Hi Guys!
First post here.
I just got me a nice G'hopper 428d in nice shape, and have been going through it doing some little things and checking it over before putting it to work here on the ol' homestead.
I knew from the git-go that the parking brake didn't work, and assumed the worst- that it would be the infamous cracked calipers. Pulled it apart last week, and the calipers appear to be in good shape, and the brake pads didn't look bad (or so it seemed to me)- Only thing I could find was a cracked mounting bracket on the left side. Replaced that and cleaned everything up and put 'er back together, and tried adjusting everything 30 different ways...and while I have the brakes working *somewhat* now (The right brake clamps solid and will hold on a moderate hill; left brake, no; and on a steepish hill, it'll just roll on down)- I want them to be GOOD- i.e. to be able to hold the mower solidly on any hill- as I have a lot of hills and banks, and would really like a parking brake I can depend on, in an emergency.
My question is (Since I have everything adjusted to the max already) what more can I do? Not having a solid brake is killing my enjoyment of an otherwise almost perfect machine. (O-K, the hydro reservoir leaks, but I'll fix that over the winter- otherwise, she's a beaut!)
I have already:
Cleaned, inspected and reassembled the calipers.
Adjusted the thingies that pull on the caliper levers.
Adjusted the parking brake handle.
Tightened a loose body mount near the brake handle.
?????
___________
Over simplified answer...whatever exerts the pressure to push the brake pad into the disc or drum is not putting out enough pressure.
isolate that problem and repair.