Oil & Fuel 3510 Low fuel tank position

[BobQ]

I am also kind of big, 6'4" and 200lbs. The extra room in the seat was a big plus for me! It was very hard to find a big cockpit. As far as the fueling goes, you can't beat the low tank! I have not had any trouble with mine either.

Bob

 

[MarEng]

No tank problems - like many I am constantly working in heavy brush and undergrowth - converting from (mis)managed forest to orchards and gardens.

What I have broken:

The power steering fluid supply hose from the tank (I have the old arrangement). I've done this twice. Gets cut on something dragging along the bottom of the tractor. Have rerouted it a bit to get a little better protection. Quick to fix. Left the replacement hose a little long and was able to just trim and reinstall the second time.

The radiator drain valve. Busted this a week ago. No readily available cross-over part. Just jumpered the hoses together and will fix sometime.

The grill. Put a stump root through it. Added lights up on the ROPS. Will fix sometime.

Dad put the magic twig up inside the hood and pushed the battery cable against a hydraulic line. Spectacular short and a fire. This was done on my brother's manicured city lawn - go figure.

Have considered building skid plates/belly pan but something always comes up. Would love to see pictures of the one referenced above.

I have added a bow saw to my on-tractor kit. When I see a branch/root sticking up and say, "Man, that's going to get caught on something" I get down and cut it off. Cheap/quick insurance.

If I recall correctly, the FEL bracket does a pretty good job of protecting the filler neck, which is the only probelm I've heard of.

 

[mudcat]

Dang Mar! Sounds like you have really put your Branson to the test. What is your overall opinion of your 3510?

 

[dogranch]

I just had my 3820 in the shop for the 50 hour service. They replaced the fuel tank under warranty because of exactly this problem. This is my first tractor I have owned and I bought it to maintain 17 acres in west Georgia. It it quite hilly and overgrown with brush so I have been clearing out a lot of it to build my house and just keep it looking good. My inexperience was probably the deciding factor on the fuel neck breaking but since it was right at the seam where it connects to the tank the dealer wrote it up as defective. This should speak to the quality of service you can expect from Branson dealers and the fact they stand behind their product. I can't say for sure if I broke it or if it was defective but they took care of me anyway. I will be installing a shield to protect the neck as it is in a dangerous place that low and behind the front tire to prevent the problem in the future. I am very happy with my tractor and hope to put more than 50 hours on it this year.

 

[dogranch]

PS
I am 6'2" and bought the 3820 for the extra room it provides over the 10 series. I was looking at the 3510s but it was much more comfortable in the 20 models. I sat in some other brands and the Branson was quite a bit roomier than most.

 

[indianaEPH]

PS
I am 6'2" and bought the 3820 for the extra room it provides over the 10 series. I was looking at the 3510s but it was much more comfortable in the 20 models. I sat in some other brands and the Branson was quite a bit roomier than most.

Dog:

I'm also 6' 2" and I did not try the 20 series but I did not find the 3510 to be small. I would look a the 20 series but I think that it is a bit more than I need right now.

 

[MarEng]

MudCat:

First understand that I got the 3510 for free (2003 model bought new). Dad got it as a contribution to the family farm. I get to use it as much as I want as long as I keep the maintenance up and haul it to his house whenever he wants it. (I think the farm was just an excuse!)

He did a lot of looking prior to purchase and it came down to the Kubota, the Deere and the Branson. For the same price the Kubota was one size smaller. The Deere - apples to apples - was $3000 more. Having driven them all it came down to feel - Dad just 'felt' the Branson was solid. So far we have had no disapointments. The Kukje factory pictures with read and green tractors coming off the same line, and the Cummins (oops, Kukje) diesel also added a level of confidence in Kukje's abilities. I was not involved with the decision but the outcome has been great. I also regularly use an NAA and have nothing bad to say about that either - simple, bulletproof, but not near as comfortable as the Branson.

As described above, our only problems are with bottom related damage and that is really our fault - for driving it like a bulldozer. Our local Branson dealer leaves a lot to be desired both geographically and with regards to helping out. Wallace - who posts here - is a great source of info and I'd order parts from him and pay shipping, if I could. (What say you Wallace?) We never get 50 hours on a hydraulic filter. About 30 hours things get jumpy. Change the filter and all is right with the world. The fluid is still clear and sweet smelling - go figure. We use WIX filters. Our local independent dealer, J&L Ag has been able to handle everything to date and been very competitive on price. They were/are a ZETOR dealer, among other badges.

My only complaint is the lack of a cup-holder. I'm working on finding a suitable aftermarket unit to stick on the fender. I need my coffee in the morning and I've dumped too many cups under the seat trying to drive, drink and . . . The big seat area is great - unlike others, I'm scrawny - but I use the space to haul the above mentioned bow saw, a pair of lopping shears, a jacket, a hat, a two year old, etc.

Brgds, Will.

 

[KYMike]

MarEng,

I found a John Deere stick-on cup holder at my Green/Blue dealer that is a neutral black plastic with just a subtle molded JD logo. Didn't think it would stay, but I put it on the right fender just above the handy grip on my 3510. That was 2 years ago, including 2 seasons of close mowing around several white pines whose branches have played dickens with the flasher lights but never bothered the cup holder. I did knock it off once last year and thought that was it, but I quick stuck it back on and it has stayed put. Nice design - it holds most size cups with some compression fingers to hold tight and has a front drain slot to keep it clean. Also a good place to park my pipe.

What a great life - a FREE Branson!

 

[twayneray]

I have a 3647, going on 4 years now and have twice managed to break the fuel neck on my tank!! I am just about ready to get some mild steel and weld up a tank to the same dimensions, and be done with this problem! Other than that, the only issue i have is starting after is has been sitting up for a few days. It seems as though it loses its fuel prime and i have to cycle the start up procedure 2 to 3 times to get the little beast running! Once it is running you cannot kill these things. They are tougher than a $5 pair of boots!!!

 

[Lunk]

No problems yet, with a considerable amount of time spent in the "sticks."

I like the low-mounted tank. My Step-dad had a FNH 1925 that was a pain to fuel...It's also kinda nice being able to see into the tank without a ladder. I do not have a fancy-dancy refueling rig in my shed, just a row of 5gal cans that I refill at the neighbor's w/ off-road diesel when I need it.

While lifting cans is not an issue, barely lifting them is priceless for me!