Hydraulic Brakes For Farm Wagons

Hydraulic Brakes For Farm Wagons WAGONS/TRAILERS Accessories 1-4-18 A first-of-its-kind hydraulic braking system that easily adapts to new and many existing farm wagons and trailers is new from Dico, headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa. The new system's two most important features are that: 1. Unlike surge brakes, which operate only when moving forward, the new Dico hydraulic braking system operates in reverse as well as forward; 2. Its available on new or existing wagons for about the same cost as surge-type brakes. "If the wheels of your present wagon or trailer are equipped with brake mounting flanges, our hydraulic brake kit will readily adapt," says Ed Mills, sales engineer. "On wagons or trailers without these flanges, the spindle has to be reworked, which makes the cost quite prohibitive." Mills says the new braking system operates off the tractor's hydraulic system. The driver simply hits a lever to brake the wagon or trailer, whether going in reverse or forward. If the tractor brakes are adequate to hold the load, the hydraulic brakes don't have to be activated, thus helping to minimize wear. The system has a built-in emergency parking brake which the operator can pull to hold the wagon. For example, if he can't make a hill, he can brake the wagon and leave it stand while he unhooks the tractor and goes after a bigger tractor. If two wagons are being towed, the hydraulic braking system can be extended to serve both wagons. Dico engineers recommend that any time trailer weight exceeds that of the tractor, the trailer should be equipped with brakes. They've worked up a chart (Technical Bulletin 249) which shows approximate stopping distance for a 12 ton brake and non-brake equipped 4-wheel farm wagon. It shows that the distance required to stop a 12 ton wagon is 100% greater on a 20% grade than on the level. Using a travel speed of 15 mph, and assuming a level surface, a 10,000 lb. tractor traveling alone with nothing hooked behind requires about 25 ft. to stop. Pulling a 12 ton wagon with no brakes, it requires about 85 ft. to stop. With 2-wheel braking on the wagon, stopping distance is reduced to 25 ft. There isn't much difference in stopping distance required between 4-wheel and 2-wheel braking on the trailer if the road is level. However, the advantage of 4-wheel braking for the trailer really shows up if the road isn't level. For example, a 12 ton wagon being pulled 15 mph with a 10,000 lb. tractor on a 20% grade requires about 63 ft. to stop with 2-wheel braking, about 50 ft. with 4-wheel braking, and about 165 ft. with no braking on the trailer. Dico's new hydraulic braking systems for new or existing wagons and trailers are available through most major suppliers of hopper-bottom and other type grain wagons. Check with your nearest local dealer. If the line of trailers he handles isn't available with hydraulic brakes, you can contact Dico direct to get the name of your nearest grain wagon dealer who does handle the new braking system for new or existing wagons. The company supplies brake kits to manufacturers of farm wagons who, in turn, make them available through their dealers and distributors. Dico itself isn't set up to sell direct to farmers, explains Mills. For details on availability for various makes and models of farm wagons, contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Dico Co., Box 1344, Des Moines, Iowa 50305 (ph. 515 2447286).

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