JD 5425 - brake ??

duckduke · Jun 14, 2019

I purchased this tractor used with about 525 hours about 1 year ago. I changed all filters and fluids except I did not change the hydraulic fluid (it looked ok). The hydraulic filter was changed.

Currently, the brake pedals (with lock engaged) depress and stop ok but do not return upward. I noticed this after moving forward and pressing only the clutch, the tractor would stop and did not free roll.
The brake pedal only moves 2-3 inches and stops the tractor fine. I can pull the pedal back up with my foot under the pedal and the tractor will then free roll when I hit the clutch. So ........ I know the brakes are basically working......... it appears that the brake pedal is simply sticking and not returning. It does not move back upward when you remove your foot.

I changed the hydraulic fluid this week, and filter, and cleaned hydraulic screen. After some test runs...... no change in brakes.

So, I pulled the brake pedal lock to test individual pedals.
-- Left pedal depresses 2-3 inches and stays or does not return when you remove your foot ....... you can bring the pedal back upward with your foot under the pedal pulling upward.
-- Right pedal depresses .... goes further maybe 4-5 inches easily (without much resistance). If released it returns upward and depressing (pumping) a 2nd time gets resistance at 2-3 inches. Its as if it goes down easily with little resistance on initial press but engages on 2nd pump.
(NOTE: So when the pedals are locked it appears the left pedal is controlling and causing both pedals to not return.)

Different issues on each pedal seems to be a brake valve issue??? Since the brakes do work very well otherwise.

I have been doing a lot of searching and reading. Seems many JD brake valves have all kinds of issues but there are also issues with the springs on the brake plates in the axle.

Not sure if I need to pull this valve and clean, replace o-rings, etc.??

Just trying to figure out where to start. Thanks for any comments!!

Tx Jim · Jun 14, 2019

I'll suggest to liberally apply your favorite penetrating fluid other than WD-40 to the brake pedal pivot shaft & pedal bushing. Also sounds as if an internal valve in brake housing isn't seating correctly.

duckduke · Jun 25, 2019

Tx Jim said:
I'll suggest to liberally apply your favorite penetrating fluid other than WD-40 to the brake pedal pivot shaft & pedal bushing. Also sounds as if an internal valve in brake housing isn't seating correctly.

Thanks!! I used some Kroil ..... after finding out my son had already sprayed some T-9.

The right brake seems to be fine. The left brake still hangs a little but I think it's better than it was.

I've read in a few places that there is some brake adjustment screw on the valve where you can make some adjustment in the operation of the valve/pedals. If the left pedal doesn't get much better I may look into this.
I've also read about some procedure regarding bleeding the brakes. Not sure if that applies to my 5425 but I may also look further into that.

I found my hydraulic fluid pretty cloudy a couple of weeks ago and changed the fluid/filter and cleaned the hydraulic screen. I'm hoping that may help resolve some of the brake problem.

After changing the fluid I found that I had a bad MFWD solenoid. When I pulled the old solenoid..... obviously fluid drained....... more than I thought. But, debris flushed out the solenoid hole/port with the fluid. It was easier to see with the clean fluid. There is also a small screen that goes in right on top/front of the MFWD solenoid. That screen flushed out with the fluid and may have been where the debris came from (off of the screen). The point is ....... changing the hydraulic fluid is a great thing but there is no telling how much debris/crap there is retained in valves/nooks/crannies that will never come out pulling the items/valves and cleaning.

I may need to clean/flush that brake valve before I get it working 100%. We'll see.

Thanks again!!