I AM FORGETING THE BRAKES!!!!

[NCGMAN]

Sometimes I forget to take the brake off. I get on and start to go and happen to look down and the brake is on, but I am still able to move. Does anyone else do this?? I don't go a long ways, sometimes maybe 100 feet.

And also I sometimes run the tractor with the key off!!!! What damage if any will this do???? I guess I should make myself some notes and put them on the dash!!!

Ya'll be honest now

 

[Inspector507]

I've done it more times than I could count. I did add a brake light on the dash which cut the number of times in half, but I still did it.

The key being off?? Your battery won't charge, but no other harm done that I know of.

 

[NCGMAN]

Thanks a million for that response.. I was really starting to worry about my mental state of mind... How about post-its????

 

[tnbowhunter]

No, your not the only one.....just the only one to admit it,lol.

The first time I used my brush hog I set the parking brake when I was hooking everything up and left it on. After a couple of turns I was thinking to myself "man this thing is hard to steer with the brush hog." It didn't take me too long to realize that the brake was on. I felt like a freakin idiot!!!!

Hopefully I didn't do to much damage.....................

As of yet I haven't driven it with the switch off, just give me time though. I have tried to start it on more than one occasion with the kill switch pulled out though.

 

[1yammerslammer]

Its all about repitition. I always put my foot on brake before starting, and make sure park lever is off.Make it a habit, it wont happen again.........until you forget! Just remember, that beats not setting it and should have.

 

[ragkar]

You might take a note from the aviators and make a check list - vinyl tape on the dashboard.
I'd suggest:
seatbelt
footbrake
throttle idle
start
lift front
lift rear
parking brakes
go

 

[CharCur]

NCGMAN, you just got the tractor so with time as soon as you start to move you will know something is not right and check the brake.
Also, I have to give you credit for being such an honest man. Mistakes that others can learn from I tell. The mistakes that make me look a fool, I keep to myself. Hey, now I understand why my wife calls me an idiot.

 

[NCGMAN]

Ok guys, I am really proud of you all. Ragkar has a good idea; CHECKLIST...
Dang it I forgot to look at my checklist !!!!! That's next....
Now just remember we don't want to break "OUR TOYS",,, so let's start thinking about what we are doing.
Highvolt1: I don't see it happening to me. I owned a YM2000 before, done the same ole thing then. OH!!! Tarheels are not idiots!!!! Just occasionally absent minded.....

Ya'll be safe now!!!!!!!!!

 

[mikim]

I had that problem with my NH ... on my NH it is a small lever coming up out of the deck and I was always missing it.....so I modified it such that I can't hardly miss it. It's in the way when it's on now and my problem went away. When off the extension arm I added is moved out of the way.

 

[svcguy]

I wouldn't be overly concerned about it, happens to a lot of people. Essentially it simply wears the brakes and drums out. Tractors are built to deal with heavy loads and the brakes being on is one of the lighter loads it will ever pull in the fields. That being said, no sense continuing to do it. You would have to drive around quite a bit with the brakes on to wear them out. (My tractor is living proof of that). What I do now is every time I start, I push down on the brake to release it if necessary.

It can be hard on tractors to run with the key off though. Depending on the tractor, it could damage the alternator / regulator. Short periods probably won't harm it, but I wouldn't make a habit of it.