2515R questions

Raines · Oct 9, 2020

Branson guys, can you answer some questions for me? I have a Branson dealer 7 miles from me and as I was driving home from work I noticed they had a new tractor on their lot. It was a 2515R. So I stopped and took a look. They were closing so I didn't stay too long but will stop in some other time to drive it and see how I like it. I took a picture of the rpm pto meter as I was confused by it.

Question1: What is first and second pto rpm ratings?

Question 2: Dealer said the subframe backhoe takes over an hour to change as most of the time is in taking off/putting on the 3 point. Is this right? He stocks 3 point backhoes because he said most people don't like branson's subframe ones.

Other than that the tractor looked extremely awesome!! That loader is really stout looking as is the whole tractor really. Any owners of this 2515 tractor out there? Would like to know how it has treated you.

ptsg · Oct 9, 2020

I will answer the question 1 as I don't have a backhoe on mine, nor it's sold here.

On Branson tractors, you'll have two PTO speeds. The regular 540, which is the PTO 1st mark on the tachometer. Then you have the 540E PTO speed, being the PTO 2nd on the tachometer.

The 540E or 540 Eco, allows you to achieve the 540 RPM at the PTO shaft at a much lower engine RPM. Making less noise, using less fuel.

It's supposedly to be used with implements that don't require that much horsepower, like finish mower, sprayers, etc, but I've found that it handles higher loads just fine. I use mine all the time with both the tiller and the brush mower. No bogging down whatsoever.

This 540E, can also work as a third PTO speed by revving the engine to the PTO 1st mark, which will rotate the PTO shaft at 750RPM, but it's not that common of a speed to use. Most implements are rated to 540 RPM and in bigger tractors, rated to 1000RPM.

There are 2515 owners here, hopefully they'll chime in. I've noticed they are selling very very well with highly satisfied owners.

ericm979 · Oct 9, 2020

There's a PTO gearbox with two speeds. High speed gives you about 760 PTO rpm at 2500 rpm engine speed. "540e" engine rpm gives you 540 rpm in that high PTO gear. It can be useful when you have lower power requirements. There's less noise and fuel used.

I'm a careful meticulous mechanic and it takes me about 20-30 minutes to install or remove the backhoe on my 3725. I'm sure many people here can do it faster. I have top and tilt cylinders to remove or install which adds to the work. I clean and lube everything as I'm putting it back on.

Bransons' BH subframe is an older design. It's reliable but some other manufacturer's BHs are easier to install and remove.

Raines · Oct 9, 2020

ptsg said:
I will answer the question 1 as I don't have a backhoe on mine, nor it's sold here.

On Branson tractors, you'll have two PTO speeds. The regular 540, which is the PTO 1st mark on the tachometer. Then you have the 540E PTO speed, being the PTO 2nd on the tachometer.

The 540E or 540 Eco, allows you to achieve the 540 RPM at the PTO shaft at a much lower engine RPM. Making less noise, using less fuel.

It's supposedly to be used with implements that don't require that much horsepower, like finish mower, sprayers, etc, but I've found that it handles higher loads just fine. I use mine all the time with both the tiller and the brush mower. No bogging down whatsoever.

This 540E, can also work as a third PTO speed by revving the engine to the PTO 1st mark, which will rotate the PTO shaft at 750RPM, but it's not that common of a speed to use. Most implements are rated to 540 RPM and in bigger tractors, rated to 1000RPM.

There are 2515 owners here, hopefully they'll chime in. I've noticed they are selling very very well with highly satisfied owners.

Ok, thank you , I had never seen this so I did not know about different pto speeds

Raines · Oct 9, 2020

ericm979 said:
There's a PTO gearbox with two speeds. High speed gives you about 760 PTO rpm at 2500 rpm engine speed. "540e" engine rpm gives you 540 rpm in that high PTO gear. It can be useful when you have lower power requirements. There's less noise and fuel used.

I'm a careful meticulous mechanic and it takes me about 20-30 minutes to install or remove the backhoe on my 3725. I'm sure many people here can do it faster. I have top and tilt cylinders to remove or install which adds to the work. I clean and lube everything as I'm putting it back on.

Bransons' BH subframe is an older design. It's reliable but some other manufacturer's BHs are easier to install and remove.

Thank you. I don't think I would like nor want a 3 point backhoe. I was surprised they were even selling them really as nobody else does. They said they could order a Branson subframe bh if I wanted it of course.

LS Tractor Owner · Oct 9, 2020

ONLY get a subframe mounted BH! 3 point mounts have a bad habit of breaking tractors! There is a current thread in the Kubota section where someone broke the whole case off the back of the tractor using a 3 point BH!

The 2515 is an awesome tractor, specs out way above the comparable tractors of other brands. I had my sights set on getting one a year ago, but no one had them in stock, and dealers wouldn't even talk to me about them back then.

Most 3 point stuff can be taken off in less than 10-15 minutes. Same going back on. That's taking your time. I am not sure if the 2515 has any other stuff on it to make it take any longer....

Raines · Oct 9, 2020

Yes, I agree on only getting a subframe mount bh. I have read too many horror stories about the 3 point ones. I know some say they have used 3 point ones for years with no issue but the whole top link breaking while sitting above it or tearing my tractor in half would worry the **** out of me, lol. No thank you.
MT125 owner, I have dove too deep in looking at these 25 hp compacts, lol. I saw the LS mt225e last week, saw the bobcat ct2025 earlier today between jobs and then happened to see this Branson 2025r today on the way home

. All real close in pricing between each other and each has something I like about it better than the other one. I will say this branson tractor sure looks great! And my only complaint would be the bh so far. I haven't seen it but branson specs it at 2,200 lbs digging force it looks like, which makes it way lower than the other 2 I saw. But tractor is the most important. **** decisions!!! It would be nice to have a dealer only 7 miles away too! I need to go drive it and that might make my decision for me.

LS Tractor Owner · Oct 9, 2020

Here is a link to a spreadsheet comparison of the basic specs.... hope it helps
https://www.kenotractors.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/2515R-2515H-Comparison-Chart.pdf

ptsg · Oct 10, 2020

Definitely avoid the 3 pt backhoes.

Here is another victim on a 3 pt backhoe.

It's a Branson 5025R and after 300 hours with the backhoe, it finally gave up. Luckily, the draft control comes standard on Branson tractors in Europe and it acted like a mechanical fuse. It only broke the welded assembly of the top link mount, which is easy to fix and reinforce. It's always better than breaking the entire top and rear diff housing.