Our tiny town has a Galion 550 A grader. Apparently for years now (!) the operator has run it with less than good brakes. They work fine when he starts, but after an hour or so they’re more or less non-existent–pedal goes to the floor. No history of fluid loss. I’m going to look into getting a repairman to come out and fix this, but in the meantime, anyone have any ideas about possible causes of this?
Thanks.
Thon
Replies
If they're regular hydraulic type brakes, has anyone bled the system in the last decade?
Joe H
if it's a hydraulic system and the fluid level is good, a major suspect would be the master cylinder, tho Joe is correct about the first step being to bleed the system -
you be surpise of how many graders do not have brake, just do like everybody else, drop the blade
I doubt if they've been bled in the past decade. Will suggest it.Don't understand how the master cylinder could be at fault if no fluid is being lost?Thanks.Thon(Yes, he drops the blade if need be.) <g>
Worn seals inside, fluid is bypassing the seal in the cylinder rather than being forced through the system.
If you push down on the pedal s-l-o-w-l-y it will go to the floor, if you slam it hard it will have pressure and brakes will work. Try it while sitting still and see if it makes a diff. If so, suspect cylinder. Leaking inside, not outside.
However, who knows without seeing how the system works. Does the brake master cyl activate a power booster running off the hydraulics? Or a vacuum booster like most cars?
Cars can have no brakes due to bad wheel bearings, doubt you have anything like that.
Joe H