Question for Matt G re turning brakes

[thenrie]

Matt,
I was just looking at your Cub site, particularly at your turning brake conversion on your 782. Question: What did you do about the brake neutral safety thing, where the trans shifts into neutral when you hit the brakes? How did you deal with that and do you think the results were worth the trouble?

Tony H.

[Matt G.]

The original brake pedal still returns the hydro to neutral; now that the safety switch gave out, that's its only function. The other two pedals are not connected to either the original brake pedal or the neutral return.

[thenrie]

So, do you have both internal brakes and turning brakes, or did your 782 come with external brakes to begin with? I guess that makes the original brake pedal act sort of like a clutch. I like that idea. Now, if I were to do that conversion on my 682, would I have any particular problems if I just disconnect the internal brake?

[Matt G.]

My 782 is MTD-built with an aluminum rear, so it already had external brakes. You'd have to add external brake axles.

If you go that route, leave the left pedal as is, then you have a parking brake. I made a locking lever for split brake pedals, but the operation of it is a bit more awkward than the lock on the left side pedal.

[thenrie]

Oh yeah! Great idea! This upgrade (turning brakes) looks like a pretty simple upgrade, mostly bolt-on, with a little fabbing for the brake pedals. I think this is one I'll do for my 682 and maybe my 1650 as well. The short turning radius things is great, but having turning brakes on a 2wd is also very useful for getting traction to the wheel that needs it in sticky situations. Thanks for your answers.

By the way, I check your site often for updates. I hope you keep it up. I like the way you do things and it gives me great ideas for things I'd like to do.

[Matt G.]

They don't really help the turning radius much, or at least, I've never tried that. Never needed to. They work great for getting un-stuck when throwing snow, though. Don't copy the pedal shape as seen on the 782...it's beyond awful. They are awkward to push in. I've re-designed them to hopefully take care of that and make them a little harder to push (see 'projects' section for CAD screenshots, I think), but since I don't have any place to work on them, I haven't made any progress in years. Oh, and they are completely bolt-on, as are all of the modifications I make. All of it can be undone if I ever sell the tractor.

Thanks for the compliments on my website. I plan on continually updating it, but all of my in-progress projects are indefinitely on hold until I can get out of this apartment and into a house with a garage/workshop.

[thenrie]

Yeah, I saw what you said about the brake pedals and looked at your redesign. Looks good.

I know what you mean about not having a workshop. A little over 20 years ago, when my workshop was our two-car garage, my wife walked in one day and asked, "When are you going to get your crap out of here, so I can put my stuff somewhere (note the difference between her things and mine)?" I started to get upset, until she continued, "We need to build you a workshop!" I quickly agreed and have had a workshop ever since. What a woman! Everybody should have a wife like that!

What I need...er...want real bad...is a lathe like yours. Tools! They're more addicting than Cubs!

[thenrie]

Would the rear brake caliper components from an 1810 fit the rear axle housings for my 1650 and 682? I know the 1810 uses an aluminum case, but I think the axle housings are the same dimensions....right?

[Matt G.]

They'll work, but I'd stick with the IH ones, or find the CI brake brackets from a CCC super or gear drive. The aluminum ones are sort of fragile...I have a couple that I've had to replace due to them cracking.

[thenrie]

OK. I'll pass these by then. Heavy duty is what I'm wanting. Thanks.