4300 Brakes

[kc8ksg]

I just bought an '01 4300 hydro, the PO bought it new and said he never used the brakes except once and a while when he'd put it on a trailer, he said a few years ago he took it in to have it serviced and when he went to get it off the trailer the brakes were froze. He said the JD mechanic tapped them and they freed up and he had them remove some kind of rod linkage so nobody else could use the brakes, so they couldn't get stuck again.

His property was very flat, mine isn't and I'd like the brakes to work for obvious reasons. I haven't actually looked to see what's missing and was wondering if anybody has an idea what would be the easiest thing where someone would disconnect the brakes, also where I could find a parts breakdown to find a part number to order what I need?

Thanks.

 

[JimRB]

John Deere - Parts Catalog

 

[kc8ksg]

Thanks for the link!

 

[beenthere]

:welcome: to the forum.

I have the 4300 HST too, and while seldom using the brakes, they are important to me to be able to - such as turning at times, stopping a spinning wheel, and for sure in an emergency stop. Mine have never given me any problem.
There have been threads here on freeing up the brakes, as apparently there is a bushing and grease fitting where they need some lubrication along the linkage.
Will look forward to your fix and hope you let us know how it goes. Others can gain from your experience.

 

[rekees4300]

he had them remove some kind of rod linkage so nobody else could use the brakes, so they couldn't get stuck again.

Huh!?! Don't even think about using a 4300 without brakes!

 

[beenthere]

With the HST, brakes are very seldom needed. But those few times they are, THEY ARE!

I'm surprised a dealer mechanic would have disconnected the brakes. Opens himself up to all kinds of liability issues.

 

[BRBurns]

I have a 4300 HST as well. My brakes froze up where the shaft goes into the Transmition housing. Had to work them back and forth with a hammer and PB blaster to get them to losen up.

 

[kc8ksg]

That's my plan is to try and get them freed up that way, after seeing the parts breakdown it and looking at the tractor it looks like the linkage for the right side is still in place and the linkage for the left side is gone. The left side still moves the arm at the front that would move the rod/linkage so all I'm missing on that side is the two rods and turnbuckle.

The right side however still has the linkage but when I press the pedal it doesn't move the arm on the right side of the tractor. I can't tell for sure since I haven't taken the cowl off to see what's going on in there but hopefully that should be simple.

As far as getting mechanical force to move the arm back at the axle housing I don't think that should be a problem, and hopefully some penetrating oil of some sort and get the arms freed up and I'll have brakes. Thanks for all the info.

 

[BRBurns]

Be patient, it will take a bit. Press on pedal, hit back forward with hammer, and repeat 500 times.

Other guys on here have recomended spraying the area with fluid film once it frees up to keep it from corroding and sticking again. I did that, but can't testifiy to weather it works yet since it has only been a month. also hit the area where the range shifter goes into the trans with fluid film. It is also know for sticking and if it sticks too bad you can break off the lever (so I have heard).

 

[kc8ksg]

Update:

Got the brakes freed up, they were froze where they go into the axle housing, only the left side was missing the linkage, and the right was disconnnected at the pedal. After finding the part number I found a complete front to back linkage for $43 that was used, as opposed to new which was around $95.

Got it all back together last night, oiled up and adjusted and the brakes work great. I put about 20 hours on the tractor so far and really never needed the brakes so I can see how they could get froze up like that, but having them working is awful handy for brake turns!

Thanks for all the help made things a lot easier.