John Deere 310A Brake Replacement

[MikePhua]

Definitions and Key Terms

• Backhoe-Loader (TLB): a machine combining a front loader (bucket) and rear backhoe on the same chassis. The John Deere 310A is a model of this type.
  
• Planetary Carrier Bolt Lock Plate: a plate that locks bolts associated with the planetary gear carrier (part of the drive/axle group), preventing them from loosening or moving.
  
• Brake Bands / Wet Brakes: in many heavy machinery axle housings, brakes are of the “wet” type (immersed in oil or grease) or use bands/clutches inside drums/housings, rather than external shoe-and-drum designs.
  
• Final Drive / Axle Housing: the part of the drive train that transfers power to the wheels; inside or around which the braking components are located.
  
• Servicing / Rebuilding / Aftermarket Parts: replacing worn or failed components (seals, bands, discs, pressure plates, hydraulic parts) either with original manufacturer parts or with equivalent aftermarket ones.
  

Equipment History and Context
John Deere & Company was founded in the early 19th century. Over time it diversified from agricultural implements into tractors and heavy construction equipment. The 310A backhoe-loader belongs to a series of John Deere’s loader-backhoe machines designed for medium duty work on farms, construction sites, and utilities. These machines are widely used; multiple units appear for resale often in the range of USD 8,000 to USD 10,000 for older high-hourage models like the 310A.
Parts for the 310A remain available: brake bands, pressure plates, master/slave cylinders, brake discs, etc. Aftermarket, rebuilt, and new parts are offered in suppliers’ catalogues for keeping older units operational.
Symptoms That Prompt a Replacement

• Brake pedal (or lever) sinks to the floor / full depression without much resistance.
  
• Loss of braking effectiveness, especially under load or when backing into slope.
  
• Fluid leakage from seals inside axle housing or around wet brake assembly.
  
• Worn or damaged brake bands, discs, or pressure plates.
  

Replacement Procedure
Below is a detailed (but generalized) procedure for replacing brakes on a John Deere 310A model, drawn from field experience and community-wisdom. Always refer to machine specific service manual for torque specs and safety.

1. Preparation
   • Park machine on level ground, chock wheels, ensure machine is secure.
     
   • Disconnect power source if necessary; relieve hydraulic pressures.
     
   • Clean area around axle housing and brake assemblies to prevent contamination.
     
2. Disassembly of Brake Components
   • Remove axle housing cover or end plate to access wet brakes or band brakes.
     
   • Drain hydraulic/axle oil if needed (depending on whether brakes are “wet” in oil bath).
     
   • Remove or loosen brake bands, discs, pressure plates; carefully note orientation.
     
   • Remove planetary carrier bolt lock plate; tip from experience: smear with grease before installing so it remains in place. This prevents it from falling out during assembly. (It’s a small part, but critical.)
     
3. Inspecting and Replacing Wear Items
   • Inspect bands, discs, pressure plates: look for signs of heat damage, glazing, warping, or wear beyond allowable limits.
     
   • Inspect seals for leaks or damage; internal brake seals leaking will allow fluid or oil intrusion, degrade performance.
     
   • If “wet brakes”, inspect the fluid/oil: contamination, burned smell, proper grade. Replace fluid, flush cavity if needed.
     
4. Reassembly
   • Reassemble bands/discs/pressure plates in proper order.
     
   • Refit planetary carrier lock plate, ensuring it is properly greased so it stays aligned.
     
   • Tighten bolts to manufacturer torque specifications.
     
5. Bleeding and Testing
   • Bleed brake system if hydraulic actuated to remove air pockets.
     
   • Test pedal feel: should not sink; should have firm resistance.
     
   • Load test: operate under light load, test stopping ability. Check both when going forward and reverse.
     
6. Final Checks
   • Verify no leaks at seals.
     
   • Ensure proper brake adjustment (some band brakes need to be manually adjusted to compensate for wear).
     
   • Check that parking / emergency brake works.
     

Special Tips from Field Experience

• The grease trick for holding small lock plates in place is often overlooked but saves hours of frustration.
  
• Using slightly above-spec bolts (if originals are corroded) helps tighten reassembly, but only if matched grade and length.
  
• When replacing wet brakes, avoid over-filling with oil; keep to fill levels so brakes are immersed but not flooded, which can cause drag or overheating.
  

Common Problems and Solutions

• Leakage of internal seals leads to loss of hydraulic pressure and fluid getting into braking area: solution is seal replacement, clean surfaces, correct seal lip orientation.
  
• Bands slipping / glazed: Solution includes resurfacing or replacing the band surfaces and brake drum or pressure plate, ensuring no oil or coolant contamination.
  
• Pedal goes to floor: Could be due to worn seals, air in system, or completely worn components. After replacement and bleed, pedal should stay firm under force.
  
• Lock plate fall-off: if not secured during reassembly, disturbance of other parts can dislodge it; greasing helps.
  

Parts Availability and Cost Estimates

• New aftermarket or OEM brake bands, pressure plates, discs: cost depends on condition; new items are more expensive, rebuilt or used are cheaper but may have shorter life.
  
• Example (illustrative, not exact): replacing brake bands and associated hardware might range in parts cost from a few hundred USD to over a thousand USD depending on whether multiple assemblies need replacement. Labour costs depend on shop rates and how much disassembly is required.
  

Data & Best Practices

• Machines with 5,000-10,000 hours often require brake service on 310A backhoes; beyond roughly 10,000-12,000 hours bands/discs likely show substantial wear.
  
• Periodic maintenance every 500 hours includes checking pedal travel, seal integrity, fluid color/level.
  
• Use parts with matching specifications (e.g. hysteresis, friction coefficient) to ensure brake parts behave as designed.
  

Story Illustration
A rancher in Texas had a 1984 John Deere 310A with approx. 8,000 hours on it. The brake pedal began to sink during delivering loads, especially when reversing uphill. He replaced the brake bands and pressure plates himself. He nearly dropped one of the small lock plates inside the axle housing because it was loose; he recalled advice to grease it so it “sticks” until bolted. After replacement and bleeding, the pedal felt firm again, even under load. He noted that before replacement, leaks from internal seals had contaminated the bands and shortened their life. After the job, the stopping distance with a typical trailer load improved by ~20 %.
Conclusion
Replacing brakes on the John Deere 310A is a task requiring attentive preparation, correct parts, careful disassembly, reassembly, and thorough testing. Critical details like the planetary carrier bolt lock plate, seal integrity, and band or disc condition make big differences in performance and safety. With regular maintenance and timely replacement, even older machines like the 310A can remain safe and effective in field operations.