Are these brakes working properly?

[MillWeld]

Before I describe the problem I need to give my experience with trailer brakes. I installed brakes on all wheels of my tandem (2000 lb empty) trailer. When I pull the brake-away cable the brakes engage and the truck will not pull the trailer without all 4 wheels skidding. When I am pulling the trailer the drums do not warm up. I assume this is correct operating behavior.

With this experience under my belt I installed brakes on my portable ~3000 lb sawmill. (13 wheels only 2 of them). I adjusted the brakes until they locked and then backed off on the adjuster 10 clicks as is normal. To test the brakes I pulled the cable on the brake-away kit and the brakes do not lock and the truck can pull it. I re-checked the adjustment by adjusting till the drums locked and backing off 10 clicks again but - no change. (The brake-away batteries are 2 auto batteries in parallel and are part of the sawmill and has plenty of reserve power.) In actual towing conditions the brakes apparently work because I can stop quicker and quite satisfactorily. The drums are warm after a 12 mile tow (so are the tires but that is another issue). Are these brakes working right?
Bob

 

[mikehaugen]

3000 lbs on 2 13" wheels is a lot more than 2000 on 4 wheels. I guess I couldn't say for sure, but I wouldn't expect them to lock necessarily with that much weight on them. I look at it as having a 6000lbs on a tandem axle trailer, and in that case I would not expect them to lock. If it feels right while you are pulling, then I would say it is okay. Also, with 13" wheels I would have to assume they are much smaller drums than what you have on the other trailer. With the pin pulled do you feel a good amount of resistance when trying to move it? You could also find some gravel and see if they will lock up on that.

 

[Diamondpilot]

All the law says is the brake away must hold the trailer for 15 minutes. The way we do the check is hook up to a truck but leave the wiring un plugged, pull the brake away, wait 15, put the truck in gear and it should not move at a idle.

If it were in my shop I would tighten 3 clicks and try it again. If that don't work try a few more clicks. I find many times 10 clicks back is too much.

The way we adjust is to jack it up and have a helper spin the tire in a forward direction as I adjust till just a slight drag then back off 1 to 2 clicks.

Chris

 

[Soundguy]

that's how I adjust mine.. lifted and spun.. etc.. adjust till drag, then back a hair..

 

[MillWeld]

See my comments in red.

All the law says is the brake away must hold the trailer for 15 minutes. The way we do the check is hook up to a truck but leave the wiring un plugged, pull the brake away, wait 15, put the truck in gear and it should not move at a idle.
I think the mill would pass this test.

If it were in my shop I would tighten 3 clicks and try it again. If that don't work try a few more clicks. I find many times 10 clicks back is too much.
If I tighten it more won't that just make the linings contact the drum more all the time and make the drum hotter?

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

See my comments in red.

Can not see any red / color.

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

Can not see any red / color.

Chris

You may get some more heat but you just need to adjust your controller as necessary. Heat is going to happen no matter what with brakes.

Chris

 

[MillWeld]

Chris,
My concern is that tightening the brakes will cause more friction between the linings and drum and produce more heat even before the brake pedal is applied. In other words, if the brakes are tightened the linings and drum will be rubbing more all the time. Right? or am I out to lunch?
Bob

 

[schmism]

Chris,
My concern is that tightening the brakes will cause more friction between the linings and drum and produce more heat even before the brake pedal is applied. In other words, if the brakes are tightened the linings and drum will be rubbing more all the time. Right? or am I out to lunch?
Bob

if you follow the other advise given

that's how I adjust mine.. lifted and spun.. etc.. adjust till drag, then back a hair..

then no, its unlikely that the shoes are draging on the drum all the time with the above method.

FYI its how i set my drum brakes also

 

[Diamondpilot]

Chris,
My concern is that tightening the brakes will cause more friction between the linings and drum and produce more heat even before the brake pedal is applied. In other words, if the brakes are tightened the linings and drum will be rubbing more all the time. Right? or am I out to lunch?
Bob

No, you want the brakes just a fraction of a mm before touching. This is very rarely possible with brakes because nothing is perfectly round or matching. They kind of need to wear in the first few miles.

Chris