Lawn Tractor Brakes

[Larry Hardesty]

I purchased recently a replica of a 1903 (or thereabouts) Oldsmobile Curved Dash Runabout. Previous owner said transmission was from "an old lawn tractor."

Well, the brakes do not work. There is a small disc connected to the trasmission. When the brake lever is pushed a pad goes up against the disc. The pad is worn and does not connect up to the disc. Looks like the pad is either welded in, soldered in (would think heat would affect it) or JB welded in.

I cannot find any numbers on the transmission to give an idea of manufacturer or model, but it is two speed forward and one reverse (so I would think either an early or very small lawn tractor). The lever (with spring) connecting to the brake apparatus looks John Deere green, which may or may not mean anything.

Any ideas on how to make the brakes work? The pad is maybe an inch wide and inch and quarter long and curved on the top side. Are they meant to be replaceable? If so, any ideas where to get them?

Got the little Olds for chuckles and grins and for my wife to drive to the mail box (3/8 mile away on gravel road with couple of pretty good hills). With the hills it is a bit of a thrill to go down them without brakes. Engine is 6.5 horsepower Briggs and Stratton and will hold it back a bit but not much.

Thanks in advance.

Larry Hardesty
 

[bdunegan]

The pad may or may not be worn out. the actuating rod, when turned, is offset and pushes against one or two small pins which push the pad against the disc thus applying brakes. the pins over time will stick due to rust or dirt and debris. the whole brake assembly is easily removed. remove it, and check pins to make sure they are free. pad should not be welded or glued in at all. it should have a metal spacer behind it that the pins push against. pad should come right out and it can be purchased at any mower parts dealer.
 

[rrobert]

Of the brake pad. You might be able to retrofit go kart brakes on it.
Is it a flat disc? Or a wide drum?
Flat discs use a domino shaped brake pad on both sides of the disc. Very common and any small engine shop could find one if you show the what you need.

A drum is a different animal. JD used a band which is also used on gokarts. You could try and make a pad from an old car tire. You just don't want metal grinding metal.

Yours sounds like a 90 degree arc touching a drum. Not sure without pictures.
 

[Larry Hardesty]

They are disc brakes...not expandable drum brakes. The pad is worn and does not fully connect to the disc. The disc is only about 3-4" in diameter. Kind of wonder how well they worked when new?

Sorry, no pictures.

I will try local shops for ideas. Might have to go to a go cart brake.

Thanks

bookman
 

[Larry Hardesty]

I will take it off and take it to a local lawn and garden shop. Thanks much.

Bookman
 

[rrobert]

The pads should be about 1/4" thick.
There is pad on the transmisison side, then the disc, then another pad, a thin piece of sheet metal, and then 1/4" two pins inside the outer cover. A lever connects to the center of the outer cover. When you move the lever, it pushes on the pins and forces the pads together. The pins are known to rust in the aluminum cover. the cover is held on with two 3/8" bolts. Remove cover and loosen pins up. The center nut that holds the lever can be tightened to put more pressure on the pads.

To avoid breaking the 3/8" bolts, you might be able to remove the center nut and lever in order to free up the two pins.
 

[Larry Hardesty]

Robert, kind of the right principle but not exactly what I have. I think I will take it off and go to a local lawn and garden tractor shop. I suspect I will end up replacing it with a go-cart style brake. If the chain ever breaks or comes off the sprocket while going down hill, it could be quite a ride!!!

Thanks

Larry
 

[DiyDave]

In addition to what others have said, crosley motors may have made the tranny. I know that a crosley tranny is on a planet junior 2 wheel tractor.
 

[Ken Combs]

Lining material is available from mcmastercarr.com. You can select the thickness you need, shape to fit and apply using the adhesive of your choice. I like 5 min epoxy, others use contact cement.
 

[Larry Hardesty]

I have tried to attach the photos of the transaxle brake and its parts.

Larry Hardesty

 

[Larry Hardesty]

Well, one picture got attached. I will try another with the parts off the transaxle.
 

[Larry Hardesty]

Well, I think the brake parts are attached this time.

Larry Hardesty

 

[Larry Hardesty]

I have posted some pictures.

Larry
 

[rrobert]

I have never seen brakes like that. The pads look ok. 1/4" thick should be a good thickness. I would check the cam that squeezes the brake pads together. It might be worn. Does the lever go forward further or is it stopped by the plywood? The plate with two 1/4" bolts doesn't look original to me but I could be wrong.

There are a few posters that will know what that is. If they don't respond in a few days, you might consider top posting so they see the pics.

Good luck with it.
 

[steve_in_mo]

A couple of other posters have noted the really bad design on that brake. You are on the right track if you replace it with a go-kart style brake on the axle the wheels are attached to.

You should be able to get one that bolts on your vehicle, and you can up a motorcycle or go-cart cable to actuate it.