Split Brakes | How they work, and when to use them

Split brakes are sometimes overlooked by tractor owners. These can allow advanced operators to have more control over usage of the tractor's driving power. Maybe one side is completely stuck in the mud, and you need to send extra power to the other side. Or, you could be in a tight space and need to make a sharp turn. Understanding how to safely use your split brakes can help you in these types of situations.
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[@brianpritt4154]

The real effect of split brakes can be seen on tricycle front ends

[@tomjackson5049]

When I learned to use split brakes for tight turns, they had no lock. I was taught to aim my foot between the pedals to stop straight ahead. (JD 2010 gear drive model). I had never heard of using differential braking to help with being stuck, or driving straight in snow. Great presentation.

[@onebigbobo]

Split breaks are the the best thing going when using a 3 point mounted mowing machine. If you have your timing right on 90 degree turns, you don’t have to go into reverse to clean up your corners! On a lighter note, I was helping my grandpa on the farm and was riding in a utility box attacked to his 3 point on his 8N. It popped a wheelie and he never skipped a beat, he steered with the brakes!

[@hongmihnhahn7081]

the only video introducing how to do left and right front dig

[@jimputnam2044]

Good info Neil, A forgotten art. When we hauled logs out of the woods on a bob sled type log hauler we would have probaly died in a crash on icy hills if not for being able to steer with the split brakes.

[@douglasconradmusic17]

I live in West Virginia and we use these brakes to help hold when going across steep slopes. Many times the front end tends to slide down the hill and you can tap the uphill brake to pull the front back up the hill. I will say that this is on slopes much steeper than recommended. That being said, I passed on the Kubota because the split brakes were on the same side as the directional controls on the compact tractors which rendered them useless. Every other manufacturer moves the split brakes to the left side, but at that time Kubota did not.

[@gordonborsboom7460]

Kubota definitely redifined “heel and toe”.

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Great video, Neil. Your scientific experiment/demonstration videos like this are my favorite. I really like the split brakes on our old Ford 8N - perfect for when one wheel starts to lose traction.

[@TheSnakeman3]

Using the steer brakes to get unstuck, I would’ve never thought of that so thanks very much for the tip.

[@comlbbeau]

I utilize the split brakes feature on my MX4700 gear-drive machine when mowing around my pond edges. It gives me a little insurance against slipping too close to the sloped edges. Yes, I wish I had an off-set solution, but you make do...

[@hphillips7425]

Good demonstration. The brakes on the left side is a reason I chose a B 2650

[@vrussktxus7167]

I use 4WD for most applications on my L3301, but now I know that when mowing I might try 2 WD for tighter turns. Thanks Neil! The split brake thing can stay locked my rear lock got me out of some situations before, but good to know nevertheless.

[@rickvaughan8993]

Those split brakes kept me from sliding into a pond. Thank God it had the split brakes on the left. Don`t think I would have had time to get me left foot across like you had to do on that tractor. And the tractor I had was a 1986 model hydro trans. no clutch.

[@davidbalvin8112]

Great video. Cultivating checked corn back in the 50's with a 2 row mid mount cultivator the turning brake were the most used pedals on my tractor.

[@andysworld2188]

I actually had to use the split brakes in a sort of emergency situation 🙃 last summer. I was taking buckets full of clay and spreading it at one end of the yard and before i had started i went thru and greased everything up but forgot to put air in my front tires. My B2650 is supposed to have 35psi in the front and i was at 30psi. Well at some point not only did the tire go flat but i broke the bead on the rim and the tire was already half off the rim. So I grab and hook up all 300 ft of air hose i own to the air compressor and i end up about 30ft short from where the tractor was parked. So with my bucket down keeping front tires in the air not only did i have to drive the Tractor that 30 ft but i had to make an 80° turn. Probably only time i will ever need to use them.

[@nhhandyman]

Works great - as mentioned - for snow removal using a bucket - just a few light taps will get me back on line.

[@stick782cherry]

I added curise control to mine and makes it so much easier to use the split brakes

[@danielrapoza8468]

Great video Neil. Thank you. Very helpful to know the B2601 I am considering I can still use the split brakes. With my old B7100-D I constantly use the split brakes when clearing snow. The front wheels become very light and there is no steering there when pushing heavy snow.

[@johnsmith-ni1xy]

Great instructions

[@mttrapper]

Really good stuff. My L3560 has no clutch so it makes this maneuver MUCH easier. I don't do it often but it has worked well working in my dense forest on some hills. Locking the down hill rear tire and pivoting around allows me to make a 90º downhill turn to then back up the hill with my 800 lb PTO driven chipper.

[@regs3836]

Steering brakes take some practice so as to not tear up the turf. But when using a finish mower or rotary mower it can make a significant difference. I have yet to try it with my L4060hst but used it regularly with my gear drive Satoh Bull.

[@bladewiper]

Is this a old video, I seem to remember this. I am always using the brakes, steering with my 4x2 tractor, it has 11L-15 wagon tires so it does not really steer well on slippery surfaces. This video does show how useful the brakes are.

[@DJC995]

Hi Neil nice video Thanks

[@timtwing5886]

Even on newer tractors you don't need brake steering. New modern farm tractors have amazing steering with the gearing at the tire to help pull the front through the turn. I've talked to a lot of farmers and people who own tractors and never has a farmer used brake steering on a headland. Not saying they don't but I've never had one tell me they do. Really the only place I've ever seen brake steering be of any benefit is if I'm hauling the houle spreader and I'm backing up to the pump if I didn't make that re- correction soon enough brake steering can help to bring the front around to be to make the tractor straight with the spreader. I've never personally used brake steering traveling forward.

[@hoyks1]

Back when I was a cocky 16 year old on dads old (even back then) Ford 3500 with a 5' heavy gauge steel slasher on the back I thought I'd be clever when mowing and speed things up a notch. Got to the end of the row, lifted the slasher and still with the RPM high stabbed the left brake to turn nice and tight. Brakes worked spectacularly well, the front wheels caught and ripped the wheel out of my hands, slasher got some momentum swinging sideways and before I could blink the tractor is on 1 wheel and just about rolling over into the barbed wire fence. I think I bumped the draft control and dumped the slasher back into the dirt and some how didn't roll, but scared the crap out of myself.

[@MichaelCoolidge]

My old tractor was a Ford Jubilee. They did not have anything connecting the to brake pedals. I loved doing the tight turns up on my dirt driveway. As I told the kids, I was doing donuts in a tractor! I cannot do that in my new Kubota. I miss that fun!

[@TheSailingwoodworker]

On my MX5100 HST there is a "cruise control" hand lever on the left side to set the ground speed so you can use the split brakes. (that are on the same side as the HST foot pedal) On my B7500 HST it does not have that feature so I would have to operate the split brakes the "Neil Way".

[@steveholton4130]

Hey Neil, my 1952 Farmall M will out turn anything K - bota makes as long as it runs one foot turning radius!!

[@robertbonsai7176]

Well, own a two wheel drive tractor and you sure know how great they are. Just bought my first four wheel drive tractor, and they still work, but a tad different but practice is now to-get to know your machine. Also, please wear your seat belt. It really helps to keep you in tractor, especially in a open cab.

[@kennethbell3737]

My cousin was on an ag tractor when she came to the headland; she turned left but pushed on the right brake heading straight towards a creek. Her dad caught her in time.

[@tomtillman]

Thanks. I could have used that a few times. It never occurred to me that you could use it like a skid steer machine.

[@spudgamer6049]

At least on some models of tractors, the parking brake only works on one pedal, so should also lock pedals together when one really needs the parking brakes to hold. Also, a very good idea to keep a close eye on your brake wear and adjustment, and make sure both pedals have similar travel for similar braking force, that way when pressing both, you don't have only one side fully engaged and the other barely doing anything.

[@toddgeorge1569]

Any videos on how to adjust L4701 hst brakes?

[@danandfaith]

With an HLA 72” plow on the front of our LX2610, if the plow is angled and snow is significant, the plow will steer the tractor. The steering brakes compensate for this and allow allow for plowing in a straight line. On the LX, the brakes are on the left, so the right foot can control the forward motion while the left does the steering brakes. Often, the steering wheel isn’t overly useful as the front wheels, even in 4WD, lose traction on the snow and ice.

[@DCockey]

Brake pedals on the left was one of several reasons we bought a B2650 rather than L2501.

[@Drew-in-NoDak]

Nothing like driving a 8360r Deere full speed (26.2mph) and having a oh crap moment with the brakes unlocked. And only finding one peda. Gets really squirreley really fast!

[@thebradleysoncatbirdhill6849]

Looks like you'll be doing a little reseeding out there, lol 🤣🤣 Great discussion and demonstration!

[@thegreatnorthwoodswithbb2863]

Most experienced guys know how to use them to transfer traction to one rear tire to the other

[@williamhall5401]

Where the seperate brakes come in real handy is when you overload the 3pt with a heavy bale and the front end is lite. Brakes are the only way to steer

[@brocksestak]

is there two sperate brake systems or is it a special master cylinder that is created to works with both petals?

[@shadowman5758]

Is there a video coming on the changes on the 02 series vs the 01?

[@MessicksEquip]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5DUZIVtoc9sedU

[@johnseavey6622]

My worry about using one brake a lot more than the other is you will wear that brake pad more and when you flip them back together you won't stop and stay strait on a panic stop because of uneven wear on the brake pads. Adjusting the brakes could be a big problem for strait stopping and trying get them back to even again.

[@MustangsTrainsMowers]

I wish that my Toro 522xi had L & R rear brakes so if I got stuck I could press the brake for the tire that is spinning and the tire that has better traction might get me unstuck.

[@TrumpDesantis-zm3kg]

just bought a kubota 48L and trying to find a video on setting the parking brake

[@kdegraa]

Ahh left foot on the brakes, right foot on the hydrostatic pedal. Thanks.

[@aswan2140]

Impressive,, thank you Neil! Are your inventories say on the M4 Deluxe cab tractors increasing yet?

[@MessicksEquip]

its improving in places, we do have an M4D-071 actually. No loaders though.

[@aswan2140]

@@MessicksEquip thank you, need that loader though. 👍

[@Ron-ds2ob]

I would have swore you posted this same video a couple weeks ago. I know I've seen it, but it's not in your past video list. Hmm

[@comlbbeau]

Me, too!

[@MessicksEquip]

there was a production snafu in the video we had to fix. KZbin does not give us a way to edit what's posted. You have to pull the entire thing down and put it back up again.

[@blessedacresfl]

Really enjoy your videos Neil! Could you do a video with a direct comparison between the New Holland Powerstar 75 and the Kubota M4D-071? I owned a 2014 T4.75 Powerstar and I loved it, but I also like Kubota so I'm torn.

[@MessicksEquip]

I can't do direct comparisons between our brands. I'd make no friends.

[@blessedacresfl]

@@MessicksEquip Ok lol, well which location are you at? When the time comes, I may make the trip!

[@MessicksEquip]

@@blessedacresfl Mount Joy.

[@spudgamer6049]

@@MessicksEquip probably not even possible to do a video that skirts it, like one on how you'd direct a non brand loyal costumer to one model or another based on their needs, huh?

[@paullambert2668]

@@spudgamer6049 I'd suspect yes in person, no on the internet. You could work really hard to only point out positive features of each "if you need this really specific feature, then this machine has it and that one doesn't" - but every positive is a negative in disguise. No mileage for Neil in getting his brands offside for people who aren't his customers. And if you are his customer, then he or his team will happily advise you in person or on the phone.

[@ericcrockett479]

We always called them cutting breaks but once you start used using them and get used to them you fund your self using them all the time

[@schuman22]

Question for you Neil, back when my dad bought his B1750 back in 1991ish, it had a bi_speed steer function when in 4wd. It was actually a selling feature over the then comparable Green 755 compact tractor. Why did Kubota go away from this feature that made a real difference while operating in 4wd?

[@MessicksEquip]

It's a cool feature. Still offered on the big M series tractors.

[@zoidsfan77]

It is also offered on some of the B series tractors in the European market. Unfortunately not available in the US.

[@HebronGrandpa]

deja vu I saw you do the same thing not too long ago?

[@otahu26]

It's Great in the WOODS! Esp making walking trails. Love my 2301 gear for that.

[@jimbernard71]

Neil- love your content! Does Kubota have 4 wheel brakes like Deutz???

[@MessicksEquip]

Most tractors brake at the transmission, so yes.

[@jimbernard71]

@@MessicksEquip YOU and I have spoken before- I love Kubota tractors!!! Do you see Kubota ever moving towards 4 wheel breaks as an option???

[@MessicksEquip]

@@jimbernard71 They do that currently. The braking is done in the transmission, not at the tires like a car.

[@paullambert2668]

Elaborating a bit. The brakes brake the transmission. If you're in 2WD, then you're braking the back wheels only. If you're in 4WD, then braking the transmission stops all 4 wheels. So if you need the front wheels to have brakes (maybe you've got a bit much weight on the loader and your rear is light), then you need to be in 4WD.

[@fmixthings]

Was there any changes between this and the same video posted a couple weeks ago?

[@MessicksEquip]

There is a production issue we corrected. Nothing big.

[@fmixthings]

@@MessicksEquip Gotcha, thanks. Didn't know if there was any I missed or didn't remember.

[@je9732]

Differential breaks is what I was taught to call them. Hand clutch and one pedal on each side of transmission. Add a tricycle front end and you can spend them around on a dime

[@seharris11]

How do we get the parking brake release to release when it's stuck? We have no slack left in the pedals and the tooth of the lever is stuck in the grooves. 😞

[@seharris11]

B2650

[@MessicksEquip]

Stomp hard.

[@RockyX13]

Nothing to do with this video, but I have a question. I'm about to purchase a new JD 3025e with FEL and backhoe. I'll be using this for moving dirt and leveling/maintaining my property (less than 10 acres) I'll be using a Frontier 60" BB & pallet forks, but no PTO implements for the foreseeable future. Would 25hp be too little for this tractor? I'm pulled towards the 3025 due to the lack of any emissions & price. My dealer has plenty of 3032's available as well, but as I said emissions, whatever machine I use will be sitting and running for extended periods of time so I fear the DPF on an emissions tractor will fill quickly. Is this a valid concern for a machine that'll be doing alot of backhoe work? ANY advice would be much appreciated before I make my purchase here in a few days.

[@MessicksEquip]

I'm not scared of dpf's, but the Deere 3000e is one of their least competitive tractors.

[@user-je9pt3lz2e]

No hand throttle ?

[@tpfromcentralpa1692]

Evidently someone was looking to hard at yard inventory and not paying attention to the road? Just like the last video, I was waiting for the camera to do a pan to what was happening...............Rats, missed it.

[@barelystablefarm7151]

Is it just me or should the brakes be on the left side regardless if there is a clutch or not?

[@paullambert2668]

Yes. But the L01 tractors started life as a manual transmission, the HST was added later. The brakes on a manual transmission tractor are on the right, the clutch on the left. With the L02 they've got to a point where they're selling more HST than manual, and so they've moved the brakes. The other models (B series, LX, Grand L) all made that change earlier, but they always had a much higher percentage HST - the L01 was the budget model.

[@andrewshelton5448]

Could have used HST cruse control.

[@tsafa]

Why can't you toe and heel at the same time to make the tight turn? That's what I do.

[@tangydiesel1886]

2wd tractor with duals, turning brakes are almost a requirement.

[@francineganmor9952]

Up here in the hills, we use them to stay alive and on windrow... Flatlanders have no clue how that works lol.

[@jimbernard71]

Do you see 4 wheel brakes being a benefit???

[@bighammer587]

Sure, on the interstate, at highway speeds.

[@MessicksEquip]

Yes.

[@jimbernard71]

@@bighammer587 Or, how about this smarty pants,,, downhill long distance when your hauling a lot of weight and it starts pushing you.... But I guess your such a professional,,, that that's never happened to you😆

[@bighammer587]

@@jimbernard71 Lol 😂

[@daneenmurf1043]

Amateur tractor drivers beware _ if you use the sidebrakes to stop one wheel, the diff causes the other wheel to double its speed. Instead of turning you will be swung around, and thats when people get overturned

[@douglasboyle6544]

You think it's only today you look goofy? 😉

[@talanpomeroy4475]

That is an absurd design. Not sure how that ever got through any layer of the company.