instructions for adjusting brakes

[TVZ]

Can anyone refer me to a good source of information on making basic repairs & adjustments on a MF 1700 series tractor? I am not a mechanic, so I need things spelled out clearly.

My brakes badly need adjustment, and my manual says to--

-"Remove the interlock plate." -- Does this refer to the thing that binds the two brake pedals (L & R) together? Do they just mean to swing it into the position where it does not bind them together?

-"Remove one of the brake rods." -- How does one do this (and why)?

- "Adjust the brake rod that is not removed" by loosening the lock nuts and turning the turnbuckle so the free play is correct, etc.. I think I understand this, and will try to do it if I can learn the answers to the questions above.

Thank you.

 

[JWR]

It is always good practice in my opinion to be friendly and conversational with your dealer or your nearest dealer no matter what brand and whether you bought it new or not. Most will discuss these kinds of things with you regardless of whether you are scheduling service to be done by them. As with any business, some better than others.
That said, how did you conclude your brakes "badly need adjustment ?"
Yes, the manual does mean that swinging flap of metal that can lock your left and right brake pedals together. Strange language but I cannot imagine what else it would be.
I have no idea why it would say remove one of the brake rods -- I assume they are wanting you to take first one and then the other of the two brakes out of the picture while you adjust the one that is still operable. If so you would only need to disconnect it at one end but WHY is a very good question. Seems to me one can loosen the lock nuts and adjust the "play" in the linkage so there is some small amount of loose travel and then the brake begins being applied.

 

[TVZ]

Thnx jwr. I conclude that my brakes need adjustment because they have much more play than the manual says they should have. Also, you can step on them hard enough to activate the parking brake, but the tractor can still move.

Is there a video or instructions somewhere online showing how to do this?

 

[JWR]

So I would adjust the two linkages to remove excess play and see if the brakes are more effective. I see no reason why not -- for you to just go in and loosen the lock nuts, shorten the linkage removing some play, do that on both sides equally and "cut and try" making small incremental changes. Without seeing your manual (nor owning a 1726) I would aim for about a half inch of loose play before the brakes engage. No interest in precision, just take out the excess play. If that makes you brakes more effective, great. If not then more investigation is needed. Have you checked brake fluid in the reservoir? If the brake lines have been taken apart for any reason you might need to bleed them. I assume you know you have two separate systems for the right and left so each would need to be bled.
There PROBABLY are videos out there about adjusting brakes on your tractor. YouTube covers almost every thing these days. Search in it. At some point you will have to decide whether it is a do-it-yourself issue or to take it to a repair shop.

 

[TVZ]

For anyone else needing information on adjusting Massey brakes--This is the best I found. It's for a smaller tractor model, but much of the information applies. Even I was able to adjust mine after watching this!