All kinds of Branson issues

[backintheday]

Hi all, I posted this in the owner operating section, thought i'd post it here too. Been having several issues with my new 3510 and I am close to teling the dealer to replace it or take it back. It all started with my FEL not being level, since then i have bent 2 rams on my BH and am waiting for an answer about the FEL.
Here's the last post.
Here's an update of all my recent problems. A week after i let the dealer know about my problem I bent a ram on my brand new backhoe, dealer came out the following week, replaced the ram and valve controler on the BH, he swapped out the loader with a new one. He calls me after it's all complete and says the new hydraulic controller sticks when you boom out so you'll probly bend another ram and the loader still isn't level so it must be in the mounts. Later that day i start digging a trench for my water line off my new well, 20 mins into it I bent a ram, oh yeah and the loader isn't any better, so i call the dealer back and let him know about the BH and he says let me call the Branson rep, he calls me right back and says your getting a whole new BH and were working on a fix for your loader. This was this past Monday and I havn't heard anything else. Here's another problem, the hydraulics leak internally somewhere so if i leave the bucket up it falls to the ground in a couple hours, the same thing happens with the outriggers for the BH, I come out side the other day and the rigger is resting on my truck, scratched the heel out of the side of it. I have been patient and calm up until now, tomorrow i will be asking for a completely new tractor or they can come get this thing. What do you guys think i should do? The dealer is just doing what the rep tells him, the dealer is loosing his *** driving 150 miles to come work on this thing when he only gets paid to go 50 miles for warranty work.

 

[4520RX]

That sucks, what backhoe did you buy?

 

[backintheday]

It's built by Ameriquip for Branson. The tractor itself seems to be good quality, it's the implements that seem to be cheap.

 

[4520RX]

I bought the 8640X hoe with the curved boom. The only thing I can relate to is one of my leveling pads does come down on its own.

 

[DavesTractor]

Sounds like the dealer is trying hard, and 95% of your problem is with the backhoe. So replacing it will solve everything except for the loader level issue and they can fix that. The Amerequip backhoe is a good one, we have sold dozens of them and it is super rare to see a bent ram unless the customer abused it (and I am not implying that you did). Did you get the 7620 or 8620? We predominately sell the 8620 as it is quite a but heavier than the 7620.

As for the leak down, a certain amount is normal and that is figured in inches per hour. If you leave a bucket in the air it is normal for it to be on the ground the next day. The odd thing that I will admit is that occasionally you will find a loader or backhoe that will stay up for weeks in the same position, but that is not normal. I've never understood why, but I will say that there are specs for leakdown and a surprisingly fast leakdown is considered normal.

 

[backintheday]

Thanks for the info Dave. The BH is the 7620, the reason the first ram bent was due to the pressure relief valve sticking, they replaced the control assembly and ram but the new controler sticks when you boom out, unless you pull back just in time it keeps applying pressue. The loader is really beginning to aggrevate me, I have been backfilling and scraping but it never comes out level and it digs into my grass when i'm trying to only skim across it, plus this has been going on for 6 weeks and there has only been one attempt to fix it. Due you guys think i should have got a call from Branson, I might call there corprate office tomorrow and make a complaint, not about the dealer but about the rep.

About the leak down, thats good to know it's normal, i'm not real worried about it but it's just one more thing that bugs me.

Question, why is the 7620 so f#$%ing slow side to side? I know it's not the most powerful thing out there but man is it annoying!!

The reason i want them to replace the entire tractor is because it has taken so long to fix it and they don't even know if the next attempt to repair it will work, they're throwing parts at it now, so if it's not fixed this time how much longer do I have to wait? And the dealer is loosing money driving 150 miles to work on it, I hope Branson takes care of him.

 

[DavesTractor]

Thanks for the info Dave. The BH is the 7620, the reason the first ram bent was due to the pressure relief valve sticking, they replaced the control assembly and ram but the new controler sticks when you boom out, unless you pull back just in time it keeps applying pressue. The loader is really beginning to aggrevate me, I have been backfilling and scraping but it never comes out level and it digs into my grass when i'm trying to only skim across it, plus this has been going on for 6 weeks and there has only been one attempt to fix it. Due you guys think i should have got a call from Branson, I might call there corprate office tomorrow and make a complaint, not about the dealer but about the rep.

About the leak down, thats good to know it's normal, i'm not real worried about it but it's just one more thing that bugs me.

Question, why is the 7620 so f#$%ing slow side to side? I know it's not the most powerful thing out there but man is it annoying!!

The reason i want them to replace the entire tractor is because it has taken so long to fix it and they don't even know if the next attempt to repair it will work, they're throwing parts at it now, so if it's not fixed this time how much longer do I have to wait? And the dealer is loosing money driving 150 miles to work on it, I hope Branson takes care of him.

I'm understanding a little better now your frustration, and it sounds reasonable. They can adjust the loader for being unlevel, but if I were them I'd want to do that in my shop, not in the field.

Can you pay a little extra and swap to a 8620 since they are already agreeing to swap out the backhoe? Much beefier. The 7620 is the recommended size for the 3510, but it will handle the 8620 and everything about the 8620 is heavier. Maybe they can take what you paid for the 7620 and then add only the difference between that and their cost for the 8620. Just an idea, and perhaps in that manner you can make lemonade out of these lemons you were served.

 

[Stimw]

It sounds like you are dead sticking the cylinders. I don't understand how that could break the cylinders.
I have a cheap Jinma hoe that I adapted to my 3510 and if I dead stick it the hydraulics squeal loud in protest!
I put a pressure relief valve in the hoses for my rear connectors to protect my system. The pic is of the valve, I plug the pressure line into the return when the hoe is not on the tractor.

 

[backintheday]

The Branson as the ability to float when you boom out, the new controler doens't float, the stick itself goes in to the float position but the valve doesn't, it stays open and keeps applying pressure instead of allowing the pressure relief valve to do it's thing. The dealer who replaced the original control assembly noticed it and already had a new one ordered before he left my property. When working properly the BH barley has the power to break ground.

 

[backintheday]

Still havent't heard from the dealer about a time to repair everything, now I have a decent size hydraulic leak at the BH controller. NOT HAPPY!!

 

[backintheday]

Well, after months of BS dealing with Branson, they have finally got all the parts needed to "rebuild" by BH. If you remember they where originaly going to replace it but the Branson rep has no clue what he is doing and didn't know Ansun won't warranty a new one, so Branson ordered all the parts to replace everything from the seat back. They still have no idea how to fix the FEL issue and since my last post I have developed a hydrallic leak (6 gallons sofar) and the right outrigger falls to the ground in less than 5 mins, while running. A couple months ago I called the rep to ask him what is taking so long to get this resolved, I was calm and polite and the POS on the phone started yelling at me and using a few choice words, all I asked was if I could get an extended warranty on the FEL and BH. He was a complete A-HOLE. I called my dealer back and he said "see what I have to deal with." The issue has since gone over his head, once someone else got involved things started slowly being resolved. I am not one to bad mouth a company because mistakes happen and you can't control all your employees but this is absolutly uncalled for. I will never buy another Branson product again, it's to bad because I love the tractor itself but the implements aren't the greatest.

 

[DavesTractor]

If all you are saying is true and not just "one side of the story", that is a sad commentary on Branson's customer service. They need to care.

 

[backintheday]

I don't blame you for questioning my story, I would too but it really is that bad. I probly could have got a lawyer and got something out of this but I have been patient and letting Branson handle it. I asked the dealer to have the Branson rep call me ( if you ask me they should have alled months ago) over a month ago, still haven't heard anything. I did 2 tours in Iraq as an Infantry guy, I came back with some pretty bad anger issues, this is how I know I have moved past those days, even the dealer thanked me and is amazed at how well I'm handling this.
Anybody have any suggestions, getting a lawyer, call the BBB..... I feel Branson needs to be taught a lesson.

 

[DavesTractor]

Thank you for your service, it is truly appreciated.

Sounds like you are a reasonable guy. First step is to tell your dealer very clearly what you expect. And if you expect a buy back then tell them so. When they tell you they can't do that, tell them to take it up the food chain, perhaps to Mr Steele, the VP. He is a reasonable guy. Don't get angry. In a calm way, ask for a reasonable resolution. Frankly, after all of your backhoe issues, you will never trust this backhoe, even if it is fixed well.

I think it is only on rare occasions that you can ask for a backhoe or loader (or the entire package) to be bought back. It requires, in my mind, substantial problems that are ongoing without a clear fix or clear time frame.

I wish you the best. And keep in mind that your dealer may be working very hard in the background to try to fix this. They need the support of Branson. Remember, you bought a backhoe from Branson, it is not your issue that they bought it from Ansung. They need to deal with that behind the scenes.

I don't blame you for questioning my story, I would too but it really is that bad. I probly could have got a lawyer and got something out of this but I have been patient and letting Branson handle it. I asked the dealer to have the Branson rep call me ( if you ask me they should have alled months ago) over a month ago, still haven't heard anything. I did 2 tours in Iraq as an Infantry guy, I came back with some pretty bad anger issues, this is how I know I have moved past those days, even the dealer thanked me and is amazed at how well I'm handling this.
Anybody have any suggestions, getting a lawyer, call the BBB..... I feel Branson needs to be taught a lesson.

 

[backintheday]

Good advice Dave.
I understand the dealer is working on the issue, I will try to purchase from them again, different brand or whatever but I would give them by business again. Supposedly they're picking up my tractor this week, taking it back to their shop ( 125 miles!) repuilding the BH and trying to fix the level issue with the FEL. They are not happy with Branson, the reason their picking it up is so they can fix the FEL on their own cause Branson has no answer. I am going to ask Branson for an extended warranty on the FEL and BH plus a full servie while it's in the shop and to reimburess the dealer for the drive to pick this thing up.

Thanks again

 

[DavesTractor]

You sound like a good customer! On your loader frame being out of kilter, the dealer will need to figure out if it is the mount, or a twisted loader frame, or rear tires that are not the same size. Since they tried swapping a loader and it wasn't any better, it sounds like tires, or most likely the mounts. Believe it or not, we have seen the same brand and size tire differ by 1". It's an odd deal, but it happens occasionally and most assuredly makes the bucket not level. That should be checked. Keep us informed.

Good advice Dave.
I understand the dealer is working on the issue, I will try to purchase from them again, different brand or whatever but I would give them by business again. Supposedly they're picking up my tractor this week, taking it back to their shop ( 125 miles!) repuilding the BH and trying to fix the level issue with the FEL. They are not happy with Branson, the reason their picking it up is so they can fix the FEL on their own cause Branson has no answer. I am going to ask Branson for an extended warranty on the FEL and BH plus a full servie while it's in the shop and to reimburess the dealer for the drive to pick this thing up.

Thanks again

 

[backintheday]

UPDATE!!
The dealer picked up my 3510 last week, they rebuilt the BH and found that the left rear tire was at 10lbs and the right was at 35lbs. I'll take the blame for the loader being out of kilter but they where the ones that filled the tires..... I spent about a half hour on the BH and my Dad spent around 8-10 hrs on it with no problems, I was able to dig in this incrediably hard dirt I live on without bending a ram. I haven't tried out the loader yet but my Dad spent a couple days on it and said it seemed good. All in all I'm happy with the machine, the BH seems to work much much better than the original. THe dealer was nice enough to change all the fluids and only charged me for the filters, I still haven't heard from Branson yet though. I have worked this machine hard this summer, other than the BH issues it has not let me down, if the BH holds up I will have nothing bad to say about Branson tractors but the company, thats a different story.
I need to post some pictures of all my projects and the house my wife and I are building.

 

[DavesTractor]

The first thing a dealer does on an unlevel loader condition is to check rear tire air pressure and if that is good, to measure from the bottom of the rear axle on each side to the floor to make sure the loaded radius of the tires is the same. Believe it or not, we have seen identical brand and size new tires be 1/2" different in height.

Sounds like your dealer stayed with it and solved the issues. The 3510 is a nice machine, enjoy it.

 

[backintheday]

Thanks forall the help Dave, I assume your a dealer? If so, can we order online from you?

 

[DavesTractor]

We are a dealer and you can order from us via email, but always support your local dealer first. I'm not here to drum up business, but to help others, and in doing so I always learn a bunch myself. :dance1: