Parking brake force?

[kkl]

The parking brake on my XR4150HC seems (to me) to require excessive force to apply. I have to press the brake pedal hard and pull the lever to the absolute last click to keep it from rolling on any kind of incline. I use it in the mountains, so it is an issue for me. I asked the dealer to check it at the 50 hour service and he said it was normal. It seems odd to me that such force is needed for the parking brake to hold the tractor, but I have no point of reference other than a car parking brake. I'd be interested in the experience of others regarding how hard you have to pull the lever to keep your tractor from rolling on a hill. Thanks.

 

[jeff9366]

Moat would drop the FEL bucket or 3-Point implement, or both, to the ground in addition to applying the parking brake.

 

[kkl]

Moat would drop the FEL bucket or 3-Point implement, or both, to the ground in addition to applying the parking brake.

Good point and something that I routinely do.

 

[George2615]

A few others complained about the parking brake not holding a few years ago. There is an adjustment by the handle but requires you to take apart some plastic to get to it. The handle should not go all the way to the top. The handle should only come 3 clicks if adjusted properly. Back then I posted some pics of mine parked on my tilt bed trailer in neutral with just the parking brake holding it. The angle is about 11-12 degrees. I find it works best to depress the brake pedal then pull up the handle. If yours comes up close to the top you may need an adjustment. I know yours is a newer model but the parking brake in the cab should be the same. Here's the pdf's.
The foot brake free play has to be adjusted first then the park brake can be adjusted.

 

[majorwager]

Still it should NOT be necessary to employ FEL or an implement. Those are attachments and the tractor may be purchased in bare form.
That being the case, the parking brake, actually locked service brakes, should hold the tractor. I have not seen an OM, where the manufacturer limited the ability of parking brake to restrain the tractor, dependent upon the slope/grade.

 

[Wagtail]

The solution could be as simple as lubricating (WD40/lanolin spray) all of the mechanical joints of the parking brake system.

If it moves, and doesn't have a dedicated grease nipple (zerk), spray lubricate! (it can't hurt, eh?)

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

The parking brake on my XR4150HC seems (to me) to require excessive force to apply. I have to press the brake pedal hard and pull the lever to the absolute last click to keep it from rolling on any kind of incline. I use it in the mountains, so it is an issue for me. I asked the dealer to check it at the 50 hour service and he said it was normal. It seems odd to me that such force is needed for the parking brake to hold the tractor, but I have no point of reference other than a car parking brake. I'd be interested in the experience of others regarding how hard you have to pull the lever to keep your tractor from rolling on a hill. Thanks.

Had the same problem. Dealer adjusted it. Works fine now. Sounds like your dealer doesn't want to take care of the problem.

I also live in the mountains, and I drop implements when I get off the tractor, just to be sure. But I do expect the parking brake to work as intended.

(Lubing did not help in my case.)

 

[kkl]

I thank everyone who has replied so far. It takes 6 clicks on the parking brake to prevent my tractor from rolling on a hill, only achieved while pressing the brake pedals firmly and pulling hard on the handle. The brake handle is still mostly in a horizontal position, about 30 degrees. I wonder if adjusting the cable would make any difference. It seems like that would only provide fewer clicks, but I don't see how it would reduce the force required. I still don't understand if my situation is normal or abnormal. GirlWhoWantsTractor, do you know if your dealer just adjusted the cable, or was something else done?

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

GirlWhoWantsTractor, do you know if your dealer just adjusted the cable, or was something else done?

I don't know, but can ask. He said it was a very common adjustment after a couple dozen hours, as there is something in there that tends to stretch, or work loose, or something. Mine got progressively worse.