Abstract: A normally engaged (dead man's) brake for a manually operable pallet truck. A spring-biased, levered cam is housed within a wheel subassembly frame. Two wheels that are axle-mounted to the frame contain integral brake drums and are mounted so as to circumferentially superimpose the drums over brake shoes which are pivotally mounted to the frame. Under normal, non-operational conditions, the levered cam forces the brake shoes into registry and contact with the drums, thereby conditioning a brake-engaged mode. A manual control lever is cable-connected to the frame in a fashion to enable overcoming the spring biasing of the levered cams, thereby releasing the brake. The moment manual force is released, the levered cams return to the normal, brake-engaged mode, thus effecting the invention's purpose.