Adding a parking brake warning light to the L2501

[nerwin]

I'm looking to get some advice on how I could add a simple warning light to the dash of my L2501 that will let me know if my parking brake is on. There have been a few times I have accidently left the parking brake on and went to drive the tractor and I'm hmmm the hydrostatic is whining louder than usual and then I look down and say DOH! I see the parking brake is on. I've always habit of using the parking brake on previous lawn mowers. I always thought it would turn off the tractor without the parking brake enabled but that is not the case so I only set it now when I don't want it to move for whatever reason.

What would be a pretty simple solution? Maybe add a switch for the brake pedal or perhaps on the parking brake lever?

Any ideas would be really helpful. Thank you!

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

the L33## and related has a warning light.
If you are handy you could wire a E-6C080-31010 switch to a 1092C1-12V control panel light through a switched power source and for about $60 Bobs your Uncle.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Search the forum several members have done exactly what you want to do.

 

[LenPA]

Search the forum several members have done exactly what you want to do.

While we are adding lights, how about a warning light for 4WD on a L3901?

 

[Yotekiller]

While we are adding lights, how about a warning light for 4WD on a L3901?

DO you drive your tractor on the road a lot? If not, why re you worried about it being in 4x4? Mine stays in 4x4 full time unless I drive on the road.

 

[nerwin]

While we are adding lights, how about a warning light for 4WD on a L3901?

I don't think it would be too hard. Just have to find a way to trigger a switch when you pull up on the 4wd handle. I wish the L series had a handle by your side for 4wd like the B or LX series do.

 

[D2Cat]

In short order your brain will be retrained and no warning lights will be needed.

 

[DustyRusty]

Prevagen and Neuriva are both brain health supplements that claim to improve memory and brain function

 

[LenPA]

In short order your brain will be retrained and no warning lights will be needed.

I am 73 years old and retraining my brain is not an option. Ask my wife of 52 years. Anyway I'm old school why have your motor work harder when it doesn't have to.

 

[D2Cat]

I am 73 years old and retraining my brain is not an option. Ask my wife of 52 years. Anyway I'm old school why have your motor work harder when it doesn't have to.

Tell me your "old school", then you want a light to indicate you set your brake? Old school is doing something correctly as many times as it takes to do the action as a reflex...no thought required. Like operating a back hoe, you maneuver levers and everything moves as your brain wants it to.

And at 73 you shouldn't be making excuses for learning something new, you're a pup!!!!!

 

[Smokeydog]

Did two things to help remind my wife, I and others the brake was on.

First welded extension on the handle. Gives visual and makes setting the brake so much easier.

Second, added a rear motorcycle spring switch to the parking lever. Bracket and hole already under the dash. Had to drill a small hole in the lever for the spring. Wiring led clearance light. Purple for “parking” brake. Been reliably for almost 10 years and saved many arguments.

 

[mikester]

In short order your brain will be retrained and no warning lights will be needed.

You will need a reminder light to tell you about the warning light

 

[Moose7060]

Soon people will be wanting Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems on tractors!

 

[mcmxi]

Soon people will be wanting Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems on tractors!

Your M7060 has both 4WD and a parking brake indicator lamps in the dash display, as does my M6060.

I made a post almost three years ago that I wish the MX had a 4WD inidcator lamp too, rather than just the parking brake light. Not a deal breaker and not something I'm going to add, but just a wish list item if Kubota corporate ever reads these forums.

I've left the parking brake engaged on both tractors on occasion, and it's the lamp on the dash that has caught my attention a few seconds later.

 

[Moose7060]

Your M7060 has both 4WD and a parking brake indicator lamps in the dash display, as does my M6060.

I made a post almost three years ago that I wish the MX had a 4WD inidcator lamp too, rather than just the parking brake light. Not a deal breaker and not something I'm going to add, but just a wish list item if Kubota corporate ever reads these forums.

I've left the parking brake engaged on both tractors on occasion, and it's the lamp on the dash that has caught my attention a few seconds later.

It is impossible on my M7060 to leave parking brake engaged. You have to shift out of park in order to select a gear. The park lamp if more to advise the brake is properly on when parking and disembarking, rather than to advise the brake is on before trying to move the tractor. Kind of a reversed situation that this thread's discussion is about.

I would say the cost of warning lamps for both brake and 4WD if equipped, is miniscule compared to the cost of new tractors, and should be a feature, not an add on.

 

[mcmxi]

It is impossible on my M7060 to leave parking brake engaged. You have to shift out of park in order to select a gear. The park lamp if more to advise the brake is properly on when parking and disembarking, rather than to advise the brake is on before trying to move the tractor. Kind of a reversed situation that this thread's discussion is about.

I would say the cost of warning lamps for both brake and 4WD if equipped, is miniscule compared to the cost of new tractors, and should be a feature, not an add on.

That's interesting. Is your parking brake electronic? My M6060 has the standard mechanical parking brake lever so I can take off with the parking brake engaged. The M7060 does have some nice features not available on the M6060, F18/R18 transmission, electronic 4WD, better brakes etc.

I agree that these indicator lamps should be a factory installed feature.

 

[Hkb82]

I’m pretty surprised the 4x4 and parking break is not indicated on the dash. It is 2024 after all. I also think it would be great if they had a rocker switch or two that were factory looking and ready for us to add additional lighting or other modifications. Adding a light to indicate the parking break is on is a good idea and probably a fairly easy job for most folks on here. Not sure I’d run all the time 4x4 as mentioned above but that’s just me.

M7060 parking break

 

[ken erickson]

I think a lot of guys that have purchased the L2501 did so for it's simplicity.

In my case extra wiring and a switch just gives the mice something more to chew on! LOL.

I would be ok without turn signals and bright/dim lights and associated switch and wiring.

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

When I get on a tractor I have a routine before turning the key: look at what position every lever is in, start at the furthest left and touch each one as I look at it and make sure it's in the correct position. It's like a check-list, I've refreshed my memory on the function of each, and my hand knows the location because it touched it.

Before automation and warning lights and so many wires they have to be bundled into harnesses for mice to chew on that seems to be what farmers did, and similarly it's what pilots do, a pre-flight function check. More wires and lights and sensors creates more points of failure and more to maintain, so I just look at stuff.

That Deadman Switch in the seat is a pain in the ... have you looked at the wiring and timers and hundreds of dollars preventing you from standing up and looking where your forks are about to be stuck? And if it fails, or any other leaver sensor fails, the tractor is down. Often less is more. If the wife can't take the time to understand how things work that's eventually likely to go poorly. My thought is the operator should understand the equipment and respect how powerful it is. Old farmers used to stand up and look at things which was good for their legs and it didn't take six monitor screens and cameras and computers to see how full the grain bin was. Sometimes less is more.

 

[Hkb82]

If the wife can't take the time to understand how things work that's eventually likely to go poorly.

A bit harsh but I understand what you’re saying. I don’t think there is anything wrong with adding an indicator light to aid in something. Doesn’t mean you don’t understand how things work. Aviation was a great example. All kinds of lights and reminder alarms. You put your landing gear down and look for 3 green correct? Kubota has both 4x4 and parking break on my dash. Doesn’t mean I don’t understand how it works it’s just a reminder and nothing wrong with that if you ask me.
Op was looking for advise on adding or installing not to be told he shouldn’t need them or talked outa it.