How to Bleed Air from a Loader's Brake System?
2 Answers
Locate the bleeder screw on the brake wheel cylinder, remove the dust cap from the bleeder valve, and connect the bleeder port to a drain bottle using a rubber tube. One person should pump the brake pedal 4-5 times inside the vehicle, then firmly press and hold the brake pedal down. Meanwhile, another person loosens the bleeder screw on the brake wheel cylinder. Repeat the above steps until only brake fluid flows out without air bubbles, indicating all air has been purged from the brake lines.
I've been operating loaders for over a decade and often encounter soft brake pedal issues. Bleeding the system is actually quite simple but requires good coordination. Find an assistant to divide the work: I'm responsible for locating the bleed screw on the brake cylinder, gently loosening it with a wrench, and connecting a hose to a bottle to drain the waste fluid. My friend in the cab slowly presses the brake pedal - no sudden stomping - and when bubbles stop appearing, I quickly tighten the screw. Repeat this several times until no more bubbles appear in the hose and the pedal firms up. The key is not to forget checking the brake fluid level - top it up with fresh fluid if low to prevent air entering the system. I once skipped this check and got fluid spraying everywhere, leaving my hands numb for days. Safety first - wear gloves as brake fluid is highly corrosive. This is how we mechanics often fix it among ourselves, saving repair costs and hassle. Remember not to rush the process - be patient and repeat several times to ensure perfection.
