I think any time you switch ranges, including going into neutral, you need to use the clutch. As soon as you let off the HST pedals, it immediately stops, so it is not like using the clutch to shift a standard transmission. If you are going along and want to change ranges, let off the HST, it stops, push in the clutch and change ranges and go on. You do not have to use the clutch to back up, so if you are mowing with PTO running and want to back into an area, just push down on the reverse pedal and it will mow in reverse. As far as why the B's have it and the BX does not, I do not know.
The brake pedals can be unlocked, so in theory used as steering brakes. I tried in on my drive when using the rear blade on snow, and having the cruise on, but it seemed pretty awkward and not worth worrying about. So I just keep mine locked together. Because under most conditions, it stops anyway when you back off the HST, I hardly ever use the brakes.
A word or warning. If you set the parking brake, you will forget it and find yourself driving with the brake on. If I have the FEL on, I put it on the ground to hold me in place. Harder to forget.
Another tip is the float feature on the FEL. Another TBN member helped me with it as it is not explained in the manual very well. Push the loader control forward as if you are lowering it, but give it an extra little push and you will feel a detent type click. The FEL will drop slowly and then ride along the surface if you have the bucket level. It was very helpful with snow on a hard surface.
