Buying Advice 3520h at 6800 ft altitude

[Aaron L]

Yes, I am leaning more toward a hydro. We had a house built an am wanting to move quite a bit of dirt for drainage and landscaping.
With the shuttle shift do you still need to clutch every time you change direction correct?

Does anyone know if either company is better in regards to standing behind their product?

Thanks

That is correct in the case of the shuttle shift XX15 and XX20 series Bransons that we're discussing here.

 

[Hombre]

I can only refer to the Branson, as to the shuttle shift you must use the clutch to change forward to reverse. I looked at a few different tractors with Hydro trans as I do like the convenience, but to match up "usable" HP with the shuttle tractors I needed to go a bit larger ( read more expense) than I wanted. I will say this though, IF, I could have found a hydrostat tractor with the same "usable" HP and at the same price as the 4020R I'm pretty sure that's what I'd be running, but that ain't gonna happen. This in no way implies I'm unhappy with my choice. The 4020 is a really nice piece of equipment. I've gotta go now, finishing up a job today with the Branson moving 20,25 yards of dirt for a neighbor putting in a back yard. Bucket and box blade.

 

[Texasmark]

Unless I am mistaken, the only current turbocharged hydrostatic transmission Branson XX20 series tractor is the 5020H. The 4020R (12 speed shuttle shift gear drive) is also turbocharged, but there is no hydrostat version listed. Could be an error on the website. One of the Branson dealers here can surely enlighten us there.

There is a hydrostat version of the 4015 (4015H), so you have a turbocharged hydrostatic option there if you're willing to go down a bit in weight/etc to the XX15 series.

The 3520H and 4720H (hydro version of the 4520R) are both naturally aspirated.


Branson Tractors - 522H


Branson Tractors - 415H

Tractor Data www site posts the fact if you go to advanced engine search in the particular model listing. Don't have to guess.

 

[Texasmark]

On the clutch and shuttle shift, my 6530 is like that and it's no more of a problem than moving the shuttle lever with your hand. Clutch is softly sprung and with my bad left knee it's a no brainer. It's over before it began. Besides, I don't know what it's costing you to not have a clutch. I might not like the answer to that as compared to a little foot work.

 

[Aaron L]

Tractor Data www site posts the fact if you go to advanced engine search in the particular model listing. Don't have to guess.

I didn't guess. Based my post on what I gathered from the Branson website and the XX20 series brochure. Used the "unless I am mistaken" proviso because I am not a Branson dealer or other 'expert'. :thumbsup:

I have seen errors and omissions on the tractordata.com website (and on mfg websites and brochures).

 

[Kentuckyfarmer]

Hi everyone,
Will the 3520h give me problems with the dpf because of the altitude. Have 7 acres and want to mow 3-4 acres and remove scrub oak with a grapple and chainsaw. 800ft driveway to plow. I have been looking at this tractor and the 2538 mahindra hst. The Branson seems better built. Any input would be appreciated??

The dealer should be able to adjust the injection pump for the altitude. I read another post someone was having trouble because of high altitude and dealer fixed him up. Beauty of the Branson it's mechanical and some have removed the soot cooker and also drilled them out as to have the problem go away.

 

[ericm979]

I've been reading up on the Bosch VE diesel injection pump which Branson uses. It's widely used on CUTs and small diesel cars. In some applications there's an altitude compensator widget attached to it. The engine would be able to use less fuel at altitude. There's roughly 3% less air pressure per 1000ft of altitude, so you'd want to cut the fuel back the same 3% per 1000ft. However there's some margin of error, and to a certain extent you can make more power by adding fuel. But too much will make soot faster than the Branson continual regen can burn it off.

I'm at 1900' and when I asked the dealer if my 3725 needed to be adjusted they said no. They sell to people in the Sierras so they should know. I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that at 6900' you'll probably need an adjustment of the "full load adjusing screw".

Mahindra's electronic injection most likely compensates for altitude. The sensor's cheap and it's just software to use it.

 

[Cougsfan]

The standing behind your product question probably depends on the dealer more so than the brand. Both have decent warranties, but it is the dealer who has to act on your behalf. My Branson dealer (Cascade Tractor, Spokane, Wa.) has been excellent in getting Branson to act quickly and without hassle on warranty issues.