john deere skidder brakes

[Harvey]

I've look everywhere, maybe someone here knows. 640g skidder with blown up engine, we need to release the brakes to move it for repair. This machine has hydraulic wet disc brakes, any ideas? Thanks in advance.

 

[hate2work]

How far does it have to be moved? If a fair distance, you could put it on a flatbed with a crane and haul it that way.

Are the hydraulics locked? Brakes rusted?

 

[Harvey]

hatetowork, thanks for the reply. we'll have to move it 1.9 miles on what is basicly and skidder road, it has hydraulic wet-disc brakes that auto lock with a loss of pressure. We'll contact the dealer today for the answer, wanted to get it moved this weeekend, but that didn't happen. thanks again.

 

[onion]

Some of the big John Deere rowcrop tractors (8000 series) have a similar park brake system. When the engine is dead, you can flip a valve on the transmission and pump the brake pedal, which will build pressure and release the park brake. Can't say if a log skidder uses the same setup.

I've also worked on John Deere skidsteers, which have a similar type of park brake. When those machines are dead, there's no way to release the brakes unless you hook a port-a-power pump or something like that to the brake release lines.

 

[Harvey]

Thanks guys, Onion the dealer said use the port-a-power method, or a more dangerous way was disconnect the driveshafts at both ends of the transmission, since we had the front shaft out already checking a locked up engine, we'll just drop the rear one and away we go( I hope) Thanks again.

 

[onion]

If you use a portapower, be sure to tee a gauge in-line so that you don't over-pressure the brake. A portapower doesn't SEEM like much, but they can put out a hellofalot of pressure. I saw a dumba$$ bust the park brake housing on a Case skidsteer this way once. I don't know about a Deere skidder specifically, but for most hydraulically released brakes, 150-200 psi should be plenty. I wouldn't go much over that.

If you're working with log skidders, pulling drivelines, etc., then you're probably aware of this... but having recovered my share of dead equipment, I'll make a suggestion. If this is a heavy machine with little or no brakes/steering, then you'd do well to chain a tractor both in front of and behind the skidder: One for pulling, the other for braking. Takes a little time and an extra guy, but it's much safer than running into the pull tractor.

 

[Harvey]

success, moved fine. Used all your suggestions Onion. That system takes 250 psi and has a relief valve to protect from over pressure. Thanks again for all replies.