Which Electric Brakes For 7" Hub With 4-Bolt Brake Flange

Updated 09/20/2024 | Published 09/11/2024

Products Featured in This Question

Mounting Hardware for 7" Brake Assemblies

(48)

$6.47

Dexter Electric Trailer Brakes - 7" - Left/Right Hand Assemblies - 2,000 lbs to 2,200 lbs

(1624)

$265.91

Question:

I have a towable backhoe with 4.80x12 tires/wheels. I would like to add brakes to the two wheels, so when I’m positioned to use it I can pull the brakes on to hold the machine in position. The wheels are bolted on to a spindle which is welded into the end of a removable steel 2x2 tube. Again 4 lugs with 2 7/8” spacing center stud to center stud. Electric, hydraulic, or manual cable to apply. Do you have any suggestions? Many thanks.

asked by: Tim F

Expert Reply:

Hey Tim,

So you can use electric brakes, since it sounds like you have the standard 4-bolt brake mounting flange. Since you have 4.80-12 tires and wheels you should have a 7" diameter hub, and so long as you do, what you'll need is the following:

- Dexter Electric Trailer Brakes - 7" - Left/Right Hand Assemblies # 23-47-48

- Mounting Hardware for 7" Brake Assemblies # BRKH7

expert reply by: Kyle S

Tim F.

9/19/2024

Thanks for your reply and suggestions. I’m confused though—you mentioned that I “should have a 7 inch diameter hub”, so a 7” brake assembly would be called for. My machine has about a 2 foot square tube for axles on each side (that slide into a receiver tube that runs across its width) and on the ends of the tubes a four lug plate and spindle are welded. And the wheels are then mounted onto the spindles. So wouldn’t a brake assembly/drum combo that would fit inside the wheel —maybe 10” work? And is there a plain ol’ mechanical style assembly that could be used (electric is fine but I’d need to add a battery and some kind of charging system) and then a ratcheting handle and cable could be used to apply and release the brakes. Again, this is just a little portable backhoe/trencher that gets moved around by a tow vehicle. It would be so much easier to be able to keep it stable while working the boom by applying brakes from the seat. Many thanks again for your time and suggestions.

Kyle S.

9/19/2024

@TimF Ok, gotcha, I had just assumed that it had hubs like a trailer and that's what you had been referring to regarding putting the brakes in; unfortunately without hubs we don't have a way for you to put on brakes. If I had any type of solution here that I could realistically offer I would but there just isn't anything with the parts we have that will work.

Tim F.

9/20/2024

@KyleS sorry I’m so confused with this. I think you are correct—it does have “hubs”…I had to do some searching online to get my brain right on what a hub is…haha… I’ve found three pics that show exactly what I have but I can’t find a way to attach them to this message. My thinking was that the 4 on 4 lugs on my hub would fit through the 4 holes and fastened with lug nuts on a brake back assembly. And then, the drum would have the lugs for the wheels to then fasten to…is this true or am I dreaming it up? LOL…(my brain gets very complicated at times, expecting the impossible??)

Kyle S.

9/20/2024

@TimF So the way it works is you put on the electric brakes first onto the brake flange, then the hub will go over those which you fasten to the spindle, then the wheels go on the hub. That's how it is for trailers at least, and I looked but for the life of me couldn't find how it works on a towable backhoe. But I have added a link to a video below which shows the process, starting at roughly the 7:00 mark if you want a good example, and hopefully that helps clarify.