Brake Pedals on the left foot or the right?

[Theowegian]

I noticed that the following on hydrostatic xmissions:
TC 33 NH brakes on right
4310 JD brakes on the left
B2910 Kubota brakes on the right.

Has anyone determined this to be a concern with sudden stopping? Was this brake pedal arrangement a determining factor when you purchased a CUT?

Personally, I plan on the Kubota B2910, because, because of the brakes on the right...just feels more natural...but I am aware that brakes are not needed much with the hydro...

any comments?

 

[_RaT_]

Dwight, you are right that with HST, you really don't use the brakes much if at all. Whether the brakes are on the right or left, you quickly accomodate. JD has the advantage of having brakes on the left thus allowing those who choose HST the option of using differential braking allowing skid turns. Most of us with compacts rarely utilize this, but if you need too, the JD has the advantage. With that said, I know with my Kubota L3830, differential braking is a snap with the ultra easy to use cruise control (forward only). I would not let brake pedal location influence your decision unless as mentioned, you need and use differential braking on a HST tractor. If that were a concern of mine, I'd probably be driving a John Deere. Rat...

 

[NIXON]

I'll give it a shot /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif First , I doubt you'll ever really use your brake pedal on an HST .Yes you might use it for parking ,etc . But I doubt you'll use it to actually stop ,unless you're pulling something REALLY HEAVY and going down hill . Once you release the hst pedal , the tractor just stops . ( mind you , we aren't talking any real speed here . Generally 1-6 mph ,when working it )
But, If using the brakes are a concern , it takes very little time to get used to any configuration of controls . That includes brakes , Hst, etc . I can appreciate your concern , and the fact that your brakes feel "more natural ".
But to be honest my brake pedals are probably the least used controls on my tractor . JMHO John
Rat beat me to the gun and gave a better answer . but Il leave the post any way /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[ScottAR]

Brakes on my JD are on the right, (gear tractor) Forklift at work is on left, Backhoe I looked at today was on left. A quick mental gear shift and it's natural... If I was running the same types of machine with different controls it would be harder, but since they'll all different, it doesn't seem to be a problem. Although, I occasionally look for the clutch on the forklift. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[Henro]

I have only occasionally wished the directional pedal and brake pedals were on different sides on my B2910. Not that often, but enough to remember.

Like the others have said above, it is probably not an issue at all. You will get used to whatever you end up buying.

I have found it hard, if not impossible, to push hard on one brake pedal and still use the directional pedal with the heel of one foot. I don't use cruise enough to remember, but I think the cruise control on the B2910 will disable if you push both brake pedals together, but not if you push one at a time. So you could use the cruise like RAT does. But don't bump the other brake pedal or cruise will kick off [I think]. Also cruise doesn't work in reverse I am almost certain.

For me it is nearly a non-issue, but on those rare times I want to use differential braking I give Kubota a big thumbs down on their placement of the brake pedals above the directional pedal. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

I would buy the B2910 again without question though...not a big deal in my case.

 

[755inNY]

I agree with the others. I hardly ever use the brakes on my JD 755 with HST during normal operations.

However, if you expect to be doing things that require differential braking to steer, then having the brake pedals on the opposite side from the hydro pedals makes a big difference. This most often occurs when doing work with the FEL. The front wheels can become ineffective when the FEL is exerting down pressure to scrape or dig. A quick tap on the left or right brake pedal, while keeping the hydro pedal down, keeps the tractor going straight. A similar situation could occur if you were pulling a load that took weight off the front axle.

Left side brakes are also useful when you need to creep up to something, especially on a downhill slope. You can keep your left foot positioned on the brake pedal and apply braking while releasing pressure on the hydro pedal.

JD did the 755 right. It has independent brake pedals on the left side and a single brake pedal, extending above the hydro pedals, on the right side. The single brake pedal is also used to engage the parking brake.

Jeff

 

[_RaT_]

Henro, as soon as you get into the Grand L series, the cruise control which is arguably the best designed I have used allows very easy differential braking but as mentioned, only in forward where is is most likely to be used if ever used at all. I have used only to try it but for my needs, it's just not needed not to mention the turf damage it does. It will disengage cruise control when both brakes are hit at the same time. The cruise on my L3830 HST works so smooth that there are times I use it over the pedal just like I use the pedal. This is particularly true while mowing which by the way is next week or so for the first time this year which reminds me I need new blades. Rat...

 

[PineRidge]

I have actually found that my best application for the cruise control is in reverse when using the snow blower. Not only does it afford controlled low speeds for blowing snow but it also helps with the twisted body position of a rear mounted blower not having to have one leg extended to hit the hydro pedal.

 

[thcri]

I have never used the brakes to turn or have had a need to. With Super-Steer you get pretty tight turns. Now I don't want to start another argument as to who can turn sharper but with the front axles pointing in the direction you want to go it does help pull the tractor in to a turn. Again I don't want to start another argument. With braking you can turn pretty sharp also.

murph

 

[Theowegian]

Well I have two hydro lawn/garden tractors. One is a JD and the other a old Cub Cadet. Ive bumped into things with both of them due to tractor brakes being on different sides. My only experience with Hydrostatic transmissions is "hand controlled" Cub and JD lawn mowers. The Cub is left hand controlled and the John Deere is right hand controlled, hence the confusion when making emergency stops for me. Therefore when going to a FOOT controlled transmission (B2910) my concerns should disappear based on what you forum members are saying... My small ag tractor is an Allis D14, with an old style standard gear transmission with individual L/R brakes on the right foot. I use foot assisted turns alot when pushing snow or getting into tight spots. Grew up on the farm and just became normal turning technique, if needed.

So my biggest concern is the safety issue. Im loath to the thought of crashing my new tractor even once!

Anyway, I talked my concerns over with the New Holland tractor rep at the Western Farm Show last weekend in Kansas City. He told me that the NH compact utility tractors specifically placed the brakes on the right side because of the safety factor of making emergency stops. Apparently, the field tests some years ago revealed that the difference (between left and right side brake placement) was significant enough that the design engineers felt that for emergency stopping reasons alone, NH would put the foot brakes on the right side. (He said part of the field safety test consisted of "pop-up" objects on a driving course).

Neat to see that "human factors" were considered when designing compacts...WAYYYY COOOOL!!!!

Now I can add another reason to buy a compact tractor.... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif