A quick release brake mechanism has a housing, a first shaft mounted in the housing and at least one gear rotatably received thereon. A second gear is rotatably mounted in the housing in operative engagement with the first shaft. A clutch is operatively disposed between the first shaft and the second gear, and a locking mechanism is mounted in the housing in operative engagement with the first shaft at least one gear and the clutch. The clutch is moveable between a first position in which the first shaft is rotationally coupled to the first and the second gears, and a second position in which the second gear rotates with respect to the first shaft. A remotely operated quick release mechanism operatively coupled to the housing has a first end operatively coupled to a power source and an opposite second end operatively coupled to the clutch so as to move the clutch from the clutch first position into the clutch second position.