Quick question about turning with brakes and Hydro trans.?

[k0ua]

Maybe the reason they put the brakes on the same side as the hydro pedal is, the tractor is not built strong enough to withstand the forces that happen when you brake steer.

Aw, come on, that is not the reason. It is just the way the engineering and marketing departments worked together. Sure it is unhandy, but only unhandy for some that will need/want brake steering. I have used it maybe twice since I have owned the tractor. Sure it is useful sometimes, but not an absolute!.
All tractors have plus points and minus points. This is one of Kubota's minus points. The ideal situation in my opinion would be a single brake on the right and a set of split brakes on the left hanging from the dash, and the clutch pivot to the floor like it does now. I sure would not want split brakes only on the left. When driving down the road and something happens to need emergency braking, I sure dont want to be hunting around for brakes on the left. My right foot "knows" to stomp on the brakes in an emergency, and that automaticlly takes your foot off of the "go" pedal. I have never left foot braked in my life (well when I was 16, and was abusing a car, you know left foot on the brake, right foot full throttle:confused2 anyway, thats my take on this.. It is not a big deal at all, just use the cruise control in the few times you really need split brake steer, and go on.
James K0UA

 

[RobertN]

Having had a Kubota with brakes on the right with HST, and now a New Holland with brakes on the left, HST on the right, I have a little expierience.

I still think Kubota looked at power steering and the utility factor of the tractor. At least on the "B" series, they are utility tractors, not farm tractors where you have to have that turn on a dime at the end of the row. Sure, you can pull a small plow or disc, just like a Farmall Cub or Deere LA could. But that was not the design of the tractor.

Power steering allows these CUT's to turn pretty easy, and pretty tight. Add to that 4WD, and the reasons for cutting brakes really diminish.

The other thing, is a lot of folks getting CUT's aren't farmers. They're homeowners who have never touched a tractor before. So having pedal layout somewhat similar to a car makes it easier for beginners to drive.

I never really needed cutting brakes on my "B". I had it in pretty slick/slippery mud, but never saw the advantage to it, since I had 4WD. FWIW, in those cases, I pretty much drove the tractor like I drove my Jeep.

On my Dad's 9N, and the Farmall-A I used to have, I saw the need for those brakes.

On my B8200, I was able to use the cutting brakes with the HST. I tried with cruise control, but did not like that. Found it was just a matter of heel on the HST, and toe on the brakes. Kinda like doing a power-braking burnout in my old Roadrunner and Trans-Am.

I guess that comes the closest to a good explanation. Just like power-braking a posi burnout. Lock it in 1st gear, heel the gas pedal, and feather the toe on the brake pedal. And roll the windows up so not too much smoke comes inside Catch 2nd gear as your toe comes off the brakes, and try to hold it from getting too sideways...

As someone else mentioned, I have never used my left foot on the brakes in a car/truck. It is for the clutch. No clutch, no use the left foot.

Maybe the reason they put the brakes on the same side as the hydro pedal is, the tractor is not built strong enough to withstand the forces that happen when you brake steer.

 

[catskinner]

When I was looking at the Kubota, the dealer told me that steering brakes were just a selling gig, that the power steering and HST and diff lock made turning easier and traction loss, on a CUT style tractor. He also said that farming methods have changed, and in the future he thought that that they go away.

 

[TripleR]

When I was looking at the Kubota, the dealer told me that steering brakes were just a selling gig, that the power steering and HST and diff lock made turning easier and traction loss, on a CUT style tractor. He also said that farming methods have changed, and in the future he thought that that they go away.

I am not too impressed with your dealer. While I know farming methods have certainly changed, many people still need or want steering brakes on their HST. While I no longer have any need for them, I do recognize their utility and doubt any tractor manufacturer can get away with leaving them off anything other than a SCUT. I wouldn't buy one without them.

 

[jimgerken]

I don't "farm" much are with my tractor either, but I spend a lot of time doing loader work, and poking around in the woods trails. Anytime I need to steer sharper than the front end allows, I hit a brake and bring it around in its own length. This is very valuble anywhere the space is limited. I have even used this technique inside the shed when getting it manuvered up to an attachment in the limited space available. Another time it is nice to have is if you are pulling a load (think draggin firewood or saw logs) with the drawbar or 3-point, and trying to make a corner, but the front end of your tractor is getting really light because of the heavy load, your tractor will tend to go straight ahead when you want to turn to follow the trail. Brake steer fixes that problem. Its not something a guy needs/wants while mowing the lawn, obviously.
I guess it comes down to, if you have the brake steering capability, and start using it, you will be hooked and always want it available.

 

[BleedGreen]

My understanding (not fact) of the earlier Kubs was that with the standard gear tractors they had the normal set up of clutch on the left, and brakes plus foot throttle on the right. When they started with HST they used the same layout (most Kubs still have a clutch on HSTs) which is why they still had the brakes on the right with the HST pedals.

 

[BleedGreen]

I am not too impressed with your dealer....

Wow. I sure hope that wasnt Neil! Just Kidding!!! ;-)

 

[Hematite]

I am not too impressed with your dealer. While I know farming methods have certainly changed, many people still need or want steering brakes on their HST. While I no longer have any need for them, I do recognize their utility and doubt any tractor manufacturer can get away with leaving them off anything other than a SCUT. I wouldn't buy one without them.

That's what I was thinking. I would run from that dealer and, yes, I wouldn't buy a tractor without them.

 

[TripleR]

My understanding (not fact) of the earlier Kubs was that with the standard gear tractors they had the normal set up of clutch on the left, and brakes plus foot throttle on the right. When they started with HST they used the same layout (most Kubs still have a clutch on HSTs) which is why they still had the brakes on the right with the HST pedals.

Having a clutch is about the only complaint I have about my L5030. If Kubota ever puts brakes on the left, I will quit buying them though.

I believe someone reported that TYM has split brakes on the left, but a separate brake for both wheels on the right; seems like a good system if it does.

 

[Hematite]

Having a clutch is about the only complaint I have about my L5030. If Kubota ever puts brakes on the left, I will quit buying them though.

What would you buy, since everyone else, correctly, has them on the left? I wouldn't have a tractor without a split left hand brake.