either slow, stop, or hold the wheels of a vehicle When a tractor is moving, it has kinetic energy (inertia) To stop the vehicle, the brakes convert mechanical (moving) energy into heat Brake Operation When the driver pushes on the brake pedal, lever action pushes a rod into the brake through linkage and cam The leverage developed in the linkage forces through the brake lines to the wheel brake assemblies The brake assemblies use this pressure to cause friction for braking Parking Brake The parking brake system uses cables or rods to mechanically apply the rear brakes Provides a system for holding the wheels when the vehicle is parked, or stopping the vehicle during complete pedal brake system failure Drum and Disc Brakes Two common types of brake assemblies: Disc brakes often used on the front wheels Drum brakes often used on the rear wheels Disc Brakes A friction pads is pressed against both sides of a rotating disc. This type of brake is commonly found on the front wheels of cars. They have good air flow around the brake which quickly dissipates heat. Mechanical Brakes Comparison of front wheel braking effort to rear wheel braking effort When a vehicle stops, its weight tends to transfer onto the front wheels The rear tires lose some of their grip The front wheels must do more of the braking Typical Braking Ratios Rear-wheel drive vehicles: front brakes may handle 60% to 70% of the braking, rear brakes handle 30% to 40% Front-wheel drive vehicles: more weight is concentrated on the front wheels braking ratio is even higher at the front wheels Automotive brakes use a hydraulic system Hydraulic brakes use confined brake fluid to transfer brake pedal motion and pressure to each of the wheel brake assemblies Hydraulic Principles Liquids in a confined area will not compress When pressure is applied to a closed system, pressure is exerted equally in all directions Hydraulics can be used to increase or decrease force or motion Hydraulic System Action
Pressure and motion can be transferred
from one cylinder to another Cylinders of the same size: if one piston is moved, the other will move the same amount with the same force Cylinders of different size: if the smaller piston is moved, the larger piston will move with more force but will move a shorter distance Hydraulic System Action
In a hydraulic jack, a small piston acts on a large piston, resulting in great force, but a small amount of movement Hydraulic System Action
Hydraulic jack operation
Hydraulic Brake Action
The master cylinder acts as the
pumping piston that supplies system pressure The wheel cylinder acts as the power piston, moving the friction linings into contact with the rotating drums or discs Hydraulic Brake Action Type of brakes Brake Pedal Assembly
A lever to increase the force applied to
the master cylinder piston Master Cylinder Foot-operated pump that forces fluid to the brake lines and wheel cylinders Develops pressure to apply the brakes Equalizes pressure required for braking Keeps the system full of fluid as the linings wear May maintain a slight pressure to keep contaminants from entering the system Master Cylinder