Horse Carriage, Cart, Drum Brake Kit

If mounting on a wheel with steel tires, the standard is to mount on the front axle. If mounting on rubber-tire wheels, the standard is to mount the brakes on the rear wheels. Longer tubing is available for rear-mount wheels; select front or rear mount using the drop-down box.

Available for 1”, and, 1-1/8” square axles. Select the axle size from the drop-down menu.

The brake kits fit most Amish-made wood, fiberglass, or steel carriage and buggy wheels made in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana that use a bolt-in hub with a roller bearing. Brake installation should not be attempted on old-fashioned Sarven-style or wooden hubs, or hubs and spokes forged with rivets.

The hubs bolt onto the same bolt pattern as the roller-bearing hub flanges. See the detailed photo of the drum bolt-hole spacing. Standard spacing across the Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania Amish carriage builders utilizes an 8-bolt pattern with a 2-7/8” center hole and 7/16” diameter bolt holes spaced 1-9/16” center to center.

Usually, the hubs will fit using the same bolts that hold the roller bearing hubs. Occasionally, new, longer bolts will need to be installed. Steel wheels have machined hubs; you will need to purchase the bolts locally to install the brake drums into the hubs' threaded holes. The bolt pattern will still be the same on both the aluminum and steel wheels.

All steel wheels are relatively new to the Amish communities. These are not the old-fashioned steel-spoke wheels; instead, they incorporate a machined steel hub, welded steel spokes, and a steel tire, which is then powder-coated and equipped with either a steel or rubber rim. Click Here to read more about our steel wheels.

We do have plain brake drums for old-style PA wheels. The drum has no mounting holes and requires the #3063 drum installation ring to align it and drill matching holes for bolts between the spokes. Use the #3063 ring on the front side of the wheel to anchor the bolts and nuts.

Two-Wheel 7” & 8” Drum Brake kit includes:

Complete aluminum floor mount master cylinder with pedal with a 1” cylinder.

2 complete backer plates (Powder Coated)

2 powder-coated black 8” brake drums

1 x 12oz can of DOT 3 brake fluid

1 x 18” brake hose

1 x 34” brake tubing

1 x 30” brake tubing

1 x 24” brake tubing

Fittings, tubing clamps, and screws.

Four-Wheel 7” & 8” Drum Brake kit includes:

Complete aluminum floor mount master cylinder with pedal with a 1-1/8” cylinder for 4-wheel kits.

4 complete backer plates

4 powder-coated black 8” brake drums on 1” axle,

(No powder coat on 1-1/8” axles).

1 x 12oz can of DOT 3 brake fluid

2 x 18” brake hose

2 x 34” brake tubing

2 x 30” brake tubing

2 x 24” brake tubing

Fittings, tubing clamps, and screws.

7” two-& four-wheel brake kit options

7” x 1” or 1-!/8" axle two-wheel 3021-2 Taperlock 

7” x 1” or 1-1/8" axle four-wheel 3013-2 Taperlock

8” two- & four-wheel brake kit options

8” x 1” or 1-1/8" axle two-wheel 3016-02 Taperlock

8” x 1” or 1-1/8" axle four-wheel 3008-2 Taperlock

Taperlock backer plates are designed to slide onto the axle and then be tightened with set screws to hold them in place. The older-style backer plates require pounding and are difficult to install. (Rust will still need to be removed.)

You will need to be mechanically inclined and knowledgeable about installing brake hubs and bleeding brake lines. The only instructions included with the kit are for mounting the backer plate to the axle. All else will be installed with a working knowledge of hydraulic drum brake operation.

Brake kits are made and assembled in one of the largest and most respected Amish carriage builders and machine shops located in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

Why not disc brakes? While some disc brakes are being used on horse-drawn vehicles, not all Amish carriage manufacturers are sold on disc brakes. Disc brakes are used in automobiles, motorcycles, and even bicycles to stop on a dime. Horse-drawn carriages, on the other hand, use the horse(s) out front as the brakes. Additional brakes on a horse-drawn vehicle help take the load off the horse, hold the carriage at stop signs, and help stabilize it if it starts to fishtail.

Horse-drawn-vehicle brakes function much like trailer brakes when being towed by an automobile. Trailer brakes reduce the rolling weight of a loaded trailer when it is pushing against a tow vehicle.

A horse will not stop with the brakes, so blocking on a dime or locking up the wheels may cause the horse to act up and start dragging the vehicle.

Drum brakes are also more enclosed than disc brakes and are less susceptible to taking in mud and dirt kicked up by carriage wheels. Drum brakes are easier to pull for maintenance, as disc brakes require removing the calipers before the wheels can be pulled.

Disc brakes are more expensive if you're set on them and want a disc brake kit. Please email us; we have Amish shops that make them.

Click Here to view all our horse-drawn vehicle parts, including axles, leaf springs, and wheels.

For the Brake instructions manual click here