Branson questions

Slowpoke Slim · Mar 7, 2017

Back to looking at tractors again. Found a sale at my local dealer for a 3520CX. Cab, heat, no AC, 12 spd shuttle trans. Questions are, first the trans, 12 spd shuttle-good, bad, pros and cons? Living on a small place, couple acres outside of town. Mostly need snow removal (for my own place plus a couple more), with some moderate dirt work, grading, driveway repair etc, and planning on mowing my road ditches with a 3pt brush hog, but I also have a few tree stumps I need to pull out. I'm not too worried about the snow removal or light grade work, but the stump pulling... will this rig stand up to that, and have enough grunt to pull a medium sized tree stump? I have a couple large stumps that need to come out, but I don't mind digging around those first. But is that the trans I'm looking for? I don't want to blow the guts out of the transmission on my first stump pull.

Also can this tractor equip an SSLQA setup? I'd *really* like to be able to put a snow blower on the front in place of the FEL, and want the quick release ability to go back and forth between the FEL and the blower, as depending on the snow and which site I'm on, I may need to swap. I strongly prefer not to use a rear 3pt blower, as one of the driveways I will need to clear is pushing 500 ft long and I don't want to back over my shoulder that far (bad back).

I admit the biggest draw to the 3520 is the price, but if it won't do what I want, then the price is irrelevant. Also, the cab is a non-AC cab, which could be ok, but how easy/hard is it to get the glass doors off for warmer weather? Will the standard FEL bucket stand up to normal dirt work, or is their a heavier duty bucket that would stand up better?

Slowpoke Slim · Mar 8, 2017

277 views...

Anyone with answers?

Texasmark · Mar 8, 2017

My 6530 has a F-R shuttle (requiring the clutch but no biggie) and ABC Range with 1234 for 12 F-R plus there is a creep function, separate switch that halves the gear ratio so I have 24F-24R. Flawless performance over the 10 years I've had it. Don't know about the PTO options on that tractor.

I have a rear only and it has a 3 position selector switch for 540, 1000 and half way between. For light duty cutting primarily, you can use the mid range and drop the engine rpms and fuel consumption. The 1000 would be used for specific usage equipment like a belt driven hammer mill to grind up corn stalks and ears.

The PTO is a 24 disc Independent, wet clutch so it is smooth on engaging at rpms under load. The lift has a cutoff switch whereby if activated, when the 3 pt lifts the PTO cuts off till the implement is lowered back down. You can also use it as a "Live" PTO whereby depressing the clutch cuts off the rotation. This is really convenient when running a line of post holes. I have had zero problems with all these systems over the years.

My cab has AC too.

mpham · Mar 8, 2017

I don't have a branson and never drove one. I can tell you that a cab with the doors removed will still bake your butt. Mine was way to hot in the sun even up here in New England. My hst trans works the best for my snow blower, shuttle shift tractor was a pain as it was never the right speed. Also, a front mount blower either has a shaft off the rear pto or hoses from the rear oil and pump, therefore not very easy to remove.

Slowpoke Slim · Mar 8, 2017

Thank you guys for the replies.

Do you think I'm better off with an HST or ? for pulling stumps? I'm wondering if 35 hp is big enough, thinking 40 to 50 hp would be safer?

ericm979 · Mar 8, 2017

All current Branson loaders come with SSQA. My 3725 has 540 rpm and 780 rpm pto speeds. The higher pto gear would be 540rpm at about 1800 rpm but Branson recommend running at 2000-2500 rpm to keep the DPF burned off.

The bucket looks pretty sturdy. The upper edge is boxed in to make it stiffer.

I've not used a non HST tractor but it seems to me that HST would be better for pulling stumps and would be more reliable doing it- no clutch to burn out. Posts on this forum about HST probems are very rare... clutch replacements not so much.

Branson Bob · Mar 8, 2017

Hey Slim.

I have a 3520H... hydrostatic transmission... my first tractor.

Regarding stump pulling, I bought mine in part because I have a lot of stumps to pull. Unfortunately these are California Live Oaks and being a drought resistant species, the tap root and root system is ridiculous. I'm reminded of the scientific fact that 90% of an iceberg is under water. With the backhoe I've done a lot of excavating around these trees but even with that I've snapped a chain, and bogged down the tractor. The Branson is definitely heavy enough especially with 800 lbs of rimgard in the rear tires and the backhoe attached but even a much larger machine wouldn't have the power to get these stumps out.

For context I'm talking about oaks that are about 12" diameter breast height as a forester or arborist would measure... I was an arborist for 10 years and grinded out a lot of stumps so I was surprised at the difficulty of removing these particular ones. My next thing is to use block and tackle to multiply my mechanical advantage... and I'll probably need to get into the excavation with a good battery sawzall to cut roots as I pull... it'll be a bit tricky and dangerous.

Getting back to your situation, it would depend on the type of trees but regardless of species, I don't think you'll be pulling too many trees out on brute force unless they're in the 6" and under group.

Good luck.

Texasmark · Mar 9, 2017

I think if I were stump pulling I would get a tractor with a back hoe and dig them out. Trying to use the FEL to dig them out to me would be very hard on the front axle assemblies. Trying to pull them out with the draw bar could lead to a reverse flip over and if not using the drawbar but using the 3 pt WILL lead to a reverse flip over that you probably wouldn't survive, or if you did your tractor operating days would be over!!!!!!!!

Slowpoke Slim · Mar 13, 2017

ericm979 said:
All current Branson loaders come with SSQA. My 3725 has 540 rpm and 780 rpm pto speeds. The higher pto gear would be 540rpm at about 1800 rpm but Branson recommend running at 2000-2500 rpm to keep the DPF burned off.

The bucket looks pretty sturdy. The upper edge is boxed in to make it stiffer.

I've not used a non HST tractor but it seems to me that HST would be better for pulling stumps and would be more reliable doing it- no clutch to burn out. Posts on this forum about HST probems are very rare... clutch replacements not so much.

Can you tell me if I would have to add anything to the SSQA loader to get the blower attachment to work on it? Extra control only, or do I need a separate hyd line connection to make the blower spin/chute rotate?

ericm979 · Mar 14, 2017

You'd need a diverter valve or 3d function valve to operate the hydraulic chute control. Your dealer should be able to do something for you there. Or you can get the WR Long 3rd function kit, or assemble your own- there's some threads in the hydraulic section.