Parking brake modification

[Smokeydog]

We had a Kubota B20 that had very awkward parking brake and seatbelt that didn’t get used. Poor design. Wife does most of the mowing with a finish mower except for the really steep stuff. After 20+ years and 3600hrs upgraded to a B26. Much improved overall. Seatbelt is great and gets used. The parking brake design is better but still awkward to engage and no brake “on” warning light. You can set the brake and still move the HST tractor. So made two improvements that improve the functionality. Welded a simple tab extension to the handle to bring it up to dash level. Better access, ergonomics and visual aid to see that it set. Second added a brake “on” warning light. Particularly easy if you do the handle mod to drill the hole in the handle. Under the cowling there a metal factory tab already with a hole perfect for a universal motorcycle rear wheel brake switch. Kubota must have already planned for this. Drill a small hole in brake handle for a spring included with the switch. Tap into wiring harness for key on power and small but bright rubber mounted LED marker lamp. Simple, <$20 of parts and most important!! NOT operating with the parking brake on. While I had it apart added a marine rubber covered 12v port in factory flat spot. Over a year of use no problems or adjustments.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Nice modifications! I have been thinking of adding some type of light to show when the brake is on. You would think the manufacturer would put something so simple on at the factory, but when you consider saving maybe $2 per unit, then millions of units, they save quite a bit. It all adds up to the big profit!

 

[Gary Fowler]

When I set my brake on my B26, it ain't going nowhere till it is released. I dont usually lock the pedals together so only one brake locks. If I forget (which is most of the time), it pushes the tractor sideways so you know immediately what is wrong.
MY RTV900 has a parking brake light on the dash which is down close to my knees and I dont know how many times I have driven off with it on only to realize that it is partially on when it (the brake) gets hot and starts stalling the engine. If the light is not in your line of sight then it isn't worth much for daytime operations.

The way to not drive with the parking brake on is to make sure it is fully applied each time so the tractor wont move with it on. A lightly applied brake is mostly the cause for wearing the brake, but I do applaud your effort with the light. For me, I would have preferred a loud buzzer instead of a light.

 

[Smokeydog]

I find it hard to set the parking brake on the B26. It’s placement, my size and it is opposite to my M59. The handle extension helps set the brake firmer. The M59 has two parking brake warning lights for both the foot and hand brakes. Like you when I set the parking brake it is obvious that it is on. But harder to tell if set lightly.
The B26 has multiple operators, ie wife, so making it ergonomically easy is important to ensure safety equipment is utilized was the goal. The lamp I used is very bright and not easy to miss even in daylight. A buzzer would work too. My friend had a similar problem and wired into the existing safety system that would kill the engine if the parking brake was applied and the HST pedal was moved out of neutral. I once was in a tight spot on a hillside with trees and had to lock one rear wheel brake for turning under power that design would have been a poor choice without an override switch.
So far the modifications have helped correct operating errors that might have hurt both operator or machine.