The disclosure relates to a braking system useful for providing stable braking of harvesters, such as self-propelled windrowers. The braking system utilizes respective service brakes associated with or integrated into a front drive system of the harvester, each of the service brakes configured to slow down or stop rotation of the respective front wheels. A controller/module is configured to receive inputs and feedback parameters to actuate components of the harvester to slow down or stop the harvester.