Poor braking power, due to all the added weights

[C-85 768]

Hi All,

With my snow plow and all my added weights to my C-85 it is now hard to stop. I believe I've adjusted the brake band all I can and the band is in good shape, but I have to push down very very hard on the pedal to make it stop. My driveway is on a hill so it has been a challenge to make my tractor stop. I was wondering if there is any good solutions to give my tractor more stopping power? Has anyone developed a way to put better or hydraulic brakes on a C-series, if so any individual brakes with 2 pedals?

C-85

[mrocket49 23]

Just a thought, is your clutch pedal disengaging the belt all the way?

Since the brake band works on the transaxle, it could still be partially driven by the belt on the other side. I've never noticed any problems with my brakes but then I don't have all that weight on my tractor or have any steep hills.

[rmaynard 16,363]

Looks to me like with a driver, you're trying to stop about 1/2 ton of steel. That's a lot of weight for one little piece of 1-1/4" x 9" friction material to hold back. You say that the brake band is in good shape, but if it is the same age as the tractor, you can be sure that it is glazed and not producing the same stopping power that it had when new. I would purchase a new brake band, or at least a new piece of friction material to line it. The new material is vastly improved over the old stuff.

Other than that, and checking to see if the belt is fully disengaging as stated previously, there is not much you can do. You could check with member "Rooster" and see what he uses on his racing mowers.

[kpinnc 14,696]

Keep in mind that if there is a weaker part of any Wheel Horse, it's the brakes. There have been factory bulletins released over the years warning owners to be cautious of heavy loads and steep inclines. I guess the thinking was that if top speed is only about 7 mph, then brakes don't need to be too strong.

Some of the D series machines (not D-250) used individual turning brakes- which look pretty strong, much like older Cubs used. But, they won't fit a C without major parts swapping. The hubs were drilled to mount the rotors on, and the wheel side of the hub is drilled for 6-bolt wheels.

Your best bet may be to fabricate something yourself, or use a hydro tractor for plowing if you have one.

[Duff 206]

Dennis, just a thought here.....have you checked to be sure the brake drum shaft hasn't developed a leak? I found the oil seal had let go on one of my 312's and tranny lube had gotten onto the friction material on the brake band. I lost about 75% of my braking power until I replaced the seal and cleaned the band off with acetone.

Duff :thumbs:

[C-85 768]

Hi All,

I'm going to check all the suggestions that you folks sent (when I can get a chance).

From all this advise I'll bet I'll be able to make this tractor stop on a dime (hopefully).

I still think there should be a power brakes option though...

Thank you very much!

C-85