4400 transmission

Took the ole 4400 up the road today. Got to the field and noticed some smoke rolling off the transmission underneath. I did go up a hill, but I didn't know the transmission itself would get hot. The variable speed belts are tight. What's everybody using these days 90 weight oil?

Didn't leave the parking brake on, did you? Or perhaps other brake problems?

ASSUMING they are inboard next to the transmission on a 4400, like on the bigger machines?

Park brake hasn't worked as long as I can remember. The left brake stopped working recently. I haven't had a chance to open the master cylinder yet and check the fluid to it. The transmission case itself is what feels really warm and it doesn't seem to pull to the left or right, so I don't think its the brakes.

I have a 4420 and have had the brakes get hot - infact red hot and actually catch all of the dust on fire across the axle and transmission. It was my fault when I had left the parking brake on. Your 4400 has brakes identical to my 4420. Disk brakes with steel plates that push apart when steel balls roll up a ramp. I bet everything is rusty and dirty and the brakes are self actuating. The balls will not release easy and the rotation of the disks actually push the disks/steel plates tighter. Sometimes backing up will release everything, then just make sure you don't touch them to activate them again. Since the disks have been wearing on the steel plates they may have shined themselves up some. Backing up just maybe the trick. The linkage at the top coming out of the brake housing may need some penetrating oil as well so it will release and let the steel plates return the steel balls to the deepest position allowing clearance between the disks and the plates. The springs inside maybe rusted and broken also. If everything wasn't buried so deep under the combine it would be much easier. I guess it all depends on whether you are a flat land farmer or a hill farmer. For safety you certainly need brakes on a hill farm. Also depends if you do much driving on the road. Good luck. PS - those brakes are about the samething as found on a Super M, Case 830, or any other early disk brake tractor. Very easy to work on. Just being under the combine makes it hard.