A ride-on, self-propelled vehicle having front caster wheels, such as a zero-turn mower, includes a front brake system. The actuating power for the front brake pass through a spindle supporting the front caster wheel. In a preferred embodiment, a center shaft of each spindle or a concentric outer ring of a sleeve of each spindle passes a force from a brake actuator to a brake for the respective caster wheel. Actuation of the brake actuator moves a member into frictional contact with a portion of the front wheel or an object attached to the front wheel to applying a braking force.