I Feel Like an Idiot...

[Buggs67]

Steering brakes are also handy to turn the tractor sharper when needed to avoid an obstacle where you might have to stop, reverse and continue to go forward because your wheels didn't turn sharp enough or they are sliding in mud.

If you are going to use a tractor, learn how to use the steering brakes, that is why they have two pedals.

I've tried to use them in the muddy area in back. I was using the toe of right foot on the one brake and the heel on the go-pedal. Worked OK in forward but hard in reverse. I could see in a field situation where with the "cruise" on the right foot would be free to brake.

 

[oldpilgrim]

it's very difficult to use the foot brakes on an HST tractor. You just don't have enough right feet.

I've tried using the heel on the go pedal and the toes on the brake (sounds counter intuitive, doesn't it) and it takes a lot of thought to try and get your brain to push one harder than the other, but not too hard.

I don't know why the brake pedals or the go pedal isn't on the left on an HST. There's no need to use either one of them at the same time you press the clutch, which is hardly ever used.

 

[k0ua]

it's very difficult to use the foot brakes on an HST tractor. You just don't have enough right feet.

I've tried using the heel on the go pedal and the toes on the brake (sounds counter intuitive, doesn't it) and it takes a lot of thought to try and get your brain to push one harder than the other, but not too hard.

I don't know why the brake pedals or the go pedal isn't on the left on an HST. There's no need to use either one of them at the same time you press the clutch, which is hardly ever used.

Many hst tractors do have the brakes on the left, New Kubota 60 series, DK series Kioti's like mine, Many JD machines, some of which have split brakes on the left and a single brake on the right. (best of both worlds?) Some NH etc.

 

[CobyRupert]

For gear tractors, steering brakes can mostly only be used when applying the hand throttle, which I believe is sort of /kind of like applying cruise control on a hyrdo. So essentially you have the same problem of making the tractor go without your feet. Steering brakes are great for steering in mud or when towing and the front end is lite, like when skidding logs or brushing. There are diminished returns to them when you have a 4 wd and are using the FEL. They are also good for Quickly switching the differential to the non spinning tire without stopping and locking it in if your surprised by that mud hole and don't want to lose momentum. Old school solution was like the Johnny popper B I used to drive. It only had 2 pedals consisting of a brake pedal on each side. Only had a hand throttle and a hand clutch. Those were a case of needing another 2 arms if you felt like steering while working the shifter too. Hmm, maybe that's why you could steer with your feet?

 

[TJP89]

It looks to me like you could just cut the end off where it tapers to the threaded nut. It serves no purpose when it has the rolled pin in place.
For me, I always leave mine split like they are supposed to be for using the tractor. Locking is supposed to be for highway use but really unless you have an extremely small foot, just pressing in the middle of both pedals will lock both brakes.
I use my steering brakes to control skid when back dragging or blading forward. Any high side will cause the tractor to ride to that direction so correctly applied force to the opposite side brake keeps you going straight. Steering brakes are also handy to turn the tractor sharper when needed to avoid an obstacle where you might have to stop, reverse and continue to go forward because your wheels didn't turn sharp enough or they are sliding in mud.

If you are going to use a tractor, learn how to use the steering brakes, that is why they have two pedals.

The issue here is not that I don't know the use of split brakes, or how to use them. I also have a Farmall H with split brakes, and constantly use them to dodge things like the wellcap or birdfeeder. On the CK, I think it would be almost impossible to brake and steer w/o the cruise on. Why Kioti (and Kubota, etc)couldn't switch the clutch and brakes is beyond me, I can't think of any reason I would want to clutch and move at the same time.

I'll give the bolt another go this weekend and see what happens, if not, not a big deal because it would be of little use to split them anyway.

 

[CobyRupert]

Seems like hydros need a master brake and go pedals on the right ; and steer brakes and clutch on the left.

 

[Steve_Miller]

Thanks for the educational picture. I never considered putting a dishrag down ahead of time so the blood from the operation doesn't stain the floor mat. You're a thinking man!

Bob

I'm still sitting here laughing to myself, good one, I guess we've all had these moments which makes it all the more enjoyable.

Steve

 

[Coyote machine]

Solution: spray pin with bolt and washer with suitable lubricant. Remove nut and washer from pin. Place suitable size drift, (punch, nail set) into bolt hole to bottom of threads, hit large end of drift with hammer. Drive pin out, brakes are now split.
Reassemble with grease covering pin, after sanding smooth any high spots on pin. Exercise of splitting brakes just to see if they will complete. Next pointless project on list.:confused3:

 

[TJP89]

Solution: spray pin with bolt and washer with suitable lubricant. Remove nut and washer from pin. Place suitable size drift, (punch, nail set) into bolt hole to bottom of threads, hit large end of drift with hammer. Drive pin out, brakes are now split.
Reassemble with grease covering pin, after sanding smooth any high spots on pin. Exercise of splitting brakes just to see if they will complete. Next pointless project on list.:confused3:

Pointless projects? H'mm... I think I have a few more of those. But you do have a point. Because of lawn mower malfunction and tree toppling, I didn't really go at the brakes This weekend. I'll put it on my list to ask the dealer about next time I'm up his way. And I know the brakes will split, I can solve that problem in about 3 sec , It's just getting them to split as designed. But as this seems to be an isolated issue, I'll move on. By the way, I realized how useful a loader is when I was able to haul the main trunk of a downed tree away in about a minute with minimal damage to self. I like my tractor more every time I use it!

 

[k0ua]

A good grapple will make that brush and tree hauling a snap!