That dang parking brake!

Luke'sScreenName · Jun 28, 2015

I have had this problem on both HST tractors I have owned-- I forget I have the parking break set and drive around like a dope burning breaks and fuel!

I've tried to stomp the heck out of the brake pedal prior to engaging the parking brake so it's harder to be oblivious to its effects but doing that is a PIA and I guess I am lazy. So what ends up happening is I don't set the parking brake and hope for the best (occasionally I'll set the FEL on the ground). Not the safest solution as I am off and on the tractor a lot. (In advance: please no suggestions like- "just don't forget that it's set or "you can't TELL when the brakes are engaged?! thanks :thumbsup: )

So I just copied a mod suggested in this forum (someone please help me give credit to the "inventor / originator" as I can't find the original post).

There are now flashing blue chasing lights and the å�¢arking brake like now flashes. Itç—´ a great mod but as the originator mentioned it may not (and in fact does not) attract much attention in bright daylight (the originator has a cab). So basically my distracted mind can still ignore it.

My first step is to find a brighter LED light. Any suggestions? (It needs to be a three wire fixture with a control wire as there is power to the light when the warning light is off).

My second step is to add loud sound!

I want a buzzer to go off only when both the parking break AND the HST pedal are engaged. In other words I donç¨š want to hear the alarm the entire time the parking brake is set (that would drive me nuts); I only want to hear the alarm when the brake is set AND I step on the HST pedal (either reverse or forward).

So I got to looking at the HST pedal expecting to find a pressure switch that is activated when engaged forward or backwards or possibly two switches -one for each direction (my MX has one pedal that rocks back and forth). No such thing the pedal linkages go right into the drivetrain housing. I can see the whole thing and no switch or wires. I know one exists because the pedal related safety fractures work (e.g. the engine dies if you press the HST pedal without being in the seat).

Is this ECU controlled? Where is the sensor(s) for engagement of the pedal? Kubota MX4800

Help!

Thomas · Jun 29, 2015

I like the light idea. :thumbsup:

SPYDERLK · Jun 29, 2015

The question for me is when and whether you need the brakes to park. I have 2 HSTs. The older one will roll easy in gear, but the newer wont - it pretty much sticks where you put it. Yours is a newer model and I expect is the same. Floating the fel bucket is added insurance and the two together are adequate for all general circumstances; turning the wheels is a further additive option. I find the special circumstances where the brakes are needed are unique enuf that it reminds me they are on.
,,,larry

mddorange · Jun 29, 2015

I treally like what you did and I am going to do the same. Thanks.

bfisherman11 · Jun 29, 2015

I am guilty as well. I had a 1941 Ford 9N with no parking brake. I just left it in gear and shut off mostly.

My new LS G3033H with HST obviously has this feature. I am good about using the brake but not so good at tripping it off before I start to take off... I hate that feeling when I realize I am fighting the brake..... I am watching this post closely.

Bill

Cord · Jun 29, 2015

My mower has the brake interlocked to the ignition. Try to move the machine with the brake on and it kills the engine. First time I used the mower it took me 3-4 tries before I realized what was happening.

HEC · Jun 29, 2015

I have left the brake on several times in the past with gear tractors , now I have finally gotten use to taping the brakes every time I start off , it is automatic for me to do that now .

Fallon · Jun 29, 2015

As I rarely have to use stopping brakes on my HST I leave the brakes unpinned as turning brakes. The parking brake lever only engages the left brake. So I figure out pretty quick when I'm driving in circled. I also put the brake on as hard as I can. That way the HST squeals a bit when I hit the go pedal also reminding me.

I have left the brake on before though.

Paul Thornton · Jun 29, 2015

Here are my blue brake lights.

Luke'sScreenName · Jun 29, 2015

Paul Thornton said:
Here are my blue brake lights.

:thumbsup:

k0ua · Jun 29, 2015

HEC said:
I have left the brake on several times in the past with gear tractors , now I have finally gotten use to taping the brakes every time I start off , it is automatic for me to do that now .

I used to leave it on quite a bit with the last tractor, but I don't seem to forget any more with this one. I always stomp the brake pedal before I take off even if is not set. Of course that big red brake lamp on the dash could help too.

4570Man · Jun 29, 2015

I notice if the brake is on. It really struggles to move and I can hear it straining. I usually don't set the parking brake. One night I pulled the tractor up to the garage to plug up the block heater and left it on a hill. Overnight the tractor slowly rolled down the hill and tore the end off my second favorite yellow jacket cord.

Oldpath05 · Jul 2, 2015

After 8 years I still cant seam to remember the brakes are set, probably because when I get wood out, I try not to set them, usually with the bucket on the ground and the winch down, that will hold the tractor, but sometime on a bank I want to set the brakes too, and that's where I forget there on, for the next fifty feet, wondering why this blanking tractor is going so hard, then it dawns on me.

I always thought if I only had some dash lights to remind me like those that Paul has on his dash, like to know how that's done, but I need them flashing, then I'll know I'll see them.

This could be a sign that I'm getting old, and the older I get the more I start thinking about the here-after, I walk into a room and wonder what I'm here-after.:dance1:

Paul Thornton · Jul 3, 2015

Oldpath, I bought the lights at Walmart, LEDs that plug into the cigarette lighter. I cut them apart, pulled the dash off, drilled two holes, siliconed the lights in and made a bracket to hold a momentary switch against the brake lever. I had to make the fine adjustment using electrical tape. I taped into a hot wire on the ignition switch.

HEC · Jul 3, 2015

This could be a sign that I'm getting old, and the older I get the more I start thinking about the here-after, I walk into a room and wonder what I'm here-after.:dance1:[/QUOTE]

That's two of us , go down cellar for 2 things come back up with one , if I remember what one was that is .

Oldpath05 · Jul 4, 2015

Paul Thornton said:
Oldpath, I bought the lights at Walmart, LEDs that plug into the cigarette lighter. I cut them apart, pulled the dash off, drilled two holes, siliconed the lights in and made a bracket to hold a momentary switch against the brake lever. I had to make the fine adjustment using electrical tape. I taped into a hot wire on the ignition switch.

Thanks for the info, I see you hooked up the switch to the brake release lever, that's what I had in mind, but what is a momentary switch and where did you find it or will any switch do, maybe I could take a light switch out the house and try that

Oldpath05 · Jul 4, 2015

HEC said:
This could be a sign that I'm getting old, and the older I get the more I start thinking about the here-after, I walk into a room and wonder what I'm here-after.:dance1:

That's two of us , go down cellar for 2 things come back up with one , if I remember what one was that is .[/QUOTE]
Now you get to make two trips, I guess that's how we get are exercise, if someone want exercise.

Paul Thornton · Jul 5, 2015

Old path, the switch is only on when you press it, any auto parts store will have them. Make sure you find a wire that only has power when the key is on.

tallyho8 · Jul 5, 2015

I used a door switch out of an old refrigerator. Most have 2 switches, the fan switch turns on when the button is pressed in and the light switch turns on when the button is let out so you use the one that best fits your set-up.

The older round switches are the best because it is easy to drill a round hole in a piece of metal to make a bracket to hold them where you want them.

bfisherman11 · Jul 5, 2015

While using my tractor today I had a duh moment. I realized I have a brake light. I just see that now and all is good. Big red P glowing is all I need now to remind me. Ha, why didn't I see that before.

Bill