Not sure if I'm putting this in the right place but...
I've had two tractors, a B6100 (early 80's) and my current L245DT (late 70's).
Both are simple, manual transmission tractors (4wd with loaders). They were/are easy to operate with clutches on the left, brakes on the right, a throttle pedal which is pretty useful.
I am, right now keeping a friends B7300 HST (late 90's?) on my little ranch. He sold his neighboring property and I'm holding some of his gear. I was surprised to discover that this machine has the most curious, awkward controls! There's a clutch on the left, and on the right there are three pedals, forward, backward and brake. The forward and backward pedals are far apart and can't be "heel and toed". That's not too bad but the brake is up above those two pedals and takes a large and deliberate movement with the right leg to get up there! With the clutch on the left, I'm used to feathering the machine in and out of gear and holding down the brake, but that's impossible with this tractor.
I'm not yet sure where the diff lock is, I haven't used it, but the older tractors are easily accessible with a quick heel stab.
The lack of a foot controlled throttle is also a curious subtraction, though not that big a deal.
I know on more recent B series machines with HST transmissions (which I've driven) the brake is on the left and the forward and reverse pedals are on the right. If memory serves, there's no clutch at all. There's also no throttle pedal but at least you can get to the brake quickly.
The HST system on the B7300 is nice for loader work, although the whine of the transmission is really annoying.
How are the newer non-HST systems laid out? Were all the older (90's?) HST systems like this? I've considered upgrading to a newer HST tractor but I think this setup is kind of impossible.
I've had two tractors, a B6100 (early 80's) and my current L245DT (late 70's).
Both are simple, manual transmission tractors (4wd with loaders). They were/are easy to operate with clutches on the left, brakes on the right, a throttle pedal which is pretty useful.
I am, right now keeping a friends B7300 HST (late 90's?) on my little ranch. He sold his neighboring property and I'm holding some of his gear. I was surprised to discover that this machine has the most curious, awkward controls! There's a clutch on the left, and on the right there are three pedals, forward, backward and brake. The forward and backward pedals are far apart and can't be "heel and toed". That's not too bad but the brake is up above those two pedals and takes a large and deliberate movement with the right leg to get up there! With the clutch on the left, I'm used to feathering the machine in and out of gear and holding down the brake, but that's impossible with this tractor.
I'm not yet sure where the diff lock is, I haven't used it, but the older tractors are easily accessible with a quick heel stab.
The lack of a foot controlled throttle is also a curious subtraction, though not that big a deal.
I know on more recent B series machines with HST transmissions (which I've driven) the brake is on the left and the forward and reverse pedals are on the right. If memory serves, there's no clutch at all. There's also no throttle pedal but at least you can get to the brake quickly.
The HST system on the B7300 is nice for loader work, although the whine of the transmission is really annoying.
How are the newer non-HST systems laid out? Were all the older (90's?) HST systems like this? I've considered upgrading to a newer HST tractor but I think this setup is kind of impossible.