Lawn Tractor: Brake Doesn't Work or Won't Engage
Check the springs, brake blades, caliper pins, brake pads, and cable if your lawn tractor does not work properly. We can help you fix this problem with our repair guide. Check the manual related to your model for more specific repair instructions. Our instructions are a general guide.
Pins
The caliper pins allow the brake caliper to slide when pressure is applied, which moves the caliper assembly and applies pressure on the brake hub. Over time, these pins can get dirty and/or rusty and gummed up, and this can cause them to seize. To replace the caliper pins, first remove the rear wheel on the side where the caliper unit is located. Next, remove the cotter pin, washers and caliper hold down bolts. Remove the old caliper sliders, and once they are removed, you can either clean them up or install new ones. At this point, you should apply a little caliper lubricant to the pins and re-install into the caliper. Re-install the hold down bolts, pins, washers, and the rear tire.
The caliper pins allow the brake caliper to slide when pressure is applied, which moves the caliper assembly and applies pressure on the brake hub. Over time, these pins can get dirty and/or rusty and gummed up, and this can cause them to seize. To replace the caliper pins, first remove the rear wheel on the side where the caliper unit is located. Next, remove the cotter pin, washers and caliper hold down bolts. Remove the old caliper sliders, and once they are removed, you can either clean them up or install new ones. At this point, you should apply a little caliper lubricant to the pins and re-install into the caliper. Re-install the hold down bolts, pins, washers, and the rear tire.
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Springs
The brake spring is located on the brake/clutch rod assembly and applies pressure to the brakes when the pedal is depressed. If this spring breaks or becomes old and weak, you will need to install a new one. To install a new spring, remove the rear tire on the side the brakes are on. Remove the 2 bolts holding the brake caliper down, and remove the cotter pin and washers on the lever. Then, remove the old spring, install a new one, and re-install the washers and cotter pin. Finally, reattach the caliper and install the wheel.
The brake spring is located on the brake/clutch rod assembly and applies pressure to the brakes when the pedal is depressed. If this spring breaks or becomes old and weak, you will need to install a new one. To install a new spring, remove the rear tire on the side the brakes are on. Remove the 2 bolts holding the brake caliper down, and remove the cotter pin and washers on the lever. Then, remove the old spring, install a new one, and re-install the washers and cotter pin. Finally, reattach the caliper and install the wheel.
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Cable
Your lawn tractor has a cable that is attached to the brake pedal and the brake lever unit at the rear of the tractor. When brake lever is depressed, the cable pulls on a lever at the other end, moving the brake caliper. If this cable becomes stretched or broken it will need to be replaced. To inspect and repair the cable, first locate the mounting points (check your owner’s manual for exact locations, as certain models may differ) and remove the pins and washers holding it in place. You may need pliers to push the tabs in one end of the cable, depending on your unit. Next, remove any plastic clips holding the cable in place. Replace the old or damaged cable with a new one and re-install the pins, washers, and all the clips holding cable to lawn tractor. If you do not have clips, you can simply...
Your lawn tractor has a cable that is attached to the brake pedal and the brake lever unit at the rear of the tractor. When brake lever is depressed, the cable pulls on a lever at the other end, moving the brake caliper. If this cable becomes stretched or broken it will need to be replaced. To inspect and repair the cable, first locate the mounting points (check your owner’s manual for exact locations, as certain models may differ) and remove the pins and washers holding it in place. You may need pliers to push the tabs in one end of the cable, depending on your unit. Next, remove any plastic clips holding the cable in place. Replace the old or damaged cable with a new one and re-install the pins, washers, and all the clips holding cable to lawn tractor. If you do not have clips, you can simply use black zip ties.
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Brakes
If your blades keep spinning after you shut down the mower deck, the blade brakes need to be replaced. To begin this repair, first remove your mower deck (check your owner’s manual on how to do this, as all models are different). On some models, you will need to locate the blade brake on the mower deck. On others, simply remove the 2 nuts holding the pad in place. Next, pull back the arm and remove the old pad. Now you can install the new blade brake and re-attach the nuts. Then, re-install the mower deck. On some models, you can simply lower the mower deck, locate the brake pads attached to the arms, and remove the 2 nuts holding the arms in place. Then, re-install with new brake pads. The arms and pads are 1 unit.
If your blades keep spinning after you shut down the mower deck, the blade brakes need to be replaced. To begin this repair, first remove your mower deck (check your owner’s manual on how to do this, as all models are different). On some models, you will need to locate the blade brake on the mower deck. On others, simply remove the 2 nuts holding the pad in place. Next, pull back the arm and remove the old pad. Now you can install the new blade brake and re-attach the nuts. Then, re-install the mower deck. On some models, you can simply lower the mower deck, locate the brake pads attached to the arms, and remove the 2 nuts holding the arms in place. Then, re-install with new brake pads. The arms and pads are 1 unit.
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