Small improvement for L3400

[varmint]

If your like me, you probably have a lot of time on your hands these days. One think about my L3400 that bothered me was my tendency to apply the parking brake to prevent creep, and then to forget to release it. No big deal, but in low range, you can travel a bit before you have the "dah!" moment. So, I found a micro switch and a spare LED indicator light in my junk collections, and wired up a warning light for whenever the tractor is running and the brake is on. Who knows, it may get old having a bright red light on, and I haven't used it yet, but we'll see. Here're some photos showing the switch installation, in operation with the brake pressed, and so forth. It's not really as bright as in the photo, but it is visible. Sorry for the crappy photos, but it's been raining and the barn lights are minimal.

 

[kwbretired]

What triggers the light to come on - manual switch? I would assume you have it wired to put power to the switch when key is turned on. Don’t know how your parking brake is set up but making a bracket to attach the switch to so that when the parking brake is set to park it would depress the plunger on the switch to complete circuit to the light illuminating it. This way you don’t have to remember to turn the switch on.

 

[Smokeydog]

I think it is a big improvement. Nice job.
My M-series tractors had a “brake on” warning light. M59 has two different parking brakes and warning lights. Like you I had to make one for the B26. The bracket and hole for a rear motorcycle brake switch was already under the dash.

It’s bright and obvious! Wife picked the color (purple, probably the color of my face!) and no more discussions about operating with the brake on. Much cheaper than marriage counseling.

 

[varmint]

Yup- its a "manual" micro switch, which is activated by depressing the brake pedal, and it is wired so it's hot only when the tractor is running. See the first photo to see the switch, its wiper arm attachment, and how it's mounted to the cover plate from the brake assembly.

 

[Oldpath05]

I also have the darndest time trying to remember to release the brake before moving. Where does one find a micro switch and a spare LED indicator?

 

[gsganzer]

I have a L3800 and I wish it had 2 things. 1. Brake light and 2. horn. I've become attuned to the sound of the brake on, but my wife and kids haven't. They'd drive around all day and never figure it out. The horn would be nice for getting someone's attention when you're working together.

 

[Smokeydog]

I also have the darndest time trying to remember to release the brake before moving. Where does one find a micro switch and a spare LED indicator?

Used a mini round truck/trailer led marker light. 3/4” hole. Waterproof, sealed, rubber grommet mounted, $2-3each. Amazon, eBay or truck stop.

Linked switch to parking brake handle.

 

[Oldpath05]

Thanks, I found the light>>> 3/4" Red Marker Light Triple Diode LED Truck Trailer Clearance Indicator Bright | eBay Now I'll see if I can track down the switch, but wondering if that should be water proof-ish, maybe not......

 

[k0ua]

Thanks, I found the light>>> 3/4" Red Marker Light Triple Diode LED Truck Trailer Clearance Indicator Bright | eBay Now I'll see if I can track down the switch......

Digi-key, Mouser, Allelectronics, Probably even amazon.

 

[Oldpath05]

Digi-key, Mouser, Allelectronics, Probably even amazon.

Can you put that in english..........

 

[k0ua]

To the original poster, I think with the addition of the voltmeter and the parking brake switch, you have made some really useful additions to your tractor. Good work. I added the voltmeter to my Kioti, it already had a parking brake reminder lamp. The voltmeter is very handy.

 

[Oldpath05]

Found these but dont think there water proof>>> TEMCo HEAVY DUTY 15A Micro Limit Switch Long Lever Arm SPDT Snap Action home | eBay

 

[k0ua]

Can you put that in english..........

Internal Error

Electronic Components Distributor - Mouser Electronics

All Electronics | Electronic and Electro-Mechanical Parts and Supplies at Discount Prices

Jameco Electronics - Electronic Components Distributor

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=microswitch&ref=nb_sb_noss_2

 

[varmint]

Hey Oldpath05- not sure if waterproof is essential- the switch I had probably isn't, but where it's mounted it's mostly shielded from rain and snow. And, I my case, I try to avoid rain on my tractor. Snow, if we ever get any again, would be another thing altogether. But I have a couple of those switches, so worse case, I replace it. The indicator light I used looks just like the truck marker light that was linked- can't remember why I even had one, but I did.
As for the horn, I've been thinking I might stick a spare horn on mine with a momentary push switch on the dash. Be easy, and there are rare times I could use it. I've replaced OEM Japanese car horns with louder, more manly horns, and the old ones could be re-purposed. Might not even need a relay- just 16 gage wire.

And yes, the voltmeter is handy- tell you a lot about the battery and charging system at a glance. I've got another one that plugs into cigarette lighter outlets in vehicles which I can use if I suspect something. Though I guess they aren't called cigarette lighter outlets anymore.

 

[Smokeydog]

Emgo Rear Stop Light Switch Brake Light Switch Yamaha Motorcycles Universal Stop | eBay

Is the motorcycle switch I used. Drilled a small hole in parking brake handle for the spring.

 

[Oldpath05]

I know HST is a little different but still not quite sure where exactly you put that switch. My first picture is brake off, the rest are brake on.




I always use a multi-meter just to find live wires. A horn a tractor is good idea, I use to have one on my ATV 20 years ago, was a old Subaru horn, BEEP BEEP.............

 

[Oldpath05]

Emgo Rear Stop Light Switch Brake Light Switch Yamaha Motorcycles Universal Stop | eBay

Is the motorcycle switch I used. Drilled a small hole in parking brake handle for the spring.

You drilled a small hole in that small brake lever,,,,, but the brake lever is already spring loaded.

 

[Smokeydog]

The rod with red knob the parking brake engagement? Looks like you move it forward to lock the brakes?

Just spit balling here;

Under the center cover as you indicated would be a good place to mount a switch. The motorcycle switch would not well. The OP switch would. Switches are normally open (NO), normally closed (NC) or sometimes have both options.

A common truck plunger switch, NC (normally closed) would maybe work too. The truck brake pedal at rest pushes the switch plunger opening the circuit. Push the brake pedal switch closes and lights the brake light.

So a switch mounted under the center cover that the parking brake rod holds open when operating would work. Engage the parking brake would close the switch and light the warning light. The fun is getting the right switch in the right place. Not too hard but does require some innovative thinking.

On your kitchen table with a 9V battery, LED, switch and a little wire check out the operation circuit.

 

[Smokeydog]

You drilled a small hole in that small brake lever,,,,, but the brake lever is already spring loaded.

The switch spring is simply the linkage that connects the switch to whatever, parking brake lever or pedal. Easy way to connect the two together to have “give” and have travel difference. The switch needs 1/4” pull to operate while the handle or pedal might move inches. If they were connected by solid linkage you could pull the switch apart.

With the pictures you sent probably not the style of switch best for your application. No worries as there are countless types of switches.

A plunger brake switch the parking brake handle engages when back or in the off position. Keep It Simple Stupid (KISS) when designing or modifying equipment.

Having to make stuff from junk parts and keep old equipment running on the farm growing up was the best education one could have.

 

[Oldpath05]

The rod with red knob the parking brake engagement? Looks like you move it forward to lock the brakes?

Just spit balling here;

Under the center cover as you indicated would be a good place to mount a switch. The motorcycle switch would not well. The OP switch would. Switches are normally open (NO), normally closed (NC) or sometimes have both options.

A common truck plunger switch, NC (normally closed) would maybe work too. The truck brake pedal at rest pushes the switch plunger opening the circuit. Push the brake pedal switch closes and lights the brake light.

So a switch mounted under the center cover that the parking brake rod holds open when operating would work. Engage the parking brake would close the switch and light the warning light. The fun is getting the right switch in the right place. Not too hard but does require some innovative thinking.

On your kitchen table with a 9V battery, LED, switch and a little wire check out the operation circuit.

Yes the red button lever moves forward a little for brake lock. And yeah the fun of finding allusive right place, but it is hard and thinking hurts. I dont think theres 1/2" room under that cover, the only thinking I think thats going to happen is do more innovative thinking of where to put the switch or what switch, just want to avoid the expensive trial and error..........