Using Brakes without pushing down the clutch

[zeke-dog]

Okay, this may be a really dumb question, but I am going to ask anyways since this is my first gear shift tractor. When driving my Massey 245, whenever I want to slow down, I always quickly push the clutch all the way down, and then apply the brakes to slow the tractor. To start moving again I let off the brakes and slowly release the clutch to get it back in motion.

My question is:

Would it be okay to only apply the brakes to slow down or stop the tractor without touching the clutch, and then just release the brakes to start moving again, or is this bad for the clutch?

Thanks

 

[DavidP, South Wales]

Hi, you should be using 'engine braking' to slow down your forward speed by shutting down the throttle to the required setting. Pressing the clutch pedal and solely relying on the brakes is potentially dangerous as it puts the tractor into a free-wheeling situation. This is not unlike MFs Multi-power where a sign says "Shift to high for engine braking". In short 'Let the engine take the strain- not the brakes'.
DavidP,South Wales

 

[DavidP, South Wales]

I should have added that if you have the hand throttle set at say halfway then you should not use the brakes to slow the tractor down to a speed which is lower the the tractor is being driven at. This will put unnecessary strain and wear on the clutch and brakes.
DavidP

 

[495man]

Let engine braking do the work if at speed, but yes, when you are ready to actually stop, push clutch in then use brakes.

For the most part if you are in low range you are doing it right, if in high 4 or something I normally gear down and don't use brakes until right before stopping.

Only time I use the brakes when the clutch is engaged is when using the brakes individually to assist in steering.

 

[FinnMD]

First thing to do is slow down the engine rpms, use engine braking. Avoid riding the clutch and free wheeling. Since you have 2 stage clutch you don't need to press pedal all the way down also when stopping or to shift. When your speed is real slow push in 1st stage clutch and apply brakes, stopped put in neutral. Remember to slow down rpms when you shift gears. After you pull shut off knob to stop engine, push it back when parked and stored.

 

[old]

You need to use the clutch or you will either not stop or you will stall the engine.

 

[ptfarmer]

I use the throttle to slow it down, the more I want to slow down the closer I throttle it down to engine idle speed. I only use the brakes when the tractor is barely moving with the clutch pedal depressed. The less you use the brakes the longer they will last, especially if your tractor has the inboard disk brakes, it takes a lot more work if you need to work on the ones with inboard brakes.

 

[David G]

I also use the throttle to slow down when going down hill and avoid the brakes unless necessary.

 

[zeke-dog]

Thanks gents, that is good info

I had no idea that slowing the throttle would control tractor speed while going down hill. That is very valuable information as I would have most likely just stepped on the clutch and applied the brakes, which could have not only been hard on the brakes but also very dangerous.

I'm very glad I asked this question.

Thanks again.

 

[ptfarmer]

(quoted from post at 20:36:45 03/12/18)
Thanks gents, that is good info

I had no idea that slowing the throttle would control tractor speed while going down hill. That is very valuable information as I would have most likely just stepped on the clutch and applied the brakes, which could have not only been hard on the brakes but also very dangerous.

I'm very glad I asked this question.

Thanks again.

If your tractor has multi-power you will not have engine braking with the multi-power in low range, but you will have engine braking with the multi-power in high range. If you are going down a hill its best to select a gear so you can keep the tractor in high range if you have multi-power.

 

[zeke-dog]

Mine is a 1979 Massey 245 with Reverse, 1st, 2nd and 3rd gears, with High and Low. I'm not sure if it is multi-power but I don't think it is.

Is there and way you would be able to tell me for sure?