New 5055E

[vtsnowedin]

I agree with Eric.

I don't even accept vtsnowedin's situation as normal. After this thread started I played with my Kubota's brakes. It uses a master cylinder to control the power oil brakes. My pedal position does not change between the first stroke and subsequent strokes. No one can convince me that is normal behavior. At least in his case he does have brakes on the first push. But that's still not normal for a properly functioning brake system.

Would you accept that in your new car or truck??

Perhaps part of this is many here have never driven a car with anything less then vacuum assisted "power" brakes. My tractors brakes feel just lie my first cars which was a 62 Plymouth.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

Perhaps part of this is many here have never driven a car with anything less then vacuum assisted "power" brakes. My tractors brakes feel just lie my first cars which was a 62 Plymouth.

Even without power assist disk brakes are going to give provide more braking with less pedal effort because the master cylinder isn't pressing the shoes out into the drum like your 62 Plymouth.

 

[vtsnowedin]

Even without power assist disk brakes are going to give provide more braking with less pedal effort because the master cylinder isn't pressing the shoes out into the drum like your 62 Plymouth.

Yes but the old drum brakes when properly adjusted worked fine. The advantage of the disks were that they self adjusted with a lot fewer parts.
I can't say I have any real insight as to why wet disk brakes on a modern tractor need much of any pedal travel between on and off.

 

[deere5105]

I have noticed on my JD 5303 that my left brake pedal seems to go further down now than it used to. On the second application it travels much less. Mine is a 2008 and no warranty involved so I just deal with it and move on. Never noticed it on the right pedal.

 

[fieldman12]

My 5055E goes down farther the second time. According to dealer they had issues where the brakes where not releasing on past models. Mine stops even on the first push. I am use to it so no big deal to me.

 

[ovrszd]

Yes but the old drum brakes when properly adjusted worked fine. The advantage of the disks were that they self adjusted with a lot fewer parts.
I can't say I have any real insight as to why wet disk brakes on a modern tractor need much of any pedal travel between on and off.

Yeah, that was my point. I'll try to remember to measure my pedal travel. I'm gonna guess 1-2" then I have solid braking. Same distance traveled every time with no gain to pumping. And never any doubt as to the result of pushing the pedal. I think that's how a system should work. Uniformity regardless of amount of movement. Just be dependable.

 

[LoudonNH]

Yeah, that was my point. I'll try to remember to measure my pedal travel. I'm gonna guess 1-2" then I have solid braking. Same distance traveled every time with no gain to pumping. And never any doubt as to the result of pushing the pedal. I think that's how a system should work. Uniformity regardless of amount of movement. Just be dependable.

I agree Richard.

My complaint is not about the pedal travel specifically. I would accept full braking at a consistent amount of pedal travel on the first and subsequent pushes. As it is, each push delivers a different effect. I find myself tapping the pedals every few seconds to keep the braking system "charged" and at the ready.

What it comes down to is that I cannot imagine this is the braking effect Deere set out to design and install on its 5E tractors. It appears to be a failed design and a failed system. Perhaps Deere is simply waiting for the tractors with this problem to die-off over the years and deal with claims on a case-by-case basis, rather than acknowledging the inherent problem and fixing it for everyone.

 

[ovrszd]

I agree Richard.

My complaint is not about the pedal travel specifically. I would accept full braking at a consistent amount of pedal travel on the first and subsequent pushes. As it is, each push delivers a different effect. I find myself tapping the pedals every few seconds to keep the braking system "charged" and at the ready.

What it comes down to is that I cannot imagine this is the braking effect Deere set out to design and install on its 5E tractors. It appears to be a failed design and a failed system. Perhaps Deere is simply waiting for the tractors with this problem to die-off over the years and deal with claims on a case-by-case basis, rather than acknowledging the inherent problem and fixing it for everyone.

Oh man, that stresses me just reading your description of how you try to keep it activated by tapping the pedal. I'm on steep terrain a lot. I'm afraid I'd forget once and end up over the side of a deep ravine.

I agree with your assessment concerning JDs intent.

 

[JMER817]

Trailer your JD to the dealer and park at the front entrance. As potential customers come tell them that you hope they are not looking to buy a 5000 series tractor. Explain the brake problems that you are having. Management will come out to talk to you. Explain to them your concerns with safety and overall dissatisfaction with your situation. They will ask you to leave. Have on speed dial the local newspaper. Call them as management is in front of you. Tell management that the only way you will be satisfied is by them buying back your tractor for what you paid them for.

 

[Jim Timber]

Sounds like the self-adjusting mechanism isn't retaining it's most recent travel position.

My brakes are longer first pump than second, but the first pump is well before reaching the floor and I have good brake performance (tractor stops with first pump). The second pump, if done within a few minutes of the first, is much shorter.

Maybe I'll have to take a look at the parts diagrams to see if I can tell how they self-adjust. Vacuum assisted disk brakes limit travel by preventing the piston from being retracted more than the master can fill them to achieve pressure. As such, they only back off a short distance when released. My hunch is that whatever JD designed to disengage them has enough force to overcome whatever mechanism is supposed to keep them in close enough proximity to the rotors - and this could be a flaw in the solution they came up with for the previous failure to release issue.