2010 X728SE Brake release problems

[Z71]

I cannot get the park brake to release easily on my 728. I contacted the dealer (useless) and all he did was say, "its a common problem", try fiddling with the release lever. The only way I can get it to release is to push on the brake pedal hard, push down on the release button and then let my foot slip of the brake pedal so that the brake pedal slams back hard, only way it works, often have to do this several times. But it sounds bad doing this, this morning I noticed the neighbor about 200 ft away turn suddenly in my direction when it did this.

The dealer led me to believe it can't be adjusted, its is what it is.

 

[davesl708]

Maybe just some lube at the pivot points. If it releases after you slip your foot off you have resistance in the linkages. Lube the points and work it a few times. It will probably free up.

 

[Z71]

That has not helped. The JD dealer says its a common characteristic. It may be the climate (always used as snow blower) and sits in cold building. When its put in a heated building overnight, works perfectly.

Was wondering if anyone else has this problem and if they found a fix. The dealer offered no solution. This is becoming a pita, will be looking at new machines over the summer and not a JD.

 

[beenthere]

My X485 is hard to get released as well.
Actually have found that applying forward or reverse pedal first seems to allow it to release. If ever in there, I was thinking of adding or modifying the linkage. But only apply that brake when parking on the trailer to haul it.
But it is frustrating, and one of the several Deere engineering mistakes when going to the X series from the old 400 series. It is why I bought a couple of older 400's.. both for the old tractor features that work good as well as the old mower decks.
Shows that newer isn't always better, IMO

 

[oldnslo]

Can you get under the rtactor and look at the linkage. Possible the release mechanism isn't fully releasing, or some pivot point is binding. On my X540 I had it hang up once and found that the lock dog was barely clearing the catch. It was a very simple adjustment and has worked fine since. Not sure if the X7 series uses the same style of lock or not though.

 

[davesl708]

That has not helped. The JD dealer says its a common characteristic. It may be the climate (always used as snow blower) and sits in cold building. When its put in a heated building overnight, works perfectly.

Was wondering if anyone else has this problem and if they found a fix. The dealer offered no solution. This is becoming a pita, will be looking at new machines over the summer and not a JD.

Could be the lube is getting stiff when cold. Spray the linkage with WD40 to get any water out that might be freezing.

 

[oldnslo]

Does the brake work properly if you don't lock them? I.e. press to start and then does it release?

 

[davesl708]

It should release when you let your foot off unless you lock it.

 

[beenthere]

Here is a pic of the linkage and the latch for that park brake. The rod from the handle to the mechanism is all bends and that I think is part of the problem. But can see the two parts that hook or latch together (37 latches onto 29), and maybe some lube on one or both would help, or just filing the hook smooth(er) would do it. The same parts are in my X485, I noticed.

 

[Z71]

Can you get under the rtactor and look at the linkage. Possible the release mechanism isn't fully releasing, or some pivot point is binding. On my X540 I had it hang up once and found that the lock dog was barely clearing the catch. It was a very simple adjustment and has worked fine since. Not sure if the X7 series uses the same style of lock or not though.

No, its -4°

 

[Z71]

Does the brake work properly if you don't lock them? I.e. press to start and then does it release?

Yes.

145 hrs on machine, all blowing snow

 

[oldnslo]

Yes.

145 hrs on machine, all blowing snow

Then it sounds like the lock mechanism needs to be adjusted or tweeked. If the dealer won't do this then I would see what it takes to get a good view of the locking mechanism and meke adjustments accordingly. Possibly require bending the control rod slightly if no other adjustment method is built in.