4320 compact utility brakes grinding

carolinatractor · Jun 22, 2015

I have a JD 4320 and when you mash the brakes there is a grinding sound. This sound is not as bad if the brakes are locked together. The tractor has under 300 hours and is not used much at all. I had a 4520 and I think it did it some also. Just wanted to know if normal. I am tring to sell the tractor and someone test drove the other day and the sound turned them off, how ever at the time the brakes were not locked together and I don't know if they were mashing both.
Thanks

dusty3030 · Jun 22, 2015

My 4120 does the same if you use individual steering brakes. Locked together no noise, use one alone as a steering brake, sounds like a grinding noise. Whether it's normal or not, I don't know. But you aren't alone at least.
Mine is a late 2012 build with just shy of 350 hours, eHydro.

carolinatractor · Aug 1, 2015

anyone else

beenthere · Aug 1, 2015

Not cause for alarm, IMO. The right and left wheel brakes when used individually will put some drag on a wheel, but not stop that wheel dead. I think the fact that it is still moving within the brake linings is what you are hearing.
Unlike the old tricycle tractors with narrow front that you could spin around by stopping one wheel. The wide front ends of the 4wd are just too heavy to drag around with one wheel brake "stomped" (mashed) and FEL.
I don't like the noise the individual brakes make but have been using them when needed (spinning in mud or in snow) for 15 years and they still work as good as when new. That be on my 4300 and will drag a rear wheel a bit.

sunnyside360 · Aug 1, 2015

The brakes on my 2010 4320 work like yours. I never really worried much about it as it has done it since new. The brakes on my 2006 4320 I had previously made the same noise. With ehydro transmission I rarely ever use the brakes since releasing the drive pedal is like applying the brakes. Noise is most noticeable when using single brake pedal to turn sharply.