Dexter Laundry 60 Installation And Service Instructions

INSTALLATION AND SERVICE INSTRUCTIONS
Model 60 Actuator
CAUTION
DO NOT submerge actuator. To minimize the damaging effects of
corrosion on a braking system used under corrosive conditions,
actuator should be externally flushed after use with a high pressure
water hose. Lubricate all moving parts after the unit has dried.
Failure to properly and adequately clean, grease, and maintain the
actuator can cause failure and result in serious injury.
This actuator arrives completely assembled and ready to install. Only
paint a disassembled outer member. Do not paint other components of
the actuator, as this can cause failure.
RATED CAPACITY AND TONGUE LOADS VARY. PLEASE REFERENCE THE
COUPLER CASTING AND TOP PLATE OF ACTUATOR FOR CAPACITIES.
WELDING IS NOT RECOMMENDED since it will make repair or
replacement difficult and could potentially cause internal damage
resulting in decreased brake performance.
Installation
1. Bolt the actuator to the tongue using grade 5 bolts, nuts, and
lock washers. Light weight tongues require spacer tubes inside for
reinforcement such as a 3/4" outside diameter by eleven gauge
piece of tubing. Using a torque wrench, tighten bolts to 80 ft.-lbs.
2. Install brakes and brake lines per brake manufacturer instructions
NOT crush or kink the tubing as you mount the actuator. DO NOT
remove or modify the orifice connector at the rear of your actuator's
master cylinder. It connects directly to the brake tubing and
ensures proper fluid flow characteristics.
CAUTION
Incorrectly filling or bleed the brakes can result in brake failure.
Only use fresh brake fluid from sealed container. DO NOT reuse
fluid. After filling and bleeding, remember to refill the actuator.
Failure to maintain an adequate fluid level may cause failure.
3. Fill and bleed the brake system per manufacturers instructions.
4. Fill the system with DOT-3 fluid using a pressure type brake bleeder.
Use only fresh brake fluid from sealed container. DO NOT reuse fluid.
Failure to maintain an adequate fluid level may cause brake failure.
©2022 Dexter Axle Company | www.dexteraxle.com
System Test
This procedure only indicates if the trailer brake system is functional.
Regular inspection, maintenance, and adjustments of all brake system
components are still required to ensure brake operation and performance.
1. Move the trailer to flat, level ground, pulling FORWARD several feet
before parking. This forward motion will ensure trailers equipped
with free-backing brakes are in their normal operating mode. Chock
wheels, allowing for small testing motion. Disconnect the trailer
from tow vehicle and jack the trailer's tongue until it is horizontal.
2. Hook the trailer's safety chains (NOT the actuator's breakaway
cable/chain) together to form a loop, which is centered below the
actuator's coupler.
3. Place a sturdy board, into the chain loop below the coupler. The
board should be 4 feet or longer so it will extend several feet
above the actuator. Keep the end of the board a few inches off
the ground, and position it to press against the front end of the
actuator's coupler.
4. Stand in front of the trailer and face the rear. Apply force to the top
end of the board to use it as a lever. Press back towards the rear of
the trailer. The board will begin moving the inner member into the
actuator's outer member.
5. Keep pressing the top of the board to stroke the actuator and its
internal master cylinder. If the trailer brake system is operational, the
brakes will apply and keep the trailer from rolling away from you. Disc
brakes and properly adjusted uni-servo or duo-servo type brakes will
prevent you from moving the trailer back more than a few inches.
Free-backing type brakes will initially provide rolling resistance, but
continued force on the board will switch them into free-backing
mode, and you'll be able to move the trailer backwards.
6. If stroking the actuator causes the trailer to roll away from you
freely or with only minimal resistance, the brakes are NOT applying
properly. Evaluate the brake system to determine cause. Corrective
action MUST be taken before the trailer is used.
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059-A60-04 Rev. A | 2022.10