TC45 Brakes

[Fullthrottle]

I have a question for folks with similar tractors. Do your TC's make a grinding sound at the rear wheels when brakes are applied hard just before you come to a stop? I think mine has done this since day one, but I've really started noticing it the past two or three times I've used it.

 

[WoodDawg]

My TC40 brakes make noise, but I really wouldn't call it grinding.

 

[jinman]

"Squawk" is how I describe the sound the brakes make. If I step on them hard, they may even screech. Yes, they are noisy (I think especially when new), but they get a little quieter with use, or so it seems. By comparison, we don't often hear it, but some aircraft brakes squawk horribly too. I flew on a Westwind II a few years back and the noisy brakes were so loud I asked the Pilot about it. He said it was normal. After asking several mechanics the same thing and getting the same answer, I quit worrying about it. Airplanes have little to do with tractors, but everyone I have talked to says the wet-disc brakes are prone to being noisy. Hope this helps.

JimI

 

[JATO_RaT]

Jim, thats odd, I have never heard the wet disc brakes on either my International or Kubota L4850. No matter how hard I stand on them, they can't be heard. I was under the impression that by being immersed in the hydraulic fluid, they not only stayed cool, but clean of dust which is often one of the culprits to squeek and squeel. I'm assuming the TC45 has wet and not dry brakes, Rat...

 

[Bird]

I'm with you on this one, Rat; never heard any noise from either of my Kubota's brakes. I think noises such as described above would concern me.

Bird

 

[Fullthrottle]

Thanks for the reply guys. I'll sleep better now.
Jeff

 

[jinman]

Rat, if I "stand on" my brakes hard enough, they are quiet too...locked up of course./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif/w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif

All kidding aside, the NH brakes are a three disk wet brake in hydraulic fluid as you stated. Nevertheless, they "squawk" really quite loudly when new. That's not a squeek like a seat spring or the high pitched squeel associated with car brakes. It's a god-awful "squawk." That's the best I can describe it and I've noticed it getting quieter as the brakes get broken in. Truth is, I don't use the brakes that much since the hydro tranny takes care of most braking. Now as to function, the brakes work just fine, even with the noise. If your K'ta and Int'l are quiet, then that's a mark in their favor I guess. /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif

JimI

 

[JATO_RaT]

Jim, I was reading the benefits of synthetic hydraulic fluid has over conventional. It mentioned that it helped eliminate the common chatter on wet brakes particularlily on John Deere equipment. I can't make any comments as to John Deere brakes, nor can I attest to its ability to make the Kubota L4850 brakes not chatter which I put the synthetic in since they never made any noise, but the fact that they mention it must mean that on some tractors, you just get chatter, squawk, squeel, etc. Perhaps you have a point about the not using the brakes much because of the hydrostatic drive. Neither of the 2 tractors I use have hydrostatic so consequently, the brakes see much more action and have a well polished rotor matched to the discs. Rat

 

[DVerbarg]

My brakes "Squawk" too when using them to turn. I can't say if they seem to "squawk" less the more they get used as they don't get used very often. In over 200 hours I have probably only used them for turning a dozen times. I have supersteer and that usually allows the turns to be sharp enough without any extra assistance.

DaveV

 

[jinman]

Yesterday, I was using my tractor for mowing (my Jubilee is temporarily out of commission - /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif). Just to test the "squawk" theory, I did some differential braking and noticed the noise was almost gone. I use this type of braking because that's the way I learned when I was 9 years old and at 53, I will probably have a hard time learning another way. Plus, I don't have supersteer, so I use my brakes to turn on a dime. It's just habit. I do think it's interesting that Rat and Bird don't have any sound from their brakes. It would be interesting to do a blue-orange-green-yellow comparison to see which tractor's brakes will stop the quickest under load. Having said that, nothing works quite as good as the opposite hydro pedal. Aren't HSTs great?

JimI