Parking brake knob for the 420.

[Ray III]

There's a mysterious hole in the instrument panel just above the starter knob, don't know what goes in there. And I installed an automatic choke on my truck so I had a choke cable I didn't need. Didn't take long to start the wheels turning in my head.

That latch on the footrest that locks the brake pedal is really annoying to try to reach to lift while you're standing on the brake at the same time. Yet it only takes a tiny bit of force to swing it back and forth. SO...

Brake released: (note the extra knob above the starter, starter knob has been replaced with a T-handle)



Brake set:



That ought to make things a little less dramatic when I need to get off the machine while it's on a steep incline. More importantly, it fills the hole in the instrument panel!

If you want to do this, you'll need to start with a cable roughly 6 feet long. In the below picture you can see how it's routed along the gas tank and down behind the hydraulic lines then between the hydraulic tank and the bracket that holds the valves.

You'll want to ziptie the cable to the wire harness about in the middle of the tank, to eliminate the chance of the cable being moved into contact with the battery post and shorting it.



On the other side of the hydraulic tank, fish the cable through the hole in the tank mounting bracket. Put a ziptie around the cable and bracket so the cable is held diagonally to clear the reverser lever, but don't make it super tight yet.



On the brake latch, measure 7/8" out from the center of rotation and drill a hole one size smaller than 1/8" (to avoid making the hole any bigger than necessary). I put the hole at 1" but the knob comes out a bit too far. Cut a 1/8" cotter pin to about 3/4" total length and put it in the hole with the ends bent flat on the other side with pliers. The cotter pin is necessary because the cable has to make a pivoting connection.

Make sure the cable sticks out of the sheath 3" or so. Bend the last 1/2" of the end 90 degrees, stick it through the cotter pin, and bend the last 1/4" another 90 degrees. Play with the bend of the cable and sheath and the position of the sheath until the latch flips back and forth through its full range of travel (while holding the brake pedal down). Then tighten up the ziptie.

[shinnery]

Slick idea!
Bryce

[JD440ICD2006]

Great idea! I hate to reach down and find that little plate to lock the brakes.

[Lavoy]

Just an FYI, the hole in the dash is for the fuel selector rod on all-fuel engines.
Neat idea on the lock by the way, I hate having to reach down there to lock it, especially in the winter with lots of clothes on.
Lavoy

[JD440ICD2006]

I have always been curious about the use for the 4th hole. The fuel selector for all fuel is top left, the choke is bottom left, the starter is bottom right, but there is a hole top right. (this is where he put the brake lock/release cable)
Any one know what Deer was going to put in the 4th hole?
(All I can think of is radiator shutter control)

[Lavoy]

DUH, okay, I am stupid, did not look close enough.
That hole is for one of the LP controls. Someone must have put an LP dash on the crawler at some time in it's life.
Lavoy

[JD440ICD2006]

Lavoy,

I am not saying that it is not an LP control, but in a picture of a 420C in SM 2019, this 4th hole is in the dash. (Figure 180-15-3)

[Lavoy]

Yeah, the more I look at it, the more confused I get. A freind of mine is more versed in the LP dashes than I am, but it has been a while since I have seen his stuff, so CRS may be kicking in. Plus, I don't have a 420 here to look at, so that makes it worse.
Lavoy

[Ray III]

I don't think any major parts have ever been replaced, but I'll find the part number and look it up in my book.

What was the major difference with the LP dash? Maybe the foundry just modified the same pattern or mold used for gas tractors so the extra hole was in both. Or maybe the hole was used for something on wheel tractors?

Used that cable several times already, it sure is quicker than turning the crawler to face across the hill and setting the blade down or reaching for the thing like I'm on some kind of exercise machine.

[JD440ICD2006]

My vote is the same dash was used on all of them, and the "4th hole" was used for radiator shutters.

[Lavoy]

420's had a thermostat, never used shutters, even the all-fuel, just a hotter thermostat.
I just don't remember the deal right now, but there is a difference, it might be serial number specific. The one I do remember is a 430LP crawler actually uses a 420LP dash. On an LP tractor, there are two shaft that come back through the dash from the liquid and vapor valves. There is a cast iron knob that is on the end of the shafts, right up close to the dash. The other two holes still are used for choke and starter rod.
Lavoy

[JD440ICD2006]

Lavoy,

I think I found it. I went through PC 505 and PC 862 last night. (it was raining )
The JD 40 had shutters as an option. The handle to operate the shutters went to the top hole on the right of the dash. (above starter knob)
The same dash (AM2707T) was used for the 40 and the 420.
Seems like it was easier to keep one dash than to have one for each option build.

The idea of the brake lock/release is one of the best that I have seen. I hate bending over to grab the lock when I need to lock or unlock the brakes.

I will be adding this to both of my 440Cs.

[CELSESSER]

I always thought that big heavy thing on the front that you activate with the hydraulic lever at your right hand was the parking brake!!

Chuck

[Lavoy]

The parking brake lock never seemed to be a problem til a few years and a few pounds ago, anyone else notice that?
Lavoy

[Tiny Crawler]

Yea, I noticed that same problem for the 1010, seems to be a common thread no matter what crawler you are on, we usually call those Operator Errors, but this one might be Operator Expansion.,

On the 1010 I need to make a new seat rail and slide the seat back further, at 6'5" and some undisclosed weight, I am pretty cramped in the seat pulling the levers in to the spare tire..

tiny..