Steering Brakes,,, A Necessity,, Or A Nicety?? (41HP, 3000 Lb Tractor)

[CADplans]

I wonder how long they stay water proof and what kind of life to expect for one. I would think it would almost outlast me but I could be surprised I guess.

I bought an "old" one in 2001,, and sold it in 2013.
The condition never changed,,,
I regularly (at least once a week) drove a 5,000 pound capacity Yale forklift into it, and added or removed stuff.

Imagine driving a machine that probably weighs 10,000 pounds into one of these portable wood sheds?
The wood sheds of similar size, cost easily 50% more.

 

[MF283]

Yep, always got the "pucker" factor while taking a D9 on/off a trailer:shocked:

 

[Ford850]

Are we the only ones that realize how useful split brakes are? Man I wouldn't want to be without them..

Agreed. I use mine all the time without thinking. Nudging and more controlled steering are one benefit, but steering out of a mud/snow/ice sticky situation is the other. With a heavy load on the 3pt hitch sometimes the only way to steer is with the brakes. I see these 'discussions' about steering brakes and usually stay out of them. Too many guys think that since they never use them, they have no use.

 

[Rustyiron]

Almost all hydro tractors have steering brakes, only a few don't. Now as to how easy they are to use is another matter. Many are not that easy to use without contortions or gymnastics. Mine on my Kioti DK35se are extremely easy to use and are very effective. They are on the left side to be activated by your left foot while your right foot mashes on a hydro pedal.

I stand corrected, It's the "gymnastics & contortions" part that made me to believe my thoughts:laughing:

 

[jenkinsph]

Brakes have changed on some of the tractors over the years. Most of the better 2wd tractors had hydraulic actuated split brakes which were easier to apply. On Deere tractors with these hydraulic brakes stepping on both pedals would cause an even application of brake pressure to both wheels. Used an equalizer valve between the brake valves to supply even pressures to both wheel brakes.

With the hydrostatic transmissions most of the smaller compacts reverted back to mechanical actuated brakes which are cheaper and need higher pedal pressures to use. If the brakes were hydraulic I know I would use them more for steering. Once you get to the utility tractors and up I think everyone has hydraulic actuated brakes that work much better.

 

[ovrszd]

It's people like you and rich is the reason I'm here. Lots of good info to read, I am not very experienced with tractors, I'm just now getting smooth and efficient with my FEL moving pallets and round bales while the tractor is moving.

My break pedal has always been locked together like it was just one pedal since I bought the tractor. But I do have the ability to split them if I need to. I read back to the beginning of this thread and got some good ideas to use them for and your post was like icing to the cake by the time I got to the end.

I'm sure I will find myself in many of these situations and I have the knowledge to use the split breaks for diff scenarios.

I have already caught myself kicking the tractor into 4wd going down a few small hills on the property with a round bale on the forks because I read a thread on here where a guy went down a hill with a load in 2wd, the rear end got light and he put the forks thew the siding of his building by the time he got stopped.

I'm sure actually using my split breaks will be next lol.

But I have only used the tractor on a reasonably flat property where the tractor is on grass (yard) or the concrete/gravel drive. So that's the main reason I haven't split the breaks. I have yet to use by deff lock either lol, so far 4wd has been more than enough.

When we got my dads old 53 case SC going again I used the split breaks on it a few times just fooling around and trying them out. I wanted to see how sharp it would turn. it's a 32hp 2wd tricycle tractor with 38in R1 on the rear.

Thanks guys for taking the time to share the knowledge

I've said this several times and it's fitting here.

The most complex thing to understand here on TBN is the broad variation in uses of tractors. Necessity dictates operational methods. And dictates the steepness of the learning curve.

James uses his tractor on steep terrain a lot. So do I.

James' HST tractor has the brake pedals on the left. Easy for him to use the brake pedals while operating the HST. In my opinion, if you have an HST tractor, this is the best setup, regardless of paint color.

So in the end if an operator says they never use their brake pedals I contend their situation is much different than mine. I try to not be condescending about their lack of use. Just suggest they try using them a little and if they see no purpose, so be it.

And if an operator says they use their brakes all the time I contend their situation is different than the reference above. Again trying to not be condescending.

For the operators that never use their brakes, they probably don't need to.

For the operators that use their brakes all the time, they probably can't stop using them.

 

[k0ua]

I stand corrected, It's the "gymnastics & contortions" part that made me to believe my thoughts:laughing:

Yes, some are a little awkward to use. Of course that varies per person. One method is to use the cruise control to keep the "go" pedal pushed and then that frees up your right foot to apply a steering brake. There are other methods.

 

[k0ua]

I've said this several times and it's fitting here.

The most complex thing to understand here on TBN is the broad variation in uses of tractors. Necessity dictates operational methods. And dictates the steepness of the learning curve.

James uses his tractor on steep terrain a lot. So do I.

James' HST tractor has the brake pedals on the left. Easy for him to use the brake pedals while operating the HST. In my opinion, if you have an HST tractor, this is the best setup, regardless of paint color.

So in the end if an operator says they never use their brake pedals I contend their situation is much different than mine. I try to not be condescending about their lack of use. Just suggest they try using them a little and if they see no purpose, so be it.

And if an operator says they use their brakes all the time I contend their situation is different than the reference above. Again trying to not be condescending.

For the operators that never use their brakes, they probably don't need to.

For the operators that use their brakes all the time, they probably can't stop using them.

Very well put Richard. :thumbsup:

 

[ArlyA]

Since I grew up in ag business and all our tractors were 2wd with 2 pedal brakes. I do wonder how would someone get along without them?? This past summer we rented a compact YTM and while scooping up gravel, of course would occasionally spin while in a low traction situation. Can you guess what was applied to help???

 

[ovrszd]

Very well put Richard. :thumbsup:

I tried to not ramble on.