50 hr service

[FF117]

I'm almost due for the 50 hr service on my 4720h, so I stopped by the dealer yesterday and got the filters (2 hydraulic, 1 engine oil, and fuel). Total came to $63 and the dealer recommended that I get fluids elsewhere as they would be cheaper.

My manual recommends Branson, Texaco TDH oil (1893), or Chevron Tractor HYD Fluid. I haven't been able to locate these locally.

The local farm store has about 8 different varieties of hydraulic fluid ranging from $40-55 per 5 gal. Most of those are Mystic brand.

Sam's Club has hydraulic/transmission AW46 for $33/5 gal.

I don't know if any of the fluids that I found are equal to Branson's recommendations, but many of them have other manufacturers spec listed on the label. Most notably John Deere J20C and JDM. I just want to know that I am using the proper oil that will perform well and not void my warranty. I am also interested in what others are running in their hydro Bransons.

 

[the fox 1940]

I'm almost due for the 50 hr service on my 4720h, so I stopped by the dealer yesterday and got the filters (2 hydraulic, 1 engine oil, and fuel). Total came to $63 and the dealer recommended that I get fluids elsewhere as they would be cheaper.

My manual recommends Branson, Texaco TDH oil (1893), or Chevron Tractor HYD Fluid. I haven't been able to locate these locally.

The local farm store has about 8 different varieties of hydraulic fluid ranging from $40-55 per 5 gal. Most of those are Mystic brand.

Sam's Club has hydraulic/transmission AW46 for $33/5 gal.

I don't know if any of the fluids that I found are equal to Branson's recommendations, but many of them have other manufacturers spec listed on the label. Most notably John Deere J20C and JDM. I just want to know that I am using the proper oil that will perform well and not void my warranty. I am also interested in what others are running in their hydro Bransons.

Here in Nova Scotia my Dealer uses Shell Oil for there brand to use in the Branson's and Mahindra's. That is what he told me they use and he brought me down a gallon of Shell Trannie Oil .So I guess it does not Void the Warranty. If you want to know more you will make me walk out in the cold garage to get the info off the bottle.
The Fox.

 

[Canuck_49]

My 3510i is coming up for the 50 hour service and I too would like to know what fluids, filters etc. others are using. Also, can an average wrencher do the service themselves? I do all the R&M on my motorcycles, lawn tractor, chain saw etc. so I do know one end of a wrench from the other.

Bye-the-way Fox, I grew up next door in PEI. It's always nice to see a fellow Canuck post on a forum. Tough winter up there this year, eh?

 

[the fox 1940]

My 3510i is coming up for the 50 hour service and I too would like to know what fluids, filters etc. others are using. Also, can an average wrencher do the service themselves? I do all the R&M on my motorcycles, lawn tractor, chain saw etc. so I do know one end of a wrench from the other.

Bye-the-way Fox, I grew up next door in PEI. It's always nice to see a fellow Canuck post on a forum. Tough winter up there this year, eh?

If you know how to turn a wrench and unscrew the plugs in the bottom of the Tractor , then I would say you know how to change oil. It is not Rocket Science.Just make sure you put oil on th "0" ring of the filter, or you will have a hard time getting them off next time. make sure you document what you do and Keep the receipts , so if you ever have to go back to the dealer for Warranty you will have proof of doing it. Your manual should have information on where the plugs are and how much Oil it takes for each one.
What are you doing in Flordia ? We have had a lot of snow here this winter and it has not been to cold, Just a lot of SNOW.Glad I bought the Tractor.
The Fox

 

[Canuck_49]

Short version of a long story on getting to Florida.....job transfer, met a great lady, got hitched and settled down. Now counting down to retirement, hoping to spend part of the year in PEI and the rest RV'ing around Canada and the US.

 

[raeuber]

I'm almost due for the 50 hr service on my 4720h, so I stopped by the dealer yesterday and got the filters (2 hydraulic, 1 engine oil, and fuel). Total came to $63 and the dealer recommended that I get fluids elsewhere as they would be cheaper.

My manual recommends Branson, Texaco TDH oil (1893), or Chevron Tractor HYD Fluid. I haven't been able to locate these locally.

The local farm store has about 8 different varieties of hydraulic fluid ranging from $40-55 per 5 gal. Most of those are Mystic brand.

Sam's Club has hydraulic/transmission AW46 for $33/5 gal.

I don't know if any of the fluids that I found are equal to Branson's recommendations, but many of them have other manufacturers spec listed on the label. Most notably John Deere J20C and JDM. I just want to know that I am using the proper oil that will perform well and not void my warranty. I am also interested in what others are running in their hydro Bransons.

To get back on track with the question at hand. I am guessing because you are only at your 50 hour service, that your 4720 is a new model year? Reason for asking, I have a 4220 (2005) and mine does not recommend the fluid you list here. My manual calls for TF-500 fluid. (which I cross referenced to HyGuard J20C) I am saying this because your Texaco TDH also cross references to the same J20C specs.

 

[FF117]

Thanks for the replies. My tractor is a new model year, it was ordered in July 2010. I did some more searching and found this page http://http://www.hwpetro.com/_fileCabinet/TexacoData/TDH-Special.pdf. Like raeuber mentioned, the Texaco TDH is specifically formulated to meet John Deere J20C. So I suppose if the oil I pick meets J20C it should be OK to use in my tractor.

That said, I made a mistake in the original post. Sam's has two types to choose from: AW46 and Heavy Duty Hydraulic/Transmission Oil. The AW46 doesn't list any specs, but the HD Hyd/Trans oil lists several major manufacturers oil specs (including JD J20C) and its quite a bit cheaper than comparable oil elsewhere. Unless I find a better deal I will probably use the Sam's hydraulic oil and Rotella 15w-40 engine oil. My manual recommends 10w-40, but the dealer said he uses 15w-40.

 

[Hoosier Hay Man]

Thanks for the replies. My tractor is a new model year, it was ordered in July 2010. I did some more searching and found this page http://http://www.hwpetro.com/_fileCabinet/TexacoData/TDH-Special.pdf. Like raeuber mentioned, the Texaco TDH is specifically formulated to meet John Deere J20C. So I suppose if the oil I pick meets J20C it should be OK to use in my tractor.

That said, I made a mistake in the original post. Sam's has two types to choose from: AW46 and Heavy Duty Hydraulic/Transmission Oil. The AW46 doesn't list any specs, but the HD Hyd/Trans oil lists several major manufacturers oil specs (including JD J20C) and its quite a bit cheaper than comparable oil elsewhere. Unless I find a better deal I will probably use the Sam's hydraulic oil and Rotella 15w-40 engine oil. My manual recommends 10w-40, but the dealer said he uses 15w-40.

Here is a cross reference chart my Kioti dealer gave to me. I hope this helps.:thumbsup:

 

[Stimw]

Just a couple items, you will need 3- 5 gal buckets to drain the hydraulic fluid. You will need to switch buckets as they fill.
There is a drain plug under the driveshaft at the rear.
It's easier if you jack up the right rear, place on jack stand and remove the tire.

 

[MicroPilot]

...It's easier if you jack up the right rear, place on jack stand and remove the tire.

Would definitely be easier, but IMO that extra work wouldn't be worth it. The plugs and screen filter are not difficult to get at with the tire on.

 

[FF117]

Got my oil changed yesterday. Very easy, but seemed like it took forever to fill it up. I emailed Branson about using a fluid that wasn't recommended in the manual. They replied that as long as you use a premium grade fluid with an anti-foaming agent, it should be fine. I ended up getting Carquest premium grade hydraulic fluid (made by Warren), because it was $38/5 gal and $8/1 gal. I only needed 12 gallons and it saved me from buying three 5 gallon buckets from Sam's Club.

 

[Kildare Bill]

I just changed my hydraulic fluids on my Branson 4720h today for the first time and have a some questions:

1) Is there more than one drain plug for the transmission fluid? The poorly written service manual indicates there are "drain holes under the rear axle case and rear axle housing." After extensive searching, I could only find one drain hole located on the end of the filter screen cap. It seemed to drain most of the fluid but likely not all of it. Please help.

2) Is there supposed to be some type of dipstick for the front axle fluid? The manual says that there is and even has a picture of one, apparently on the end of the fill cap...but i don't see it. My fill cap is red plastic and there are two small holed in the bottom of it...maybe there was something on there that came off. Please help again.

3) The last one is more of a rant. The oil drain plus on this tractor is located directly above the main frame. The oil pan has about a foot long flat spot on the bottom to accommodate any drain location. They chose to put it right above the only 2-inch wide obstruction. You can unscrew the plug but it will not come out completely, so the oil drains very slowly....and of course it drains over and around the frame and makes a big mess! Argh!!

Thanks for any help.

 

[FF117]

I just changed my hydraulic fluids on my Branson 4720h today for the first time and have a some questions:

1) Is there more than one drain plug for the transmission fluid? The poorly written service manual indicates there are "drain holes under the rear axle case and rear axle housing." After extensive searching, I could only find one drain hole located on the end of the filter screen cap. It seemed to drain most of the fluid but likely not all of it. Please help.

2) Is there supposed to be some type of dipstick for the front axle fluid? The manual says that there is and even has a picture of one, apparently on the end of the fill cap...but i don't see it. My fill cap is red plastic and there are two small holed in the bottom of it...maybe there was something on there that came off. Please help again.

3) The last one is more of a rant. The oil drain plus on this tractor is located directly above the main frame. The oil pan has about a foot long flat spot on the bottom to accommodate any drain location. They chose to put it right above the only 2-inch wide obstruction. You can unscrew the plug but it will not come out completely, so the oil drains very slowly....and of course it drains over and around the frame and makes a big mess! Argh!!

Thanks for any help.

1) Yes, the manual is poorly written. It seems that the manual was written for the gear transmission tractors and then adapted for the hydros. I hope that Branson is working on this. The main drain is where the drive shaft for the front wheels leaves the transmission. It is more centrally located on the tractor (directly under the steering wheel maybe?). I am writing this from memory. If your tractor is new it will have some yellow paint on all of the drain plugs.

2) The dipstick for the front axle is on the opposite side in the exact same place as the fill cap. If I remember correctly, my plastic fill cap was on the right and there is a metal plug that looks like a large hex bolt on the left. The dipstick is attached to the metal plug. Don't forget to drain both sides of the axle. There are two drain plugs, one on each side.

3) I haven't changed my engine oil yet. So if you are referring to the engine oil drain plug that sucks. I don't like making a mess.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any questions. I can take pictures next time I'm at the farm if needed.

 

[Kildare Bill]

Thanks for your input. The transmission drain is in the very front of the transmission....very easy to get at....not like the side plug that I used....not anywhere near the rear axle like the manual said.

I assume that there are only two drains on the front axle....not three as the manual states. Found the dipstick on the left where you said, not the right where the manual said.

The manual says to change the transmission filter; whereas there are actually two of them. Of course, you can see a definite trend here with the manual....not just one or two minor mistakes, but a bunch of them. This really concerns me....should I believe anything in it???? Are the lubricants listed accurate? How hard would it be for them to have an American write an accurate, understandable manual? For $20,000+, I expect more.