Steering with bakes with HST

[wwbb1]

Have new TC34DA and have an operational question. I spent 20 years using my independent brakes to help steer a MF 135 2wd-got me our of lots of tight places. Now I have 4wd ne NH and maybe don't need to worry about it but what if I want to use only my right (or left) brake while useing the HST foot control to move forward or backward? How can my foot be on both the HST and brake at the same time?

 

[adlertom]

Use your third leg

I've seen some posts about people doing fancy footwork to do this, but unfortunately it's not really feasable to brake steer your tractor.

I think John Deere puts the brake pedals on the left side for this reason?

A while ago someone also suggested disabling the cruise control disengage switch on the brake pedal, but this would probably anger the safety gods.

 

[jbrumberg]

wwbb1:

Welcome to TBN ! I drove a geared Ford 1100 4WD for many years and used the turning brakes without any difficulties. I have puzzled over how to use the turning brakes on my TC29DA , but have not yet come up with a method that makes me comfortable. I used to "heel-toe" my old "hot rods" in my youth ; I have not yet attempted this manuever with my tractor and my reconstructed right ankle. I used my turning brakes when I brush hogged my fields; this year I approached mowing the same fields differently with the new tractor and I was able to mow without the turning brakes and had no difficulties. Jay

 

[Partsman2]

NH must be using the same engineers as Kubota. That was the first question I asked my brother when he got his new L3830. How in the *ell are you going to use the individual brake pedals for steering?

My JD 4710 has the brake pedals on the left and the hydro pedals on the right. What a novel idea!

 

[jbrumberg]

Partsman2:

I agree. No one talks (i.e. engineers/designers) to the people who actually use the equipment they design. I also have a small sailboat. I am as crazy about sailing as I am about trying to homestead my property. There are many cases in the boating world where designers "design" interiors whose dimenisions exceed the dimensions of the outer hull . It appears to me that regardless of "color" sales/marketing/image "priorities" "trump" functional realities . Jay

 

[jinman]

Partsman2 is close to right in his answer. I was going to say that if you want to do differential braking, you should trade your TC34DA in on a TC35DA. The Class III NHs have brakes on the left.

Didn't you sit on the tractor and figure this out before buying?

 

[daTeacha]

This question bothered me quite a bit while I was trying to decide between gear and hst. Experiment a bit and you will find a way to make it work, sort of. Find a clear place where it won't hurt to tear up the ground a bit. Set the tractor moving forward with the brake pedals disconnected. Turn on the cruise control. Step on one brake pedal, I believe the left one. The tractor stops. Repeat the procedure and step on the right brake -- the tractor turns with the right rear locked. I don't remember which one, but only one of the brake pedals shuts the cruise off. It isn't too hard to see how to disable it if you feel the need. Just be careful with the cruise control since you will need to shut it off with the switch from then on.

I thought I would be doing that as a first "mod" to my tractor, but found out the thing was maneuverable enough that I didn't really miss the turning brakes at all. I thought I would just have to have them since I used them a lot on my previous, smaller tractor, but I get along just fine using two wheel braking all the time.

 

[wwbb1]

Yes, I did notice that on the test drive but the 34 fit my needs better. And thanks to the last "poster" re: his experiences. I too felt it would be an issue but have been over all my relatively steep 22 acres with a bush hog and never needed independent braking. I guess I'll leave the brakes locked together and only experiment if I get in a bad way somewhere. Besides, after getting used to all the safety requirements to start my TC34da (the old MF 135 would start in gear, with no one aboard, etc), not unlocking the brakes gives me one less part of the start up proceedure.

Thanks to all. This has been my first post.

 

[dqdave1]

I have a 1999 TC29 and complained about this back then; needs to be changed; Class III has solved all problems that I have had; ie:, brakes on left side; turtle/rabbit switch to help when using loader; these two items could be put on class II ; but why won't they do it?
Send a complaint letter via email to CNH.

 

[schmism]

im in the fancy foot work group...

im considering moving the cruise control off switch from the left brake to the clutch. then i could set the cruise (drive it like a gear'd tractor) and use the breaks with the right foot, clutch (forward movement off) with the left. (even with the HST when giveing a quick intro to operation on the tractor, i still tell people, yes taking your foot off the peddle will stop it, but if in a pannic situation, go both feet in)

to me that seems to be the best solution for us class II guys.

(btw i use my cutting breaks when useing the FEL when im pushing up crap on the ground and dont have sufficent weight on the front wheels to stear anymore, and/or they are downright in the air)