Keep reading to learn the warning signs that indicate your farm equipment brakes are beginning to fail.
1. Noise
First and foremost, odd noises as you break indicate you may have a problem with your brakes. This is hard to determine since farm machinery makes a lot of noise anyway. The average tractor produces between 85 and 100 decibels.
If you know what to listen for, you’ll hear the brakes failing before they completely give out. Listen for scraping, grinding, screeching, or squeaking noises. As the brakes wear down, the discs and calipers will rub together and make these noises.
If you hear these noises, take your tractor in for replacement brakes and an overall equipment maintenance check.
2. Pulling
Sometimes you can feel if the brakes are beginning to fail. For example, you may have a problem operating the machine when it begins to pull to one side or another as you brake. This pulling indicates uneven wear on the drums.
You may have a problem with brake fluid as well. Either way, take the machine in for a brake maintenance check.
3. Less Responsive
They should respond by slowing down the machinery when you press the brakes. If you notice the responsiveness beginning to lower, it’s time to have our brakes checked. When you find yourself pulling levers harder or pressing down on the pedal with more ferocity, beware.
4. Vibrating
While driving the vehicle and then applying brakes, the vehicle should not vibrate. If it does, check your rotors. A vibrating vehicle indicates you may have warped rotors.
Older rotors are especially susceptible to warping. Over time the friction and heat will warp them, and they won’t sit flush on brake pads. Then your vehicle wobbles as you brake hard.
5. Grinding
No amount of grinding when you brake is healthy. If you hear or feel grinding, your brake pads have disintegrated. The compromised pads now put your rotors at risk.
Take your equipment to a mechanic immediately before you do further damage.
6. Soft Brakes
You have a problem when you step on the brake pedal goes to the floor easily. Most likely, your brake pads have worn out. You also may have a leak in your air brake line.
7. Bad Smells
Overheated and compromised brakes will put off a sharp, chemical odor. When you smell this as you apply the brakes, stop your vehicle and move it to a safe place. Check to ensure you don’t have smoke from the brake area.
Keep Farming Equipment Safe
You can best keep your farming equipment safe by conducting regular maintenance on the equipment. Check your brakes regularly, and heed the warning signs above. Doing so will save your equipment and possibly your life.
Do you need new brake equipment? If so, contact us. We have a variety of equipment in stock and are ready to help you maintain your agricultural equipment.