How well should brakes work?

RedMF40

Well-known Member
On my Massey Ferguson F40 with FEL I feel that going downhill requires significant braking--I basically have to stand on the brake pedals. If I don't do that, it's happy to keep going. This is typically in a coasting situation, maybe 10 mph or less and yes--I can limit speed by creeping down in low/low gear--but sometimes I want to get the last hundred feet or so covered a bit more quickly. Since this is my only tractor and the previous owner represented that the brakes were recently replaced, is this basically the performance I can expect? And, no--I don;t know if he actually replaced the brakes. The tractor stops, and I've never let it get away from me, but I do have hills where I live. Will also post in the MF section. Thanks for any input.

Gary
 
The Ferguson F40 should have drum brakes which aren't that hard to service, take the tire wheel off, then the brake drum. Pretty much the same drum brakes on the rear of most older cars, and trucks except on the F40 they are mechanically activated. The slightest amount of contamination like oil from the rear axle housing will reduce how effective they are. Another thing is how the brake pedals are you have to push down which is had to do. If it had swinging pedals like a car where you could just push forwards it would be a lot easier to stop.
 
Hi,
As far as I am aware the F40 has drum brakes very similar to the 35/135. Yes, they must be clean inside but you also
need to have the correct adjustment and take-up position otherwise you are wasting your time. With the brakes applied
look at the short levers on the inside of the main brake shafts. If they are leaning forward at the point of connection
with the brake rods then it is likely that the cams at the end of the rods are worn and effectively you are loosing
leverage on the shoes. If worn you will see a dip in the face where the shoe sits. These can be built up with weld and
ground back. Have a look for my previous postings on this. When done and all is in order the tractor will stop on a
'sixpence' as we say on this side of the pond but for you it will probably be a 'dime'.

DavidP, South Wales
 

My old Ford 640 would barely stop it's own weight on a slight hill. The ends of the bake shafts were splined so you could pull the lug that sticks through the shoes off and adjust it. I didn't know that till after I sold it. I got the 135 and had a trailer with half a cord of green Oak in it, that's a good 2,000 pounds. I live on a steep hill. It was so nice to be able to go down hill with a load and stop with no trouble. Your tractor should be able to stop with out getting a hernia. As David said, check for the pieces that go through the brake shoes being worn, Joe.
 
Brakes on old tractors are to aid in turning and holding tractor in place to hook up an implement. They will not stop a run away tractor going down a hill.

When cresting a hill, I always idle down and let engine braking help. Once out of control brakes won't stop it
 
I have a MF50 (same tractor) It has great brakes and will slide the wheels in gravel if I stand on the brakes.
Some thing is wrong; bad shoes, adjustment, glazed drums?
 

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