Vermeer 352 stump grinder hydraulic wheel brake.

[kiwidiesel]

We have had a brake unit on our stump grinder drive go all floppy. Suspect bearing collapse. The new unit has arrived and will fit it over the next day or two but am wondering if the old brake assembly can be overhauled. Has anyone done this and are there any tricks to make the job any easier.

 

[kiwidiesel]

We have had a brake unit on our stump grinder drive go all floppy. Suspect bearing collapse. The new unit has arrived and will fit it over the next day or two but am wondering if the old brake assembly can be overhauled. Has anyone done this and are there any tricks to make the job any easier.

Have just overhauled the brake unit. New bearings and seals. Easy to repair, 2hrs and the job is done. The inner bearing beside the sprocket is only protected by a light seal that is part of the bearing. The seal had fallen out and the bearing failed soon after. A good reason to clean the dirt out behind the sprocket occasionally.
Good to have a spare on the shelf for the next time it happens.

 

[stumper63]

Seems like I remember something about Vermeer coming out with a retrofit kit of some kind to help keep dirt out of those sprockets. Or was it a change on the 372? Can't remember for sure, but sounds like there's a good reason for it.

Stumper63

 

[Jimma]

Hey guys, just came across this very old post. My 352 grinders is starting to leak fluid. Thought it was just the connection, but checked it out and it was completely dry around it but the wheel was soaked from the back when I removed it. Checked out the illustrations on the parts manual and saw there were 2 seals within the brake assembly. Looking as the assembly, I'm not sure how it is disassembled and wonder if anyone has any experience with it. Looks like it could be a simple job if the innards just slide out in one piece and you can just replace the seals and put it back in one piece. I'm assuming the seals are only a few bucks and the whole assembly is big bucks. Any thoughts?

 

[Jimma]

Have just overhauled the brake unit. New bearings and seals. Easy to repair, 2hrs and the job is done. The inner bearing beside the sprocket is only protected by a light seal that is part of the bearing. The seal had fallen out and the bearing failed soon after. A good reason to clean the dirt out behind the sprocket occasionally.
Good to have a spare on the shelf for the next time it happens.

Have just overhauled the brake unit. New bearings and seals. Easy to repair, 2hrs and the job is done. The inner bearing beside the sprocket is only protected by a light seal that is part of the bearing. The seal had fallen out and the bearing failed soon after. A good reason to clean the dirt out behind the sprocket occasionally.
Good to have a spare on the shelf for the next time it happens.

Hey Kiwidiesel, read your old post on the vermeer hydraulic brake problem. I am leaking fluid from one of my brakes and I think it might be the outer seal. I thought I was going to have to replace the entire brake, but the parts illustrations looks like I may be able to replace the seals. Seems you have some experience in this and was wondering if this is as easy as it looks in the illustration. Can I take off the brake or undo the power plate, slide off the innards, replace the front seal, slide the innards back on and replace the rear seal and put it back on?