Quick question about turning with brakes and Hydro trans.?

[TripleR]

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.

I would just keep the one I have or buy a used one in the last year of production for right foot brakes.

My Ford NAA, 600, MF375, Case 730, M8540 AND L5030 all have brakes on the right, so for me having brakes on the left is simply unacceptable. My Fords are over 50 years old and I am in my 60's, so I will wear out before any of my tractors do.

 

[RobertN]

My old Farmall-A, had them right in front of me Now that was nice pedal layout, flat operator platform, in 1939! Although the one I used to have, was a '41

I would just keep the one I have or buy a used one in the last year of production for right foot brakes.

My Ford NAA, 600, MF375, Case 730, M8540 AND L5030 all have brakes on the right, so for me having brakes on the left is simply unacceptable. My Fords are over 50 years old and I am in my 60's, so I will wear out before any of my tractors do.

 

[DiezNutz]

I don't want this to be a 'which is better' thread, only for someone to explain how its done with something like the Kubota setup.

This is one of those threads that I don't care about what people's opinions are on whats better, only looking for the method you use.

So if you learned nothing else from this thread, it's hopefully that next time you know you would be better off to ask such a question in the Kubota O/O forum.

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...
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.

Exactly. The key word is "diminish". I've had the occasional need for split brakes when snowplowing, so I wouldn't want to do away with them completely, and the cruise control method works fine for how seldom I really need them. I've tried the "heel & toe" thing too, but I usually have to stop to think about it too much.

 

[ovrszd]

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.

I'm going with this one. Simple design that doesn't require two different setups for gear drive versus HST.

 

[TripleR]

My old Farmall-A, had them right in front of me Now that was nice pedal layout, flat operator platform, in 1939! Although the one I used to have, was a '41

Nice old tractor, our neighbor had one just like that, but I never drove it.

 

[ovrszd]

I'm one of those guys that use their split brakes a LOT. If you are one of those guys that swear you never need them, then I guess you don't ask as much of your tractor as I do. Sometimes when I'm dragging logs with the front tires a foot off the ground and wanting to turn, no split brakes would be a real bummer!!!

I previously had a B2910 Kubota and the only thing I didn't like about that little tractor was the brake pedal location. The solution with that tractor was the hand lever cruise control. It could be used for forward motion and free up the foot for brake control. Downside to that was it couldn't be used in reverse.

There are those that will say with 4wd, HST and Diff Lock you don't need split brakes. That's just not true. My JD2210 is set up like that. I primarily mow with it and find myself backing up several times to get myself pointed up an angled incline. With split brakes that problem would be gone.

My next HST tractor will have brake pedals on opposite of HST pedals.

 

[RobertN]

With many tractors now having a flat platform, the layout similar to what I posted of my old Farmall would be a nice setup. Pedals right in front of you, not way to the right and way to the left. Granted that was a gear tractor. But, it was a nice setup, 70 years ago. I like that setup better even than my current TC40, that has brakes on the left, HST on the right...

I usually do not see the need for steering brakes with PS, diff lock, and 4wd. My situation is different though.. And, as I mentioned before, I drive my tractor in 4WD, much like I used to drive my old CJ5 Jeep. I had that Jeep in a lot tougher situations than most will ever have thier tracter, unless they go on the boulders on Rubicon Snow, mud, you name it. The Jeep was similar size to my now TC40, 4wd, posi in the rear, with PS. Can't imagine steering brakes on it, nor do I use them on the tractor, although I occasionally try them after threads like this for amusement.

The trick to the Kubota is to "Power Brake" like every teeneager guy with a car that had an automatic did at least once. Toe on the brake, heel on the gas. Watch the smoke roll of the tires before you realize you just wasted 10,000 miles worth of tread

With my old Kubota B8200, that is what I did when I got the urge to steer by braking.

There are those that will say with 4wd, HST and Diff Lock you don't need split brakes. That's just not true. My JD2210 is set up like that. I primarily mow with it and find myself backing up several times to get myself pointed up an angled incline. With split brakes that problem would be gone.

My next HST tractor will have brake pedals on opposite of HST pedals.

 

[TripleR]

I'm one of those guys that use their split brakes a LOT. If you are one of those guys that swear you never need them, then I guess you don't ask as much of your tractor as I do.

That pretty much sums me up. I don't use my HST tractors very hard. For that kind of work, I get one of my bigger geared tractors out. Now I am not saying my HST won't do it, but I have to make my Kubotas last for when they put the brakes on the left "where they belong".

 

[Piston]

Some good points made by everyone and thanks for educating me. I guess it all just comes down to personal preference. When I do bite the bullet to purchase a tractor I'm gonna try to keep an open mind about how each manufacturer sets up they're respective operator stations.
Thanks guys. :thumbsup:

 

[bp fick]

Yes, it might be good to remember that Kubota is a Japanese tractor company and the world view is sometimes a bit different between the orient and the occidental view.
Love ya, Kennyd, Different? yes. But... Dumb? not really.

Yup, if you ever "power braked" your high school hot rod, you probably know exactly how to manipulate those right side brakes.

Grew up spending hours on my dad's little Massey (see avatar) and my grandpa's big Massey and 8N discing, dragging and spiketoothing. Some of the turns were sharp and those tractor had no power steering and I was 10 or 12 or something. They were tough to steer, especially on a soft surface.

Saw my dad use the brakes to turn once, and I was hooked. Man, I employed those brakes at every turn, just because I could turn that tractor on a dime. Needless to say, I got scolded a bit when my operating technique was found out.:laughing: