CK 30 Brakes

lakngulf · Dec 13, 2013

Used my CK 30 today and was surprised that the brakes were not as effective as before. I stopped on a hilly spot, pushed the brake with normal pressure, and nothing. I had to push harder. I noticed a rod near the pedals the had turn buckle type setup. I tightened it a bit, and the brakes worked better.

Was that the proper thing to do? What causes the brakes to go out all of a sudden? It was COLD if that makes any difference.

ritcheyvs · Dec 13, 2013

The turnbuckle is for adjusting pedal travel.The free play should be about an inch or so, but check the manual for your machine. This adjustment is part of routine maintenance every hundred hours, or so. Any chance the hydraulic fluid got replaced with the wrong type (too slippery for wet brakes)?

Fred Barbour · Dec 14, 2013

lakngulf said:
Used my CK 30 today and was surprised that the brakes were not as effective as before. I stopped on a hilly spot, pushed the brake with normal pressure, and nothing. I had to push harder. I noticed a rod near the pedals the had turn buckle type setup. I tightened it a bit, and the brakes worked better.

Was that the proper thing to do? What causes the brakes to go out all of a sudden? It was COLD if that makes any difference.

I have a similar tractor (Bobcat CT235). My brakes were no longer safe/effective after about 300 hours. The rods beside the pedal are indeed the adjustment. It is important to release the metal brace that holds the two pedals together so that the two pedals can be adjusted to the same tension. It sounds as if you have only adjusted the right hand side. After the connecting rod is released the pedals can now be independantly pushed down and it is very easy to adjust them to the exact same tension. The adjusting rod for the left pedal is obviously on the left side, same spot as your right hand adjustment.

I did mine in small increments to ensure a proper tension. I have to step quite firmly on the pedals now to set the brake when I want to get off the tractor.

Fred

rider7767 · Dec 14, 2013

If you don't already have it, here is the piece on brakes for your tractor. :thumbsup:

lakngulf · Dec 14, 2013

Thanks to everyone. I learned something from each post. Very helpful.

lakngulf · Jul 5, 2014

Update I have been making it fine with the brakes, after adjusting the rods a bit on each side. But now, the left brake will not catch at all, no matter how tight the rod. It is like something is not catching somewhere. Right brake still works, but I am more careful about it now, as I don't want to get into a bind with it.

I plan to take it to the repair shop, but is there anything else I should check? Fluids look good.