John Deere 4100 Brakes Locked?

[pastorjeep]

I have just purchased a 4100 from a estate sale and know nothing about it. The engine starts quickly and runs smoothly while the hydraulic lift works well but doesn't hold in the up position long. The problem is that the brakes seem to be sticking. When put in gear you can feel the strain when taking off and if you push in the clutch the tractor stops immediately as if you pushed the brake. The pedal seems to be all the way up and the parking brake seems fully disengaged. any help would be great?

 

[joecdeere]

check where the brake rod arms enter the cast housing, they may be corroded/rusted and stuck in the depressed position

 

[pastorjeep]

check where the brake rod arms enter the cast housing, they may be corroded/rusted and stuck in the depressed position

Thanks for the suggestion, I will check in the morning. Are the rear brakes internal?

 

[joecdeere]

yes they are, you have what are known as "wet disc brakes" if you follow the brake rods down each side of the housing, you will see where they hook to a lever going back into the front of the side axle housings. If you shoot me your email, I will send you a PDF of the deere tech manual for the 4100

Joe

 

[pastorjeep]

Thanks Joe, you got me looking and I just found the PDF, and a Deere manual on fluid changes. I wonder if low trans fluid can cause a sticking brake condition? Do you have a recommended trans fluid that is equivalent to John Deere Low Viscosity HY-GARD (JDM J20D)?
Eric

 

[joecdeere]

Doubt low fluid would make them stick, I'd still bet on a stuck rod, or even a broken spring

if yours is a hydro, I'd stick with deere fluid.

 

[pastorjeep]

I think mine is a gear drive? On the left is a shifter that has reverse forward lo-hi, and another shifter with 4 speeds 1-4?

 

[Pipestone Kid]

If you have a clutch, it is gear drive.

 

[Tx Jim]

From viewing parts catalog brakes on 4100 appear to be mechanical operated. My vote is sticking operating linkage. Have you lubricated grease fitting(parts key 15)?

 

[pastorjeep]

Thanks Tex, I will hopefully get time this weekend to start servicing this tractor. Fresh fluids, filters and fixing some lights and wiring are in order. I read about "friction modifier " that may help these wet clutches. I am definitely going to go thru the linkage as well.

 

[pat32rf]

The operating shafts (one on each side) are steel going thru an aluminium housing. The aluminium builds up a bit of corrosion and the external spring will not rotate the shaft back to the off position.
Once a year I put a helper in the seat, crawl under with a hammer and spray lube. The helper pushes the pedal, I spray and tap the spring holder so it rotates back off. Push the pedal again and rotate the shaft while spraying. When one side is free, switch to the other side.
Poor design but like emergency brakes on a pickup, you either use them all the time of they will seize up.... My tractor is hydrostat so I seldom use the brakes. Then I need them to park on an incline and they don't release, or lock the brakes while its on a flatbed and have to free them up before I unload...

 

[DFB]

This parts diagram shows the internal brake view and the linkage shaft

and with the first diagram supplied by Tx Jim you can see the entire setup from pedal to friction disc

 

[pat32rf]

Item #1 is the steel shaft that goes thru the cast aluminium housing. My return spring hooks onto it...

 

[DLTTrekkers]

Similar to the Cararo brakes . The thru-shaft seized up in in the boxhousing. You will have to remove the outer brakepedal and the inner brakepedal ....then move the shaft to the left of the tractor and clean it with emarytape and rebuild all .

 

[DLTTrekkers]

Similar to the Cararo brakes . The thru-shaft seized up in in the boxhousing. You will have to remove the outer brakepedal and the inner brakepedal ....then move the shaft to the left of the tractor and clean it with emarytape and rebuild all .

 

[pastorjeep]

Thanks guys! Mine has a cast iron housing not aluminum, seems the gear drives were steel?

 

[pat32rf]

Put a magnet on them where the shaft goes thru. I believe the 4300 and 4100 have the same housings....They look like steel but....

 

[brorag]

OK. I've got a gear driven 4100 also, and need to replace the brakes. Looking at $1200 if the shop does it. Is this something I can handle if reasonably mechanically inclined?