running with parking brake.. Any major problems??

[wvhillbilly]

Had the family picnic over the weekend. Good time but I looked out in the field and saw my brother (with no tractor experience) putting around in the field on my K L3400. Seemed to be having trouble so I went to see what was up.. He was in high gear and trying to take off but it bogged down and he killed the engine once. When I got to the tractor I noticed that he did not disengage the parking brake. He probably ran it 100 yards or so. After I chewed him a new rearend and it sat awhile, I got on to test the brakes. Drifted in neutral down a gentle slope of the driveway and the brakes seem to work just fine. My question is how damaging was his actions?? My biggest concern was that it bogged down to the point of killing the engine. Anybody have any thoughts or comments??
Dave

 

[TonyV]

Well, aside from some premature wear on the brakes, and the fact that they still seem to be working ok, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Naturally, your gonna start taking the keys out of the tractor when the family comes a'callin', right? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Theres probably not a person here that hasn't done this in a car once or twice in there lives. My mother..God bless her, once drove about 150 miles with the parking brake on, while my dad was taking a break from driving on our family vacation....so I know exactly the tongue lashing that you handed out.. /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

...Tony

 

[_RaT_]

I say not an issue. The brakes are simply discs not to different from the clutch packs found in motorcycles. They sit in oil and therefore have great cooling. 100 yards would not be an issue or even wear them any detectable amount.

 

[Bird]

I think RaT said it very well.

 

[mhagerty]

That’s good to hear “I say not an issue” I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gone 10, 15 or 20 feet with that darn parking brake engaged on my 2230! They need to come up with something to help identify that the parking brake is engaged. It needs to be dummy proof so this dummy (me) can get it right!

Mike

 

[wvhillbilly]

Thank you all for your responses. I will definately sleep better tonight than I did last night. Was up all night worrying about "my baby". Thanks again.
Dave

 

[btolle]

Will you give yourself the same speech you gave your brother when YOU drive it for a while with the brake on?

You WILL drive it with brake on, everybody else on this forum has already done so and you are unlikely to be the exception. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Bill Tolle

 

[Barnboy]

Ive done that too. I ony traveled abot 50 ft before I caught it. I agree we need a brake light on the dash to warn us. Sounds like something i could rig up.

 

[BubbaJr]

I've told this story on here before, but I'll risk repeating it for you. Shortly after I got my new B2910 in May of 2001, I was clearing out some trees to build our new house. I picked up a 40' walnut tree, about 2" in diameter with my FEL, and moved it to the other side of my field. The distance was about 1/8 th mile, and uphill with about a 7% grade towards the end. My tractor didn't have any trouble making the trip at all, <font color="red"> with the parking brake engaged the whole trip.</font> I now have over 750 hours on the tractor, and the brakes still work fine.

PS. I still forget to release the parking brake on occasion. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[KubotaOne]

I've done it, probably went about 500 yards with the brake on. I don't think you've done anything major. It is alarming though, the whole time I wondered why my 3030 was working so hard. Why don't they put a indicator light on the dash?

I'd chalk it up to one of those "won't do that again"

 

[Bird]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I still forget to release the parking brake on occasion )</font>

I think we've nearly all done it. I rarely used the parking brake on my tractors because nearly anywhere I parked was pretty level and I always dropped the FEL bucket to the ground as well as any implement on the 3-point. So, naturally, when I did use it, I forgot it a couple of times; didn't go very far before realizing it, but it did concern me. So, when I did use it, I learned to set it really tight, so when I started to go again, I'd notice the difference in sound right away.

 

[MadDog]

FWIW, I have found that a pretty effective solution to this problem is to establish a set routine (sort of like always putting your wallet and keys in the same place at home).

I've made it a matter of routine that before I increase engine revs from idle to operating speed I tap the brakes to release the parking brake.

I've still caught myself forgetting occasionally, but I figure that without the routine, I'd be leaving the brake on constantly.

 

[AntrimMan]

Guilty also.
I do have a big "P" lamp that illuminates when the brake is set. In the sun it's hard to see and not much use. I vote for a big screaming buzzer instead of a light, or maybe a rubber mallet that jumps out and smacks some sense into the operator, well, at least a buzzer that sounds when any range other than "N" is selected.
Martin

 

[Jackrabbit_Slim]

Had a young fellow drive my B2710 with the brake set for several hours last year. Yep, that's right, several hours. Low range, and the machine just kept chugging along.

The UDT was burnt but tore the brakes down and they were still within factory spec. Pretty shades of blue and purple, but still within spec and nothing was warped.

As others have suggested, I find the only way to avoid the problem is to set the brake to tight the machine can't move 'til they're released.

I had a "voice warning" thing for a few months, but we were only dating casually and I got tired of the nagging so I broke it off.

Slim

 

[wvhillbilly]

Thank you all very much for your replies. I feel much better now. But I am STILL gonna hide my tractor keys when family comes to visit.
Thanks again.
Dave

 

[B7500]

"They need to come up with something to help identify that the parking brake is engaged."

That is such a good idea. How much could a brake light cost anyways? I'd pay the extra.
-Terry

 

[_RaT_]

Learn your tractor. When I push the hydro pedal, I know instantly if the parking brake is on. I hardly ever set it, hydrostatic kinda eliminates that need unless I'm on a hill , loader up, box scraper up and its in medium or high range. I think, but did not verify that my tractor has a light on the dash that indicates the parking brake is set. If your constantly leaving the parking brake on and driving off, do not attempt to get a pilots license, you will die. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif