Hydro's and brake pedals

FritzII · Dec 28, 2009

I'm thinking about my 2nd tractor. I sold my BX and I'm thinking about a Feb. purchase of a new 30 to 35 HP compact. I had many occasions where the BX went where it wanted to go and not where I wanted it to go. I noticed that the brake pedals are in front of the hydro pedal on Kubotas. I'm thinking I want the pedals on the other side ? I want to ask some questions from owners here.

How do you use the individual brakes ?
Is this not important on the heavier tractors ?
Should I stop thinking about it ?

TomOfTarsus · Dec 28, 2009

You know, I never thought much about it. on My TC18, the brakes (split pedal w/locking tab) are outboard and slightly forward of the treadle on the right hand side; I sure could not operate the treadle at the same time as the brakes.

Now, if I were trying to stop, I would be off the treadle anyway. But if I were trying to go, while braking one wheel like a skid steer, that would be more difficult. I've just never had the occasion to try it. Is this what concerns you?

I live here in hilly Southwestern Pa, too. And there may be an occasion for braking one wheel. I'll wait for more experienced operators to happen along.

Happy New Year!

Tom

DanD78 · Dec 28, 2009

I have a Deere 3320, 32 hp E-hydro. the wheel brakes are on the left and the hydro on the right. I have no idea if the brakes work or not. I have never touched them. I think I have used the parking brake a couple of times when hooking up to the 3 point and always when I haul the tractor.

The intention of individual brakes is to shorten the turning radius if a brake is applied while turning. I have used them a lot on large farm tractors but never had the need on my little one. They probably have their place in operation but not for what I use my tractor for.

Dan

beenthere · Dec 28, 2009

Deere seems to have that problem figured out, and when other tractors have hydro and the L/R brake pedals on the same side, they are indeed useless. Maybe it is a patent thing. But while I don't have a need to use the L/R brakes very often, when they are needed THEY ARE NEEDED.
4wd takes away a lot of situations where the left or right rear wheels don't need to be brake'd (stopped), but when one wheel loses traction it can be very helpful to be able to apply the brake to that wheel and force traction from the other one.
Clearly a design fault to me, when they are on the side of the forward reverse pedals.

Thanks to Deere, on this one.

firefighter jim · Dec 28, 2009

DanD78 said:
I have a Deere 3320, 32 hp E-hydro. the wheel brakes are on the left and the hydro on the right. I have no idea if the brakes work or not. I have never touched them. I think I have used the parking brake a couple of times when hooking up to the 3 point and always when I haul the tractor.

The intention of individual brakes is to shorten the turning radius if a brake is applied while turning. I have used them a lot on large farm tractors but never had the need on my little one. They probably have their place in operation but not for what I use my tractor for.

Dan

Agree with Dan, I have a Kubota tractor with HST. Other than parking, I never use the brakes! On occasion I will sometimes use the left or right brake only on my old Ford 8N when a tight turn is desired but never use it on the Kubota (never had a need to). Jim

srs · Dec 28, 2009

I have the B3030 hydro which does not have a clutch pedal. You would think Kubota (by now) would have at least put the brakes on the left side just like Deere. Stupid in my opinion that they haven't figured this out by now!

cointoss · Dec 28, 2009

I really have to agree with the above posts, I have often shaken my head about the brakes on the same side as the gas pedal on the Kubotas I have owned. How do you use them???

JDGreenGrass · Dec 28, 2009

I just have to say that I am amused, baffled, confused and dazed over this thread....

I never thought of it, never had to considering I have a standard shift BUT, to have the breaks on the same side as the treadle throws me for a loop.!! Useless is the proper word, as stated above.

How many feet do we have on our right side.??

Un-real.

This thread could go on for miles.....

art · Dec 28, 2009

I don't know why a manufacturer would build something that is unusual to an industry unless it was a feature. jd keep with a hand clutch on there tractors for ten years after everyone went to foot clutches on the left and brakes on the right. Been that way for fifty plus years on tractors even the green ones! Now they want to reverse it, can't say it wouldn't be nice if you should be using the brakes to steer but only the manufactuer will win with increased parts sales from broken axle housings and hubs!! jd even states to use the brakes to steer and are probably safe in all other then commercial use to not even have a warrantee claim!!!! Seen it, and I know I'll see it again!!! Keep buying them that way!!! To think that less then 1/4 of the compacts sold are that way! They will be the next collector tractor before there time!

MikeInEburg · Dec 28, 2009

I'm one of those folks that HAVE used the brakes for steering - mostly when going up a hill in the woods with backhoe attached. And I simply swing my left leg to the right side and apply the appropriate brake. The floor is flat, so this isn't a huge challenge. Maybe done this ten time over the past couple of years. Although it would be more intuitive to have them on opposite sides, it wasn't a deal-breaker for me.

Mike

Mark_in_NH · Dec 28, 2009

My NH TC35D has it's brake pedals on the left side, hydro pedal's on the right.
This configuration is one of the reasons I didn't want to go smaller then the 35D when I purchased. I do use the brakes. I have never liked the models of "any brand" with all the pedals under the right foot. I find it very comfortable and easy to ease off the hydro with the right foot while applying a little brake with left foot. Lift my left foot off the brake pedal and depress the hydro pedal with my right foot.
I also never really liked the rocker type hydro pedal although I am sure you would get used to it in time. I love the NH's seperate hydro pedals for F/R

Egon · Dec 28, 2009

My JD4200 has individual brake pedals on the left and one main brake on the right. The left ones really do help steer when clearing snow. The right one locks both brakes. When action is reflex it seems the right brake is the one that gets used.

NH-Rob · Dec 28, 2009

on the few occassions that I used the brakes to steer I just used the cruise control to hold the machine in motion while turning.
Rob

mixerdriver · Dec 28, 2009

I have a gear transmission on my Kubota, but if I were going to buy a HST compact tractor it would not be a Kubota because of their treadle pedal and brake pedal arrangement. I have always thought the separate F/R pedals on the right and the brake pedals on the left were the way to go. I don't understand why Kubota doesn't go to it. You see the other setup on tractors from every other mfr., so I don't think a patent problem exists.

DanD78 · Dec 28, 2009

when one wheel loses traction it can be very helpful to be able to apply the brake to that wheel and force traction from the other one. QUOTE said:
The 3000 series Deere tractors have a lockable rear end. Not sure about other brands. If you have a tractor with a standard transmission and no locking axle you are right on how to direct the power. Back in my antique tractor pulling days the brakes were the only way to stear the tractor after the front end came up any at all.

Dan

eepete · Dec 28, 2009

When I'm back dragging the FEL on my Kubota B21, the front wheels are out of the picture so you can only "steer" with the brakes. Often when doing this you drift off to one side or another depending on the tilt of the surface you are on. So you bring your left leg over and make it work. It would be much easier if the brakes were on the correct side, the left as they are on my JD 4520.
As for the front/back treadle, B21 was my 1st non garden tractor, so that's what I learned on, it's not a problem. I do like the side by side better.

So you can work around it, it's not every day it's a problem, it's not a deal breaker. If my B21 blew up today I'd get another. It is only annoying.

Fortunately, people are more adaptable than designers are stupid.

Pete

Samandothers · Dec 28, 2009

My first tractor work was on an 8N with right side brakes for each wheel and I used them a great deal to steer. Now with the L4240 the brakes are on the right as with the 8N and the HST pedal is there also. I have not needed to use the brakes to steer as the 4WD handles slippery issues. When I do need them I can move my left leg over and use it on the brakes. It has not been an issue.

ChuckinNH · Dec 28, 2009

I have a small Kubota, and it is light enough to have a mind of it's own when I am using the bucket to clean small snowfalls, etc. Those times I sure wish that I had the JD set up. You can use the cruise control, and then steer with the brakes. I thought that stepping on the brake disengaged the cruise, and it does when both pedals are locked together, or you step on them both at the same time. However, if you just use one brake pedal at a time, they do work for steering. I find that helpful if going across my field in the snow, or up my woods trails, but often you really want a little assistance from a stop, and that is harder. You can use your toe for the brake, and your heel for the hydro, but it's awkward as is using both feet........ tried it both ways. Now if I could get my quieter 3 range hydro, some other Kubota features, and position control, and the steering brakes on the other side in a tractor the size of mine, I would be a happy camper.

JB4310 · Dec 28, 2009

Riding side saddle to skid steer?
That reminds me of my Grandma, she would drive her automatic tranny car with 2 feet, would drive who ever was behind her crazy seeing that brake light constantly going off and on, she even got pulled over a few times, but she'd argue with the officer that she wasn't driving with 2 feet.

Guess I just took JD system for granted, I also rarely use brakes except the occasional skid steer need.
But I'll tell you it's good to familiarize yourself with your brakes, I was doing something on a steep drive the other day when I went to change range I hit the tween neutral, man I started rolling down slope pretty quickly, I hit the brakes with out much delay but there was that split second where I was "lost" then afterwards I thought oh yeah that's what those are for.

jb