[wfbarto]

I have only been on this forum for a short while, but I have really enjoyed and benefited from the info and tech advice. Perhaps you guys have previously addressed this issue, but I am really curious to see the responses. If I am :beatdeadh please forgive me. :i_praying

I have been the proud owner (bought it brand new) of a 316 Onan JD for the past 25 years. Great tractor, love it to death. :00000033:

I also love have the hydro control on the dash. The control falls right into my hand when driving as I rest my elbow on my thigh. I have never driven a JD tractor with either a fender mount or foot controls for the hydro and can't imagine me liking them that much at all compared to the dash location. I'd like to hear from you guys as to your preference and why you like what you do. I would also be interested in knowing what was the last year for the dash control and why JD made the changes over the years.

So here is the question...what is your preference?

1. Dash mounted

2. Fender mounted

3. Foot control

:thanku: :greendr:

 

[Nouveau Redneck]

My preference is foot control.

My wager is that most people's response will be whatever configuration they first used.

My first hydrostatic was a Scotts "Made by John Deere" that had a heel-toe foot control. You press one pedal with the front of your foot to go forward, and another pedal with your heel to go backwards. I've since had an old Cub Cadet 1420 with the dash mounted hand control, and now my JD X500 has side-by-side foot pedals, push the pedal on the left with the front of your foot to go forward and the pedal on the right, also with the front of your foot to go in reverse. It has taken me a while to even get used to the side-by-side pedal configuration of the X500. After a year, I still sometimes find myself trying to find that heel pedal when I want to back up.

 

[KHodges]

My preference is foot control.

My wager is that most people's response will be whatever configuration they first used.

I agree with both those statements, but it seems to me that the foot control is the most natural, like driving a car. Also seems like you'd have the most control modulating speed using your foot.

 

[JDFANATIC]

Foot control hands down. Add a loader or some other joystick controlled implement, and it makes even more sense.

 

[HydroHarold]

Never used a fender mount lever type. But as I sometimes mount the tractor from the right side I can imagine my foot slipping on the wet footboard and having the tractor make an unwanted personal advance towards my posterior with it's lever. So far in my life I have avoided all such activities and I shall continue to do so. Ain't no John Deere gonna make Hydro "squeal like a pig!"

 

[D-Dogg]

The dash mounted hydro lever (and the 2000 RPM PTO) are the only two things I don't like about my 318. Would rather have the foot control.

Of course, my 7 year old son love the dash mounted control because he can't reach pedals yet.

 

[antiqueetc]

I have Cubs with hand lever, Case and Ingersoll w/hand lever and a JD455 with the two pedal foot control. The JD is the easiest and most convenient for me. Can't imagine trying to work a loader with a dash travel/direction control and steer at the same time!

 

[wfbarto]

Can't imagine trying to work a loader with a dash travel/direction control and steer at the same time!

This is a very good point. Currently, I am just using my 316 for mowing so I am not needing to use the other hand for hydraulics, but I can see that if you are plowing or doing other things that this would be an issue and would tend to favor the foot controls over any hand activated hydro.

Does anybody know when JD stopped using the dash and fender mounted controls and went to foot pedals?

 

[D-Dogg]

I would venture a guess that JD stopped using hand hydro control with the introduction of the 445.

 

[bontai Joe]

I own 2 Deere 300 series tractors, bot with dash hydros and I like them, but on a machine that was equiped with a FEL, I can see that a foot control would be much easier to use. I have operated a few other brand machines with fender mounted controls and didn't like them much. Seemed like they often got caught by tree branches or hedges and changed my speed. Also prevents the necessary butt cheek relocation when on a slope.

 

[GR8racingfool]

Foot control hands down. Add a loader or some other joystick controlled implement, and it makes even more sense.

AMEN!:ditto:

I have a H2 set up on my 300 and plan to upgrade that to an H3, add with the lack of power steering, and the hydro lever and sometimes needing the foot brake when working something like dirt around, you can be quite busy.

I find my self setting up the steering wheel by hand, holding it with my knee, and then using my other available hands to operate the hydraulics for the blade, and the hydro transmission with the other hand, and a foot on the brake pedal if I am working close to something I don't want to hook or smash like the out air conditioner unit, or a sprinkler head for example.

~F~