Independent rear brakes

[Paul Allwood]

The B7200 HST is the first tractor I've owned and the first thing I've used with the option of independent rear brakes. My understanding is that the intention is to help with tighter turns ? It's there any other purpose ?

But I can't work out how to actually use them. The forward/reverse pedal is on the right. The two brake pedals are also on the right just above the forward pedal.

If I put my right foot on the forward/reverse pedal, how do I put my right foot on the left or right rear brake pedal at the same time ?

What am I missing ?

 

[Hugo Habicht]

What am I missing ?

You need 3 extra flexible joints in each leg

Ok, seriously, do you have an operator manual of your tractor? I could imagine Kubota explained how they intended the brakes to be used.

 

[Paul Allwood]

You need 3 extra flexible joints in each leg

Ok, seriously, do you have an operator manual of your tractor? I could imagine Kubota explained how they intended the brakes to be used.

Haha, the extra joints may be difficult.

I did have a look at the operator's manual but couldn't find any mention of independent rear brakes.

 

[JohnDB]

Independent rear brakes also useful:
(a) if one rear wheel is losing traction, gently brake that side to transfer more traction to the other wheel.
(b) if going across a slope in slippery conditions, if front end starts understeering and drifting down the slope (i.e. more turn of steering wheels doesn't stop it drifting), a very gentle drag on the uphill rear will reduce or stop the understeer. But too much drag and both rear wheels will break traction and the whole rear end will go sideways downhill.

 

[Hugo Habicht]

Do have a picture? Maybe you are supposed to control the speed with the heel and use the toes of the same foot to control one of the brakes?

I have only one brake, before the differential, so if anything breaks in there I can only jump off the tractor as quickly as possible.

 

[Paul Allwood]

Independent rear brakes also useful:
(a) if one rear wheel is losing traction, gently brake that side to transfer more traction to the other wheel.
(b) if going across a slope in slippery conditions, if front end starts understeering and drifting down the slope (i.e. more turn of steering wheels doesn't stop it drifting), a very gentle drag on the uphill rear will reduce or stop the understeer. But too much drag and both rear wheels will break traction and the whole rear end will go sideways downhill.

Thanks. Hadn't thought of those things.

The only way I can see to use this feature is to put my right foot on the go pedal and reach across to the left or right brake pedal with my left foot. Not sure if there's another way of doing this, as it is it seems like a pretty unusual design.

I wonder if the clutch and brake pedals can swap sides ? Sounds easy if you say it fast but I'm sure there would be a bit involved - I haven't even looked.

I don't need to use the clutch and treadle at the same time. But it would make it easy to use the treadle and brakes at the same time.

 

[Paul Allwood]

Do have a picture? Maybe you are supposed to control the speed with the heel and use the toes of the same foot to control one of the brakes?

I have only one brake, before the differential, so if anything breaks in there I can only jump off the tractor as quickly as possible.

Here's a pic....



1 Forwards
2 Backwards
3 Left rear brake
4 Right rear brake
5 Clutch

 

[Kennyd4110]

But I can't work out how to actually use them. The forward/reverse pedal is on the right. The two brake pedals are also on the right just above the forward pedal.

Age old Kubota question!

 

[Workerbee]

I think over in Japan they ride two to a tractor. One to steer and run the F/R pedal and the other just for the brakes.

 

[GrumpyFarmer]

Good day…They can also help you steer…not just for tighter turns but if you are sliding or maybe front end is unweighted, or maybe your back end is stepping out and want to pull it back…anyway they can help you steer when/if need to.

I would mention to be careful using them on a hill…they can also be very dangerous.

 

[Paul Allwood]

I think over in Japan they ride two to a tractor. One to steer and run the F/R pedal and the other just for the brakes.

That could work. I went to China a few times for work several years ago and it was normal to see mum, dad and two kids on a small motor scooter.

 

[Workerbee]

Actually I was told to use the brakes its only possible if you have cruise control on. The only problem with that is lots of tractors dont have cc, and if you do in most working situations its not feasible to use.

 

[SDT]

The B7200 HST is the first tractor I've owned and the first thing I've used with the option of independent rear brakes. My understanding is that the intention is to help with tighter turns ? It's there any other purpose ?

But I can't work out how to actually use them. The forward/reverse pedal is on the right. The two brake pedals are also on the right just above the forward pedal.

If I put my right foot on the forward/reverse pedal, how do I put my right foot on the left or right rear brake pedal at the same time ?

What am I missing ?

There is really no decent way to use the steering brakes on your tracttor unless the HST is being controlled by the "cruse control" rather than the HST pedal.

Early B series tractors had both HST and brake pedals on the right side because a clutch pedal was on the left side. Kubota moved the brake pedals to the left side years ago when the clutch was eliminated.

 

[Russell King]

Just remember that if you don’t have the pedals locked together the brakes are going to steer the tractor even if you don’t want them to! On the highway or any road that bar to lock them together should be used to lock them together!

There is a thread here where the tractor ended up in the pond because the driver panicked and hit the brake pedal and that pulled the tractor around towards the pond. See this thread

Kubota l245dt engine upgrade after going swimming

So yesterday the gf was drivng the tractor and she refuses to learn how to push a clutch in or use the throttle lever. I'm usually by her and try to talk her through everything as she drives. Of all days I stopped to fix a rut she made and next thing I know I hear screams and see my tractor...

www.orangetractortalks.com

I use them for steering only in wide open areas, else the pedals are locked together so the tractor stays in a straight line when braking.

 

[TheOldHokie]

Here's a pic....

View attachment 172999

1 Forwards
2 Backwards
3 Left rear brake
4 Right rear brake
5 Clutch

Interesting. Thats exactly like the B7200DT with the addition of the HST treadle. Since you have a differential lock there's need for using the brakes for that purpose. I guess Kubota figured the turning circle was small enough there was no need for steering brakes.

Dan

 

[Russell King]

Maybe you need to add a hand control lever on the HST pedal to be able to use the turning brakes!

 

[Caden]

I agree that there is no great way to use them, but it is possible.

On my B7100 HSE, I mostly use the independent brakes to help when I loose traction on one tire (apply that brake slightly; transfers power to other wheel). Because this is an somewhat infrequent occurrence, I usually just reach down with my right hand and hold UP on the reverse end of the rocker pedal, thereby holding down the forward end. Since the tractor is so small, this isn't too much of a reach, and it allows your foot to use the brakes.

I also sometimes have difficulty steering if I'm lifting or dragging things with a boom pole, so they can be helpful in that scenario as well.

 

[TheOldHokie]

Maybe you need to add a hand control lever on the HST pedal to be able to use the turning brakes!

AKA cruise control

 

[number two]

Isn't it called the Kubota shuffle!
Good Luck!

 

[Paul Allwood]

Maybe you need to add a hand control lever on the HST pedal to be able to use the turning brakes!

That's worth some thought.