MF240 Rear Wheel Backer Plate

[MoDeer43]

I was washing my MF240 this weekend and had the first time to look things over close.
I noticed that the inside , and by the I mean outside of the backer plate towards the center of the tractor,
I noticed what looked like studs that were threaded, with nuts threaded onto the studs. The studs were loose
and all that appeared to hold them from coming loose was a large head inside of he baker plate. Again I was physically outside of
the backer plate on the inside of the tractor. I looked at the right side and the studs appeared firm, or attached to something.

Does anyone know what these are for? I would say that they were the retaining pins for the brake shoes, but I never opened the drum off the shoes,
so I dont know, but I have never seen threaded ones like this. They again looked like bolts with a stop nut on them.

Any help is most appreciated.

Regards,
Mark

 

[shona13]

G,Day MoDeer43.

From what you are describing there are two adjusting setscrews with lock nuts on the ,one top and one bottom?

Before adjusting the brakes make sure the brake linings are SERVICEABLE.

These are the brake shoe steady posts when properly adjusted they keep the brake shoes parrallel with the brake drum .
To adjust .
Jack the wheel just of the ground so you can turn the wheel by hand ,spray the threads of the adjusting posts and make sure they can move in and out freely ,this done remove the splitpin and clevis pin that connect the brake rods ( both sides) to the brake operating lever on the backplate,
the one with the long shaft that locates in the axle housing,when you have removed the clevis pin make sure the brake operating lever moves freely if not spray with your favourite release spray.

This done there is a small cover which when slid to the side reveals the elongated brake adjusting access hole,be carefull when sliding the cover it has a very sharp edge on it and I have known someone to give themselves a nasty cut, spray with wd40 before you try to slide it open.

This done give the inside a spray to help with the adjuster threads,If you look inside with a torch you will see a STAR type wheel this is the brake adjuster ,using a flat lever ,one that is say 5/8" wide and has a semi sharp end ,a small scraper is good turn the star wheel to the rear of the tractor that is if you are looking at the brake plate from the inside turn the star wheel to the rear,keep turning and at the same time turn the wheel slowly ,you will eventually hear the brake shoes rub ,keep adjusting till you cannot turn I dont mean by using a two foot long scraper Ha Ha just enough that you cannot turn the wheel .

At this stage ,ensuring the steady post screw threads are nice and free and easy to turn ,one at a time screw them in till you feel them touch the brake shoe take them to the just firm contact point and then tighten the lock nuts.

Leave the wheel like this and do the same on the other side.Note Both left and right side brakes adjust the same way that is turn the star wheel to the rear of the tractor to tightenwhen done set the footbrake pedals to independent that is swing the lock latch clear.

This done with the brake pedals held up ADJUST EACH ROD SO THAT THE HOLES LINE UP WITH THE BRAKE OPERATING LEVER EASILY AND THE CLEVIS PIN WILL FIT IN NICE AND EASY Install the split pin and do the other side .

This done with the wheel you are adjusting clear of the ground LOOSEN OF The adjuster and at the same time turn the wheel keep loosening of till the brake shoes JUST RUB .

This done do the other side.

Next drive the tractor say in second gear and with the footbrake locking latch ENGAGED apply the brakes and note if they both lock the wheels at the same time if not LOOSEN the one that comes on FIRST just a little bit at a time till they both lock at the exact same time by the way this is best done on a loose surface track where tyre damage will be minimal maybe do it on the neighbours driveway.
That is the correct way to adjust the brakes on your tractor.:thumbsup:
happy Days have fun.
Regards.
Hutch.

 

[MoDeer43]

Hutch,
Thanks for the help. Ive done the drum brakes before with the adjusting wheel "Star" so thats framiliar to me, but the bolts with the locks nuts where totally new. The thing that really looked strange to me is that one side was firmly attached and the other loose. What kept the loo side from falling out if they were backed all the way out with no threads grabbing ? Is there something on the inside that prevents them from coming through ?
Thanks again,
Mark

G,Day MoDeer43.

From what you are describing there are two adjusting setscrews with lock nuts on the ,one top and one bottom?

Before adjusting the brakes make sure the brake linings are SERVICEABLE.

These are the brake shoe steady posts when properly adjusted they keep the brake shoes parrallel with the brake drum .
To adjust .
Jack the wheel just of the ground so you can turn the wheel by hand ,spray the threads of the adjusting posts and make sure they can move in and out freely ,this done remove the splitpin and clevis pin that connect the brake rods ( both sides) to the brake operating lever on the backplate,
the one with the long shaft that locates in the axle housing,when you have removed the clevis pin make sure the brake operating lever moves freely if not spray with your favourite release spray.

This done there is a small cover which when slid to the side reveals the elongated brake adjusting access hole,be carefull when sliding the cover it has a very sharp edge on it and I have known someone to give themselves a nasty cut, spray with wd40 before you try to slide it open.

This done give the inside a spray to help with the adjuster threads,If you look inside with a torch you will see a STAR type wheel this is the brake adjuster ,using a flat lever ,one that is say 5/8" wide and has a semi sharp end ,a small scraper is good turn the star wheel to the rear of the tractor that is if you are looking at the brake plate from the inside turn the star wheel to the rear,keep turning and at the same time turn the wheel slowly ,you will eventually hear the brake shoes rub ,keep adjusting till you cannot turn I dont mean by using a two foot long scraper Ha Ha just enough that you cannot turn the wheel .

At this stage ,ensuring the steady post screw threads are nice and free and easy to turn ,one at a time screw them in till you feel them touch the brake shoe take them to the just firm contact point and then tighten the lock nuts.

Leave the wheel like this and do the same on the other side.Note Both left and right side brakes adjust the same way that is turn the star wheel to the rear of the tractor to tightenwhen done set the footbrake pedals to independent that is swing the lock latch clear.

This done with the brake pedals held up ADJUST EACH ROD SO THAT THE HOLES LINE UP WITH THE BRAKE OPERATING LEVER EASILY AND THE CLEVIS PIN WILL FIT IN NICE AND EASY Install the split pin and do the other side .

This done with the wheel you are adjusting clear of the ground LOOSEN OF The adjuster and at the same time turn the wheel keep loosening of till the brake shoes JUST RUB .

This done do the other side.

Next drive the tractor say in second gear and with the footbrake locking latch ENGAGED apply the brakes and note if they both lock the wheels at the same time if not LOOSEN the one that comes on FIRST just a little bit at a time till they both lock at the exact same time by the way this is best done on a loose surface track where tyre damage will be minimal maybe do it on the neighbours driveway.
That is the correct way to adjust the brakes on your tractor.:thumbsup:
happy Days have fun.
Regards.
Hutch.

 

[shona13]

G,Day Mark .
There is a kind of swiveling button on the end of the adjuster ,some tractors dont have this there is just a plain part on the end with the threads partially deformed to stop the setscrew coming out .
Providing the linings have not worn at an angle by the fact that they were not supported they will work o.k.. Nine times out of ten it is the left hand side scrwes that come undone I never was able to figure that one out ,maybe at one time I thought that a woman had tightened the left hand side and Popeye tightened the other ,,Only Joking.
Have a good day .
Regards
Hutch.