Leyland Daf 45 to bale trailer

[J.B. Welding]

I'm performing the above trick conversion over the next few days-I've chopped the chassis and I'm currently scratching around for good drawbar material, there are a few potential bits and bobs in various nettle patches. Will post some pics of the construction and assembly as it flows-but for now I have something that's buggin me and that's the brakes and how to 'wind them off'. There's nothing obvious-I was contemplating replacing the slave cylinder with some screwed rod to keep the, hopefully unseized, cables tight. Any other ideas? Opening the hubs looks like a big job with a bucket of rust as a prize for trying... Any tips greatly appreciated!

 

[mylesdw]

What sort of brakes are they? If there is a spring brake (or two) on the rear axle you should be able to wind them off either on the linkage or by taking a cap off the unit. Perhaps some pictures would help.

 

[J.B. Welding]

There's 2 cables coming out of the hubs to a single (air) slave cylinder. I'm now thinking there is a spring in the cylinder that the air acts against, thus freeing of the brakes when the pressure's up. Currently trawling the net for a schematic. If this is the case I think cutting the cables will let the brake off but I'm just a bit concerned that if it's the other way around I'm knackered.

 

[Woody.v8]

Just put air to the brake chamber and it will release, Other than that as said wind the brake off.

 

[normspanners]

As said the air cyl should have a cap on it and a bolt head in the middle screwing the bolt compresses the spring and frees the brakes, usually.

 

[Woody.v8]

If you don't need the spring chamber (park brake) just gas through the linkage

 

[J.B. Welding]

No obvious winder on this-seen them before on the individual servos on bigger trucks but not this wee baby. Just an air fitting on the end...will have another butchers and try to get a pic.

 

[F.J.]

When filled with air, shut the trailer back and forth and every know and then get underneath and give the drums a good smacking with a big 'Ammer

 

[J.B. Welding]

If you don't need the spring chamber (park brake) just gas through the linkage

Think I get it now.....the spring that holds the brakes on is in the servo, not the hub, so removing the cables frees the brake-right?

 

[Woody.v8]

That's it! Is it drum or disc?

 

[J.B. Welding]

drum-was pretty free last time started it about 8 months ago. I pressurised the system to tow the truck (there was still 80psi in the tanks!! 8 months!!) but the wheels still dragged, it's an ally flatbed so no weight on. I recon some forward and back action with a hammering will get her moving once the drawbar is on, and I've gassed the cables off

 

[Woody.v8]

Do you need any brakes on the finished trailer?

 

[J.B. Welding]

Do you need any brakes on the finished trailer?

Naaa, only really for field use. Also the old Leyland tractor doesn't have a hydraulic (let alone air) brake take off so all a bit complicated

 

[Woody.v8]

Just cut em then! If there is any grief just knock the drums off and take all the gubbins out (linings/adjusters etc) and the brakes wont stick on when parked up

 

[normspanners]

the old Leyland tractor doesn't have a hydraulic (let alone air) brake

If it is anything like my nuffield it will be lucky to have any brakes !!

 

[J.B. Welding]

If it is anything like my nuffield it will be lucky to have any brakes !!

Minimal brake on one wheel at best. Handbrake works though (kinda). Dry disk brakes with convoluted mechanisms not the best design.

 

[Bill Edwards]

Yes, those dry disks are an utter nightmare.

The pedal bar bushes wear.
The linkages wear.
The expander springs get weak.
The ramps and balls wear or fill with dirt.
The expanders bind on the casing.


Aside from that, they don't give any trouble. Unless you've an oil seal gone and they're getting oily of course, just another thing...

 

[J.B. Welding]

Gotta love the Leylands though "From Britain The Best" . The suction filter for the hydraulics is a work of art, and made in Scotland! Possibly the ultimate tractor....

 

[normspanners]

Made a BIG mistake one day on a sunday not much traffic about with 6ton topsoil on the trailer, going down the mile long aston hill going to a mates, I knocked it out of stick and was going ok till a silly cow pulled out in front of me doing about 30 mph well I tried the brakes ------on a nuffield you never know which way they are going to pull--- so gave up------- I ended up overtaking everyone down there, the speed limit is 50 but nobody sticks to it ------- I dont know what speed I was doing but it sure did shock a few people------- ME included!!!
rear tyres where making a funny sound !!! next time I had chance to put in gear was about another mile further on

 

[Woody.v8]

Made a BIG mistake one day on a sunday not much traffic about with 6ton topsoil on the trailer, going down the mile long aston hill going to a mates, I knocked it out of stick and was going ok till a silly cow pulled out in front of me doing about 30 mph well I tried the brakes ------on a nuffield you never know which way they are going to pull--- so gave up------- I ended up overtaking everyone down there, the speed limit is 50 but nobody sticks to it ------- I dont know what speed I was doing but it sure did shock a few people------- ME included!!!
rear tyres where making a funny sound !!!

I bet it wernt just the tyres making a funny sound!!