Doing Brakes on Hesston/Fiat/New Holland 70-75 Crawler

[LBaird119]

I have to replace at least, the right brake band on a Hesston 70-75 Crawler. Got the track apart and started looking and it looks like the whole right side undercarriage has to come off in order to slide the gear reduction/brake housing off the axle/s! That means the blade has to come off first, then the whole right side, then finally the housing THEN I can get to the brake!
Anybody have any experience or knowledge that can assure me there's a less invasive method to do this? I don't see it but I'm hoping... TIA
Loren

 

[LBaird119]

Well, a late update: Sure enough, you have to pull the whole right side undercarriage off to get at it. Found plenty of brake lining left, too bad none of it was still fastened to the brake band! Had to replace the drum as well. Not a lot of extra meat on them, about .100" total thickness.