Tractor Repair: Brakes, clear plastic tubing, hydraulic brake system

Question
QUESTION: I own a 454 international. It is from the early 70's. I have no brakes. I have tried to bleed the system, but can not pump up the brakes enough to bleed them. I am not a mechanic, but have sought the help of a local mechanic and we are both trying to find out what we can about the hydraulic brake system on the 454 international. I am hoping that it is nothing that will require breaking down the axle housing, but I have no idea what to look for or how to proceed. I would like to check out the obvious things first and work from the simplest to the complex. The tractor is nearly 40 years old and I do not want to put a lot of money into it if it is not necessary.

ANSWER: Hello,  

  There are a couple of things that can affect the brakes on these models.  There is an equalizer valve between the two master cylinders that causes a problem quite often.  There is a kit available to rebuild it.  Make sure the pedals come back up all the way after pressing them down.  If the pivot shafts need lubrication or the return springs are stretched out, it can cause a problem.  There is a reservoir that must have enough oil in it to bleed the brakes.  There is a supply hose with a small orifice in it that keeps the reservoir full.  Make sure the orifice is not plugged and the reservoir is getting enough oil.  To bleed the brakes, open the bleed screws on top of the axle housings, attach some clear plastic tubing to the bleed screws, and run the tubing into the hydraulic oil filler hole on the back of the tractor.  Start the engine and push one of the pedals down all the way and slowly let it up.  Keep doing this until there are no bubbles showing in the tubing.  Then do the other pedal the same way.  Then hold one pedal down while pushing the other pedal.  Both pedals will go down completely.  Don't pump the pedals too fast, wait about a half a minute between pumps so that the oil reservoir can keep up.  After both plastic tubes are filled with oil with no bubbles, close the bleed screws.  If you keep getting more air as you try to bleed, or if you get them bled OK but you lose brakes again after a day or two, then the wheels and axle housings will have to be removed to replace the o-rings on the brake pistons.

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QUESTION: Where can a shop manual be purchased that will show this information on the 454 brakes and is there a particular manual that is better than another.

Answer
Hello,

  I&T shop manuals are the most common, least expensive, and can be purchased just about anywhere tractor parts are sold or online.  They are a little vague about some things and don't have as many pictures, but will help get the job done.  A genuine IH shop manual would be more thorough and have more pictures, but would be harder to get and would be very expensive.   You might try ebay, they have tons of manuals for sale.