Branson 3820i

[bobmisi]

Going down to buy a new 3820i with loader on Monday. All ready worked out a real good price. Anyone have any suggestions of adjustments to this tractor that I should have the dealer make before delivery. I plan to have him fill the rear tires with rim guard, and add a set of front remotes for a power angle blade I will buy this fall to plow my long driveway. Next year I may add a backhoe to round out this tractor. Any suggestions will be appreciated. By the way I will be trading in a mint 1968 Allis D-12 series III to finally step into the 21st century. I have a mint loader for a Allis D-10 / D-12 if anyone is interested.

 

[familyman]

The only suggestion I have is to post pics and make a report so we can all appreciate it with you.

 

[Stimw]

I don't know about the dealer but you need to pick it up very early, cancel all appointments, take the phone off the hook and pack a lunch, maybe even dinner. They do come with lights!
I've had my 3510 for 3 years now and the WOW!! still hasn't worn off yet!

 

[BobQ]

I live in CT, what dealer did you use?

You will love the machine! Do take the day off from work!

 

[bobmisi]

Bought it at Foskett Equipment, as my son works there. They are really selling well.

 

[BobQ]

I bought mine from Coastal, they too were great! I just got a Jinma chipper from coastal as well, I have been working it hard!

I wanted rear remotes for my 4720 and Coastal didn't have them in stock at the time, so I got them at Foskett, who at the time did stock them. They were also great to deal with! I probably met your son.

With two great dealer in CT, I am sure Branson will do well in this state!

Bob

 

[Erik_in_Hoyt]

You want to be careful here -- mine is more addictive than the first cordless drill I ever bought! You may also want to think about geting a set of pallet forks - I am constantly amazed at the things i can pick up with them so much easier than with the bucket. (like the baby grand sized chunks of limestone I built a retaining wall out of this winter) Shuttle is great!
I had some seat time helping a friend on his place driving his D-17, D-19, IH 406, and 1967 yellow JD backhoe before I got my little red toy -- but even he has been surprised at some of the things I can do with my 35 HP.
(and did I mention how much I like the shuttle shift?)

good luck and enjoy!

 

[bobmisi]

My 3820 is great, but I'm not thrilled about the way it goes in and out of four wheel drive, very hard. Also the shuttle shift lever is very stiff. I'm hoping it gets better with age, but I'm not sure the four wheel drive will. Anyone out there in Bransonland having these problems? Driveline seems to have a bind in 4wd with the large R4 tires. Tractor only has 2 hours on it.

 

[GEB]

My 3820 is great, but I'm not thrilled about the way it goes in and out of four wheel drive, very hard. Also the shuttle shift lever is very stiff. I'm hoping it gets better with age, but I'm not sure the four wheel drive will. Anyone out there in Bransonland having these problems? Driveline seems to have a bind in 4wd with the large R4 tires. Tractor only has 2 hours on it.

When your tractor is in 4WD it will naturally bind when turning or on
uneven surface.
To go in and out of 4WD you should always try to be rolling slow and straight,
this will help.
Running 4WD on road is not good for your tractor or tires
The shuttle shift lever will also get better with use and experience.
All of the above is normal.
Gene

 

[SHIFTY]

The 4x4 binding is common on most tractors,as stated earlier,roll while disengaging to relieve the load. For the shuttle being stiff we would usually lube them b4 delivery. Try spray grease or a good lube via spray can with a tube extension at the linkage at the base of the steering column as well as at the shuttle area. It should help smooth it out as well as the more you use it it will improve but the lube makes a big differance

 

[Erik_in_Hoyt]

I've never had a problem getting into 4x4, but getting out of it - especially if I have a loaded bucket sometimes requires "double clutching" and maybe a bit of roll back. Since I've seen 4X4 trucks do the same thing, I never wondered about it -- and still don't.
Shuttle - mine was stiff at first, then as it broke in I must have found "the trick" because it's not a problem for me now, but my wife doen't have much seat time in it and so still has issues with it being "too stiff".

Don't give up - 2 hours isn't enough time to find all the quirks in a new car, why should it be enough time to learn a new piece of heavy equipment?

Oh, yeah - and GEB is very right, runing in 4X4 on the road is very bad for the mechanism -- it says so right there in the manual!

 

[bobmisi]

Manual,you got a manual with yours. I a very generic (manual) with mine that spends all its time going over safety operating the tractor. Not much in the way of explaining anything about maintenance of the tractor, features, operation of the tractor, etc. That is my only real complaint with the tractor. It's real good,I've been on tractors on the farm since I was 6 years old, ( 52 years ago ) so I do know a little about tractors. I wrote to Branson about hte lack of a comprehensive manual. Have not heard back.............

 

[kongs3510]

I've never had a problem getting into 4x4, but getting out of it - especially if I have a loaded bucket sometimes requires "double clutching" and maybe a bit of roll back. Since I've seen 4X4 trucks do the same thing, I never wondered about it -- and still don't.
Shuttle - mine was stiff at first, then as it broke in I must have found "the trick" because it's not a problem for me now, but my wife doen't have much seat time in it and so still has issues with it being "too stiff".

Don't give up - 2 hours isn't enough time to find all the quirks in a new car, why should it be enough time to learn a new piece of heavy equipment?

Oh, yeah - and GEB is very right, runing in 4X4 on the road is very bad for the mechanism -- it says so right there in the manual!

I have found that the trick to shifting my tractor out of 4x4 was to cheat with the front loader...just push forward on the stick till it lifts the front end slightly off the ground and you have no more bind and it shifts out of 4x4 like butter...give it a try......Kong

 

[Erik_in_Hoyt]

Bobmisi - I know this will sound odd, but check the TYM website. They have .pdf copies of the Zetor/Century manuals. My Century 2535 is a Branson 3510 much like the Chevy & GMC 1500's are the same truck with different name plates. On the other hand, my C50HL loader is NOT the same as the loaders Branson puts on their machines.
My Century manual had a lot of the same safety stuff (like not swinging on the ROPS like Tarzan while the tractor is in motion, etc...) but it also included descriptions of maintenance intervals, zirc locations, etc... (now if I could just get Branson to answer my emails about filters, since I don't have a dealer within a 2 hour drive...)

 

[XTechRep]

Whie you are at the dealer pick up a Shop Manual. You will get an Owners Manual and a large Parts Manual, but finding maintenance parts and figuring out maintenance schedules is a chore with those. I've had my 3820i for just over a year and I still 'wow' every time I get on it. I am looking for a Shop Manual now but none of the dealers here have one in stock. I would like to look at it before I buy. I believe they are about $150, but I think that would be a good investment.