I was lucky when I got my m275a1. The guy/company I bought it from said they were putting in a new speed-o cable and would top off the fluids. I didn’t check ANY of them because I went on his word. I noticed the speedometer still didn’t work but I figured maybe the gauge was bad. After I had drove it across town to the next town where I was putting it in storage, I noticed the rear wheel drum area smoking a blue color and it smelled of burned metal. I didn’t have time to check it because the sun was just going down and there would be no light.
Later, after I found the reservoir, it was almost dry. It leaks from a fitting where some monkey made a U bend and you can see the fitting going in at an angle with silicone or something on the threads. It could have been a bad time if I lost the brakes while driving. I admit I am an amateur at driving these things. I had only driven a few hours in some dump trucks my buddy had to practice for a cdl test. (never got the license because we couldn’t find a truck that would pass inspection for a test.
![Laughing :lol: :lol:](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
) I’m not sure what I would have done in the case of brake loss. Off roading is my first guess to avoid hitting someone.
![Big grin :D :D](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
I recommend getting some TM’s in print. They make good reading material while in the thinking room
I have driven the truck with a loaded 40 footer weaving around the storage area a few times with no brakes at all. (No air to the trailer lines and no fluid in the truck lines). It is fine when you’re in 1st or 2nd gear on gravel but I wouldn’t go any faster then 2nd. I had some big open spots when I got clear of the builds/cars/campers but I wouldn’t go any faster then halfway through the rpms while in 2nd. I even had my sister help walking along with a 6x6 board while I was in 1st gear just incase I needed to stop faster she could through the board in front of the tires to help slow me down. I never need it though because as soon as I lifted from the gas it would only roll about 6 or 7 feet before I was at a stop.
As for the DOT brake fluid, I am a little concerned now. I had called 4 heavy truck shops when I got it and ask what I should use and they all said normal brake fluid. I told them it was a military 1953 reo deuce tractor and they all said it didn’t matter and acted like I was nuts thinking there was a different fluid I should use. I put in the regular DOT 3 fluid.
I was just looking online and I found that if you mix the 2 you could have some seals leak. Is that true or is someone pulling peoples legs? Will I have problems with that mixing? Is there a way to tell which fluid you have in the system? (dot3, dot 5 color difference, smell, etc)