All owners ... Not only Branson... All tractor owners .. I need your opinion...

[blueriver]

Your pictures are blurry when they are enlarged; try photographing these in macro (close)setting but I cant really tell by your photos so you may have additional problems.. Your clutch issues definitely sound like clutch disc/ pressure plate/ throw-out bearing related. Maybe all the parts weren't replaced and one worn part was left. I have heard throw-out bearings sounds that were like squealing to nothing but just a slight rumble; or where the noise starts or stops when pressure is put on or taken off the clutch. Many times, throw-out bearings are blamed when it is actually the transmission main shaft/ internal trans bearings/ noise; the trans bearings become silent when the clutch is depressed and the trans comes to rest.

Is that oil and debris from the trans axle?

Was the trans axle ever drained and the strainer cleaned?

If you are describing your symptoms correctly I would say its clutch (whole). Nonetheless, the draining of the oil should have nothing to do with the clutch since I believe your clutch disc is dry. If that debris was in the bell housing I'd say you have disc rivet, damper spring (producing chatter), or pressure plate or throw-out bearing issues, anyway your last statement sounds like clutch chatter. If you didn't have any odd noise or troubles in the trans I would say the debris could be casting/ tap debris. If everything internally in the trans axle is operating properly I would do a clutch (meaning disc, pressure plate, and throw-out bearing) first.

Sorry about those pictures ... those are all I have. They are telling me they are positive its not clutch, Throw out bearing or Pressure plate ... that is why they asked me to drain the fluid ... it is from the trans axle and I had drained it shortly after I got the machine. The clutch is a dry clutch and I'm quessing the reason for draining it was to see if we find any metal to determine if there is a problem internal.

The day before I was to take it in I was running it thru all the ranges and gears ... the noise was in all ranges and gears and then in A range 4th gear I attempted to shift from 4th to 3rd I got a grinding and would not go into gear, not 3rd, 2nd, 1st or 4th then when it did go into 3rd there was a "hard shift" like a minor "jump" into gear ... and from there smooth sailing in every range and gear and no noise.... and still no noise.

I have been told to keep using it. I quess it will either never make the noise again or it will return or perhaps something will come to a complete stop and then we will know ... its frustrating.

BTW ... I assume because of the hyd filter I do not have a strainer.

 

[Zork]

My unit has a filter and, a strainer on the lower right side of the trans axle. I would think yours does as well. I believe it has 3 bolts with a center plug. The strainer is about 2" diameter and 6" long. When I did my 50 hr service there was metal debris at my mine but I don't think much. I also slid a magnet around inside the base to look for metal stragglers.

 

[blueriver]

I checked and I see nothing you describe ... can you post a picture?

 

[Zork]

I went to our main Zetor/ Branson forum page and did a search for metal screen

TractorByNet.com - Search Results


and found a photo at:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/zetor-century-branson/197356-hydralic-screen.html

It has 3 bolts with a plug in the center.


Yours may be different. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[blueriver]

Here is a video of the noise.

tractor2.mp4 video by StumblingAcres - Photobucket

Tell me what you guys think

 

[blueriver]

Turned ou to be the Throw out bearing ... should be back home Tomorrow.