Century 2535 - need a new head

Asteral · Dec 5, 2022

Huckster said:
Can anyone recommend where I can find one of these knowledgeable techs?

I AM THAT TECH... lol I kid but in all seriousness, i don't know why the dealer out of Georgia couldn't help you with this but that head is available as an assembly replacement its just under a different part number as the original cant be obtained due to availability, however the substitute does fit the century 2535( this crosses over to a branson 3510-i model btw) the part number is EA00004862A you will need to order this specific number to et the correct part this is an assembly so it will come with valves and guides already in it, the retail price will differ by the dealer as some mark up higher than others but your looking around 2k-2.5k plus freight and the cost of your gaskets for it put that's gonna be so much cheaper that trying to retrofit a different engine.

btw i did stock check this at Rome, Ga and they have 4 of them on their shelf.

I wish you the best of luck of your future endeavors with this unit @Huckster

Huckster · Dec 5, 2022

Asteral thank you but I just got off the phone with Branson USA. The part # you list is for the Cummins A1700 and will not fit the 3T90L according to the gentleman I spoke to.

Asteral · Dec 5, 2022

Huckster said:
Asteral thank you but I just got off the phone with Branson USA. The part # you list is for the Cummins A1700 and will not fit the 3T90L according to the gentleman I spoke to.

aah i see i guess i misread the original post let me do some digging see what i may be able to find.

Asteral · Dec 5, 2022

ok so now i know why those parts aren't available anymore, its due to the dang EPA, basically they wont allow branson to import that engine parts ( as well as another model or two) due to them no being able to pass current emission standards.
Well that just bothers me, unfortunately your best option is gonna be to find a similar model at auction that has a good engine still, i would start looking on tractorhouse or similar style sites.
i have check with the only guy i know whose been with Branson since century and he says that the a1700 will not mount to the 3t90l housing the bolt patterns are just ever so slightly off and while you could possible make it work he said your just gonna open up a can of worms you dont really want to get into, he didnt really get specific with me about what he meant by that but i've known him long enough to know that if he thinks its not worth it your better off trying to find one you can salvage for parts.

wilkija · Dec 5, 2022

So Asteral, does that mean we can't get anything for these tractors anymore? Huckster I might be selling mine here shortly if your interested LOL. Just shoot me a PM. everything on it works.

K5lwq · Dec 5, 2022

@Asteral, did you talk to Buster? He is about the only one I can think of that might have some insight.

Huckster · Dec 5, 2022

Aestral now you have me wondering. If I can somehow get someone to fix the cracks in the head or find a used one are there the parts available to put it back together? Gaskets, valves, etc?

wilkija · Dec 6, 2022

The two part numbers for the trans housing that bolts to the engine are almost identical between a 3T90 and A1700. I wonder what the E and A are for? @Asteral, I couldn't imaging The E and A being a different engine bolt pattern. I just find it hard to believe they would completely redo molds and casts for a simple engine change. on the same model tractor no less. is there any way to find out?

3510 with A1700 NT36010000E0
3510 with 3T90 NT36010000AO

Asteral · Dec 6, 2022

ok so its just certain engine parts they can no longer get, about 90% of external and accessory parts( I.E body pieces lights etc) are still available basically if it has to do with they engine don't count your chickens, but everything else should still be accessible for the rest of the unit. as for gaskets i believe these are still available they just cant get major engine components.

K5lwq said:
@Asteral, did you talk to Buster? He is about the only one I can think of that might have some insight.

yes thats exactly who i spoke with.

Asteral · Dec 6, 2022

wilkija said:
So Asteral, does that mean we can't get anything for these tractors anymore? Huckster I might be selling mine here shortly if your interested LOL. Just shoot me a PM. everything on it works.

just certain engine parts everything else should still be available

EddieWalker · Dec 6, 2022

I bought my 2535 brand new in 2003 and it's been a love/hate affair since getting it. For the money, it was a great deal, but I learned real fast how important dealer support is. My dealer promised everything, but never got around to doing anything. Parts have been the biggest issue. If I can find something else that will work, I avoid dealing with the dealer. Just starting it has been a nightmare. After 3 years of chasing ghosts, replacing different parts to get it to run, only to have it not start a week later force me to remove every bit of wiring and just wire it for the basics. Since then, it starts easily every time I want to use it.

I've had it almost 20 years now with 1,000 hours on it. I'm disappointed to learn that it's impossible to get some parts to rebuild the engine. I should probably sell it now, but I'll just keep using it until it dies and call it even. I don't really need it, I have three other tractors with more power, but it does come in handy for smaller projects that never seem to end.

ericm979 · Dec 6, 2022

Asteral said:
ok so now i know why those parts aren't available anymore, its due to the dang EPA, basically they wont allow branson to import that engine parts ( as well as another model or two) due to them no being able to pass current emission standards.

That's weird- the EPA and even CARB let car and truck manufacturers sell engine and emissions parts for older models that don't meet current regs. In fact CARB insists on it. If you have a 1976 Datsun 280z (for example) its got to have the 1976 engine and emissions parts on it even though replacing it with a modern LS engine would greatly reduce emissions. There is a referee process you can go through to get that approved but it's complex.

Asteral · Dec 6, 2022

ericm979 said:
That's weird- the EPA and even CARB let car and truck manufacturers sell engine and emissions parts for older models that don't meet current regs. In fact CARB insists on it. If you have a 1976 Datsun 280z (for example) its got to have the 1976 engine and emissions parts on it even though replacing it with a modern LS engine would greatly reduce emissions. There is a referee process you can go through to get that approved but it's complex.

yea i thought it was weird as well but that's what i was told by the ordering manager from Branson.

Huckster · Dec 8, 2022

Dropped the head off to a guy who was recommended by the dealer I bought it from. He is confident he can repair the cracks. Now I have to hunt down gaskets and a Thermostat. fingers still crossed but I am a more optimistic that the tractor will be useable again.

wilkija · Dec 8, 2022

As soon as you get that thing running, Branson has some good deals on newer ones. take that thing to the dealer! LOL

MTGreen · Dec 8, 2022

wilkija said:
As soon as you get that thing running, Branson has some good deals on newer ones. take that thing to the dealer! LOL

If I were in this situation I would have learned a lesson and would be finding a different color dealer...

wilkija · Dec 8, 2022

MTGreen said:
If I were in this situation I would have learned a lesson and would be finding a different color dealer...

Things have changed since this tractor was built. Normally I would agree, but now that they have a Cummins in them and TYM owns them. I think they are better. Plus it's is really hard to beat the price on a new one vs the others. and a 6 year warranty

He could sell his tractor for 8 to 10 or so and get the one below. Also he could get a 48 HP one for 28K. just hard to beat those numbers for us poor folk.