I find the foot pedal hydro control to be very useful. Some clarifications may be helpful to start. First of all the pedal is mounted on the rear bogie platform where you sit, so it doesn't articulate when steering the tractor. Second, the pedal and hand control are directly connected, so moving one moves the other.
It is important to note that when operating a Ventrac it is essential that the right hand be on the hydro SDLA lever or the right foot be on the pedal at all times. The hydro not only controls direction and travel speed but it also controls braking.
The pedal is particularly useful when operating on slopes especially when mowing for extended periods of time. As the tractor ascends a slope, the hydro reacts and tends to slow down. So to maintain constant ground speed you have to exert more forward pressure on the SDLA levers and / or more pressure on the foot pedal. Similarly when descending a slope, the tractor tends to speed up slightly so you have to pull back with your hand and / or press on the rear of the pedal to maintain constant ground speed. I actually use both the hand and foot together for operating in the open. That is, I always keep my foot on the pedal and hand on the lever and use both to control the hydro. If you use only the hand or only the foot, it can be tiring especially operating up and down hills. But by using them together, the foot aids the hand and the hand aids the foot. The net result is that neither gets tired. I have operated my Ventracs this way since the foot pedal first became available and really like it. However, when maneuvering in close quarters in a garage or driving up to an attachment for mounting, I only use the hand because this provides more precise control.
I should also point out that I have my hydro control set for Easy Shift. This allows the hydro control to move with ease, but there is no return to neutral if the hand or foot is removed. Most Ventrac operators use this mode once they have become accustomed to driving the machine for a couple of hours.
I also use a spinner knob on the steering wheel and keep my left hand on it at all times when driving. This provides steering accuracy and security in driving in addition to giving you a purchase on the machine that does not change significantly when steering.
So most of the time, and especially when operating on slopes, I have my left hand on the spinner knob, my right hand on the SDLA hydro lever, my left foot on the peg above the platform on the left side (to help when descending hills), and my right foot on the hydro pedal. I find that all play a role in the safe and secure operation of the machine.
