Split Brakes

[skeets]

Just for shyts and giggles,, I was wondering how many, guys,,, other that you guys with field tractors,, use the split breaks on the smaller tractors? Like on the B's and L's and yes they can be used as a field tractor though most are not,, Anybody or am I the lone duck on this

 

[Biker1mike]

I play with them every now and then. I am not real good at it. I tend to over break and the dragged wheel skids and tears up the grass.
I tend to use it when plowing snow just as I get to the road. I can not plow onto the highway so I like to turn the tractor in a shorter radius. More for fun than effect.

 

[L35]

I’ve owned my L35 since 08 and never uncoupled the pedals

 

[Fordtech86]

I use them regularly when I mow with the L. I usually have the loader off and the front end gets very light.

 

[Pawnee]

I used to use them on the Ford 3000 when we got it stuck but now I just use the diff lock.
Never tried using them for a shorter radius turn.

 

[WoodKutter]

I use them all the time. You can turn on a dime in the woods or field.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

I had a JD140 garden tractor with splits, GREAT when blowing snow and discin small veggy gardens !!

 

[rc51stierhoff]

Interesting topic…I use them religiously on my B especially when mowing(also on my MX)…but with the B I have some space constraints and it helps mowing. I grew up with them on larger gear drive machines, that being said I think they make a bigger difference on HST machines…especially with being able to really control low speed with the HST pedal and keep RPMs up. IMO.

Honestly I was sort of perplexed by the recent link on suicide knobs…I’ve used them on larger manual transmission tractors and forklifts…especially forklifts where you can literally turn on a dime…Just IMO I do not understand a suicide knob on a tractor with power steering and only 1.5 turn to a full lock vs the potentially to snag your sleeve or shirt tail. I understand they help just I’ve not felt the need with 1.5 turns to wheel vs catching my clothes (I am not bashing them just not for me in my application) As it is a I snag my shirt tail on the PTO lever when I get off the B….So I use the brakes all the time…more so on my B…I wanted/wished my BX had split brakes when I had it.

Quack Quack.

 

[woodman55]

A lot with my 2x4 and a bit with the 4x4.

 

[PoTreeBoy]

I was 'raised' with brakes, so I still use them on the L35 although I recognize they're not really necessary to turn with 4WD and a heavy front end. They still have some value in the mud, you can stab the brake on a spinning wheel without stopping to lock the diff.

When I get on our tractors, the brake lock is one of the first things I check. If they're unlocked, I used it last. Locked, BIL used it last.

 

[bucktail]

I use them a fair amount, but I learned to drive on field tractors. both to turn and for traction control.

 

[Fordtech86]

Funny thing, my son (7) was asking why there was a latch on the brake pedals on the tractor, so I explained why. Now he thinks it’s fun to do donuts on the tractor

 

[Biker1mike]

Dancing tractors

 

[NCL4701]

Grew up using them on a 2WD tractor spinning at the end of rows with both a pickup disk and plow. Also used them routinely skidding logs with that same tractor where I’d sometimes go well over a mile with the front end a bit off the ground or so light turning the front wheels did nothing. With the rowcrop H you can turn the wheels so far sometimes it will just plow them sideways while going straight but a quick stab to the correct brake will start it spinning into the turn like it should.

With the 4WD L4701, if the front end is heavy and it’s in 4WD not much reason to use splits except the rare traction loss that can be bulled through quickly without stopping to engage the diff lock. Loader off in 4WD, once in a while if the front end is light for some reason. 2WD without loader (mowing) in steep terrain, tight areas, turning out of a ditch, etc. brake steering is SOP. Wouldn’t want a small tractor without split brakes, and yes a L4701 is definitely a small tractor.

 

[Lil Foot]

Used mine a couple times, just to pivot around trees in tight spots.

 

[RBsingl]

I use them rarely on my Deere 955 compact when mowing but in that application even with turf tires it is easy to tear up the grass.

Individual wheel braking is an option on the Kubota F2690 front mount mower that will hopefully be delivered to me in early August, I didn't order them because it turns pretty tightly and will only be used for mowing. Interestingly in the notes for the F series front mowers, the individual wheel brakes aren't available when a cab is ordered; I suspect there isn't room for the controls and the cab.

Rodger

 

[lugbolt]

I used them all the time when I worked at dealer

often, say, front axle had issues, I'd drop the axle out of the tractor. Of course the shop and dealer was small (tiny) and everything had to be ordered, very few parts in stock. When I had to do an axle repair, rebuild, whatever, I'd pull the axle out, then use the loader to lift the nose of the tractor, hold it, and then drive it out using the brakes to steer. Easy. Frees up a lot of space-which as I mentioned, was very important in a tiny shop barely big enough for one large tractor (>100hp).

Or if one had fouled up steering, drive it into and out of the shop using the brakes to steer.

On mine at home (MF 1145) I use the brakes on it just the same, to steer when the wheels won't, let's say I'm moving dirt or gravel or clearing the driveway when it snows outside. Steer, or at least assist the steering, with the brakes. Also, when I got it stuck last year, one wheel was in the mud, other had traction. Mash the brake that was in the mud, pulls it right out.

 

[mikester]

I would occasionally use them when try to hook up implements stored in my old drive through bank barn

 

[David Page]

I use them on my L260 when harrowing and when in the woods.

 

[Henro]

Handy but inconvenient to use on my B2910, since the split pedals are located just in front of the directional pedal.