Maintenance on Parking Brake lever?

[ShenandoahJoe]

My tractor ran away from me the other day (engine off). Fortunately, everyone was positioned for maximum entertainment value and minimum hazard, but I'd just as rather never have to chase it down again. The problem seems to be that setting the parking brake on my 1998 B7300 HST has become unreliable. The brakes themselves seem OK, but sometimes the lever catches, sometimes it doesn't, and it's not always easy to tell the difference. Is there some maintenance I ought to have been doing to the lever so it catches more easily?

 

[big bubba]

not sure how the parking brake lever works on you model....but from the L models, it's basically a lever tied to a foot pedal with a spring loaded ratchet assembly that holds it down when depressed. Yours should be similar. If it's a connecting rod (or a cable), it should be adjustable by a turnbuckle somewhere in line. I'd 1st clean the ratchet mechanism, then spray w/ silicone (not petroleum based for the dust collection.) you'll then have to just use your judgment on how much (if any) you'll need to adj. the linkage to get a firm hold on the brakes. Maybe then park on a SLIGHT incline, staying seated, and apply the PB. The one thing about this setup even w/ the linkage adjusted properly.....all of this should be in your manual.....the ratchet mechanism has to be engaged solidly....in my haste, sometimes that was not always true for me.. be careful!!!! Glad to have a different setup on my larger M now. If the HST s has a different setup, my apologies for this reply. bb

 

[kevinj]

My tractor ran away from me the other day (engine off). Fortunately, everyone was positioned for maximum entertainment value and minimum hazard, but I'd just as rather never have to chase it down again. The problem seems to be that setting the parking brake on my 1998 B7300 HST has become unreliable. The brakes themselves seem OK, but sometimes the lever catches, sometimes it doesn't, and it's not always easy to tell the difference. Is there some maintenance I ought to have been doing to the lever so it catches more easily?

Crawl under it and check the pawl.

 

[Earl Ohl]

My tractor ran away from me the other day (engine off). Fortunately, everyone was positioned for maximum entertainment value and minimum hazard, but I'd just as rather never have to chase it down again. The problem seems to be that setting the parking brake on my 1998 B7300 HST has become unreliable. The brakes themselves seem OK, but sometimes the lever catches, sometimes it doesn't, and it's not always easy to tell the difference. Is there some maintenance I ought to have been doing to the lever so it catches more easily?

I have no idea how a B7300 is set up, but I had a similiar problem on my B3030. On mine, on the left brake pedal rod underneath the floorboard there is a small piece of flat steel welded to the pedal rod. When I checked mine it was bent & almost broken off. This piece of steel engages a linkage with teeth on it coming from the parking brake lever. This is all that holds the brake on. I straightened & re-welded the piece of steel & all seems ok now.

 

[FrogLick]

I recently adjusted mine on my B3030 and assume it would be similar on your model. Simple loosening of a lock nut on the rod, adjust the turnbuckle, the tighten down the lock nut. A small adjustment on the turnbuckle seemed to make a lot of difference so test and don't over do it. It holds well on a significant incline once the brake is set. Now if I'd just remember to release the brake before driving away...

 

[newbury]

I recently adjusted mine on my B3030 and assume it would be similar on your model. Simple loosening of a lock nut on the rod, adjust the turnbuckle, the tighten down the lock nut. A small adjustment on the turnbuckle seemed to make a lot of difference so test and don't over do it. It holds well on a significant incline once the brake is set. Now if I'd just remember to release the brake before driving away...

Ay, and there's the problem-
Why can't it stop us from driving off when it's on?

 

[ShenandoahJoe]

A bit of scrubbing with a stiff brush and a long schpritz with some graphite lubricant, and it works much better now. Now, the parking brake makes an audible "click" when I engage it, which it hasn't done before.

To fix it, I had to lie on my back and slide my head and shoulder under the tractor. Which had a failed parking brake. Thinking about that too much isn't conducive to getting the job done.

Thanks, y'all!

 

[kevinj]

To fix it, I had to lie on my back and slide my head and shoulder under the tractor. Which had a failed parking brake. Thinking about that too much isn't conducive to getting the job done.

Thanks, y'all!

I would hope you blocked the wheels!!

 

[LBrown59]

Ay, and there's the problem-
Why can't it stop us from driving off when it's on?

If you can drive off with it on was it really on?

A bit of scrubbing with a stiff brush and a long schpritz with some graphite lubricant, and it works much better now. Now, the parking brake makes an audible "click" when I engage it, which it hasn't done before.To fix it, I had to lie on my back and slide my head and shoulder under the tractor. Which had a failed parking brake. Thinking about that too much isn't conducive to getting the job done.Thanks, y'all!

YA could a got runed over

I would hope you blocked the wheels!!

Yep.

 

[ShenandoahJoe]

I would hope you blocked the wheels!!

Fortunately, my farm came provided with a lifetime supply of large rocks. Four of them were, I'm sure, grateful to be of service.