There is surely a good reason for it, but I don't know what it is. I have a G1900 mower and BX1860 and they both have the same setup. The brake pedal is too high and it's awkward. Why not move it to the completely open left side?
Why is brake pedal on some models on same side as HST pedals?
- Thread starter Delmar
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Daren Todd
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Massey Ferguson 1825E, Kubota Z121S, Box blade, Rotary Cutter
Most of the time with a hydrostatic, you don't need the brake. Any mowers I have had that were hydrostatic had the brake on the same side as the go pedal. This is just an assumption, but they probably want to make sure you let off the go pedal when hitting the brake 
85Hokie
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BX-25D ,PTB. Under Armor, '90&'92-B7100HST's, '06 BX1850 FEL
From a standpoint of safety - it is really hard to ease close to something while tapping on the forward or rear pedal WHILE trying to make sure you do not get too close by using the brake once you let off the F/R pedal when they are on the same side.
Think of someone that might be using the tractor as a new operator, I would much rather have the availability to hit and hold the brake with their left foot while tapping on the forward a we too much with their right!
I will agree with Darin - with HST - you really do not need the brake much, I know sometimes when I am back dragging my gravel drive (wifes car is parked in a downhill situation - I often ease up to the car and drop the FEL while holding on the brake with left foot, then ease into the backwards pedal and ease off the brake, much like you would if you were feathering the clutch on a gear tractor car.
The reason the brake has been moved to the left is simple safety, make sure the operator has a smaller chance of hitting the wrong pedal at the wrong time.
On the L3560's the brake pedals are on the left. It is convenient to use when needed, which as hokie mentioned is more for fine placement or to set the parking brake.
How many here have ever driven with a stick shift car? If you have, that's the reason for that placement, so that you didn't have to re-learn to use either car or tractor.
armylifer
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BX1860, FEL, RCK54P MMM, BB1548 Box Scraper, Quick Hitch, Piranha Bar, BX6315
When I was a shopping for my tractor I had a choice of either the BX1860 or the BX1870. The BX1860 has the brake on the right and the BX1870 has the brake on the left. I chose the BX1860 because the left side of the deck was clear of any obstructions and made mounting and discounting much easier without hanging up or tripping over something.
Good and interesting responses. I've driven stick shift vehicles all my life and understand "right foot for brake."
I guess it's nit-picking--and, trust me, if this is anywhere near the top of my problem list I'd count myself lucky!--but maybe my complaint is more about ergonomics.
On both my G1900 mower and BX tractor you have to lift your entire leg to apply the brake. The brake pedal sits a good 8-10" above the hst pedals.
I wondered originally if there was some mechanical/design reason the brake pedal is on the same side as hst. Looks like it's just a design decision that some like and others don't.
I guess I won't go and picket the Kubota headquarters. Heck, I don't even know where their US headquarters are! Next time I drive by my local Kubota dealer I'll flash a really nasty look. That'll do it.
I guess it's nit-picking--and, trust me, if this is anywhere near the top of my problem list I'd count myself lucky!--but maybe my complaint is more about ergonomics.
On both my G1900 mower and BX tractor you have to lift your entire leg to apply the brake. The brake pedal sits a good 8-10" above the hst pedals.
I wondered originally if there was some mechanical/design reason the brake pedal is on the same side as hst. Looks like it's just a design decision that some like and others don't.
I guess I won't go and picket the Kubota headquarters. Heck, I don't even know where their US headquarters are! Next time I drive by my local Kubota dealer I'll flash a really nasty look. That'll do it.
Some models, like the B7100, have a clutch; the clutch pedal is on the left. I don't think that on that type of setup, the brake pedal is ideal on either side. Therefore, it makes sense to have it on the more intuitive side. But, then you can't steer with your brakes. Given the dilemma, and I don't think that I've ever had a time where I needed to steer with my brakes, on the right is fine. Come to think of it, it makes more sense with the clutch- you have to push in the clutch to start the B7100, and if you needed to also hold the brakes, that would be an awkward operation. Left foot pushing in the clutch, right foot on the brakes, fire her up.
TripleR
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BX2200, BX2660, L5740 HSTC, M8540HDC and some other tractors and equipment
I'm old and a creature of habit and thus won't buy tractor with brakes on the left even though I rarely even touch them on my HST. BUT once my HST kicked out of gear and since all the tractors I drive have right foot brakes my instincts saved me from going over a 20' drop.
I understand those who don't, I just don't like them, never have, never will and I've driven about every transmission machine made on a car, truck or motorcycle.
I understand those who don't, I just don't like them, never have, never will and I've driven about every transmission machine made on a car, truck or motorcycle.
I had noticed the pedals on the right. As I am farm oriented I couldn't figure out why with anyone would want this with turning brakes. Looks like a recipe for disaster to me.... My older tractor has the brakes on the right, but it is not hydrostat.
I modified the clutch pedal on my 3901 so when you depress it, it will apply the brakes also. This is just for emergency in case the hydro pedal would stick, depressing the clutch pedal would disconnect the motor and stop the momentum of the tractor. Have my wife and grandson practice using it so they know what to do just in case this would ever happen.
The picture shows on the left is the clutch linkage and when depressed far enough, the bolt head starts applying pressure to the brake linkage.
The picture shows on the left is the clutch linkage and when depressed far enough, the bolt head starts applying pressure to the brake linkage.
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TripleR
Active member
Equipment
BX2200, BX2660, L5740 HSTC, M8540HDC and some other tractors and equipment
I grew up farming as well, but find "turning brakes" pretty much useless on any of mt HSTs with R4 tires, I can use them with my cruise control, just useless. I still use turning brakes on our geared tractors with Ag tires.