Clutch pedal on a hydro?

Koolaid · Aug 17, 2011

Was out looking at newer tractors the other day and saw something I'm not familiar with. Was looking at a TC33D/DX33 style hydro tractor with 3 range hydrostat setup. Two things stood out:

1) It had a clutch pedal on a hydo? Can someone explain when this is supposed to be used? Standing still the tractor appeared to slide into any of the 3 ranges without using the clutch?

2) It had a rocker style foot pedal instead of two separate foot pedals. I understand how it works, but have always used a two pedal design - any opinions on this setup? At first used it seemed awkward to go into reverse by rocking onto my heel?

Sorry that it's a new question in an old forum, but thought someone in here might have a CNH compact on the farm. Thanks.

Mike M · Aug 17, 2011

I had a Cub Cadet compact that also had a clutch pedal on a hydro. I don't know why ? I am now wondering if it was to operate the pto.

One other thing to look at is the brake pedal placement ! Many of these models put the turning brake pedals on the same side as the hydro which in effect makes them usless for tight turning or stopping and starting slow and safe on steep hills. Do you have 2 right feet ? I don't !

So far John Deere and I think the larger New Hollands are the only ones to figure this out.

Nebraska Cowman · Aug 17, 2011

I am not familiar with the compacts but on the full
size hydros the "clutch" pedal just dumps the
hydraulic pressure so you stop. Real handy if you
are running a loader and your hands are busy.

Dean · Aug 17, 2011

The clutch pedal is needed to change ranges on the hydro when the engine is running and also to engage the PTO (depending upon design).

Dean

Anonymous-0 · Aug 17, 2011

I have a Kubota that is set up as you described.
The rocker pedal becomes second nature in no time, to the point you'll try to find the pedal on your other tractors. The clucth works like any other clutch, it disengages the engine form the drive line to the hydraulic pump, the PTO and the 4WD transfer case (if the tractor has that option). There is usually a safety interlock on the clutch pedal, that prevents the tractor from starting with out depressing the clutch.

Dan in North Houston · Aug 17, 2011

I have a JD 4020 with the powershift transmission. You have a clutch pedal, but it"s called the "inching pedal" in the owners manual. You don"t have to use it to shift any of the gears, but if you don"t use it when you stop, you would have to shift down to neutral each time. And also when you are in close quarters, such as hooking up to an implement, using it like a clutch gives you a lot more control. But as others have pointed out, there is no clutch or clutch plates, it is basically just a shut off valve for the hydro circuit.

Ken Macfarlane · Aug 17, 2011

On a Kubota its a dry clutch the same as the gear model. I use it for starting heavy pto loads to save the small indepentant pto clutch pack. Besides that its only used for starting the engine.

Handy safety when you're used to gear tractors and jump on, your first instinct is to punch the clutch and brake in a hairy situation. Works the same way but the braking of lifting off the hydrostatic pedal is darned strong.

OliverGuy · Aug 17, 2011

My Kubota's have one also. It's only used in my application for starting it like the guys say below. I do not have to use it to change ranges though. I never touch it after starting. A hydro is just awesome in a smaller tractor for working near things. My 5740 also has a hi/low on the transmission you can use on the fly in each range. I thought it sounded silly when I bought it, but I use it a lot. It's a lever mounted conveniently on the left side of the column. Other smaller hydro tractors may have this too.

Clutch pedal on a hydro?

Koolaid

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Mike M

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Nebraska Cowman

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Dean

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Anonymous-0

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Dan in North Houston

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Ken Macfarlane

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OliverGuy

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