Accessory TT Truck Brakes

[NPorter56]

I own a 1925 TT grain truck. It has a Ruckstell rear end and a Warford trans. It does not have accessory rear brakes yet. I am very familiar with the issue of self-energizing accessory brakes and how some brakes work only well in the forward direction. I purchased a rusty TT chassis (frame and running gear only) that had original Rocky Mountain brakes installed on it as well as a Rocky Mountain trans in the drive line. I was going to use those brakes. They have the brake band mounting point in the middle of the brake band so you should get 50% self-energizing going forward and 50% going in reverse. This is in contrast to the newer style aftermarket accessory brakes that mount the brake band on one end so you get 100% self-energizing brakes in forward but very poor braking in reverse. Recently I was able to purchase a set of TT accessory brakes that I had never seen before. They have a large cast iron casting with a “window” on one side where the ends of the brake band sit. When you are going forward and apply the brakes the end of the brake band butts up against one end of the window and you get 100 % self-energizing brakes. When you go in reverse the other end of the brake band hit the other side of the window in the casting and you still get 100 % self-energizing brakes. I thought these were quite rare until a month later I was able to buy another chassis with running gear only and it had the same brakes on it. These would be hard (expensive) to reproduce because of the two large metal castings but they seem to be the best ones to use. Does anyone know who originally manufactured these brakes or have any literature on them???? Thanks. Neil

[Daisy Mae]

I've never seen those before, but very cool.
But have never seen those ribbed TT drums before, those aren't stock either...

I had a TT closed cab, and had a cast iron Warford & components, but for which never actually installed given I didn't have accessory brakes. Even though the TT brakes are lined, they're still pretty useless for any decent braking, and I'd heard too many horror stories of getting locked in neutral when shifting at speed...I was too chicken...

[Erik Barrett]

I have had two sets of these, one on my TT dump truck. The best design I have ever seen on T auxiliary brakes. Work equally well both directions. I have no idea who made them, there are no markings on them at all.

[A Whiteman]

I am curious if those drums are really ribbed or is that a build up of crud between the spokes? Nice brake units.

[Daisy Mae]

I am curious if those drums are really ribbed or is that a build up of crud between the spokes? Nice brake units.

Uhm.... (slap head & put on glasses)...Doh!!

[NPorter56]

Hi - No they are not ribbed. Just staining from the wood spokes. Neil