Whoa Nelly

[Billy-O]

Your tractor could be creeping when brakes engaged. If so, you may need to make some adjustments to the hydro linkage. On the other hand, do you lock brakes before you climb off the machine. There should be a lever near the brake pedal to lock it down.

[J-Mech]

I'm also going to ask what the hell your kids are doing in the yard, close enough to a running mower that you need to stop for them to get out of the way? I mean, I mow when my kids are outside, on the opposite end of the yard, and I mow just at an acre, so it's a good distance away. With or without a hill, if they don't know enough to keep out of the way, you need to make them go inside while you cut the grass.

[john hall]

Originally Posted by zcub22

On hills? These are fairly serious grades.

How about a picture of where you are having trouble stopping. Just wondering are you actually sliding down the hill with the brakes applied and wheels locked.

[zcub22]

I'm aware of the lock on the brake pedal, thanks. And I was kidding about the kid on the hillside. Did you sense of humor disappear? I'm signing off for the night.

[J-Mech]

Originally Posted by john hall

How about a picture of where you are having trouble stopping. Just wondering are you actually sliding down the hill with the brakes applied and wheels locked.

I'm not going to disagree that that may be the case, but if so, then it's likely he has no control at all, and would skid down the hill no matter if the brakes were applied or not. (If that is the case, then he has a whole 'nother issue.) It's more likely that one brake is tighter than the other, or the hydro linkage isn't adjusted correctly as Tim mentioned earlier.

[john hall]

Originally Posted by J-Mech

I'm not going to disagree that that may be the case, but if so, then it's likely he has no control at all, and would skid down the hill no matter if the brakes were applied or not. (If that is the case, then he has a whole 'nother issue.) It's more likely that one brake is tighter than the other, or the hydro linkage isn't adjusted correctly as Tim mentioned earlier.

Reason I throw it out there is when I resurrect or want to test a machine, I've got a couple areas around here I can go up or down hill that you REALLY shouldn't on a routine basis. I have seen mowers slip going down hill if you go too slow or try to come to a complete stop. Just tossing out a fresh idea. Yeah I'm thinking something is probably out of adjustment as well. I don't know how the brakes on this one are set up but I seem to remember a 782 that if the rods were tightened up too far the brake rod would jam or something like that. Seems I had to cut a little off each rod, mind you I was dealing with old worn parts and it was a couple years back.

[J-Mech]

John, I get it..... but the OP is saying it won't stop. If it's sliding.... that is a completely different issue entirely.


OP:
In all your other posts, you talk about owning a 126, but your neighbor has a 149. So, is this your machine or not? Are you using his tractor? Did you buy it? Are you just working on it for him? Not that it matters to the question, but I'd just like to know..... You've done a lot of work on a 149 that was a neighbors.

[ironman]

A. The op is asking a question about "a 149". What does it matter whose it is?

B. The op said he would like it to be able to come to a "complete stop" on a steep hill. He didn't say anything about parking it but even if he wanted to, wouldn't he have to come to a "complete stop" first.

C. The op said if the brakes are adjusted any tighter it is difficult to push on a level surface. Guess what, you release the hydro on a 149 and you can push it across your garage if the brakes are not dragging. I didn't see the part where he said he was pushing it to California.

d. The op said the hydro linkage is adjusted correctly. When you apply the brakes the hydro control goes to neutral, so how do you expect him to come to a complete stop on a hill using the hydro?

E. The op said "maybe stop for an obstruction or a kid" as an example for stopping. He never said anything about kids being there and he never said he was mowing either.

F. The op said in his original post "come to a complete stop!" If he was slipping and sliding, why would he be asking a brake question instead of a tire question? And why does he have to post a picture of a hill? Haven't we all seen one?

G. Why can't the op ask a simple question and get a simple answer instead of getting his balls busted and put through the wringer like he is some kind of simple moron.

Now, my answer to the op: zcub22, I own a 149, I also relined the pads with the material from McMaster-Carr. I don't use mine on any steep hills so I can't equate to your situation, but my gut feeling is that the disc brake setup on these things is not one of the strong points on these tractors, and if you are confident that all else is adjusted correctly I doubt that you will be able to fully obtain the stopping power that you a looking for by brakes alone. Hopefully someone with the experience in your question can chime in with constructive advice.

[olds45512]

When using a hydrostat tractor there is really no reason to ever use the brakes, the only time I hit the brakes on mine is to start it because it's a requirement to get it to start. I have a 108 which a gear drive but has the same brake setup and I have the pads relined also and it has no issue stopping on hills.

[sorner]

Originally Posted by olds45512

When using a hydrostat tractor there is really no reason to ever use the brakes, the only time I hit the brakes on mine is to start it because it's a requirement to get it to start. I have a 108 which a gear drive but has the same brake setup and I have the pads relined also and it has no issue stopping on hills.

Same here. I never use the brakes except to start the engine or to park it (so I can find it where I left it) on a hydro machine.