Turning with dual brakes, when, how and how often do you use them?

[mswlogo]

I had a chance to try the Left/Right break turns Sunday on a B2320 DTN.

WOW it can turn on a dime.

Any tips on of when and when not to use it?

How often do you use it?

Of course you wouldn't want to use it on the lawn.

 

[Ron D.]

I would use the brakes to assist in turning only when it is required. When you're in a tight situation and backing up with an implement is not a good option, get as close as possible and then use your brakes to assist, but watch turning too tight in that you might "over turn" into your implement tongue (if not 3 point). The more you use them, the quicker the brakes will wear.

People who farm/ranch will be able to give you better advice as to when to use your brakes for turning, because it generally depends on the implement and what you're doing. When I was teenager helping my dad at the ranch, I would use the brakes to help me keep a very tight turn when I was cutting hay with a sickle mower.

 

[MMagis]

I use it all the time, so much that I don’t even know when I’m doing it. Eventually you get a feel for when you need to and when not to. Make sure you have anti-sway bars with any 3 ph attachments, it can really throw them to the side.

 

[TripleR]

It is going to depend on your tractor and what you are doing. When I was farming, I used the brakes to swing around and line up for the next pass and this way you could put more into cultivation as you didn't need as big of a "turn row". As the tractors have gotten bigger and longer, this really doesn't help much and if I use the brakes on one of my bigger tractors, I just drag the wheel and tear the ground up without really making that much difference in the turning circle. I will use mine to gain traction when one wheel starts to slip if I don't want to lock the differential. I rarely use any brakes on my larger tractors unless I am on a hill side and need to hold it, I just gear down to stop as I know well in advance.

Only time and experience will tell you when using one brake is "appropriate". You can probably ask five different experienced users and get four different answers.

 

[RobJ]

you probably don't want to use it in the front yard. I use mine a lot when in soft soil and the fronts won't turn. Usually when I have something on the 3pt and the front end is lighter because of this.

Rob

 

[thatguy]

I have never used my brakes independently.. I leave them connected 100% of the time..

brian

 

[gumtree]

I used mine once, when the tractor slid sideways and I ended up with a tree in between the box blade and rear wheel. The tight turn got me free.

 

[hr3]

I have HST.. and wasn't bore with 3 feet..

 

[Reg]

Mine are ALWAYS unlinked.
Often when clearing snow, other times when.... Hmmm, dunno.
As others have said, it is a sub conscious thing, I use 'em independently whenever I have to use 'em that way.
I can also get both of them reasonably easily, the pedals are close together, I rarely use wheel brakes to slow, just engine braking.
I don't use turning brakes when I have an implement in the ground - just in case someone asks, that ain't generally a good thing to do.
Lift it, turn with brakes, straighten up for next row, lower it.
{but Ya KNEW that, right ?}

 

[Duffster]

I use mine mostly when backing wagons into the shed and mowing hay.