Parkin g brake indicator light

[DonRybak]

A few time since owning my RK37HSC I've set the parking brake while connecting a trailer or 3pt hitch attachment then started to drive off with the parking brake engaged. I thought of maybe wiring up a pressure switch and installing a small LED light to illuminate when the brake handle is engaged. But yesterday I was looking at the manual for reference on something else when I ran across the pic of the dash indicator lights and there is one for the parking brake already there. This morning I went and looked and sure enough there is a red indicator light for the parking brake. It lights up during the self check when the ignition is turned on but doesn't illuminate when the parking brake is engaged as the manual states. I'm wondering if it's like the glow plug indicator that only works on some models but not others. Anybody with the RK37 know if their light come on with the parking brake engaged? I would appreciate if somebody would look next time they are on their machine. Thanks..........Don

 

[oosik]

I'll bet most everybody has pull that same trick at one time or another. I sure have ........ Easy answer - quit using the parking brake. If I'm changing implements on the 3-point - drop and pin whatever I have on the FEL( grapple ). If working on the FEL or implement on the FEL - drop and pin the implement on the 3-point( rear blade ).

I don't have massive slopes on my property. However - if I do have to stop and get off on a slope - drop and pin both the FEL and 3-point.

If I really try - I can almost raise the entire tractor - between the FEL and hydraulic top link on the 3-point. I've found that pinning the grapple is more than sufficient to stop any unwanted tractor movement.

 

[ptsg]

Have you tried to locate the parking brake switch? Sometimes it will get stuck, if it's connected at all.

I wouldn't stop using the parking brake by the way.

 

[DonRybak]

I haven't done any real research as far as removing the panel where the parking lever is located since I believe that the light isn't functional on the RK37. THe glow plug light is there too and illuminates during the self check but it isn't functional either. Seems like the answer for that a couple years back was that the same panel is used for other models built by TYM where it is used. No sense in tearing into something until someone with a RK37 responds that theirs does work. Thanks for the responses.......Don

 

[War Eagle 2]

I thought this was a creative solution to avoid running with the parking brake engaged. It is on another forum but this solution would be workable on your tractor also.

Brake screw up... | OrangeTractorTalks - Everything Kubota

 

[ptsg]

The glow plug light not working, doesn't make much sense to me. It should work on all models fitted with glow plugs and I'm pretty sure most of these engines use glow plugs.

 

[DonRybak]

It's a mystery to me too ptsg. I searched this forum and found a post from 2018 with many threads concerning the glow plug function on the RK's. Apparently the light only comes on when the ignition is initially turned on. I consider that just a functional check to ensure all the lights are working and that one comes on for a couple seconds regardless of engine temp. There is a position on the ignition switch switch (full left) that the manual shows as being for the glow plugs but it doesn't seem to work on with the RK37 or RK55. On my RAM 2500 the glow plugs automatically come on when the temp is in the low 50's or below but it doesn't seem to be that way on the RK and the key position doesn't do anything either. Beats me the purpose of the light or if the key even does anything.

 

[ParisKy]

From my understanding, The dash is used in many tractors that use all the lights. RK does not use them. The 55 automatically heats the plugs while the dash is going into its Boot up mode. I hope that helps

 

[DonRybak]

Thanks ParisKy. That was pretty much what I had decided on the lights. Sure doesn't seem like the dash panel boot up time would be long enough to heat much. My Kawasaki Mule (UTV) and Ram both take about 10 seconds each to heat. One day when I'm feeling froggy I'll pull the dash covering off to see exactly how it's set up and if there is a simple way to mount a pressure switch like on the brake pedal to illuminate a small LED.

 

[g8erh8er]

Don - the parking brake light functions on the RK55. I see no reason why they would take that feature away from the RK37.

I'd check the switch to ensure it is functioning properly. Does the parking brake light up when you first turn the key on? If not, I'd check for a blown fuse or loose connection at the panel.