CloverKnollFarms
Super Member
Yeah, with this new switched power box, I’m tempted to mount a long LED light bar on the ROPS. I don’t do a lot of low light work, but last year I did some and incandescent lights suck.
What have you done to your Branson today?
ning
Elite Member
My headlights are dead - lost one bulb when I killed my radiator a few years ago and I don't know when the other one died. Definitely not due to hours (750-800ish) but I'm guessing vibration helps too.
I've been contemplating tossing LEDs into there but my work is barely impeded by not having headlights in the first place, and the potential for blinding myself from the bucket or loader blocking the brighter LEDs is holding me back. One of these days I'll decide one way or another (buy replacement incandescents or give the LEDs a try).
Has anyone else tried LED headlamps in their tractor? (I have LEDs in my '97 F350 and what a difference i don't get tired driving at night any more, and surprisingly nobody flashes their lights at me in anger) though who knows maybe their afraid it could be worse
CloverKnollFarms
Super Member
Well, I've found H4 and HS1 LED bulbs, I also have to find new dust caps to accommodate the LEDs.
ning
Elite Member
Yeah dust is definitely a concern; most LED bulbs have a big heat sink sticking into the engine compartment and that heat sink has fins that'll likely get clogged
some of those have a fan; my guess is fan-cooled bulbs are a bad idea in a tractor.
There are also LED auto bulbs that have a ribbon instead of fins:
Not sure which is going to be more effective when covered in chaff.
CloverKnollFarms
Super Member
I'm not too worried about the heat sink getting clogged, but the Branson has a basically solid cap on the back of the light, and I'll need on with a hole to pass through the stem of the led light.
ning
Elite Member
You don't think clogging is a problem, or you don't think it'll get clogged?
I suppose with enough attention to detail you can keep it cleaned out.
CloverKnollFarms
Super Member
I don't think on my tractor it would be a real issue. The underside of the hood is pretty clean. I could always hit it with compressed air if need be
OP
Zork
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Dec 14, 2003
- Messages
- 1,120
- Location
- Virginia
- Tractor
- '04 Branson 3520, '51 Fergy, '96 MTD 18/46, '02 Craftsman GT5000/48
If you have a loader, the stock lights are worthless with the loader down. On my 2004 I can add lights on the brush bar and that is a better height for loading. I have my lights at the ROPS height and it works nicely. With the price of the LED's, I might change over.
CloverKnollFarms
Super Member
Worked it, and aligned the headlights
herm0016
Platinum Member
almost put it on its side. decided the fence would be easier to fix than flipping the tractor upright. Colorado blizzard, about 1.5 feet of super heavy snow. mfwd on, chains on rear tires. hit a drift with rear blade and it spun the front off the side. slid down sideways fast. maybe 6 feet of drop at a 30 degree angle to the creek in the bottom by the trees. took out 2 t posts and a bit of paint on the side of the loader and fender rubbing the wires did not hit any hoses or wires with the t posts underneath.
Attachments
K5lwq
Elite Member
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2017
- Messages
- 4,918
- Location
- Mineola, TX
- Tractor
- Kioti LK2554, Branson 4815C, Satoh Beaver, Speedex
Wow! Nice quick thinking. Glad it worked out for you.
herm0016
Platinum Member
They always tell you to turn into a spin right? ha.
this snow is some of the wettest I have every had to deal with. it's the same density as the mud below it. changed my strategy to straight blade and backing up to plow the actual steep part of the road, taking short runs and pushing off the slopes.
ptsg
Super Member
Friendly reminder for today: Check the condition of the hydraulic pumps suction hose friends.
I don't think mine cracked all the way through yet but it will happen eventually. Probably won't show as leak either since it's under suction.
I don't think mine cracked all the way through yet but it will happen eventually. Probably won't show as leak either since it's under suction.
tacticalturnip
Super Member
Good to notice before it's bad, for sure.
K5lwq
Elite Member
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2017
- Messages
- 4,918
- Location
- Mineola, TX
- Tractor
- Kioti LK2554, Branson 4815C, Satoh Beaver, Speedex
Branson on fire duty! I just need the fire truck light bar. 
ptsg
Super Member
The other end of the suction pipe has a short straight piece of rubber hose. For the lack of better pictures at the moment, here is an older one from when I was building the loader. Note the hose in front of the hydraulic filter.
I believe the reason mine is going bad on the pipe side is because some time ago I tweaked the pipe, put a decent kink on it too. I pulled it out to get it straight again but couldn't quite remove a twitch on the 90 degree bent up top. So it kinda forces the rubber hose a little bit out of place.
CloverKnollFarms
Super Member
It's nice to see Branson didnt paint over all the filters like other brands
OP
Zork
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Dec 14, 2003
- Messages
- 1,120
- Location
- Virginia
- Tractor
- '04 Branson 3520, '51 Fergy, '96 MTD 18/46, '02 Craftsman GT5000/48
My filter/return design is different. My filter is located near the LR wheel and there is a short 90 hose to the axle housing, and a short straight to the return pipe. My 90 is more vulnerable to damage than your system if I ride over a small sapling and immediately back up.
The straight hose to the plastic tank on the right has the same vulnerabilities.
The straight hose to the plastic tank on the right has the same vulnerabilities.
