YALE - FORKLIFT HAND BRAKE

The Yale forklift hand brake or parking brake system is an auxiliary braking system in addition to the main one. The hand brake role is to keep the vehicle in place when the engine in off or when it is parked. The hand brake can also be used to stop the vehicle in extreme situations.

The parking braking system is generally equipped with a mechanical control device which acts on the braking process of the rear wheels of the machine. The parking brake consists of several elements: boom, adjusting rod, transmission cables, brake boom drive arms, compensator, expansion plate with built-in mechanism for adjusting the interval between the drums and the drum. The parking brake has the function of preventing the vehicle from moving independently. In this context, the handbrake is controlled by a cable system that acts directly on the rear wheels. However, due to the fact that the disc brakes are not suited to "cooperate" with the parking brake, the additional rear brake brakes are generally installed on the rear wheels.

These drum brakes are operated by means of a special parking pedal. When the driver presses the pedal, the front cable extends, acting on the mechanical compensation of the transmission cables. Each cable acting on the parking brake is connected by a compensator to the rear wheel brake mechanism. When the cable is stretched, the brake shoes are deformed in the direction of the brake drum walls by means of the transmission arm. Therefore, the rear wheels start to brake. If the brake is operated by means of cables, the latter need a regular adjustment, as they stretch and, as they do, lose part of the initial tension.

Correct ways to use the hand brake:

• Since hand brakes are a safety feature, they should be used at all times
• Before using the hand brake, the operator must stop the vehicle to prevent any damage to the braking system
• If the main braking system fails, the operator can use the hand brake as a mean to stop the vehicle immediately when necessary. This should only be used in exceptional situations to avoid damage to the braking system