I'm having an issue with the parking brake not realeasing all the time, and then sometimes it seems to come on when you are using the machine. Is there any way to bypass it? It looks as if it uses hydraulic pressure and a cylinder of sorts to move the rod to relase the brake? This is what it appears like by crawing under it? Is this a common problem with these? Any information appreciated.
I also have a 310D. The park brake is held on by a spring, like air brakes on a truck except it's a V shape band in the transmission. It's a very nice system that easy to operate. There is an electric solenoid that opens hydraulic pressure that compresses the spring to release the brake. If its working sometimes and not other times its probably something quite simple like a bad switch or bad connection. To test it your best to get under the tractor with a light duty jumper wire connected to the positive battery post. Make sure your ignition key and engine is off. You will need a ground but that needs only to be a short wire clamped to anything of steel near the solenoid. Disconnect the electrical connector from the solenoid and connect your jumper wires to the solenoid connector. You should here the solenoid click. IMPORTANT. Make sure your stabilizers and bucket are pressed to the ground because the tractor can roll over you once you activate the solenoid. If you make a contact 20 times and the solenoid never fails to click, it's probably working fine so start looking for a bad connection. If you suspect the connector is bad you can cut the connector off and hard wire it. (solder and tape the wires). There will be at least one other connector located in you console at the switch. You can hard wire that one too. If that doesn't solve your problem you can replace the switch. A good rocker switch from an auto parts store will do if Deere is too expensive. Your machine is much safer to operate with this brake in working condition. It's worth fixing. Just curious. How many hours on you 310D. I've got 8900 on mine and still works very well.
Also, ac45, you can run new wires from your switch to the solenoid. This will eliminate all of the old wires and connections points. Just make sure you take your 12 volt from the same wire as the old switch is connected to so that the key needs to be on before the brake can be released.
ac45, Were you able to repair your parking brake?
Deon, How do I get permission to start a new thread? Thanks, Dave
You need to answer to 2 more threads. Then you will have permission to start your own.
Quick question (or two). Someone "borrowed" (stole) my 310D and roaded to a site 9 miles away, while low on hydraulic. Now, my parking brake won't release. I am going to change all of the filters, etc., (thinking they may have toasted my hydraulic pump, and put shavings in the filter). Any ideas? WHERE is the parking brake housing located under the machine? I want to clean strainer, etc. Thanks in advance for your help. I bought this machine new in 1991, and it has been a great machine (except when some "pastor" "borrows" it and uses as a bulldozer... ).
The Park Brake housing is on top of the transmission on the right side about inline with the front of your seat. Don't know much about it except the tech manual says not to tamper with it. It has a strong spring inside that can be dangerous to deal with. I would ask a Deere mechanic about it before attempting any kind of service on it.
It uses the oil from the reverser, not the main hydraulic system.