Oil & Fuel 2015 Branson 3520h DPF Issue

beaurrr · Aug 20, 2018

What is the dealer procedure for cleaning the DPF?
This system is unusual in that it has no provision for introducing fuel (regeneration) into the DPF, which is key to how they work. Are dealers replacing the clogged DPF? Manually removing the soot?

ptsg · Aug 20, 2018

There is a green band on the tachometer of the tractor that should be the sweet spot to run the tractor while keeping the DPF clean and free of soot.

So you pretty much have to avoid idling and running on low RPMs as there is not enough heat to burn the soot.

Now, I've read somewhere but for the life of me can't remember wher, that there is a plug on the DPF canister, that you can remove when the DPF gets clogged to the point of preventing the tractor to start. It will start by die shortly after. So you would remove the plug, start the tractor to clear all that stuff out, and then install the plug again. Although I'm almost sure that it was for another brand.

I don't have experience with DPF on the tractors. In Europe there is no requirement to have DPF on tractor up to 70-ish HP I think. I'm just giving tips that I've read on this forum about this useless DPF crap that just makes the tractor burn even more fuel.

ericm979 · Aug 20, 2018

There's a plug on the exhaust manifold that you can remove to get it to run in an emergency if the DPF is clogged. It'll let some exhaust out of the manifold bypassing the DPF.

I think Branson uses a low temp continual regen process. I posted a link to a paper on that (by people other than Branson) on this forum a while back. It's a solution that works with mechanical injection. I don't think it requires more fuel.

DPF cleaning is a pretty common thing for large diesel trucks. There's a number of companies that do it.

Slowpoke Slim · Aug 21, 2018

It's just the continuous heat of the exhaust gasses that heat the filter (or "soot cooker") to a high enough temperature that it will then burn off the soot particles trapped inside. The only way to keep the exhaust gasses hot enough (over 1100-ish degrees F), is to run the engine under load, with rpm's inside that green band on the tach. The system the Branson uses does not inject any extra fuel into this particle filter. The "plug" is like Eric says, just something you can remove if the filter gets plugged up enough that the engine won't run, so that you can then load the tractor on a trailer to transport it for repair. My dealer told me the only way that he's aware to "clean" the filter, is to remove it and send it off to be baked in an oven (the cleaning service that Eric references).

My plan is just to replace mine with a muffler. Once the filter is off, and the data logger is unplugged from the harness (and I will take it off and store it next to the filter on a shelf), then the tractor will run just fine without it. Hopefully will get this done this year before winter sets in. Not too much of a job, think a local welding shop can fabricate up what I need. Hardest part may be taking the hood off to get to everything.

HudoRanch · Oct 24, 2018

Quick question, do the newer engines in the 20 series (tier 4 compliant) ones still have this same DPF/DOC emmisions system? This thread originally started about a 2015 tractor.

The reason I ask is that I am in the process of replacing my 40 year old Long 510 tractor (52 hp) with a new Branson and on the Branson website it shows the 20 series as being tier 4 compliant engine. The 15 series is not specified as being tier 4 compliant. The reason I am asking is because I would rather buy one of the 15 series or an older version that get something I am not able to work on myself. I would not remove the emmisions system immediately, but I would like to know that if it starts giving me problems I can.

I am still in the process of researching what exact model I am going to get but I am leaning toward the 4020R or 4520R. THis is a little spreadsheet that I put together for the 30-55 hp shuttle shift Branson tractors off the info on their website in case anyone else is shopping

ptsg · Oct 25, 2018

All Branson tractors are Tier 4 Compliant. And the best part is that they don't need any computer to run the engine. Hence the ease of the removing all the DPF parts. Just need to remove the data logger, the DPF can and get a new muffler on and it's good to go. However, it seems that the Branson DPF system doesn't give much problems at all. Still it's good to know that can be easily "fixed" if there is any problem.

The 15, 20 and 25 series are pretty much the same. Being that the 15 series doesn't have cab (They just started selling them with cab in Europe) and it's a bit smaller frame than the 20 and 25 series. The 25 series is a newer and upgraded series of the 20 series, so it might have some minor bugs corrected from the previous series.

The 20 series are discontinued here in Europe, and I'm pretty sure the same happens in the US. They might just be selling the left over tractors they have.

I have one of the 15 series and I just love it!

ericm979 · Oct 25, 2018

New tractors are all Tier IV. Below 25.5hp the requirements are easier and DPF or DOC is not needed. At 75hp the requirements are more stringent.
The Branson DPF needs to get hot enough to clean itself. That's not a regen in the usual sense and the DPF temps are lower. But it doesn't happen when the engine is at low speeds. My 3725's tach has a green line from 2000 rpm to 2500 and the manual recommends running it in that range. I don't do that all the time but when it's working it's at 2000 rpm at least, 2450 rpm (in regular PTO gear) when running the PTO. The people who have had problems with the DPF clogging have not been running it at the recommended rpm or working it hard (i.e. they do primarily loader work and don't set the throttle at 2000).

The fuel injection is old fashioned mechanical type with a Bosch VE type pump, which is a common type of injection pump. That should be serviceable at a diesel shop that works on injection pumps.

Right now the 25 series in the USA is only the 37 and 42 hp models with the A2000 2.1 liter engine. The larger 20 series have the A2300.
I think Dave mentioned a dealer meeting coming up soon. Your dealer may have new information after that.

Outlawmoon · Nov 4, 2018

Morning all.....

Would anyone happen to have the Kukje p/n for the silencer for a 2016 4720h Branson handy? I run mine up to the high end of the RPM range but am only doing a lot of FEL or Backhoe ops so the exhaust isn't getting as hot as it should to burn that crap off....

Thanks in advance!!

ptsg · Nov 4, 2018

I'm not sure if you are able to find a silencer for Branson tractors in the US, since they have to be sold with the DPF canister. Maybe the dealer can work something out on that.

Worst case scenario, you get a silencer from another tractor and fabricate something to make it fit.

Anyway, here is the part number.