A hydraulic brake mechanism for use in hydraulic systems to provide braking of a hydraulic motor is disclosed. The brake mechanism provides proper braking under a range of operating conditions, including (1) the start of flow from the pump to the brake and motor and braking is not desired; (2) operating conditions in which constant flow is provided from the pump to the brake and motor and braking is not desired; (3) operating conditions in which abrupt decreases of flow from the pump to the brake and the motor occur, for example where flow is reduced due to being drawn by another work element or hydraulic load, but under which a reduced supply flow is still present and braking is not desired; and (4) operating conditions in which the hydraulic flow from the pump to the brake mechanism and the motor is shut off completely and braking is desired.