Hydro Pedals are Stiff

cbs2016 · Feb 17, 2016

I am not sure if it is just me but the pedals are really stiff, it takes a lot of force to move them. The tractor has almost 10 hours on it? It almost feels like the parking brake is on, but I know it is not....

George2615 · Feb 17, 2016

Welcome to TBN...................

Not sure what the temperature is out your way but hydraulic fluid thickens up when cold which could cause stiff pedals. Once warmed up it should be better. Hopefully this is your problem.

davesl708 · Feb 17, 2016

Might check the pivot points to see if they are over tightened or need lube. Also, look to see if something is wedged in the linkage.

Roudebushequipment · Feb 17, 2016

I don't know anything about a Branson, but on some Massey models the hydrostat pedals are tied into the parking brake and "cruise control" by cables. They could be too tight or possibly frozen water inside the cable if they got soaked and then froze. Also check the spring return detent for the pedals if it has one.

Do the pedals stay down once released or do they come back quickly to neutral?

Wagtail · Feb 17, 2016

davesl708 said:
Might check the pivot points to see if they are over tightened or need lube. Also, look to see if something is wedged in the linkage.

G'day Mate and welcome to TBN from Downunder.

I agree with davesl708. On my 4105, the owners manual didn't mention a couple of grease nipples (zerks) on the FWD/REV pedals... discovered them when the rig was first serviced by the dealership's mobile mechanic (part of my purchase deal). On the other hand, the manual indicated nipples on the front wheels which had been eliminated a few years prior. :confused3:

If it moves = grease it or spray it with WD40 (or an equivalent lubricant)... often.

cbs2016 · Feb 18, 2016

Thanks everyone! George2615...the temp has been in the 60s here. Wagtail and davesl708 I'll check tomorrow for any grease nipples or any obstruction. Roudebushequipment I will check for a detent...and as for the pedals the draw back slowly...

Like I said it is brand new less than 10 hours....so maybe they are just tight??

coolnick73 · Feb 19, 2016

I have about the same amount of hours as you and it seems like my hydraulics were stiff. It seems like (in my case) that things may need to loosen up a bit. I can't comment about the HST as I have the shuttle.

Mr Bitz · Feb 24, 2016

I guarantee that when these are new they are pretty tight. I think the biggest thing to look for is how they return to the neutral position. Is it relatively fast? They should return immediately to the neutral position when let off. If this is the case let the paint wear off of the linkage system and it'll be fine. Branson says to jack both wheels off the ground and see if there is any wheel that spins in either direction, they should not spin at all if they are set right if they spin forward or reverse there needs to be adjusting. Just my 2 cents.

cbs2016 · Mar 2, 2016

"Branson says to jack both wheels off the ground and see if there is any wheel that spins in either direction, they should not spin at all if they are set right if they spin forward or reverse there needs to be adjusting. Just my 2 cents."

Are we talking both rear or right front/rear...while in 4wd...just trying to clarify.