Multiquip LS400, LS500 manual Trailer Brakes, Hydraulic Brakes, Manually Adjusting the Brakes

LS400/LS500 PUMP — MAINTENANCE (TRAILER)

The following trailer maintenance guidelines are intended to assist the operator in preventive maintenance.

Trailer Brakes

Properly functioning brake shoes and drums are essential to ensure safety. The brakes should be inspected the first 200 miles of operation. This will allow the brake shoes and drums to seat properly. After the first 200 mile interval, inspect the brakes every 3,000 miles. If driving over rough terrain, in- spect the brakes more frequently.

Hydraulic Brakes

If your trailer has hydraulically-operated brakes, they function the same way the hydraulic brakes do on your tow vehicle. The hydraulic braking system must be inspected at least as often as the brakes on the tow vehicle, but no less than once per year. This inspection includes an assessment of the condition and proper operation of the wheel cylinders, brake shoes, brake drums and hubs.

Manually Adjusting the Brakes

Most axles are fitted with a brake mechanism that will adjust the brakes during a hard stop. However, some braking systems are not automatically adjusted by hard stopping. These brakes require manual adjustment. The following steps apply to adjust most manually adjustable brakes.

1.Jack up the trailer and secure it on adequate capacity jack stands.

2.Be sure the wheel and brake drum rotate freely.

3.Remove the adjusting-hole cover from the adjusting slot on the bottom of the brake backing plate.

4.With a screwdriver or standard adjusting tool, rotate the starwheel of the adjuster assembly to expand the brake shoes. Adjust the brake shoes out until the pressure of the linings against the drum makes the wheel very difficult to turn. Note: Your trailer maybe equipped with drop spindle axles. See axle manual for your axle type. You will need a modified adjusting tool for adjusting the brakes in these axles. With drop spindle axles, a modified adjusting tool with about an 80 degree angle should be used.

5.Rotate the starwheel in the opposite direction until the wheel turns freely with a slight drag.

6.Replace the adjusting-hole cover.

7.Repeat the above procedure on all brakes.

8.Lower the trailer to the ground.

You must check the fluid level in the master cylinder reservoir at least every three months. If you tow your trailer an average of 1,000 miles per month in a hot and dry environment, you must check the brake fluid level once a month. The brake fluid reservoir is located on the tongue of the trailer. Always fill with clean, uncontaminated DOT 4 brake fluid.

Figure 45 below displays the major hydraulic/air/surge brake components that will require inspection and maintenance. Please inspect these components as required using steps 1 through 6 as referenced in the “Manually Adjusting The Brakes” section on this page. See Table 11 Trailer Brake System Troubleshooting.

Figure 45. Hydraulic Brake Components Hydraulic Brake Actuator

The hydraulic brake actuator (Figure 46) is the mechanism that activates the trailer’s brake system. This actuator changes fluid power into mechanical power. Therefore, the fluid level must be checked frequently to assure that the brakes function properly.

HYDRAULIC

BRAKE FLUID

RESERVOIR

Figure 46.Trailer Actuator

WARNING - Actuator Fluid Level

Failure to maintain proper fluid level in the actuator may result in loss of braking action which could cause severe property damage, injury or death.

PAGE 44 — MAYCO LS400/LS500 PUMP — OPERATION AND PARTS MANUAL — REV. #6 (09/19/11)