Fitting Mechanical hand brake

First topic message reminder :

Brake conversion.

I have now done my brake conversion. I have used some spacers under the brake handle, (picture1) there is enough clearance to be able to operate it. It is quite simple to use as it is a pull to apply, push to release. The handle moves about 110% to apply the brakes, which is just right for the position I had to install it in (picture 2). The stabilizers just miss the handbrake handle when the landing legs are retracted (picture 3). The guide tube for the bonded cable is also on spacers, so that it would not catch on the under belly of the Cat (picture 3). I was also lucky here as I have used the same fitting position as the stabilizers; this has saved having more holes in the metal work. I bent the guide tube 90% to get the angle from the brake handle to the center of the Cat (picture 4). I also but a slight down ward bend on the end of the guide tube so that the cable gets fed into the center of the pulley on brake handle ratchet, also that it does not get caught on the under belly of the Cat. I have decided to use Bowden cables from the brake drums to a cross member on the chassis of the cat, this way the cables are easier to get into a better position for fitting to the bonded cable from the front of the Cat. They need to be pulled at a central point due to the fact I did not want to use a compensator due to lack of fixing locations. After removing brake drum and back plate there is a slight difference to the way the back plates are made up, the Lippert magnet is smaller area wise, (picture 6) but thicker height wise (picture 7).
The back plates look like they where made in the same factory, as do the shoe’s and leavers. Fitting was very easy about an hour a side including making brake adjustments. (picture ). And checking bearings and grease. One thing I found out when I was testing the electric part of the brakes was that the brake away switch was not always making a good contact, so I just replaced it with my spare. There seems to be very little movement to apply the brakes mechanically, so they should work satisfactory. All I am waiting for now is my Bowden cables so that I can make the final connections and have a mechanical hand brake set up.
I'll post last picture as soon as cable is fitted.
Sean


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Sean wrote:but all they do is drill a hole in the leading shoe, attach a wire bond which is then attached to a hand brake leaver. This is apparently ok because it does work to a certain degree. But I wanted something that was going to do the job properly.
Sean

I think I'd do what I had to do to be sure the job was done properly, too.

Tater