Branson 4020R Lost Power Under load Wont move fast at all?? Help!

[K5lwq]

That does sound like the clutch. The next thing to do is check the clutch adjustment. There should be about 1" of free play on the pedal before you feel any resistance. Chances are slim this is the problem but worth checking.

There is not a quick fix for the hose. The only thing you could do is see if Tractor Supply or any other place has a generic hose that is close in length. You would have to also buy the fittings for these as they are commonly 3/8 NPT. Using it with the leak is not a good idea. Hydraulic fluid is poisonous if injected in your skin and with high pressure that is a real possibility.

Universal tractor fluid is designed for modern wet brakes and clutch packs. This needs to be what you use in your tractor.

Replacing a clutch is not horrible compared to other issues but will $1000 or more depending on the shop. Good luck!

 

[ericm979]

My Branson BH has JIC 6 fittings, at least on the cylinder. I don't know what's on the valve end but chances are good it's JIC too. You can ask your dealer.
Hoses with JIC female ends are very common.

If you have a hydraulic store near by you can bring the hose in and they'll make you a new one. I've done that a number of times. Or you can buy custom length hoses from DiscountHydraulicHose.com and stock length hoses from SurplusCenter.

Don't use NPT fittings for hydraulics if you can avoid it. NPT is designed for 40 psi water pipe not 2500 psi hydraulics.

Replacing the clutch requires splitting the tractor. You can't just remove the transmission like on a car or truck. So it's a lot of labor.

 

[K5lwq]

These are pre-made hoses I was talking about. They are designed for hydraulics and you just buy the appropriate adapters to use them.

 

[Cougsfan]

The J20C fluid is premium tractor fluid. It shouldn't be hard to get a new hose made up. I am not sure where you live, but in my little town of 2500 people there was a shop that fabricated a hydraulic hose for my Branson.
I am baffled as to why your "clutch problem" would show up so suddenly. A leaking hydraulic hose should have nothing to do with causing a clutch to fail. It sure sounds like you have a slipping clutch, but you should seemingly smell a burning clutch if it were slipping that bad.
I'd still do whatever it takes to confirm your fluid level is proper before continuing. It probably isn't related to your "no power" problem. Some things in this whole situation still don't make sense to me. I'd also check clutch play as per K5lwq suggested.

 

[K5lwq]

One more thing to check before going in after the clutch. Are you tires loaded with fluid? If air pressure gets to low, the rim can spin in the tire and would seem like a clutch failure. Just something to check.

I do agree with Cougs, it is strange the clutch failed without warning. Never heard of it, but what are the chances that enough oil got on the rim that it is making it spin in the tire?

 

[ericm979]

These are pre-made hoses I was talking about. They are designed for hydraulics and you just buy the appropriate adapters to use them.

Yep. I hate those. I get hoses with JIC F connectors on the ends. If the rest of the system also uses JIC (like our backhoes and loaders) they will plug right in. If you need adaptors, they're easy to find. The JIC females also swivel (as they're being tightened) so you don't have to clock the hose, just tighten the connector.

NPT does not seal well under hydraulic pressures. I have to use Loctite hydraulic thread sealant and really reef down on them. NPT seals by deforming the threads. You can't take them apart more than a few times before they start leaking. The sealant helps but you have to wait a day for it to cure. JIC does not need to be tightened nearly as much to seal, does not need any sealant or tape, and is reuseable.

 

[K5lwq]

Yep. I hate those. I get hoses with JIC F connectors on the ends. If the rest of the system also uses JIC (like our backhoes and loaders) they will plug right in. If you need adaptors, they're easy to find. The JIC females also swivel (as they're being tightened) so you don't have to clock the hose, just tighten the connector.

NPT does not seal well under hydraulic pressures. I have to use Loctite hydraulic thread sealant and really reef down on them. NPT seals by deforming the threads. You can't take them apart more than a few times before they start leaking. The sealant helps but you have to wait a day for it to cure. JIC does not need to be tightened nearly as much to seal, does not need any sealant or tape, and is reuseable.

I do not disagree at all. Unfortunately these are all that are offered off the shelf at most chain stores, in my area at least. I use them all the time to limit down time and have never had a leak. For projects and planned replacement hoses, I always have them made to length and with appropriate fittings.

These certainly would be better than trying to patch a leaking hose as the OP was planning on trying.

 

[Asparky]

All:
I checked the clutch adjustment free play and its close to 1"... Pushing down by hand it seems to have a lot of resistance. I'm guessing that's normal.
I didn't run the tractor very long after digging the hole. and just started to back fill it when I noticed the no power to push dirt back into the hole. the Wife said she smelt an odd smell so I guess it was slipping. It didn't have a problem operating the backhoe that I noticed and the FEL worked like always. I don't think the tires were slipping, but at this point will check all out.
Ericm979 and K5lwq: thanks for the info on the hose.. Trying to find a Branson one but they seem to be having a problem getting one at my closest dealer. will do what I have to do to finish up the job. that's why I was going to try and patch, But want to be safe. Its the B2 hose. Will post a picture a little later as I have another question of what its connected to. I realigned all the knobs settings for 4 wheel drive gears etc. Didn't seem to make any difference. still minimal speed in the lowest combination which would be expected but no power to speak of. The higher gears I go Its like being still in low 1st gear.
I used this fitting below on a previous repair, to connect to the backhoe bucket fitting on the top hyd cylinder. It has worked great. I have been trying to find a similar double one to make the splice but not sure if they make one. I guess I could cut the hose and install one of them on each cut end with a connector in the middle. I have one spare. The shop here where I bought this one I’ve repaired with doesn’t carry gates any more. Its always something. I Figured by the time I bought the repair fittings I wouldn’t be far off the cost of a new hose. The fittings are reusuable so I guess it wouldn’t hurt to have more spares if I can get the new hose.
Guess I’ll know more in a little. The parts guy at the closest Bronson is having a problem IDing the hose?? Hose B2 on joystick manifold. ?? go figure.
Gates (G27170-0404) 4C1T-4RFJX Field Attachable Type T for G1 Hose, 1 Wire, Female JIC 37 Flare Swivel, 1/4" ID (81215)
Thanks guys,
Ron

 

[ericm979]

If it's the clutch then the hydraulics would work fine because the pump's driven off the engine before the clutch.

You don't need a Branson hose. Take the old one off. If it's not JIC on the valve end (it is on the cylinder end), take it into a hydraulics shop and have them make you a new one. It'll cost less than buying a Branson one. If it is JIC or you can ID the fitting and it's common, you can get custom length hoses from discounthydraulichose.com for cheaper than the hydraulic shop. Or if it's close to foot increments, it will be a little cheaper from surpluscenter.

 

[Asparky]

Just thought of something... Wife picked up 5 gal of diesel fuel before I started digging half or so of which filled the fuel tank. when I got done digging the fuel tank was about half full so I put the rest of the 5 gal in.. percentages may be off but 5 gal of new diesel went in
what I don't know and she forgot where she got the diesel is if it was regular diesel or Biodiesel...
all in all there was about 50% old fuel and 50% new fuel and maybe the 5 gal of new diesel may be Biodiesel..
I didn't notice any gelling when I checked the fuel filter.
Any thoughts on biodiesel in the 4020R causing trouble or the original half or more fuel in tank up to a couple yrs old..?
Going to try and loosen and or remove the fuel cap and see if that helps
I'm up to trying anything these days LOL
thanks
Ron