Abstract: A hand-actuated parking brake lever assembly is disclosed generally comprising an anchored ratchet plate, a lever mechanism, and a handle. The handle and lever mechanism are pivotally mounted to the ratchet plate, and arranged such that operation of the handle results in pivoting of the lever mechanism and application of the brakes. A pawl is pivotally mounted to the lever mechanism and is biased against a toothed sector of the ratchet plate such that the pawl and sector are locked in engagement during application of the brakes and the braking force is thereby maintained. The handle is returnable to the non-operating position without disengagement of the pawl and sector, but includes a release means for causing such disengagement when it is desired.