Hi I have a Massey 690 and overnight the breaks have completely gone with the pedal going straight to the floor, I’m assuming it’s the reservoir that needs filling, can anyone tell me where it’s located and also offer any explanation as to why they should fail in this way. Thanks.
Massey 690 brakes suddenly fail
- Thread starter fluke
- Start date
serf
Member
- Location
- warwickshire
Reservoir is under bonnet on R/H side near cab butprob the slave or master cylinder knackered at guess
- Location
- South lakes
Make sure you put the right fluid in, you may have to change all the seals if not!! Wrong fluid and they go like jelly!!
serf
Member
- Location
- warwickshire
Tag MF Andy who ever knows how to tag , he will known the score .
serf
Member
- Location
- warwickshire
Looks like I was a couple minute slow 
TheTallGuy
Member
- Location
- Cambridgeshire
What? A 690 with working brakes? I didn't know such a thing existed! 
Really? Simple system, great brakes imhoWhat? A 690 with working brakes? I didn't know such a thing existed!
Cowabunga
Member
- Location
- Ceredigion,Wales
The problem is that on this tractor the brakes are hydraulically actuated. In itself not an issue except that it is now a very old tractor, which means all the seals and indeed the pipework, both steel and re-enforced flexible rubber, are now perishing with that age. Since these tractors depend on rear wheel braking and have only one circuit, a failure in that circuit can result in total brake failure, which has the potential to be catastrophic.
Yes, I know it has separate left and right brakes, but only one small fluid reservoir feeding both.
I reckon the system should be comprehensively inspected with master and slave cylinder seals changed and any corroded, chafed, cracked or otherwise slightly dodgy pipes changed out and re-secured while the initial issue is being seen to. It is, after all, the best part of 40 years old. To put some perspective on its age, a 40 year old tractor when this was built around 1983 would have likely been a Standard Fordson TVO or a Field Marshall.
Yes, I know it has separate left and right brakes, but only one small fluid reservoir feeding both.
I reckon the system should be comprehensively inspected with master and slave cylinder seals changed and any corroded, chafed, cracked or otherwise slightly dodgy pipes changed out and re-secured while the initial issue is being seen to. It is, after all, the best part of 40 years old. To put some perspective on its age, a 40 year old tractor when this was built around 1983 would have likely been a Standard Fordson TVO or a Field Marshall.
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TheTallGuy
Member
- Location
- Cambridgeshire
Been looking at buying another 690 & very few of the ones I have seen have had roadworthy brakes.
Thanks for all the replies, the reservoir is almost empty so I will fill with the DOT 4 fluid and see how I get on do you think it will need bleeding? And I will put a brake overhaul on the to do list ..... Ive got a long list! need to look into that bonnet modification with the fore end loader also.
serf
Member
- Location
- warwickshire
Mines only got one side half working and been like it for years but can get by for the bit I do with it and if need a quick stop the handbrake worksWhat? A 690 with working brakes? I didn't know such a thing existed!
Ps , obviously no road work
Yes it will need bleeding. Bleed screws are on slave cylinders located just in front of rear axles. You will then need to find and cure the leak which is probably on the slave cylinders.
That's because they were from an age when things needed adjustment. Clutch, brakes etc. I've changed loads more discs on modern self adjustable ones.
Cowabunga
Member
- Location
- Ceredigion,Wales
That’s because these are usually 40kph and faster tractors which pull today’s 8, 10, 12 ton plus trailers, not the 5 tonners common in the 60’s to the time the 690 was built. Soon after these Girling 5 plate brakes were fitted to 40kph tractors and roaded more, they wore out much sooner, depending much on the driver of course. These were better brakes than later, cheaper, single plate brakes and the type seems to be making a comeback lately, certainly on tractors from the AGCO stable.
We were instructed to keep releasing and re applying oil brakes on continuous descents to allow oil back onto the discs otherwise ,particularly the single disc type,they would wear out completely in a matter of minutes.
Cowabunga
Member
- Location
- Ceredigion,Wales
Seconds. 30 seconds hard continuous braking is enough