Steering Brakes??

[ChuckinNH]

I was just responding to a thread on tire chains, and it occured to me that it might be informative to take a poll on how many Kubota users would appreciate having the brakes more useable for steering, or steering assist, especially in snow, etc. Is this a non issue, or would it make snowblowing/blading easier? How many JD ( and manual shift/ other brand) users find that they use this feature often?
Chuck

 

[Ductape]

I only find myself using my brakes to steer a few times a year. The last time when i was toting a rental lift around the yard. It was a little tongue heavy, and the front end was a little light...... brakes made the steering no problem. Even though i don't use them often, i wouldn't want to have a tractor without them.

 

[shvl73]

other brand

Mahindra HST?
I only use mine when moving snow around with the bucket. Even though I don't use them often, I'm glad they are there. My tractor doesn't use a clutch for the pto so, the steer brakes are on the left.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I use the brakes to ASSIST steering quite a bit. Tractors aren't designed to handle like a Porsche. Most of the time, and especially so when there's a rear mounted implement, a tractor will do everything in its power to continue in a straight line when you turn the steering wheel. Over the years I've developed an instictive use of the brakes to help turn. I DON'T mash on the brake. Hardly. Just a light pressure to slow the inside rear wheel just a tad bit is all it takes in most cases.

SOME TIMES when working in really tight, confined areas, I'll lock the brake on the inside wheel, but that's only in extreme cases.

 

[ChuckinNH]

FMJ,
We had a small two wheel drive tractor when I was young, and I grew up using the brakes just as you described. We often "broke trail" in the winter across fields covered in the winter's snow or in our maple sugar orchard, and woods roads during sugaring season. In that application (Loaded R-1's with heavy duty logging chains on an Allis "C") we would use the brake to let one wheel dig a while, and then switch to the other to chew our way through snow deeper than you would think possible across 50 acre fields, etc.

 

[charlz]

Most of the time, and especially so when there's a rear mounted implement, a tractor will do everything in its power to continue in a straight line when you turn the steering wheel.

I find MFWD helps a lot with steering pulls those wheels right around.

I do find the steering brakes very handy when back dragging with the FEL and the front wheels off the ground. I do this when I don't have anything in the bucket but want the extra down pressure to help smooth.

 

[kennyd]

I use mine EVERYTIME I plow snow. I would be lost without them.

 

[SPYDERLK]

I use mine EVERYTIME I plow snow. I would be lost without them.

I use mine in many cases too. Once drove a tractor out of the woods without functioning steering. Dont you wish the parking brake would lock both pedals?
larry

 

[kennyd]

I use mine in many cases too. Dont you wish the parking brake would lock both pedals?
larry

If the latch that bridges the two pedals is engaged, the the brake does hold both wheels...or do you mean the without the latch engaged?

 

[SPYDERLK]

If the latch that bridges the two pedals is engaged, the the brake does hold both wheels...or do you mean the without the latch engaged?

Yes. That makes it inconvenient to leave the pedals unlocked when you need them and are also getting on and off the tractor regularly. The mechanism could be designed to engage each pedal for little cost if done up front by the manufacturer.
larry