From time to time, see "cruise control" listed in advertising as an option on tractors, particularly lawn & garden, and smaller wanna-be utility tractors. Is this something more than a throttle control governor to regulate engine speed? Or, is this some new feature, maybe to confuse the urban farmers who think they're actually being a farmer? What is it?
- Thread starter RayP(MI)
- Start date
rustyfarmall
Well-known Member
It is a sales gimmick. REAL farm tractors are equipped with governors, which maintain a constant engine speed.
Oregon Tractor Jack
Member
I have a 2008 Farmall 40 with cruise control. This tractor has a hydrostatic transmission so in some cases the cruise control comes in handy. This tractor usually just drags a brush hog over large flat fields, that is the only time I would ever consider using the cruise control. If it had a standard transmission, the cruise control would be complete waste of time. I have seen cruise controls listed on lawn tractors, what a waste. In that case the cruise control and the beer holder should not be an option...
OTJ
OTJ
Oregon Tractor Jack
Member
If you have never driven a hydrostat, then you wouldn't know that you have to push constantly on the forward or reverse pedals to get the tractor to move. That does get tiring after several hours in the seat..
OTJ
OTJ
rustyfarmall
Well-known Member
The drink holder is also just another sales gimmick. I've never used the one on my zero-turn, but I've noticed that it is always full of grass clippings when I finish mowing. Grass clippings and dust do very little to enhance the flavor of ANY type of beverage.
I have this feature on my jd garden tractor..it doesn't set engine speed at all just sets the hydrostat in one place by holding the pedal in the position you set it at... the engine gov still works as it should...works good for big yards with not to many obstacles..the reason I like it is that since they went to foot pedal control as I get older my knee starts to bother me when depressing the pedal so long during mow time and with out being able to move my leg around because I have to depress the foot pedal to make it move it is actually nice to be able to set it..another reason I would like to see them go back to hand control like on the 300 series deeres..hope this offers some insight
Eric in IL
Well-known Member
The only time I have found usefulness of the cruze on my hydrostat lawn mower is when you are stuck in the mud.... by yourself. I set the cruze at a crawl, then push like a madman from behind the mower.
Traditional Farmer
Well-known Member
- Location
- Virginia
Apparently you've never driven a Massey 1650 garden tractor or a Ford 14D both have foot controlled hydos and will come to a stop if you take your foot off
the hyro control pedal.The Ford has a cruise control on it.
the hyro control pedal.The Ford has a cruise control on it.
I don't know WHY that's called "cruise control" when all it does is simply lock the hydro pedal in place. There's NO control to actually regulate speed according to load or going up or down hills
The 140 DEEREs Ray and I have accomplish the same thing with a simple lever, without the stupid ankle-tiring hydro footpedal.
The 140 DEEREs Ray and I have accomplish the same thing with a simple lever, without the stupid ankle-tiring hydro footpedal.
chevytaHOE5674
Well-known Member
That's how my JD 314 is. But most of the newer hydros (from mowers to utility tractors) have foot pedals that have a spring to return them to neutral when you take your foot off. Cruise lets you move along without having to keep your foot on the pedal constantly.
oliverplow
Member
I still have a mower with hand control hydro. I don't like the foot pedals at all! I would like to see JD put foot pedals on their new combines and see how that goes over! They went to foot pedals because none farmers could not figure out how to drive with their hands and people have gotten to wimpy to steer with one hand!
chevytaHOE5674
Well-known Member
If I had to guess they went to foot pedal controls because most people know how to drive an automobile with foot pedal controls. So most people can jump on their tractor and drive them just the same as their car or truck.
Janicholson
Well-known Member
As noted, electrical control of hydro setting. I would bet that if you stood up, or fell off!!! that it would interlock with the mower safety and stop both the tractor, and the blades. Safety first you know. Eventually you will need to be trained to carry a Barlow, and it will not open if there is a low light condition. Jim
One of the product liability niceities is "dead man" response: if the driver becomes missing or inactive, the tractor stops--same with getting or falling off the seat--the tractor stops. My JD has the "cruise control" but I seldom use it. There are several safety situations I like but that cursed backup switch that turns off the mower or snowblower. IaLeo
gtractorfan
Well-known Member
My brother-in-law bought a new JD 318 years ago. Right off the bat his son got on and drove it into a tree, smashing the front grille. The thing is you have to manually return the hand lever to the neutral position to stop. With a foot control you take your foot off the pedal. Also seems an advantage to me to have both hands free. No doubt what's best is what you're used to.
Fawteen
Well-known Member
- Location
- Downeast Maine
My Kubota B2650 has a manual cruise control. It's the orange lever in the picture. It's handy for long runs at slow speeds like tilling. You just have to remember to release it in order to go from forward to reverse.
I maintain a JD 316 for a neighbor that has the lever-only hydro. I think the damn thing is dangerous as you can't just "let go" in a panic and have the machine stop. I suppose if that's all you've ever used it's okay, but I'm used to foot controls and I hate it.
While we're on the subject of hydro controls, I MUCH prefer the two pedal (one forward, one reverse) and "all stop when you lift your foot" setup. The Kubota has a treadle type, toe pedal to go forward, heel pedal to go backwards. I usually hook the toe of my boot under the "forward" pedal and lift to to back up unless it's a long run. Not nearly as handy.
I maintain a JD 316 for a neighbor that has the lever-only hydro. I think the damn thing is dangerous as you can't just "let go" in a panic and have the machine stop. I suppose if that's all you've ever used it's okay, but I'm used to foot controls and I hate it.
While we're on the subject of hydro controls, I MUCH prefer the two pedal (one forward, one reverse) and "all stop when you lift your foot" setup. The Kubota has a treadle type, toe pedal to go forward, heel pedal to go backwards. I usually hook the toe of my boot under the "forward" pedal and lift to to back up unless it's a long run. Not nearly as handy.
495man
Well-known Member
Yes, it's a feature on hydro tractors that require the foot pedal to be held down to go. Makes it easier for the wannabees to play farmer without tiring their foot out.
IH Hydros were lever you set for the speed you want, you still had normal pedals.
My Dad has a Craftsman mower with lever hydro, still has clutch/brake.
As far as I know all new hydro compacts are foot pedal drive.
Tom OConnor
Member
Ray,
There are several different types and most all go for a constant speed. I have one on a 8100 Deere that I have used for planting that really works well as you plant in 12th gear and dial the cruise speed back till you are at 6 or 6.5 miles per hour and your engine is running about 16 or 1700 rpm. When you come to the end of the field you drop 3 gears, make your turn and hit the shift lever 3 times and your back up to planting speed and your tractor runs at about 2/3 throttle all day. That being said the new IVT transmissions are a whole new ballgame but accomplish about the same thing.
There are several different types and most all go for a constant speed. I have one on a 8100 Deere that I have used for planting that really works well as you plant in 12th gear and dial the cruise speed back till you are at 6 or 6.5 miles per hour and your engine is running about 16 or 1700 rpm. When you come to the end of the field you drop 3 gears, make your turn and hit the shift lever 3 times and your back up to planting speed and your tractor runs at about 2/3 throttle all day. That being said the new IVT transmissions are a whole new ballgame but accomplish about the same thing.
john in la
Well-known Member
Not to change the subject but after reading some of the comments I would have to say some of you guys would have a hard time with a decelerator pedal like they use on dozers.
You take your foot of the pedal and the motor revs up.
You can run all day with your foot relaxed.
When you want to reverse or slow down you push down on the pedal.
I love a decelerator pedal but they can be very dangerous because if something happens to you the engine goes to wide open throttle.
You take your foot of the pedal and the motor revs up.
You can run all day with your foot relaxed.
When you want to reverse or slow down you push down on the pedal.
I love a decelerator pedal but they can be very dangerous because if something happens to you the engine goes to wide open throttle.
notjustair
Well-known Member
The wife insisted she needed a Cub Cadet mower - one of those throw away ones. It is starting to fall apart with 300 hours on it, but it is awfully nice to spray the yard with.
It has one of those stupid cruise control things. Last week I was spraying 24D in the yard and set that things for the first time. I went about 50 feet and was just getting used to it when I hit a bump and it disengaged. It about threw me over the steering wheel.
Stupid throw away mower.
It has one of those stupid cruise control things. Last week I was spraying 24D in the yard and set that things for the first time. I went about 50 feet and was just getting used to it when I hit a bump and it disengaged. It about threw me over the steering wheel.
Stupid throw away mower.
Ken Macfarlane
Well-known Member
Its funny as I've had a single pedal so long I absolutely hate driving twin pedal machines. They are so awkward for loader work with lots of shuttling and nothing to brace your foot on in rough ground leading to a lot of surging.
Ken Macfarlane
Well-known Member
Same reason I don't like using a foot throttle on a gear tractor in rough ground.
OldBuzzard
Member
Cruise control on garden tractors isn't anything new.
The 1967 Bolens 1250 had cruise control. It was also the first GT to have a foot controlled hydro. It was set by the left foot pedal which mechanically locked the hydro linkage. It evidently didn't work all that well as the succeeding models didn't have that feature.
Then in 1971 when Bolens introduced the first of the big twin cylinders GTs, the 1886, cruise control was again offered as an option. This time it was electrically operated with a switch on the dash, which activated an electromagnet that held the hydro linkage in the position until the operator either moved the foot pedal or deactivated it on the dash.
It remained as an option until 1982 when it became standard on the 1982-1985 HDT1000, and then the 1984 and up HT23.
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