What have you done to your Branson today?

Cougsfan · Feb 1, 2020

I feel for you too, Lou. I am always amazed at how I hear of new ways that people use their tractor. Tell us about your PTO mounted generator, I've never seen one.

LouNY · Feb 1, 2020

Here are a couple of pictures of it from back in 2016;
in the interior picture you can see the engine rpm required for the economy mode to output 540 pto rpm which provides 60 Hz power.

The other day I ran it for about 5 hrs., shutdown for 6 hours then went back out and ran her for 3 more hours, shutdown for about 5 then ran for 1 hour and shut down again, by then the electrician had showed (but he has the flu) put his ladder up on the pole ran a new neutral wire down past the meter can and tied it in took care of the immediate problems, hopefully Monday he can mount the new meter base with the breaker disconnect and new cable up the pole to meet new code for the meter.

ptsg · Feb 1, 2020

Nice rig Lou!

Does it bog at all in 540E under load? How many hours do you have on that beast now?

LouNY · Feb 1, 2020

No noticeable bog with any load changes, I am not gentle with it when I put it on line.
I don't go thru the house breakers and turn everything off then bring them on one at a time,
I just flip the transfer on to generator with what ever wants power at that time, have never seen more then a 1 hz change for a second or so.
That is a 25KW generator but my normal load is usually less then 10 or 15KW.

I'm around 800 hours or so on her, maybe a bit more.

Slowpoke Slim · Feb 12, 2020

Cleared a little snow this evening. We had almost no snowfall, and very little remaining on the ground. But the last storm that started last night was very strong winds and piled what little snow we had into drifts right in front of the house and shop buildings. Took longer to warm up the tractor (plugged it in) than it did to clear the snow.

K5lwq · Feb 17, 2020

Pulled a few brush stumps up Yesterday. It could use a little more weight. Thinking wheel weights or ballast box for 3pt or both. Pulled from draw bar not the loader. Tried first with just tractor with no success. Hooked to the mower and it was able to remove the stumps but struggled a bit.

Anyone know a good source for wheel weights for the 15 series?

Granthol · Feb 20, 2020

Mine got new glow plugs. 2 of the 3 were bad. It would start, but was hard and put out a bunch of white smoke at first. Now that’s gone. Bought the glow plugs on ebay and they are a perfect fit.

LouNY · Feb 20, 2020

K5lwq said:
Pulled a few brush stumps up Yesterday. It could use a little more weight. Thinking wheel weights or ballast box for 3pt or both. Pulled from draw bar not the loader. Tried first with just tractor with no success. Hooked to the mower and it was able to remove the stumps but struggled a bit.

Anyone know a good source for wheel weights for the 15 series?

There are several places to order weights from, the couple that I looked at didn't list the 4815 but it all depends on the bolt holes in your wheels;
Branson Wheel Weights Suitcase Weights and Brackets

This one shows how to measure for the weights;
Wheel Weights | Taylor Foundry Company | Tractor Wheel Weights

What I put on my 8050;
Product Details - Lonestar Weights

Most places sell these weights in 1000# lots for the "free" shipping to a commercial location,
and you are looking at a bit over $1.00 per pound.
They are not inexpensive but I much prefer iron over liquid ballast, I'm running 1200# and ocassionally I'd like another 600#s.

K5lwq · Feb 20, 2020

LouNY said:
There are several places to order weights from, the couple that I looked at didn't list the 4815 but it all depends on the bolt holes in your wheels;
Branson Wheel Weights Suitcase Weights and Brackets

This one shows how to measure for the weights;
Wheel Weights | Taylor Foundry Company | Tractor Wheel Weights

What I put on my 8050;
Product Details - Lonestar Weights

Most places sell these weights in 1000# lots for the "free" shipping to a commercial location,
and you are looking at a bit over $1.00 per pound.
They are not inexpensive but I much prefer iron over liquid ballast, I'm running 1200# and ocassionally I'd like another 600#s.

Thanks for the information. I think I know why the don't list the 15 series, at least if my rim is like the others. No bolt holes for wheel weights. I would have to drill holes so for now, I am going to make sure the tires are as full as possible then look at building a ballast box.