Bx 23 mod Parking Brake Light

[Sidewinder]

Well it did not take long to forget the park brake was on and drive around a little while /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif so I made a little mod to my machine.
A small micro switch mounted on a bracket just above the brake pedal bar under the floor pan. and a Red LED light from Wal-Mart and some scrap wire . and WA LA No more burn up the brakes. Have pictures /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[btolle]

That is nifty, especially since I drove around for about 20 minutes today with my brake on. Which is not the first time I have done that.

Where did you buy the micro switch? I live in a small town in East Texas and if I ask someone for a "micro-switch" around here they will ask me if I need it to beat a Chihuahua.

Bill Tolle

 

[JWE]

Nice mod... I also have driven with my parking brake on. Could you provide some pictures of the switch and some details as to where you hooked up the wires.

John

 

[HomeBrew2]

Yep, me too ... 'course if the brakes actually held Baby, I don't think this would be a thread. I learned quickly to sink some attachment in the ground if I really needed to keep it parked. You've got a great mod there and to preserve what little parking brake Baby has, I'm anxious to do it myself ... and the previously mentioned request for details would be most helpful.
Cheers!

 

[notamustang]

Using the marker light was a good idea. Leaving the brake on is truly the most common mistake we make.

Radio shack usually has some micro switches if anyone is haveing trouble finding them.

 

[DaMadman]

Yep with all the IDIOT lights they have on the BX I think the IDIOTS should have put one more for IDIOTS like myself that leave the Brake on quite often. Although I am getting quite a bit better about remembering I still do it from time to time

 

[Mike_C]

Ditto. The real question is, why doesn't the brake work like it should? Even in high gear, I can drive my BX-22 around with the brake on. Why? If I set the parking brake on my pickup truck
I can't drive around like that. Seems Kubota should fix this wimpy brake don't you think?

 

[scott_in_ny]

more pics please.....
I also have done this more times than i can count.
I have gotten into the bad habiy of not using it and just dropping the loader. but if the loader isnt on thats a problem.
I also would do this mod. it is needed

 

[JoshJ]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Ditto. The real question is, why doesn't the brake work like it should? Even in high gear, I can drive my BX-22 around with the brake on. Why? If I set the parking brake on my pickup truck
I can't drive around like that. Seems Kubota should fix this wimpy brake don't you think?
)</font>

One difference is the amount of torque. Even tho your truck has heaps more power than your tractor, your tractor has a lot more torque per HP. That is probably why you can move your tractor and not your truck.
Also, it is a PARKING brake. It is designed to keep your tractor from rolling when power is off. not to keep you from powering forward.
Reminds of the time Grandpop left the brake on in the tractor we used to bale with. Well, the first time he clutched, tractor/baler/wagon stopped, Dad and the bales didnt, off the wagon they went. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[HomeBrew2]

I believe your analysis but, in fact, it (at least mine) does not act as a parking brake ... with a decent incline, it will not keep Baby parked, period. You have mentioned something that triggered a thought I will try though, maybe the engine needs to be off for the brake to actually work as a parking brake. I will say that the "brake" does slow down the roll ... if I'm quick to set a choker with Baby on an incline it will slow her down long enough for me to get back onboard ... oddly, I kinda like the pressure but it made me spill most of my beer last time /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Cheers!

 

[kenneyz]

I know my profile says new member but I've been around on and off for a few years now....anyhow my point is I had the same issue with my bx2200, and did the same mod right after I got it, a small metal momentary toggle sw hooked to the brake pedal via a spring. Somewhere in the history of this forum are the pics of my mod, If I get the chance I'll snap some new ones and post. Mine has been done for three years and over 300hrs in all kinds of mud, snow ect and still works great! I think the issue with the brake is that the engine and tranny are powerfull enough to overcome it, don't forget it's a wet system, not dry like a car, so they will slip if forced. I'm just getting ready to do all fuilds and some general maintance and I was thinking of checking the adjustment on my brakes...since I'm gonna have my face under there and all! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[ljh2]

Maybe Baby needs to have the linkage adjusted. The brakes should do a fair job of holding if they are adjusted right. I don't know how steep of an incline you are talking about, but on a moderate slope they should hold. I do agree that I drop an implement if I plan to leave mine sit on a slope much though.
Of course, if you drive around much with the brakes on, you'll probably need to adjust them again.