What was Kubota thinking?

[orangebluegreen]

Easy solution, put the range selector in low and set the parking brake as hard as you desire. The low range will easily overcome the parking brake but the parked tractor will not.

That sounds like it might work if it will indeed overcome full "hard as you can set it" parking brake. Probably not too easy on brakes but I don't do that sort of thing that often. I'll give it a try next time I'm in that situation.

 

[_RaT_]

That sounds like it might work if it will indeed overcome full "hard as you can set it" parking brake. Probably not too easy on brakes but I don't do that sort of thing that often. I'll give it a try next time I'm in that situation.

Really not an issue on the brakes. I did not check to see what model tractor you have, the L30's are all oil bath brakes. They hardly ever get used with HST anyway so wear will never be a concern over the life of the tractor. I use to do it all the time with my L3830 HST. In low, you cannot set the brake hard enough to stop the low range gearing.

 

[SCDolphin]

Carver Kubota has a FAQ sections which addresses the brakes on the wrong side.

 

[dynasim]

I have enjoyed and learned from this post about directional braking. However, I would not suggest to anyone that they apply their brakes as hard as they want(can), and overpower them by putting their tractor into low gear, intentionally.

I am reasonably sure that, if you asked your dealer if that was appropriate, they would say no. An HST can put out a huge amount of torque in low gear. Brakes are designed to stop things. If you do this more than a couple of times, something is bound to break. What you are counting on is the failure of something(brake friction) that was not intended to fail when fully deployed. The strength of the brake system was designed to stop the motion of the tractor, not stop the engine in an infinitely low gear.

Best Regards
Chris Becker

 

[dynasim]

orangebluegreen,

I also wanted to ask whether the HST on your machine acts like a brake. On my tractor, I can be on a pretty good incline, and the tractor will not move when the HST pedal is not engaged. I thought this feature would be universal to HST's.

I had to center my HST when I got it to stop it from moving when in neutral, but I now adjust and hold position to a fine degree. The centering adjustment was very easy(less than 5 minutes total wrench time expended).

Best Regards
Chris

 

[_RaT_]

I have enjoyed and learned from this post about directional braking. However, I would not suggest to anyone that they apply their brakes as hard as they want(can), and overpower them by putting their tractor into low gear, intentionally.

I am reasonably sure that, if you asked your dealer if that was appropriate, they would say no. An HST can put out a huge amount of torque in low gear. Brakes are designed to stop things. If you do this more than a couple of times, something is bound to break. What you are counting on is the failure of something(brake friction) that was not intended to fail when fully deployed. The strength of the brake system was designed to stop the motion of the tractor, not stop the engine in an infinitely low gear.

Best Regards
Chris Becker

If the whole process was as weak as suggested, there would be a plethora of complaints from almost everyone who has left the parking brake on for extended times while traveling. Having had the entire brake assembly open, the two large mating surfaces bathed in oil are squeezed to gether in a very simple and even manner by a full circle of steel balls that a cam presses against thus pressing the plate into the other. Its a pretty bullet proof setup. Once you see it, I think you will change your mind. If it was as weak as suggested, Kubota would have had at a minimum a light indicating that the brake is on every tractor they make, they do not. I would not hesitate to do the brake/low gear lockup, in fact, did it all the time. The brake on HST models was more intended to be a parking brake, not stop the tractor, the HST does that.

 

[dynasim]

_RAT_

I would defer to experts, but it just doesn't seem like it is a good idea to me. I am probably wrong, and should have kept my fingers lifted.

On bigger tractors(the only ones where I have seen the brake assembly), brake replacement is a pain, and I would not risk having to replace them. I have seen this sort of thing(once I was responsible) cause our farm to have to replace them by overstressing them. They were wet. My father was not happy. However, that was 20 years ago, and brake pads/assemblies may have improved.

In my experience, most people don't put the parking brake on all that firmly.

Chris

 

[art]

I guess I'll chip in here as brakes are important. Hydro brake wear is extremely low compared to a gear drive. I can't remember seeing a kubota in for brakes since becoming a dealer 86. I still feel it is best to leave the brakes on the right, where they are on most all other tractors made, except a few. They may be nice for some but then so is good for the shop for fixing parts on the front end!

 

[orangebluegreen]

orangebluegreen,

I also wanted to ask whether the HST on your machine acts like a brake. On my tractor, I can be on a pretty good incline, and the tractor will not move when the HST pedal is not engaged. I thought this feature would be universal to HST's.

I had to center my HST when I got it to stop it from moving when in neutral, but I now adjust and hold position to a fine degree. The centering adjustment was very easy(less than 5 minutes total wrench time expended).

Best Regards
Chris

Yes my hydro acts as a brake but is not abrupt and neck snapping like some I have tried nor does it creep in neutral as some I’ve tried. I too have read this is a simple adjustment but right now mine is absolutely perfect for feel and control so no need to play with it. I rarely (never actually) have to use the brakes.

 

[orangebluegreen]

Rat, I have done just that before, had the parking brake set and forgot to undo it, then drove off for some period of time in high range at speed before realizing the brake was on. I haven’t had the opportunity to try your idea with a strap yet, but it will work no doubt, I tried full set on the parking break and in low my B2410 over powers it no problem. For tensioning a strap or chain we’re only talking moving the machine probably less than a foot.