2400H questions

[oldnslo]

Hi all,
Test driving a new 2400H for about three hours saturday, total of 7 hrs on the hour meter, and have the following concern or question.

The steering feels sloppy like an old manual steering system where you constantly have to correct your direction of travel. Also when mowing I noticed that doing a 180 degree turn at the end of the yard it was very difficult to get the tractor going straight and wanting to make a 200+ degree turn. Sitting still with engine at around 1500 RPM you can turn the steering wheel 1/8 turn before the front wheel start to move.

I let my wife drive it also and this was her first comment also. She is NOT a farm girl nor familiar with machinery so it has to be a noticeable problem compared to my Kubota BX.

Any one out there with the 2400 or 2800 have these same issues?

TIA

Roy

Update: I took the tractor back to the dealer and they are going to contact Branson to see if there has been any recalls or other complaints. Dealer also had a 2800H that drove the same. Both are brand new 2012's.

 

[PapeCAT]

Hello, Old and Slow:

With the RPM on my 2800H at 1500 or higher the steering works normal. The steering is more responsive the higher the RPM obviously.

A vid of my tractor will be posted here soon. The front wheels/steering ram is very responsive to any slight correction.

2011 2800H with BL00.

Not sure if they messed up the design on the steering or what. The Kukje/Branson steering seems to be as good or better than all the other big box brands to my recollection when I was shopping and testing back to back.

 

[PapeCAT]

Hello again Roy

I can move my steering about 1/8" with the wheels barely moving. It is pretty much just as you described it. I guess that is the way these are! never bothered me though. I know that the steering has it's own hydro circuit/pump that is not affected by attachment hydro use which to me seemed like a great feature.

My tractor is on industrial tires and doesn't wander and is easy to keep straight at full speed on pavement and on dirt / normal ops. It has never bothered me. I took a video but it was too long to upload (800 MB) I'll try later if you're interested in seeing mine in action

 

[oldnslo]

Papecat,
I appreciate your input on how your 2800 operates. The dealer has had the 2400H since Monday evening so will call today to see what the verdict is. They where supposed to be calling the factory to see if there where any other reports and I have heard nothing from them.

My concern is that if I purchase this tractor and it continues to have these steering issues is that it will irritate me every time I use it and end up costing me $$ to get it fixed.

There where other small items that are NOT the fault of Branson that I would have to modify to suit my needs.

example: Diff lock is now a lever operated by your right hand. This was rubbing the back of my leg but did not bother my wife. I figure a slight ajustment of the position and this would be resolved.