot back on the pedal and recover before you get to a "lurching" stop.

{edit} Jinman and I were posting at the same time, and there is a slight difference in what we said. It may be due to the difference in our tractors, or I may be reading more into what you call a "lurching" stop. I've never experienced any kind of jerk when letting off the pedal at any speed. On the other hand, if I implied that it rolls gently to a stop, that isn't true, either -- it does stop fast, but it shouldn't scare you. I've never experienced skidding tires, and it won't go "nose down" like braking.

 

[NIXON]

Steve.
I doubt if you'd get if the tractor would Lurch to a halt if your foot slipped off the pedal . Most likely it would just come to a halt . and not abruptly . The pedal just doesn't snap back like a clutch pedal . It's somewhat damped in it's response .
I'd be more cocerned about my foot slipping of the clutch pedal of a geared machine than the pedal of an hst machine .
JMHO John

 

[Steve_Miller]

John,
What you said was what I thought maybe the type of setup that is in place. I read in other posts where the hydro won't stop and was curious if the return spring on the pedal is how they sort of control abrupt stops. You try and get a happy medium of spring tension to return the pedal to the neutral position without snapping it back. Not sure if this is true, but was my conclusion as to what was going on with sticking pedals. Is there a spring tension adjustment on the pedal to set it to a neutral position when you take your foot off the pedal or am I getting off base with my conclusion. Does each manufacturer do something different to dampen the pedal return? Or are dampened at all?

Steve

 

[KiotiJohn]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Does each manufacturer do something different to dampen the pedal return? Or are dampened at all? )</font>
On the Kioti CK20, there are two dampers under the platform connected to the hydro pedal. When the pedal is released, the damper allow the pedal to come back to neutral in a controlled, quick way, but not what I'd call abrubt. As stated before, there should not be a "lurching stop," but a quick smooth stop. That said, if I'm only crawling, just barely pushing the pedal and let off, it stops abruptly as there wasn't much room for dampening. Going faster, the pedal rises up pushing against the dampers so it's not so sudden. Kind of like the hydro cylinders on a lift back car. It sort of squeezes to a stop if you understand my meaning. I don't think you should have any concerns. I did read where someone with another brand stated that after having had his pedal stick and not return to neutral, he lubricated it well and that now it jolts to a stop. I would think, in that case, that the rod needs to be adjusted on the HST pedal to allow the dampers for room to work properly. This is not a common problem from what I've read and heard. John

 

[JayC]

If you're a bit worried about lurching to a stop the Deere 4000 TEN series has a feature called MotionMatch. I haven't used it, but it allows you to switch how fast or slow you want the machine to accelerate/decelerate. It may be worth your while to check it out. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I'll post the link:

JD 4000 TEN MotionMatch

MotionMatch is a part of the eMatch Operating System Deere features with their eHydros (4210-4710).

 

[frank_f15]

it won't snap your head back if thats what u mean, it wiil just stop. go drive one or 2 and u will get the feel for it. For me it is great , if u get in trouble , just take your foot off the pedal. for my uses i will never own another tractor without hydro.

 

[SteveH_CT]

Steve - The Deere Motionmatch was mentioned below - I've got this feature (standard on eHydro models) that is a switchable function. You can set the tractor to either start and stop more quickly, or more gradually. This is a useful feature - I'd recommend at least trying it. I don't know about the other brands but the Deere has a standard cruise control as well.

With that said in my brief 50 hours experience over very rough terrain I've never slipped off the pedal. I do use a seatbelt and get the machine tossing around pretty well. I don't think you have to worry about losing your footing on the pedal as long as you're matching your speed to the area you're working in.

 

[B2400]

The Kubota models have an adjustable damper under the right floorboard which you can tailor to your taste as to how quick the hydro returns to center. I personally prefer mine to stop as soon as I let off of the pedal.