Braking while backing up?

[Lefty1]

I have a Carter go kart with a band brake. If I have to back up down a hill for whatever reason the brake doesn't hold the kart. Is this typical for band brakes or is it in need of adjustment? Also, does the wheel assembly need to come off to change the band? It seem like the only way to get it to come off.
Thanks.

 

[gokart14]

band brakes are not very good i have one on my go kart and it doesnt stop very well. if you want good stoping power disc brake.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

I believe it has something to do with the direction of pull of the band compared to drum rotation. As such, it will brake better in one direction than the other. This is theory for me, I've never had one, but in my mind, it adds up. It really Depends on how far you're willing to take it- fab skills, budget, etc, but there's nothing that compares to a hydraulic disc brake, which is was I think GOKART14 was referring to. "Power" does not apply, as it refers to a boosted brake system.

 

[gokart14]

 

[Bighomedog11]

Yeah thats a band brake for you.
When i had one on my kart it would not stop the kart when i rolled backwards but it would stop it when i go the correct way. But the stopping was not instant most of the time.. But yes if you cant get to it without removing the wheel the yu gotta remove it..

but i would say get a disc brake setup and you will be happy! Thats what i am using now

 

[Blazkowiez]

Disk brakes are fantastic given proper adjustment and the correct size of disk, most kart companies did not typically use large enough disks to accommodate the size of wheel on mechanical assemblies. If you are talking hydraulic then disk size is not always the issue but typically on karts where disk are involved that we see in a fun kart application the band brake works better for the cost, a 5" band brake will smoke a 5" dia mechanical disk in most instances for price and power.

For those who have fun karts which production mechanical brakes, I'm not saying you have a kart whose brakes do not work but they might have been even better in stopping distance if they were similarly sized bands (6" brake bands are amazingly powerful). By that same note many karts such as Ken-Bar used 9" brake disks on their mechanical assemblies on the larger models D-911 etc and they are just amazing, Manco did the same on their Dingo extreme and Dingo Deuce.

 

[Lefty1]

Thanks guys! How hard is it to change from band to disc? Maybe I'll do it if I decide to paint my kart over the winter. Sounds like a good project for then.

 

[Blazkowiez]

 

[gokart14]

Thanks guys! How hard is it to change from band to disc? Maybe I'll do it if I decide to paint my kart over the winter. Sounds like a good project for then.

from what i now you need a live axle... this way the brake disc can spin and be stopped. there may be other ways to do it without a live axle but i am not sure. if you have a live axle its easy you just need a brake disc and a calper.

 

[Lefty1]

So, what's the solution to stopping the kart if you're going up a hill and the engine were to stall if band brakes are useless going in reverse?

 

[r97]

better brakes! lol

 

[Bluethunder3320]

more brakes are always a good tiing....

 

[Blazkowiez]

You roll down the hill... if you're good at driving you turn the kart around while rolling and drive back down the hill using inertia. Has your engine stalled before on an incline?

 

[Lefty1]

The engine only stalled once, but a new carb took care of that. I'm more concerned about having my kids in the kart. I guess I'll just have deal with the band brake until I upgrade it.
Thanks.

 

[Blazkowiez]

Karting is an adult supervised sport, if they're in a field and out of your line of site and really worried work up a means of communication. I'm having a bit of trouble with why rolling down a hill is a fantastic concern in most instances. I've been offroading on karts where chains broke which left me in this predicament. Band brakes work great, I really have trouble understanding the hatred of them and the initial suggestion by the majority to switch to a disk.

These are not dune buggies requiring independent disk brakes on each wheels or needing hydraulic brakes because they travel at speeds greater than 35mph. For intensive purposes and price the band does the job and does it exceedingly well.

 

[Lefty1]

Should a typical band brake be able to hold a kart on an incline backwards? If it should at least hold it, then mine is totally not working right as it pretty much has zero stopping power in that situation.

 

[Blazkowiez]

Band brakes are directional, pulling over the drum itself where in a situation you have forward momentum it will cease that action. If you wanted to mount an additional brake band in reverse that is up to you.

Have you had some situation that you feel is unsafe going up a hill where someone could be seriously injured? How steep are the inclines in the area that you ride?

 

[Lefty1]

Oh yea, I've rolled back on a hill but was lucky enough to have some room to turn the kart enough to stop it. The hills aren't anything spectacular but enough to send the kart flying backward and potentially hurt someone/destroy something. It's just not a very comforting feeling knowing if the engine stalls or belt/chain broke, I'd be in trouble.

 

[Bluethunder3320]

u need to make some sort of e brake

 

[Doc Sprocket]

I don't know how many folks here have a hate-on for the much-maligned band brake. I don't. I do, however recognize the reality that "sufficient" is not always enough. While I will concede the fact that a band brake is probably just fine for a factory, one-wheel-peel Manco, it certainly falls short in some other cases. My kart weighs nearly 300 lbs without me, has a live axle, and maxes out at 45 mph. There is absolutely no way in he// I'd trust my life to a band brake in that case. Would you?

As for the whole hill/ directional thing... Well- Yeah. With skill and experience a good driver could probably spin it 'round and save his butt. Not everybody's that good or experienced. So in my own opinion...

Since the circumstances are a little outside the norm here, I would advise an alternate braking method. (This may require mods to the kart)