Frozen tractor brakes

Did you release the brakes before banging on them?

 

Might have to just keep banging on them

 

Use a bigger hammer

 

Be sure trailer brakes are set, wheels chocked etc before crawling under truck to apply your magic. And...
Your confident shoes are froze to drum and not water froze in system? Just a thought...

 

Look inside the drums, chances are you’ll see ice blocks, on the bottom of the drum, against the shoes. If so, a propane torch to melt the ice works.

 

I recommend carrying a wheel chock or two if you're going to be doing consistent winter driving. When you park for your 10 in cold weather set your brakes, get out and chock your tires then release your brakes.
Shouldn't end up laying down in the snow and ice that way...

 

Yep. Never set your brakes right away after driving in snow. Since your done, you just need a bigger hammer. It always freezes at the bottom of the drum, bang there. You will know when they pop.

 

If it's an automated tranny, it might not be the brakes but the grade gripper (that's what Mack called it). Had mine freeze last year even though I drain my tanks regularly. I also had my truck freeze to the ground that I had to fight as well. Went to bed it was warm enough to have slush, then it went thru freezing rain to snow and temps in the teens. Between the dump valve on my truck and the auto-deflating airbags when you set the trailer brakes I broke myself free. The O/O with an RGN next to me was still pounding his brakes when I was pulling out.