A steering brake is a device used to turn or steer a vehicle by applying a brake, commonly found in bulldozers, tractors, airplanes, and race cars. It works by applying the brake on the side corresponding to the direction the operator wishes to turn. The system was first introduced on the Caterpillar crawler tractor and is based on the same mechanics as driving a ship.
A steering brake is a device that allows the operator to turn or steer a vehicle by applying a brake. Typical vehicles that employ a steering brake system are bulldozers, tractors, and airplanes. The steering brake works by applying the brake on the side of the vehicle corresponding to the direction the operator wishes to turn. By applying the left brake, the right side of the vehicle will continue to push the vehicle to the left and a left turn will occur. Applying both brakes will bring the vehicle to a stop.
This type of system was first introduced on the Caterpillar crawler tractor because it prohibited conventional steering components. The director is based on the same mechanics as driving a ship. By placing resistance to the side of the ship, it is forced to pivot around the resistance, resulting in a spin.
The steering brake was employed on conventional wheeled tractors in an effort to turn the machine when pulling a plow. The force of the plow digging into the soil made it difficult to turn the tractor with the front tires. By applying pressure to one wheel at a time, the operator can control the direction of the tractor while keeping the throttle applied and the plow in the ground. This resulted in much straighter furrows and better looking fields.
Many aircraft use a steering brake to turn when maneuvering on the ground. The pilot applies the brake on the wheel that represents the direction the plane needs to turn and pushes the throttle forward. The aircraft spins around the braking wheel and the spin is complete. This can be an extremely difficult and dangerous procedure at takeoff and landing speeds. Pilots work hard to achieve smooth application of the brakes, resulting in smooth turns.
Many race car builders design a brake cutoff switch on oval track cars, resulting in a type of steering brake. By removing the right front brake, the car is much easier to turn into the left corner. The driver has the ability to adjust the brake camber between the front and rear of the race car, as well as cut the right front brake. This application is particularly common in dirt track cars where the driver launches the car into the corner into a controlled drift or slide. The downside to this steering brake is that it causes many cars to spin when the brakes must be applied suddenly to avoid a mishap.
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