50 hour maintenance

Sunnyview_Farms · Jun 9, 2005

just wondering what exactly needs to be done at 50hrs. i looked in the manual which says one thing, and my dealer says another. i have an oil filter, hydr oil filter, fuel filter, and air filter ready to go. my dealer seemed to think that the hydraulic filter needed to be changed but not the hydraulic oil????? said the filter was above the level of fluid so that it could be changed out w/o losing much hydraulic oil.

two other questions....
1. what does changing that fuel filter involve...i.e bleed valves??? keeping air out of fuel lines.
2. if i have to change out all the hydraulic oil what are people catching it in....that's a pretty huge volume.

thanks for the help!!

FrankenmuthTom · Jun 9, 2005

Hey there,

As a Branson Dealer, I can tell you that the current word from the factory is that the hydraulic oil DOES NOT need to be changed at 50 hours. The factory is convinced that they were throwing away a LOT of good oil, and has changed the recommendation.

Oil and Hydraulic Filter should be changed. Air filter is optional, and I feel that if you can blow it out with compressed air and wipe out the housing it should be enough. You need to change the oil in the front axle housing, clean the radiator screen, check all the hoses and connections.

Fuel filter is "optional" at 100 hours, and mentioned in a 50 hour service. If you ARE going to change it, check page 67 of the Operators Manual.

1. Put the fuel cock to "C" (closed position)
2. Take out the filter and remove water and dust from inside the filter.
3. After cleaning the filter, replace it and put the fuel cock to the "O" (open position). Remove the air.

The best way to deal with air, is to fill the fuel filter container full of clean fuel before replaceing it on the tractor. Then open the pet cock and start the engine. Fuel system bleeding of "small amounts" of air is taken care of automatically by the fuel injector pump. Manual bleeding of air is explained on page 4-18 of the Engine Service Manual.

Hope all of this is a help!

Tractor Tom

JCar · Jun 9, 2005

Tom As a Branson dealer myself you gave a good explanation to the 50 Hr service and saved me a lot of typing, As to the hydraulic oil change I have some customer that use there tractor very hard so I still recommend a fluid change at 50 hrs, it's cheap insurance. Jason

FrankenmuthTom · Jun 9, 2005

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Tom As a Branson dealer myself you gave a good explanation to the 50 Hr service and saved me a lot of typing, As to the hydraulic oil change I have some customer that use there tractor very hard so I still recommend a fluid change at 50 hrs, it's cheap insurance. Jason )</font>

Jason,

Thanks! I agree that it's a judgement call. When the filter is removed, you can pretty well tell if the oil needs to be changed as well. If it is burnt or smelling bad (or worse than normal) probably a good idea to change it. Yes, it's a LOT of oil, something like 38 quarts! So you need a large container to drain it into...

Tom

wejones · Jun 9, 2005

Yep it is a lot of oil. One point not mentioned is that frequently on new equipment there may be a few metal shavings or bits and pieces left over from the assembly that are removed with the draining of the oil. While I only found a few metal shavings on my Century 2535, from the hydraulic system, I now have more peace of mind to know that the debris is removed. Willie Jones

Sunnyview_Farms · Jun 9, 2005

thanks for clearing things up regarding the hydraulic fluid. so if i just do air filter (already done...pretty dirty), the oil and oil filter, and hydraulic oil filter i should be good to go till 100hrs.

any comments on engine oil or oil for the front axel?