Steering Brakes??

[ChuckinNH]

I was just responding to a thread on tire chains, and it occured to me that it might be informative to take a poll on how many Kubota users would appreciate having the brakes more useable for steering, or steering assist, especially in snow, etc. Is this a non issue, or would it make snowblowing/blading easier? How many JD ( and manual shift/ other brand) users find that they use this feature often?
Chuck

 

[Ductape]

I only find myself using my brakes to steer a few times a year. The last time when i was toting a rental lift around the yard. It was a little tongue heavy, and the front end was a little light...... brakes made the steering no problem. Even though i don't use them often, i wouldn't want to have a tractor without them.

 

[shvl73]

other brand

Mahindra HST?
I only use mine when moving snow around with the bucket. Even though I don't use them often, I'm glad they are there. My tractor doesn't use a clutch for the pto so, the steer brakes are on the left.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I use the brakes to ASSIST steering quite a bit. Tractors aren't designed to handle like a Porsche. Most of the time, and especially so when there's a rear mounted implement, a tractor will do everything in its power to continue in a straight line when you turn the steering wheel. Over the years I've developed an instictive use of the brakes to help turn. I DON'T mash on the brake. Hardly. Just a light pressure to slow the inside rear wheel just a tad bit is all it takes in most cases.

SOME TIMES when working in really tight, confined areas, I'll lock the brake on the inside wheel, but that's only in extreme cases.

 

[ChuckinNH]

FMJ,
We had a small two wheel drive tractor when I was young, and I grew up using the brakes just as you described. We often "broke trail" in the winter across fields covered in the winter's snow or in our maple sugar orchard, and woods roads during sugaring season. In that application (Loaded R-1's with heavy duty logging chains on an Allis "C") we would use the brake to let one wheel dig a while, and then switch to the other to chew our way through snow deeper than you would think possible across 50 acre fields, etc.

 

[charlz]

Most of the time, and especially so when there's a rear mounted implement, a tractor will do everything in its power to continue in a straight line when you turn the steering wheel.

I find MFWD helps a lot with steering pulls those wheels right around.

I do find the steering brakes very handy when back dragging with the FEL and the front wheels off the ground. I do this when I don't have anything in the bucket but want the extra down pressure to help smooth.

 

[kennyd]

I use mine EVERYTIME I plow snow. I would be lost without them.

 

[SPYDERLK]

I use mine EVERYTIME I plow snow. I would be lost without them.

I use mine in many cases too. Once drove a tractor out of the woods without functioning steering. Dont you wish the parking brake would lock both pedals?
larry

 

[kennyd]

I use mine in many cases too. Dont you wish the parking brake would lock both pedals?
larry

If the latch that bridges the two pedals is engaged, the the brake does hold both wheels...or do you mean the without the latch engaged?

 

[SPYDERLK]

If the latch that bridges the two pedals is engaged, the the brake does hold both wheels...or do you mean the without the latch engaged?

Yes. That makes it inconvenient to leave the pedals unlocked when you need them and are also getting on and off the tractor regularly. The mechanism could be designed to engage each pedal for little cost if done up front by the manufacturer.
larry

 

[jimmer2880]

I always use the brakes to assist steering. Pretty much like how FMJ does. I got into the habbit when mowing with an old JD 318 with a 13 bushel PTO powered Hydraulic dumping bagger. With that thing on, even with 200 lbs of weight hanging off of the front, brakes were required to do any tight steering. Ever since then, it's second nature. I'd be lost without it.

 

[GaryE]

I own a L3710 GST. I am not sure how Kubota could have made it any easier to use the brakes to steer than they already have? I use mine all of the time! The HST might be a little more difficult. But there are always trade offs. Can you explain what the problem is?


If you are referring to the peddle locking "pin", I never use it. There is no problem to step on both peddles when you need to.


I can turn my 3710 just about on one rear wheel ...even in the snow.

 

[the_sandman_454]

This is the first year I've had a tractor to use in the snow, but I have found the steering brakes to be indispensible when using the loader to clear snow. I tend to keep a bit of downpressure on the loader, which takes enough traction away from the front wheels to make conventional steering difficult or impossible.

That was one thing that bothered me about the Kubotas, if I recall, having the brakes and the HST treadle thing on the same side.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Can you explain what the problem is?

If you are referring to the peddle locking "pin", I never use it. [[[There is no problem to step on both peddles when you need to.]]]

[[[Agreed!]]] How do you park the tractor on an incline when you get off to hook up a chain,etc? Only one pedal locks so youve only one brake working in "park". Altho that may work, it isnt as safe and also wears one brake more than the other.
larry

 

[ChuckinNH]

Gary,
On the HST Kubotas, especially the smaller ones, the brake pedals are on the same side as the hydro pedal. The only way I can see to use the brakes for steering is to have the cruise control engaged where it is available.

 

[GaryM]

I use my steering brakes when moving snow. Position's not an issue on a JD.

 

[GaryE]

Larry,


My property is relatively flat so steep hills for me are not an issue. If there is any incline at all I drop the bucket and rear attachment and leave it in gear. I do also set the "one" brake. I don't see wear as an issue unless you drive around with the brake on.


Chuck,


On my GST the foot throttle and the brake peddles are both on the right side. So to use the brakes to steer with you need to use the hand throttle. This is not much different than using the cruise control on the HST. If there is no cruise control then I guess there is a problem!


Gary

 

[638]

I really wish that I had steering brakes on my bx23 for back draging and snow removel. I may try to modify mine some time to do that. It does have seperate brakes on each rear wheel and would only require relocating the pedal to the left side and the addition of another pedal and linkage.

ron

 

[pat32rf]

I use the steering brakes on my JD4300HST all the time(also for traction control) but I would gladly trade the 2wheel parking brake for a PTO clutch.

 

[keeney]

I use the steering brakes all the time when plowing snow and previously before our house was built when in sloppy mud.

When plowing snow, it is quicker to whip around go back to the other end of the drive forward in high gear for another pass than to back up the drive since on my JD 4100, reverse is limited in speed to about the same as low gear.

I do avoid getting too crazy with it after I noticed that if you are drifting sideways on slippery snow and then hit a patch of dry pavement, there is quite a bit of tipping moment generated!

I have been keeping an ice skating rink on the lake cleared (kids got ice skates for Christmas). The plow is useless on the pure ice due to lack of traction, but the steering brakes help a lot getting the front-mounted blower turned around on the small area.

- Rick