Kubota forward-reverse pedal

[Louman]

I have a new Kubota B2301 HSD tractor, I'm having a rough time getting adjusted to the foot speed control pedal. I have 3 other hydro tractors and they have the two pedal, forward and reverse design. I have peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage) in my feet and it's almost impossible for me to use the reverse function with this pedal design. I'm just wondering how many people rather the Kubota foot pedal compared to the two pedal design?

 

[RGAZ]

I have a B3350 and the rocking motion of the pedal is also a challenge for my wife. She has PTTS which prevents the foot from lifting up. She cannot use a rocking motion and has to lift her foot up to engage reverse. It can be annoying for her, but she has grown used to it. We also have a John Deere lawn tractor that has the two pedals and while she says it is easier, she still has to lift her foot. Personally, I am very tall and the Kubota seat does not go back far enough for me (my wife is very short so permanent changes to seat position are not allowed), so the rocking pedal can cause cramping for me when i reverse too much, so I would say I would prefer a two pedal design if had my choice.

 

[Leejohn]

I use my toe for rev. my lifting up on the fwd part.

 

[oldballs]

From past comments on TBN, IIRC, some critics really hate the rocking pedal design. Others just say "I'm used to it now".

Some of this may be due to the shoe size or leg length. Little ladies and tall men might make a difference along with other physical aspects.

Cheers,
Mike

 

[sandyc]

You could install a board between the heel and toe and just slide your foot forward or back. Wouldn’t have to lift your foot.
Also you might be able to rig up a hand control

 

[Roadworthy]

Since the only HST I've ever had or used is the Kubota system I have no other frame of reference. That said I've learned to work with it but I don't know that two pedals would be any better.

 

[buck12]

I have both pedal styles. Dual pedal on my JD mower and single pedal on my Kubota. I didn’t think I would like the single pedal design as much but it has been a nonissue. I think I like the single better when bush hogging on field edges where I am doing a lot of backing under over hanging limbs. I pivot the seat and don’t have to pickup my foot. With the dual pedal system I have pushed the wrong pedal when looking over my shoulder.

 

[Trillium Farm]

Personally I'd not buy a 1 pedal machine! I've tried the Kubota, but could not find a comfortable position, others have so it may be just a personal quibble, but I much prefer the 2 pedals system.

 

[rScotty]

Personally I'd not buy a 1 pedal machine! I've tried the Kubota, but could not find a comfortable position, others have so it may be just a personal quibble, but I much prefer the 2 pedals system.

I think the interesting thing is that we rarely or never hear from anyone who prefers the Kubota rocker.
At best it seems to be a case of, "I can get used to it".

So why does Kubota persist in using their system? It just seems odd to me. Not at all like what I would expect from a top-line manufacturer.
rScotty

 

[SDT]

I use my toe for rev. my lifting up on the fwd part.

So do I.

Still, I believe (never owned one) that I would prefer the two pedal system.

SDT

 

[bcp]

Put a strap over the forward pedal sort of like a stirrup so you can reverse by tilting your foot upwards. Maybe a heel rest on the floor would help, too.

Bruce

 

[randyjs]

Put a strap over the forward pedal sort of like a stirrup so you can reverse by tilting your foot upwards. Maybe a heel rest on the floor would help, too.

Bruce

This. There are many times when I lift the pedal with my toe to reverse.

 

[sandyc]

I’ve had 7 Kubota tractors of various types and I like the single pedal system. Guess I think it works ok in that working close to a structure I am not going to hit the wrong pedal and do some damage.

 

[East30]

I think the interesting thing is that we rarely or never hear from anyone who prefers the Kubota rocker.
At best it seems to be a case of, "I can get used to it".

So why does Kubota persist in using their system? It just seems odd to me. Not at all like what I would expect from a top-line manufacturer.
rScotty

I have both a JD with two pedals and my Kubota rocker, I have never really thought about either. I get on 'em and use them. I don't prefer one or the other, guess I'm simply "used to both", I like them both just fine.

 

[Thomas]

Only time I find rocker pedal issue when I have my snow packs and they got good thread other than that. :thumbsup:

 

[Milo]

I think the interesting thing is that we rarely or never hear from anyone who prefers the Kubota rocker.
At best it seems to be a case of, "I can get used to it".

So why does Kubota persist in using their system? It just seems odd to me. Not at all like what I would expect from a top-line manufacturer.
rScotty

I sure hope Kubota doesn't change because I far prefer it, LOL my sister probably does too now. Her JD mower has the two pedal and when she let her SIL drive it he slowed to a stop as he approached a tree, turned off the deck then promptly hit the wrong pedal by mistake and crashed into the tree breaking the hood, I hated having two pedals on my JD X310 as well. I just couldn't get used to pushing forward to go backward, and then pushing the left pedal (like brake pedal on a car) to go forward, and push right pedal (like accelerator pedal on a car) to go backwards. I suppose if I used it all the time and didn't have the more intuitive single pedal on my tractor I would have gotten used to it.
But if someone is handicapped to where they have difficulty reaching one of the JD's two peddles get a Kubota. Likewise if they can't do either; lift the front of the treadle up with their toe underneath, or heal down the back of the treadle, in order to reverse they should get a JD or other twin pedal hydro. Nice having choices.

 

[s219]

I have used all types (sometimes in the same day) and get used to all of them. One thing I have noticed on this site is that a lot of people who complain about treadles are trying to use the treadle as a "rocker" with their foot sitting on it the same way the whole time. That is not how the treadle on the B and L (not Grand L) models is setup. It's intended to work as follows:

1) for forward, your heel is on the floor and your toe is pressing the forward part of the treadle.
2) for reverse, pivot back at the knee so that your toe is on the floor and your heel is pressing the rear part of the treadle.

Basically, you pivot at the knee to move your heel and toe into proper position so that one is the pivot and the other presses down.

I have tried to operate these treadles the wrong way, as some people claim to do, and can't imagine for the life of me how that would even make sense.

Note, other Kubotas, like the Grand L, have a different arrangement that does allow the foot to remain stationary on the treadle, like a rocker.

 

[rScotty]

I have used all types (sometimes in the same day) and get used to all of them. One thing I have noticed on this site is that a lot of people who complain about treadles are trying to use the treadle as a "rocker" with their foot sitting on it the same way the whole time. That is not how the treadle on the B and L (not Grand L) models is setup. It's intended to work as follows:

1) for forward, your heel is on the floor and your toe is pressing the forward part of the treadle.
2) for reverse, pivot back at the knee so that your toe is on the floor and your heel is pressing the rear part of the treadle.

Basically, you pivot at the knee to move your heel and toe into proper position so that one is the pivot and the other presses down.

I have tried to operate these treadles the wrong way, as some people claim to do, and can't imagine for the life of me how that would even make sense.

Note, other Kubotas, like the Grand L, have a different arrangement that does allow the foot to remain stationary on the treadle, like a rocker.

Maybe part of the confusion is that there are different types of rocker pedals on different models, and different ways to operate them.

Neither of the techniques above would work for me on the M59. What I do is rest my heel just to the left of the pedal and slide my whole foot forward or back so I can press down with my toes for forward or reverse. That does require kinda angling my foot to the side, and that was uncomfortable at first but I'm used to that now.

The pedal is quite a ways off to the right side and on the M59 one has to sit sort of angled in the seat to reach it. The rocker is way off to the right side because both brake pedals are also on the right side. That makes steering brakes kind of an adventure. Actually, for a big guy it makes the steering brakes pretty much impossible unless you stand up and to reposition by putting both legs on the right side of the steering column - which means angling the seat at the same time. Oddly enough, the only control left of the steeing column is the HST/PTO clutch.

It's a very strange setup.
I'm guessing the M59 is the odd ball here. Designed by an oddly configured and flexible person, or by someone who had never operated a tractor.
rScotty

 

[JJZ 109]

Sounds similar to Harley Davidson shifters. Some, like me prefer the heel/toe shifter while others prefer the single lever and use their toe for the upshifts.

 

[dj1701]

I have both. My JD has the two pedal and it is by far much easier to operate. One of my biggest complaints about the Kubota is their use of the rocker. I never even use the reverse pedal anymore,
I put my toe under the forward pedal and lift up. While this is not ideal, it is much easier to control than lifting your leg like a dog peeing and stomping down on the reverse.