Brakes constitutes the mechanism of the machine by which it slows down or even stops. A moderate decrease in gear is achieved with the so-called engine brake: the engine itself slows down the machine. However, other specific mechanisms are required.
Brakes types:
- Band brake: it is a band that tights around the rim of a pulley set on the axis to be braked. It is very common in crawler tractors (on winch drums)
- Shoe brake: widely used in pneumatic vehicles. Braking consists of applying a fixed surface against a rotating drum.
- Disc brake: it acts employing the friction of pads against a disc which is attached to the wheel.
There are three different methods of brake actuations:
- Mechanical control: only used for parking on small power machines.
- Hydraulic control: it’s the most common system to activate the brakes of machines. It is a hydraulic transmission system from the pedal to the shoes or discs.
- Pneumatic control: used in heavy trucks and some tow machines. It is based on the pressure in a compressed air circuit.
