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page 28
T-12-UT
Maintenance
Corrosive Environment Warning
CORROSIVE ENVIRONMENTS!
Saltwater, granular fertilizers and other corrosive materials are destruc-
tive to metal. To prolong the life of a braking system used under corrosive
conditions the actuator should be flushed after use with a high pressure
water hose. Failure to properly clean the actuator could weaken it and/or
cause it to fail and result in serious injury and/or property damage.
Hydraulic Lines
Occassionally check the condition and security of the lines and hoses that comprise
the brake hydraulic system. Check that the lock tabs and clamps are in place and
securely holding the lines to the frame. Look for signs of leakage, especially if you have
had to add fluid to the reservoir frequently.
Check the tubing for kinks, cracks, blockage and corrosion, and replace any that
are questionable. Inspect the hoses for age checking (cracking of the outer rubber
sheath), damage, blisters, or other signs of impending failure and replace as neces-
sary.
Hydraulic Brakes
The hydraulic brakes on your trailer use a single piston wheel cylinder to apply the
brakes. A description of operation of this brake is as follows:
When the brakes are applied, the single-acting wheel cylinder moves the primary
shoe towards the drum. The frictional force between the brake drum and the lining
attempts to turn the primary shoe into the secondary shoe through the adjuster link
assembly. The secondary shoe is forced into the anchor pin and from this point, the
secondary and primary shoes attempt to ‘wrap around’. In essence, the brake has
utilized frictional force to augment the hydraulic actuation force on the primary shoe.
These brakes incorporate a ‘free-backing’ design which allows a surge actuator
equipped trailer to move easily in reverse. Without this feature the surge actuator would
be applying the trailer brakes as the tow vehicle is attempting to back the trailer.
WARNING
!
