JD twin hydro muscle memory training period?

bam747 · Apr 29, 2007

This is going to sound like an odd question...

How long does it take you to retrain 30+ years of "clutch on the left, brakes and foot throttle on the right" muscle memory from driving a 1973 JD 1020 utility tractor?

Especially as it concerns emergency reactions?

I recently took a 4320 with 400x FEL for a test drive around a dealer lot. I'm a very big, very tall guy. So much so that my right leg was accidentally dumping the FEL bucket because it was pushing the joystick control to the right. I didn't know this until the bucket started digging into the ground.

Once I realized what was going on, my immediate reaction was to "hit the clutch on the left and smash the brake on the right". This would bring my 1020 to an immediate stop.

Well guess what? On the 4320, the left peddle(s) are the brake and the "right" peddle is the hydro's forward peddle! So, for a couple seconds, I was smashing the brakes, but also accidentally smashing the eHydro forward peddle. The problem with this setup is that the load match kicked in and just kept trying to drive the tractor forward.

With the factory seat positioning, my right knee is basically OVER the hydro peddles so I had to lift my foot off the forward hydro peddle by lifting my right knee straight up at my hip rather than just rolling my ankle backwards.

I know I'll have to completely relocate the seat backward and upward to fit ME and make it so I'll have the same relative positioning of my right foot with respect to the hydro peddles. I'll also have to re-bend the FEL joystick control rod to clear MY legs.

But, even when I get the seat relocated, I'm worried about my reactions in emergency situations.

So, again, how long does it take all you JD 4x20 series eHydro owners to learn the "brakes on the left" control layout?

kennyd · Apr 29, 2007

Just like your sig line says, "Embrace the Technology"

The controls on my tractor became intuitive after about one hour of seat time. One short trip around the dealer's lot will not get you used to the controls.

thatguy · Apr 29, 2007

OR you learn the hard way - when you are rebuilding the garage back wall... LOL (hope that doesnt happen though)

brian

BillyP · Apr 29, 2007

bam747 said:
This is going to sound like an odd question...

How long does it take you to retrain 30+ years of "clutch on the left, brakes and foot throttle on the right" muscle memory from driving a 1973 JD 1020 utility tractor?

Especially as it concerns emergency reactions?

I recently took a 4320 with 400x FEL for a test drive around a dealer lot. I'm a very big, very tall guy. So much so that my right leg was accidentally dumping the FEL bucket because it was pushing the joystick control to the right. I didn't know this until the bucket started digging into the ground.

Once I realized what was going on, my immediate reaction was to "hit the clutch on the left and smash the brake on the right". This would bring my 1020 to an immediate stop.

Well guess what? On the 4320, the left peddle(s) are the brake and the "right" peddle is the hydro's forward peddle! So, for a couple seconds, I was smashing the brakes, but also accidentally smashing the eHydro forward peddle. The problem with this setup is that the load match kicked in and just kept trying to drive the tractor forward.

With the factory seat positioning, my right knee is basically OVER the hydro peddles so I had to lift my foot off the forward hydro peddle by lifting my right knee straight up at my hip rather than just rolling my ankle backwards.

I know I'll have to completely relocate the seat backward and upward to fit ME and make it so I'll have the same relative positioning of my right foot with respect to the hydro peddles. I'll also have to re-bend the FEL joystick control rod to clear MY legs.

But, even when I get the seat relocated, I'm worried about my reactions in emergency situations.

So, again, how long does it take all you JD 4x20 series eHydro owners to learn the "brakes on the left" control layout?

The first time I used the eHydro. I don't think I ever used the brakes since. I'll add it's a 4610 and not a 20 series

prosperity · Apr 29, 2007

Ha - don't feel bad - happens to many of us.

I used to be a heavy equipment instructor. One of the toughest things for most of my students (adults of course), was getting into a Gradall after running a backhoe for many years. The controls on our Gradalls are backwards from most backhoes and excavators.

So, what I had them do, is a bit of repetition with the controls - kind of like a brainwashing exercise.

First off, forget about the brake pedal for now - you will never use it unless you have a total hydraulic pressure loss - forget about the pedal on the left.

Then, just do some repetitious back and forth exercise with the hydro pedals for about 15 minutes at time. Anyone watching might think you are a bit goofy, but this does work. At first, you have to think about what you want your foot to do, to make the tractor go the way you want. After some exercises like this though, it will become second nature before you know it.

Something similar with me, actually today. I bought a nice Deere 727A Z-Trak zero turn back in March. I've maybe spent a total of 5 minutes on it since then, until today - my first mowing with it. I had to totally retrain myself to run this thing. It's a very good thing I did my first 1/2 hour out on open ground - the thing is so fast and responsive, I would have surely smacked in a building or tree. But, I did as above for a while - just running the controls back and forth (and to steer) - after a little bit I was on it pretty good.

Don't fear - the more time you spend on the machine, the quicker it will become second nature to you - I'll bet you'll envision the hydro pedals when you go to sleep tonight, as I will the control sticks on the Z!