Steering brake. Which 2 wheelers will this work on?

woodsman2011 · Mar 21, 2011

Hey folks. I am looking for my first Gravely 2 wheeler and want to find out;
1 Which 2 wheelers can be adapted for the steering brake option?
2 How much is involved in adding the steering brake to a tractor that never had it?
and 3 Where would a fella find the parts (or a complete kit) to add the steering. I have operated a Gravely 2 wheeler before with a mower and rotory plow, just never owned one.

Thanks folks

Kelly

RichardTX · Mar 22, 2011

Why do you feel you need a steering brake? If the 5665 I have now didn't have one, it would be just fine by me.

About the only place to get one is from someone who took it off a machine and sold it separately. I think you would be better off getting a tractor that had one on it. The brake shoes are a bit pricey. Something like $180.00 for an axle set.

woodsman2011 · Mar 22, 2011

Thanks Richard (I think). OUCH! $180.00. Not for sure I would need it except for using the machine on a hill with mower/bush hog deck. I had a chance at a 5665 just a while back but wasn't able to come up with the funds. So you say you don't use the steering brake? Does it help out at all on hillsides?

Thanks

Kelly

RichardTX · Mar 22, 2011

The steering brake can be useful but only with the right attachments. If you are mowing on a hillside with a 40 inch mower it could prove quite useful. It doesn't make sense if you are using the rotary plow or the cultivator.

When I had a very steep hillside to mow I preferred the 4 wheel tractor. The two wheel tractor just was too hard to handle on very steep slopes. We had one slope that was close to 45 degrees and in one section the angle exceeded that. I would go down the slope with the tractor. The two wheel or 4 wheeler would flip over if you tried to cut it crossways.

Give it a try. Sound like you have the right situation to take advantage of it.

I was wrong on the price of the shoes. An axle set can be had for $120.00 on Ebay.

I think you should look for a 5665 with the brakes on it already. I think you would be money ahead.

aczlan · Mar 22, 2011

We had a Super 8 Commercial (I think that is what it was called: 8HP when new, chain drive electric start, no brakes) that I ran with a 40" bush hog and a rotary plow. It worked pretty well, never really felt the need for steering brakes more than once or twice, but most of what I did was on slopes with up to a 2/5 rise over run.

It was a great machine and would cut up anything you could push over, but it needed a ring job, it burned a quart of oil for every tank of gas.

Aaron Z

RichardTX · Mar 22, 2011

The steering brake comes in handy when trimming around trees. Since the brake handle is offset, you can make a tighter left turn than a right turn. Put another way, it is perfect for NASCAR drivers.

RichardTX · Mar 23, 2011

In all of this the correct answer to your question is that most brake kits that I have seen came off a 5000 series tractor. So it will have to go back on another 5000 series tractor.

There was a brake kit sold for the old Model L tractors years ago but they are rare.

woodsman2011 · Mar 23, 2011

Thanks Richard and aczlan for replying. That clears up what tractor I need to be looking for. Over the winter I found a Mountaineer 2 wheeler but again, funds not there. I'll find one though no doubt.

Thanks folks

Kelly

RichardTX · Mar 24, 2011

A lack of funds is a problem. I have had that issue and still do to a certain extent. If there is one thing I have learned, all used tractors cost roughly the same. Buy a cheap one that has been neglected or used heavily and it will require much labor and parts to make right again.

Last months parts bill for a 24G I am restoring came to over $1k and I have not bought tires yet.

Like my father used to say, "Champagne taste, beer budget".
Sometimes the worst looking tractor can be the best ones mechanically.

Here is a 5665 I picked up last year for about $400. A real rust bucket. Even the engine guards, wheel rims, and brake shoes were rusted out.

Anyway, after spending some time and money for parts. (About $300) it is now in pretty good shape.

Parts required for this one was:
Brake shoes - $125
Paint - $65
Engine Guards - $45
Throttle Cable
Battery - $65
Handle Grips
Decals
Tune up - $30
Misc Hardware - $100
Sandpaper and shop supplies
40 hrs of labor - ???
Fuel tank recondition - $45
Oil - $20
Muffler - $10
Wheel Rims - $35

It all adds up.

My point is that whatever you budget for a well used or badly neglected tractor, expect to pay 50% to 100% of the purchase price to make it right.

One more thing. Just because you get a smoking deal on a used tractor, that doesn't mean that you should not spend real money to get it fixed up right.

woodsman2011 · Mar 25, 2011

Richard. I like that thing. Hopefully I can find something usable anyway. Starting the gardening chores with a reartine tiller that is marginal at best. Hoping for the best, expecting the worst.

Very nice 2 wheeler

Kelly