UT Brakes

I bought two old UT tractors today for parts... They look pretty rough, but both motors are free, so I was happy until I went to load them...

Both apparently have the brakes frozen tight.

My winch cable is 1/2 inch thick and I had it so tight, I could have played a tune on it, but neither one of those MM's would move an inch...

What is the easiest way to get them loose??

Thanks in advance,
Howard Henderson

I don't think ice was a problem - we were up to 80 yesterday! (OK Panhandle)

I don't know how much my winch will pull, since I built it out of agricultural sprinkler parts, but it will pull an LA Case with weights onto the trailer like it isn't even back there.

I was scared I was going to break the cable it was under so much load last night...

I had the tractors out of gear and besides, I can turn both engines over by hand - something has the rear wheels locked down hard.

I've got a 3 pt hoist on my 4840 JD that would pick them up, but both tractors are over an hour away...

Is there an easy way to just take off the brakes or see if they are what is locking the rears down?

Thanks,
Howard H.

I wouldn't really say its easy, but you can take the big nut off the shaft in the center of the brake drum and try to pry them off. I did this on a Z that were frozen.

If they are stuck, you'll ruin the tie down pins and related springs and possibly the actuator and anchor pin. Tie down pins are avaliable from NAPA. You can get the other stuff from someone with a junk tractor.

Thanks for the advice. I'll try that this weekend, although you are making me a little worried...

Now that you say that, I remember one of them had a cast pipe and sprocket brazed onto the center of the brake drum. I don't know what for, but it was one of those big, coarse, old sprockets like for driving a planter or something. It was definitely brazed over the top of the big nut you are talking about...

Maybe that is why nobody messed with the old tractor up until now!

Thanks again,
Howard