860 ford brake locked

[Dstrock]

Hello guys&gals!! My 860 left brake is locked up, think it has been dragging in the past, if I lift pedal it also applies brake is this normal? Bitter cold here, so I'm hopeing that is cause, but apparently something is not rite! Do you think heating it up is worth a try??

 

[MARK ROBKE]

Hello guys&gals!! My 860 left brake is locked up, think it has been dragging in the past, if I lift pedal it also applies brake is this normal? Bitter cold here, so I'm hopeing that is cause, but apparently something is not rite! Do you think heating it up is worth a try??

If this has the mechanical drum brake at the end of the axle next to the wheel, I bet it has a broken return spring. You have to pull the wheel and the drum-pretty easy job I think. Mark.

 

[Dstrock]

If this has the mechanical drum brake at the end of the axle next to the wheel, I bet it has a broken return spring. You have to pull the wheel and the drum-pretty easy job I think. Mark.

Thanks Mark, that is probably the issue, appreciate your reply. so my immediate problem is things are locker because of freezing weather ??

 

[MarkB_MI]

The pedal uses a cam to activate the brakes, so it's understandable that lifting up on the pedal could apply the brakes. I'm dubious that you can free it up with heat, but it's worth a try. I'd hit it with a torpedo heater.

 

[showcrop]

Thanks Mark, that is probably the issue, appreciate your reply. so my immediate problem is things are locker because of freezing weather ??

No, as Mark posted nothing to do with the weather unless you drove it through deep water just before a freeze up. As Mark posted it is a broken spring. As Mark posted you have to remove the drum. HOWEVER, it could be easy, but probably not. You need to back the adjuster off. This is made a lot easier with the tire off the ground.

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

Thanks Mark, that is probably the issue, appreciate your reply. so my immediate problem is things are locker because of freezing weather ??

No, the wisest course of action here is to remove the wheel, take the brake apart, and investigate the problem.

It does appear like the brakes are outboard on this tractor, so you are lucky in that regard. Newer tractors have the brakes inboard, so you would have to remove the entire axle assembly to access the brakes. Here you only have to remove the wheel, and it's just like a drum brake on a pickup truck.

 

[Dean]

Hello guys&gals!! My 860 left brake is locked up, think it has been dragging in the past, if I lift pedal it also applies brake is this normal? Bitter cold here, so I'm hopeing that is cause, but apparently something is not rite! Do you think heating it up is worth a try??

The dry, mechanical brakes on your 860 are self-energizing and can be easily applied with limited pedal pressure. Accordingly, I agree with earlier posters that your problem is probably due to broken, missing, or improperly applied return spring(s).

The illustrated parts diagram posted above is that of an 8N or NAA rather than your 860 but the principles of operation are the same.

Heat will likely have no effect. More than likely, you will need to remove the wheel and drum to diagnose and repair.

 

[Dstrock]

Thanks guys for all the replies and info. Finally located my shop manual. Yipeee! Now a dumb question, haven't dove into manual yet, so here goes my dumb question, so if return spring breaks or whatever then brakes lock up?? The shoes won't "float" I know wishful thinking on my part probably. What say you.!! TIA

 

[Dstrock]

This just in at news central. Ha ha. Got up above freezing here today. Tried moving tractor, forward no go, reverse struggle at first then better, then forward works but wants to drag/grab. Thus was on slippery snowy grass. Next is trying minor brake adjustment. What you think? Wish me luck!!

 

[Dstrock]

This just in at news central. Ha ha. Got up above freezing here today. Tried moving tractor, forward no go, reverse struggle at first then better, then forward works but wants to drag/grab. Thus was on slippery snowy grass. Next is trying minor brake adjustment. What you think? Wish me luck!!

 

[Dstrock]

Mark robke, are you referring to brake shoe return springs? I wouldn't think that would cause lock up. Manual shows a spring wrapped around cam shaft where it meets backing plate, but that one is only there for hole cover. I have very little pedal/camshaft movement, going to do "minor brake adjustment" as manual calls it. Also I thought parking brake was the culprit, but previous owner disabled both.??

 

[Dstrock]

No, as Mark posted nothing to do with the weather unless you drove it through deep water just before a freeze up. As Mark posted it is a broken spring. As Mark posted you have to remove the drum. HOWEVER, it could be easy, but probably not. You need to back the adjuster off. This is made a lot easier with the tire off the ground.

Showcrop, thanks, learning and gaining on it. Gonna back off adjuster. I can get it to move now, better but not good. Thanks a lot.!!!

 

[MARK ROBKE]

Mark robke, are you referring to brake shoe return springs? I wouldn't think that would cause lock up. Manual shows a spring wrapped around cam shaft where it meets backing plate, but that one is only there for hole cover. I have very little pedal/camshaft movement, going to do "minor brake adjustment" as manual calls it. Also I thought parking brake was the culprit, but previous owner disabled both.??

I believe what happens is the lower brake shoe drops down against the drum because the/a spring is broke. As it drags against the drum while it rotates, the friction increases and tries to stop the rotation-just as if you were stepping on the pedal. The springs pull the shoes together, away from the drum; the pedal rotates an 's' cam or a wedge cam that spreads the shoes apart and applies them against the drum. The shoes are mounted horizontally and not vertically like a car or truck. What makes brakes stop is the rotation increases pressure on the shoes against the drum. Mark.

 

[used red MN]

are you referring to brake shoe return springs? I wouldn't think that would cause lock up.

Hello Ds.. welcome to YT! Sometimes tractors defy mechanical and scientific principles, also generally irritating the berjeevous out of their owners. Other times they operate extortionately well conforming to every wish and command of their owner bringing out a proud father mentality.

 

[Dstrock]

I believe what happens is the lower brake shoe drops down against the drum because the/a spring is broke. As it drags against the drum while it rotates, the friction increases and tries to stop the rotation-just as if you were stepping on the pedal. The springs pull the shoes together, away from the drum; the pedal rotates an 's' cam or a wedge cam that spreads the shoes apart and applies them against the drum. The shoes are mounted horizontally and not vertically like a car or truck. What makes brakes stop is the rotation increases pressure on the shoes against the drum. Mark.

Sure makes sense Mark, looks like mounting pin is at the rear of the lower shoe, so going forward the front end of the shoe swings down against drum that's why it backs up better than going forward. Haven't opened it up yet but I bet. that's what's going on. Sure glad I have shop manual!! And guys like you. Thanks

 

[Dstrock]

Hello Ds.. welcome to YT! Sometimes tractors defy mechanical and scientific principles, also generally irritating the berjeevous out of their owners. Other times they operate extortionately well conforming to every wish and command of their owner bringing out a proud father mentality.

Amen to that brother!!!

 

[Dean]

Thanks guys for all the replies and info. Finally located my shop manual. Yipeee! Now a dumb question, haven't dove into manual yet, so here goes my dumb question, so if return spring breaks or whatever then brakes lock up?? The shoes won't "float" I know wishful thinking on my part probably. What say you.!! TIA

No, but as previously mentioned, the brakes are self-energizing. Accordingly, it takes little friction to cause the brakes to apply when there is/are no spring(s) to keep the shoe(s) away from the drum.

 

[showcrop]

Thanks guys for all the replies and info. Finally located my shop manual. Yipeee! Now a dumb question, haven't dove into manual yet, so here goes my dumb question, so if return spring breaks or whatever then brakes lock up?? The shoes won't "float" I know wishful thinking on my part probably. What say you.!! TIA

No.

 

[showcrop]

This just in at news central. Ha ha. Got up above freezing here today. Tried moving tractor, forward no go, reverse struggle at first then better, then forward works but wants to drag/grab. Thus was on slippery snowy grass. Next is trying minor brake adjustment. What you think? Wish me luck!!

Will take a LOT of luck

 

[showcrop]

Another little factoid to be aware of is that the spring set up is different from one side to the other. I don't recall exact details and it has been only less than two years, but that is aging. IIRC the difference in springs is to overcome the difference in weight between the two pedals.