The only difference between using the cruise function and the engine speed lever is that with the cruise it drops to idle if I push the brake. It's really just a sound thing. This is also the quietest tractor I've ever seen.
Kioti DK4710SE HST
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I'm pretty sure the linked pedal function for my tractor will also give it a ground speed cruise control, in addition to the normal link pedal function. If they still offered the hydraulic shuttle, that's what I would have gone with. It's basically a clutchless manual. Well, maybe not after doing loader work with the HST
Ashful
Minister of Fire
What’s the pedal arrangement? Got independent rear brakes? Separate fed / rev pedals, or a single rocker?
I have a linked left/right brake pedals on the left and forward and reverse pedals on the right. The direction pedals are linked so that when reverse is pressed it really just lifts up the forward pedal. This thing could turn super tight in 2WD using the directional brakes. The turning radius already amazes me. I'll snap some photos in the daylight. I cleaned up the leftover snow from the 15"+ yesterday and got to play with the big blower some more. That thing is amazing.
Also, the dealer says the linked forward/reverse pedal really just increase engine RPM like driving a car. Not worth it to me. The only downside to the HST is the difficulty in setting a constant speed. If I were managing acres and acres of crops, the HST probably wouldn't be very fun. For pretty much anything else the HST seems like the way to go. The only transmission I think would be better is the hydraulic power shuttle, but I would have had to step up to a mid size tractor, which is silly for me.
Ashful
Minister of Fire
The independent rear brakes will come in handy when pushing snow with the loader. If you’re like me, you’ll find that taking the time and effort to hook up the blower becomes less appealing over time, and you’ll do more and more snow plowing with the FEL, when it’s not real deep. Those independent rear brakes are my primary steering when floating a full bucket of snow plow-style down the length of my winding driveway.
These days, I only bother to hook up the blower when we get more than a foot in a single storm. I just do all of the smaller nuisance storms with the loader.
These days, I only bother to hook up the blower when we get more than a foot in a single storm. I just do all of the smaller nuisance storms with the loader.
I have discovered how difficult it is to steer with the bucket on float. That makes sense with the brakes. I can independently control which side brakes, but it still activates the front brakes which doesn’t matter when I have the bucket on a float.
Ashful
Minister of Fire
Are you sure your tractor has front brakes? I have to admit, the tractors I have owned are all mid-1980's or older (I think I'm on unit no.6 now), but I have never driven a tractor with front brakes. Classically, hitting independent brakes locks up the rear wheel on that side, allowing you to turn in place. I guess the farm guys use this for turning on the spot, or tractor square dancing, I just use it for steering when there's not enough load on the front axle.
maple1
Minister of Fire
I'm a novice to tractors, so I would be surprised if I were right. I'll have to pay closer attention. It really doesn't need front brakes, especially since the HST basically beings the tractor to a dead stop if I release the forward or fevers pedals. I've just left the brakes linked and don't really use them much. When I used to autocross I always wanted to learn left foot braking. I guess this is my opportunity
maple1
Minister of Fire
Anyone who grew up on 2WD tractors learned quickly how to work the brake pedals. Still comes in very handy with a 4WD if the fronts are breaking traction. Which can happen often when plowing with a FEL. Just tap the break on the side you want the tractor to turn towards. Practice makes perfect. 
Bad LP
Minister of Fire
Never heard of front brakes on any tractor.
When my rear blower goes on its stays on. Down in MA the blower is a hydro front mounted unit and I frequently sway it out with the bucket.
When my rear blower goes on its stays on. Down in MA the blower is a hydro front mounted unit and I frequently sway it out with the bucket.
Then I stand corrected, and thank you for educating me. I had considered a front mount blower initially, but the high cost dissuaded me. My dealer also said it's a pain to swap the blower on and off, more so than other implements I guess.
Ashful
Minister of Fire
I also debated the front vs. rear blower decision. If I didn’t have the loader, I’d have definitely gone with a front-mounted blower, but like you said, it’s a bit of a PITA to switch between FEL and front blower. The rear blower tag-teamed with the FEL is a handy combo.
I’ll do you the favor of giving you the same warning I received from the seller of my first FEL CUT, as it pertains directly to the discussion of front brakes. Never head downhill in 2wd with a load in the bucket. Your rear tires get light when headed downhill, and since those are your ONLY brakes, you will someday find yourself free-wheeling down the hill at high speed. In my case, it happened on a day when the lawn was wet and slick, and I didn’t have enough weight in the bucket to really concern me, but it was apparently enough to just make the rear tires a little bit lighter.
Always back down hills with a full loader, or at least put it in 4wd if you’re going down forward, the drivetrain will ensure those front wheels can’t freewheel when you apply the rear brakes.
You’re going to wonder why folks can’t just drop the bucket when their machine starts freewheeling down a hill, and I that’s exactly what I did, but it’s amazing how long it will take you to get that bucket on the ground when the tractor starts into a high-speed downhill thru the trees.
Nobody has mentuoned the loaded bucket thing to me, so thank you. We also have loads of ice on our driveway, but I've be going down backwards with the blower going while back dragging. My chains came in today, but there's not enough daylight left to install them, so tomorrow. I've pretty much just left it in 4WD since everything is so slick here. I found out quickly not to go down my driveway in 2WD using the brakes after the ice started. My truck has a granny low first and combined with 4x4 I have to accelerated down our driveway, same with the tractor. I haven't attempted going down with the tractor in 2WD with this ice, but it didn't go well in my truck. A friend got his plow truck stuck off the side of the driveway in the trees a few weeks ago. My truck got stuck trying to get his out, so we had to call a wrecker. AAA paid for that bill! Studded VBar two link chains will live in my truck soon.
I also bought a 3pt skidding winch today, I'll probably have them deliver it Friday. There are loads of widowmakers and our trees are very tight. The locals seem to think we won't have any more snow over an inch or two at a time, so I should be safe to dismount the blower. I'm excited to start taking down some of the widow makers and make some paths for the tractor.
A stump grinder and root rake grapple are next. After that I'll snag a grading blade, post hole digger, and the backhoe. That should about do it for the rest of my life for this tractor. Any advice on where to search for the grapple besides everything attachments? My dealer said to get it shipped there and they would do the third function for me.
A stump grinder and root rake grapple are next. After that I'll snag a grading blade, post hole digger, and the backhoe. That should about do it for the rest of my life for this tractor. Any advice on where to search for the grapple besides everything attachments? My dealer said to get it shipped there and they would do the third function for me.
This seems like it would rip through the top soil pretty well and it has two lids. http://www.therakeshop.com/LIGHT_Class_Tractor.html
I'm pretty sure my tractor qualifies as "light class"
Edit: another contender if I want a single lid
https://www.highrockattachments.com/66-root-rake-grapple/
The everything attachments root rake grapples have really short tines/scarifiers
I'm pretty sure my tractor qualifies as "light class"
Edit: another contender if I want a single lid
https://www.highrockattachments.com/66-root-rake-grapple/
The everything attachments root rake grapples have really short tines/scarifiers
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Studded diamond chains are mounted on the back, but I ran out of light, and I'm frozen. The skidding winch is getting delivered on Saturday since we'll be out of town tomorrow. Maybe I'll get the front chains mounted tomorrow after we get home.
What did you have for temps? I think our high was 14 but the wind made it feel colder.
It might have gotten up to 20 today. My outdoor thermometer says 15 right now and the humidity has been super high lately. Spring is coming, and I think it will be cold and wet.
I hope it's wet, our neighbor down the road burns pallets every year during the NYS burn ban.
It looks like we'll be in for another wind event.
Wow, that's pretty serious wind. I don't think it's been that high here, and as are right on the water.
That's for Saturday night and Sunday, Buffalo NY could see 70 - 80 again.
Why the industrial tires over ag tires? I had the dealer put ag tires on and never regretted it for a second.
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