310-8 problem

[Ed Kennell 46,598]

I have a Trac Vac that I bought from @c-series don a few shows back.     I only use it when the grass needs collected.   I usually use my foot controlled hydros for mowing, actually for everything.  This 310-8 is my only gear drive.  .  With the warm spring and summer it got very little use this year.

I decided to give it some exercise today.  Put my ear muffs on and  started the 5 horse Briggs on the Trac Vac and the 10 horse Kohler.  Two engines, a deck, and blower make a lot of noise.

When I backed out of the barn I noticed the right front was low so I pulled over to the compressor, set the brake and pumped up the tire.

Back in the seat, engaged and lowered the deck put in 2nd gear full throttle and started to mow.    She went about 10 feet, slowed down and the engine stopped.   It did this about 4 times.

The fifth time it went about 20 feet when I saw smoke rolling out from under the tractor.  I disengaged the PTO and shut the engine off. also noticed the blades were still spinning down as normal.

 

Any guesses what the problem was?

 

Edited Friday at 10:52 PM by Ed Kennell

[ebinmaine 79,704]

5 minutes ago, Ed Kennell said:

guesses what the problem was?

 

Not specifically but...

 

6 minutes ago, Ed Kennell said:

went about 10 feet, slowed down and the bear stopped

 

I've had this happen...

[Sparky-(Admin) 25,940]

Parking brake still locked on? 
 

[Ed Kennell 46,598]

1 hour ago, Sparky said:

Parking brake still locked on? 
 

[squonk 47,409]

Do brakes have Magic Smoke or is that reserved for wiring harnesses?

[Handy Don 16,958]

We drivers of hydros and brake/clutch combo pedals would never figure this out! 

[ebinmaine 79,704]

6 minutes ago, squonk said:

Do brakes have Magic Smoke or is that reserved for wiring harnesses?

 

I've forgotten the E brake release on Cinnamon Horse a couple times.  

 

I can't say as I've ever SEEN brake smoke but I've definitely smelled it. 

[953 nut 67,421]

I always put my foot on the clutch and brake pedals while shifting so have never experienced this but can see where a flatlander could have it happen.

[ebinmaine 79,704]

4 minutes ago, 953 nut said:

flatlander

 

 

That's amusing..... and concerning to me.... because I'm no flatlander.  

 

Mebbe just too tilted???

[Ed Kennell 46,598]

The problem was the noise from the Trac Vac is so loud i could not hear the engine bog down. When it kept slowing down and stopping I thought it was running out of fuel.

 

Guess I cleaned all the grease off the brake lining.        

32 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

We drivers of hydros and brake/clutch combo pedals would never figure this out! 

Yeah, I should probably move this  gear drive down the road before I total it. I've had some near misses when I push the left pedal to stop and it just goes faster.

[JoeM 10,098]

I pretty sure the newer ones had some kind of Numb Nuts switch arrangement that turned off the engine if the brake was on and clutches released i think it was a 315-8 

Also had a neutral start switch. 

It was magnetic switch. 

it really complicated wiring, and added relays,  

must have happened a lot in

 

[sqrlgtr 3,271]

1 hour ago, Ed Kennell said:

I push the left pedal to stop and it just goes faster.

i would do the oppisite when the 520H still had the foot control on it, I would think it was the brake and step on it and bout dookie my brithches.

[Wishin4a416 2,604]

5 hours ago, Sparky said:

Parking brake still locked on? 
 

First thing I thought of. Dont ask me why.

[Pullstart 70,717]

On 7/24/2026 at 6:10 PM, squonk said:

Do brakes have Magic Smoke or is that reserved for wiring harnesses?

 @wallfish you got any input on the matter?

[MainelyWheelhorse 2,874]

On 7/24/2026 at 6:10 PM, squonk said:

Do brakes have Magic Smoke or is that reserved for wiring harnesses?

I’d say not as it still mostly works after it smokes. 😁 The only concern would be once it gets to ear splitting metal on metal then it’s about that level of stress. I haven’t got any tractors yet to that point but that’s how I found out the 312 and 308 needed a PTO clutch…. I’ve had a few butt puckers going from either my gear driven tractors to the C-141 especially when I first got the C running.