fordson handbrake

[waitatian]

Hi, my handbrake is dragging and looks ready to seize. Has anyone tried putting a friction reducing additive into the gearbox oil to free it up?
Would trying it cause any problems?
 

[Robert Major]

Hi If it is the hand brake on a major I would make sure the lever is going all the way forward to the off position. That brake works on the Transmission and if it does seize the tractor will lock solid and you won"t be able to move it.
if the lever is going all the way forward you need to find the cause of the binding. you may have to take the thing apart to do this. if it is that bad it will probably lock up with the friction reducer in it. The other thing is are you sure its not the foot brakes binding or a bearing or something going out in the transmission.
Regards Robert
 

[waitatian]

I have removed the range selector and steering box to see the brake mechanism.The lever wasnt touching, but the brake was binding.I heated a bit of the spring red hot and pulled the handbrake on, bending the spring.It worked, but I would still like to try an antifriction additive, in case it siezes again, if it won't cause any problems.