[AT] ag tractor braking retrofits

[James Peck]

My 2001 Jeep Cherokee has front discs, rear drums. It IMO does not stop as well as a 4 wheel disc vehicle.

Phil Auten Texas AT List member (mailto:pga2 at basicisp.net); James, I drive a 2009 F150 and it has 4 wheel disc brakes. I believe those became standard sometime in the late 90's or early 2000's.

James AT List Member (jamesgpeck at hotmail.com); I was not aware a standard exists requiring semi tractors to stop from 60 MPH in 250 feet and that some fleets are pushing to stop in 225 feet. In the case of European ag tractors that haul trailers on the highway at higher speeds I am guessing that all wheel braking will be the new norm.
 
https://www.ccjdigital.com/air-disc-brakes-likely-to-become-most-popular-option-but-drums-will-not-go-away/
 
I see rear disc brake conversion kits for collector automobiles like Jeep Cherokees and Ford Mustangs. I was looking at new F150s recently. Even the optionless F150 models having manual door locks and vinyl seat covers have rear disk brakes.
 
The Shelby Ford win at LeMans involved building an entire spindle-hub-rotor-caliper-pad-cylinder assembly that could be changed out in a short time. I do not know how they handled the brake bleeding issue unless they used quick disconnect fittings on the brake lines.
 
As a kid, I used to go to Burton Ohio and ride on a traction engine pulled wagon. The ride was not totally silent. Sone years ago a traction engine boiler exploded at the Medina County fair, a couple of counties west of there. That event has had a lot of repercussions for the showing of traction engines.