Boomer Parking Brake ?

Mark_in_NH · Oct 13, 2003

Here is my question.
Do any of you guys with boomers, have difficulty with the parking brake staying engaged ?
On my TC35D,, alot of times, not all, but alot of times when I go to step off the tractor the brake will disengage. I know what causes it and I know what MY cure would be.
It seems at times that when stepping off the tractor, the platform flex's just enough to disengage the brake. Atleast this is what I think is causing it. I now Jam those peddles down pretty hard to make sure that they stay engaged.
If you look under the platform where the brake peddles and brake lock lever meet, you can clearly see that it is just a toothed piece of metal on the lever, that engages a wedged piece of metal on the peddles.
It is clear to me that the wedged piece of metal is just a little to thick to fully engage the teeth on the lock lever.
If it weren't for the warrenty issue, I would just grind the wedge down a little. But until the warrenty expires I am not going to alter such a critical piece of safety equipment.
I will bring this matter to the attention of the dealership when the tractor goes in for it's 50 hour service.
Are any of you having a similar experience with your brake ?

markie61 · Oct 13, 2003

There are two problems: 1) the one you identified and 2) often the toothed ratchet is not square with the wedge. There was a pic last year of a toothed ratchet bent/twistedto be perpendicular to the wedge, but I just spend 15 minutes looking and couldnt find it. At some point, someone did that to mine and it holds most of the time.
Mark

jinman · Oct 13, 2003

Mark, I now have 500 hours on my TC45D and I have never had that problem. I can set the brake with both pedals or just the right pedal and it stays right where I put it (knock on wood). I did have a problem with the mechanism binding when the tractor was new, but that went away and mine works perfectly. Sorry, this doesn't help much except to tell you that this mechanism can work very well if it is aligned properly, as I'm assuming mine was at the factory or at my dealer before delivery.

MLB · Oct 14, 2003

Got the opposite problem. Twice now the parking brake has refused to disengage (while on the trailer at a jobsite). I had to crawl under and pull a cotter pin to release part of it to be able to work. They fixed it once but it did it again a couple weeks ago.

Mark_in_NH · Oct 14, 2003

Thanks for the feedback.
I am not overly concerned or upset by the brake issue because I feel it is a minor and easily addressed.

tc35dforme · Oct 14, 2003

Mark, I had that same issue on my 35D. I don't think you need the grinder !!

For me it was an issue of the mis-alignment between the toothed grabber and the 'wedge' on the pedal. Just a little twist and things have been fine. If you get directly under the rachet thing and look up towards the deck, you see that the grabber and grabbee and not in-line. This is why the wedge only grabs a small portion of the tooth.

Here's some info from a previous post. Previous Post on TBN

I just removed the toothed ratchet thingy, clamped in in the vice, and twisted it just a little.

markie61 · Oct 14, 2003

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I feel it is a minor )</font>

Wait until you are on a hill, you pop it into neutral, set the brake, and hop off to open a gate. It will feel a bit more major when you see how quickly it begins to roll /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif (experience speaking).

When I have the loader on, I drop it for extra friction. When I don't, I turn the wheels so it will run into something before it rolls to the street. I don't trust it.

Mark

gmason · Oct 14, 2003

MLB, I had the same problem before I took my tc35 in for service a little bit ago. Now it works like new. The SM said that they just cleaned and hit it with some lube. I didn't see any parts listed for springs or pins. My 4wd and PTO were very sticky also. The 2/4wd wouldn't even budge. Now it works so smooth it's like a different beast.
I think I'll be getting my PB out avery few months and crawl up under that side and hit all those places to keep them working like this.

gary

grainger12002 · Oct 14, 2003

Markie, I am with you on this one. Mine works pretty good, but I never trust it. I either shut the tractor off,loader down or steer to one side to make sure it stays put, I have no problem with the brake,once set it seems to hold very well,actually the brakes in general feel and perform well on this tractor.Thats my story and I'm sticking to it. Should be out cutting wood today, too nice to be in the office.......... maybe an early lunch????????