L3400 Hydro Pedal Uncomfortable

[westbrooklawn]

I recently traded my gear L3400 for a HST L3400. I finally made the change after using my friends John Deere Hydro, and realizing how much better the Hydro was for loader work.

The JD has 2 pedals side by side... one for forward, and one for reverse... both are operated with the "toe" end of your foot, and your heal stays on the floorboard... intuitively and ergonomically very easy to use and very natural feeling.

My new Kubota pedal is a "rocker" style... toe for forward, and heel for reverse. Forward is fine, but reverse feels very ackward and not natural... the reverse portion of the pedal is too high to leave your toes on the floorboard... you must pick your whole foot up and put your heel on the pedal... it just feels very uncomfortable. I know it may get better with time (only have about 6 hours on it), but was wondering if any others had felt this was a problem. And for you JD lovers... NO, buying a new JD is not the viable solution... lol!!!

 

[kennyd]

And for you JD lovers... NO, buying a new JD is not the viable solution... lol!!!

Well, there goes any advice I was going to offer!

But seriously, I much prefer the JD pedal arrangement myself also. Between the boomerang/treadle pedal thing and the joystick for the FEL mounted up high on the loader mast the ones I tested years ago did not "fit" me well.

 

[TripleR]

I was recently tractor shopping and much preferred the feel of the HST on the Grand L over the L. I have owned and still own Kubotas and John Deeres and really haven't had significant problems with either though I do prefer the new split pedal on the newer BX models.

Bottom line is that you will get use to it; whether you will ever like it is another thing. What works well for one person doesn't for another and even how you use your tractor will also play a part. As for just changing directions while sitting straight forward I find no advantage one way the other; both are comfortable. When half turned in the seat hooking equipment or bush hogging, as I get less flexible, I find the JD works better. However, since I HATE brakes on the left...

 

[art]

If, and thats a big one but after being in this market all my life, if I was to own a tractor personally it would be a single petal hydro for what I know about repairs and customs and traditions. To think that you instantly have fifty percent less moving parts!!!!! I listen to my farm customers and they say "how stupid" of a design to put the brakes on the left. These guys own john deere tractors to make a living with!

What I would do is be sure that the hydro petal for forward is flat on the bottom. I find the easiest way to operate any hydro is with the heel staying on the floor and lifting with the top of my foot for reverse for occasional use.

I've seen plenty of things come down the pike from manufacturers and I don't like to see major changes in how they operate compared to everyone else unless the long run benifits are high and it's for safety. This is not the case here as the moving of the brake petals to the left side will only confuse some, really it makes little difference as with hydro's I haven't seen any real need to use the brakes to stop. It is just a sales gimmick and of coarse some will follow, it will be interesting to see what is there ten years from today! I suppose I might need the shop business to increase from those that do like this type of drive but I've seen enough of the damage from people doing brake steers on wide front end tractors not only the four wheel drive tractors. Some times it's better to makke a second approach!

 

[6dog]

My little TG series Kubota has the boomerang rocker pedal and I personally find it easier to bring the ball of my foot to the back of the pedal for reverse. Using my heel for reverse creates a weird ligament stretch feeling in my foot which I find uncomfortable.