I was wondering the same thing this fall! When I bought my 1480 back in 1998 the foot pedals were siezed up! I guess who ever had it before never used the brakes. I got everything moving and rebuilt the master and wheel clyinders. I have had to top it up since then. This fall I was taking it out of the shed and noticed no brakes. Master was empty and it took a while to get the air out. I would have designed those wheel cylinders better.