Clamping brake for hydraulic rotating block

A cylinder-block-clamping brake apparatus has both parking brake capability and limited dynamic braking capability. The brake apparatus includes a first clamp arm and an opposed second clamp arm that are disposed about a rotating cylinder block that is drivingly engaged to a motor shaft of a hydraulic or hydrostatic drive unit. A first end of each clamp arm is in contact with a brake actuation cam and a second end of each arm is configured to interface one with the other to form a floating slide-pivot joint. Each clamp arm includes at least one block contact pad formed thereon. When the cam is pivoted in either direction, block contact pads formed on the clamp arms are forced against the cylinder block to prevent rotation of the cylinder block and motor shaft.