Operating with the park brake on

Eldubya · May 11, 2014

Ok, admit it. We've all done it a time or two... get going only to realize you've left the P-brake engaged.

Yesterday, I put on my hearing protectors before starting it up (B7800) and couldn't hear the different pitch to the engine when moving. Did some very slow, light grading in 4X with the field-rake for about 1/2 an hour.

Brake still seems to function fine and holds the tractor on a hill.

Q: What damage, if any might I have done?

Any input is appreciated. And yes... I will be more careful in the future.

kneedeep · May 11, 2014

greatly reduced the life of the brakes

Soundguy · May 11, 2014

yup.. damaged ego, and used up some life out of the brakes.

depending on how much you actually use brakes. will depend on their ultimate life span.

I have 70 year old tractors with vintage brakes that are now getting worn.. and they used them to steer with.

all depends on how much material your manufacturer gave you..

PS.. now you know whyt , when you need to stop your tractor in a hurry.. that the first thing you do is NOT to stomp the brakes.. but to DUMP the THROTTLE THEN stomp the brakes. brakes on a tractor are to hold it in place when not running.. or to steer.. they don't do a good job of stopping it against engine power.

TerryR · May 11, 2014

Soundguy said:
PS.. now you know whyt , when you need to stop your tractor in a hurry.. that the first thing you do is NOT to stomp the brakes.. but to DUMP the THROTTLE THEN stomp the brakes. brakes on a tractor are to hold it in place when not running.. or to steer.. they don't do a good job of stopping it against engine power.

It never occurred to me this was an issue until I tried to get my wife to drive our tractor. She really hates to drive it, and says the reason is it makes her anxious that she can't stop it with just the brakes.

Terry

Soundguy · May 11, 2014

then don't tell her it will scoot right along with max brakes applied.

will scare her away.

I like the throttle dump and brake vs the clutch and brake depending on what I'm doing. for instance. I never like to clutch when going down a grade..e tc..

Eldubya · May 11, 2014

Sound advice from Soundguy. I very rarely use the brakes except when parked, or going down a grade which I do at an idle. The HST just stops the tractor pretty much when I let off the pedal.

ETpilot · May 11, 2014

I don't use my P brake too often. I too had a problem leaving it on while driving the tractor. I finally made a flashing warning light out of a pill bottle. It was to be a test. It works so good I never changed it out. That flashing light gets my attention.

bananaman · May 11, 2014

A little off subject, but the parking brakes on my new MX5100 Kubuta won't hold even on a slight incline. Is there an adjustment the dealer should make?

k0ua · May 11, 2014

bananaman said:
A little off subject, but the parking brakes on my new MX5100 Kubuta won't hold even on a slight incline. Is there an adjustment the dealer should make?

you can adjust them yourself, the procedure is in your owners manual.. basicely turn a threaded rod and lock nut, and remove some of the free play.. they show you how you how to do it in the book.