Branson Tractor Reliability

[Apple Joe]

I just bought a new Branson 5835R because it really feels good and has done what I thought it would do. Back in September 2021 we made a deal to purchase a 5520CS (Cab Shuttle). I really only wanted a tractor that I could use for moving snow and some basic chores. We are an orchard and own 3 orchard tractors (90, 100 and 90 HP) and another three we use for hauling fruit (all around 60-70 HP) out of the fields via bin trailers or wagons and grass cutting between rows and herbicide management. How I ended up with the 5835r is simple. I called in late September to see where my previously ordered 5520CS was and the dealer decided to keep me happy and give me a loaner (5835R). We used it for three months with a few small issues and then decided to keep it because it has a nice feel and has some true power behind it. I chose to give up on the 5520CS because it kept getting pushed out for delivery to late January 2022 or February 2022. I chose to get the shuttle because I had a 40HP Mahindra Hydro cab and it was woefully underpowered. All of my tractors are gear and the newest orchard tractor is a shuttle type. I really wanted a cab but in the end just went with the ROPS. My small issues with the tractor were a broken clutch pedal spring (I went to ACE hardware to put in a similar but not exact match one and was able to use it as needed). I had to buy the spring from ACE because the spring was not stocked and on back order. The other issue was the shuttle shift not going into forward or reverse because someone hit it with they knee and pushed it from its normal position of about 10 o'clock all the way to 2 o'clock on the steering shaft. I called the shop and told them I wanted to open up the harness and look at it. What I did was reset all of the pins and then re-taped the harness up and put it back to the 10 oclock position. Its working fine since I did this in October. Once I decided to buy it I noticed the DXF warning light was flashing and could not reset it. Ended up being the DXF filter which they replaced. This may sound like a lot of issues but believe me, everything breaks at some time. These were all mine and easily fixed. I really want to know what people have experienced with their Bransons.

 

[Boss 302]

I have a 2400h and it has been trouble free, great little machine for getting in tight places. Can't beat it for barn work.

 

[Apple Joe]

Thanks for the quick reply and good luck with your purchase.

 

[K5lwq]

I have not had any issues with my 4815C. Branson makes a really good tractor and you should not have many issues. As you know from your other machines anything can happen. Add in the equation of different operators and that can increase the odds even more.

I believe if you take care of the Branson it will serve you well.

 

[ptsg]

Not a single issue with my F36Rn either. Only 350 hours, which is nothing but it just runs like a champ.

A couple weeks ago, I was reading a Portuguese tractor forum and a guy with an older 3520R was also describing how good his tractor has been. Sure, got a bit careless with cleaning the radiator and toasted the head gasket after 4000 hours of use but still managed to find all the parts just as easily as any other brand.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

I have been very happy with my 3725. The only issue I've had with it was environment related. Sitting out in the winter, the ambient air temperature is frequently -30F or colder here. The exhaust filter could never get hot enough to burn the soot out of it. I don't think Branson planned on our temps when they designed it. Anyway, it would steadily pack up with soot over the course of a winter of snow clearing.

After a couple of winters of this, I finally had enough and removed the filter. It now wears a muffler in the filter's place, and the tractor is quite happy that way. The newer (2021 and newer) tractors have a different emissions arrangement with a manually operated butterfly valve on the outlet pipe. The operator can close this valve by way of pushing a button on the dash and force a "regen" by where the valve closes and the filter then heats up and burns the soot. The new 2021+ tractors also would not be quite as easy to delete, as part of the dash gauge package is wired through the data logger for the filter. There's still no engine "computer", but disconnecting the data logger now disables the tach and the temp gauge. Engine still runs fine apparently.

The new system layout is supposed to be more effective, and I'm sure it is. At least now there is a way to forcibly increase the heat being generated inside the filter. The old system had to rely on just the exiting exhaust gas to heat the grids inside the filter as it flowed through the filter. There was no way to apply any additional heat inside the filter. That was a tall order when you had to start at -40F (ambient air temp at startup) and heat the filter to 800-1200 F.

Anyway, other than that one issue (now resolved), I have not had one single problem with mine. Going on 5 years and only at 300 hours. It now sits inside an unheated steel building, but at least it's covered and out of the snow and sun.

Like any other modern tractor, you do have to keep the radiator and coolers clean when mowing. I have to stop and blow the chaff out of mine at least once a day, depending on what I'm mowing, and how much stuff I'm kicking up in the air. I do wish the exhaust came out in a vertical stack at the hood, instead of the pipe blowing out right next to the front wheel. I think that blows more chaff up into the air. Small complaint, but looks to me like most brands have the same location for the exhaust exit these days, until you get up to utility and ag sizes anyway.

 

[LouNY]

Mine is an 8050 which has been a decent tractor, it did loose a water pump last year which didn't please me.
And I'm not pleased that Branson has never released a service manual for this tractor and now has dropped it.

 

[JM7500]

I got a fuel leak in the fuel pump not long after my 4820R was received. The dealer repaired it under warranty without any hassle or problems. There was some filings from the manufacturing process on an o-ring. I am very happy with my Branson. I got it last March and have over 100 hours now. I've had a few minor self inflicted issues that I fixed.

 

[52wej]

2004 Century 2535 ( Branson 3510)- with the humpolec loader - 1600+ hours, original battery, Have only replaced the glow plugs, power steering tank, 3 pt hitch piston seals,(my goof), front tires and fuel pump. Will be needing clutch in future due to extensive loader work. A stout, dependable tractor.

Last winter it ran a generator for 167 hours straight after an ice storm and never missed a beat. You could say I like this tractor a lot!! W.Jones

 

[Boswell]

As a fairly new Branson owner I was hesitant to chime in. I purchased a brand new 5520R last April. I currently have 176 hours on the tractor. Not enough hours in my opinion to pass the reliability and longevity test. I will say all good and this time with no issues.
This is a gear driven tractor with both the range selector and synchronize transmission silky smooth. Loads of power as well. Have only experienced 2 regens one at 102 hours and 167 hours. I bought the Branson after extensive research. The simplicity of no ecm and no worries of a check engine light or limp mode a definite selling point with my decision.

 

[ptsg]

As a fairly new Branson owner I was hesitant to chime in. I purchased a brand new 5520R last April. I currently have 176 hours on the tractor. Not enough hours in my opinion to pass the reliability and longevity test. I will say all good and this time with no issues.
This is a gear driven tractor with both the range selector and synchronize transmission silky smooth. Loads of power as well. Have only experienced 2 regens one at 102 hours and 167 hours. I bought the Branson after extensive research. The simplicity of no ecm and no worries of a check engine light or limp mode a definite selling point with my decision.

How is the regen process on these 2021 models? Does it ask with a light on a dash? Can you run it while regening or do you have to stop?

I've been reading about this but found mixed responses about the process.

 

[Boswell]

How is the regen process on these 2021 models? Does it ask with a light on a dash? Can you run it while regening or do you have to stop?

I've been reading about this but found mixed responses about the process

You will get a dash light and alarm "ding". You do not immediately have to stop working. You can continue work the tractor and it will intermittently continue to remind you. Once you are at a stopping point, you park the tractor, pull all select levers in neutral and engage park brake. Pull throttle to approx. 2800 rpms press and hold regen button by loader joystick until alarm "ding" and "regen in progress" light will show on dash. After DPF is clean the tractor will let you know with 3 "dings" of the alarm. (Approx. 15 to 20 minutes burn time) You can then throttle down and go back to work or I like to do a short idle cool down for my turbo charger before completely shutting down.
It is an easy process but you do have to stop working.

 

[ptsg]

You will get a dash light and alarm "ding". You do not immediately have to stop working. You can continue work the tractor and it will intermittently continue to remind you. Once you are at a stopping point, you park the tractor, pull all select levers in neutral and engage park brake. Pull throttle to approx. 2800 rpms press and hold regen button by loader joystick until alarm "ding" and "regen in progress" light will show on dash. After DPF is clean the tractor will let you know with 3 "dings" of the alarm. (Approx. 15 to 20 minutes burn time) You can then throttle down and go back to work or I like to do a short idle cool down for my turbo charger before completely shutting down.
It is an easy process but you do have to stop working.

Thanks for your answer. Looks like a very simple and easy process.

It's nice that they now have a way to increase the temps on the DPF to allow for better regens. The old system relied mostly on the engine load and exhaust temperatures, which for some environments could be problematic.

 

[houska]

I'm very happy with my Branson 4225h. Mind you, at <3 yrs and 250 hrs it would be sad if I were not.

All my maintenance has been due to operator error or bad luck/hard duty cycle (e.g. tree top falling on parked tractor, smooshing the loader joystick; broken backhoe teeth clawing hard granite). That has confirmed my thinking at time of purchase, that it's good to go a bit old-fashioned/mechanical over modern computer-controlled, so you're repairing metal rather than replacing electronics when something goes wrong.

Mind you, any tractor has its share of unique parts that you need to order direct from manufacturer, unless you have them custom fabbed. The Branson advantage that this is likely to be mechanical, not electronic is offset by the fact that their long-term commitment to the North American market is a bit clueless at best. I've got a good dealer, so no trouble now, but I do wonder about 5-10+ years from now.

Example: I needed to replace the shoulder bolt that the 3ph lower arms or backhoe frame rests on (I apparently improperly tightened it, nut wiggled loose while I was aggressively box blading, and threads got squashed on the bent bolt). It's a 88m shoulder bolt with a 27mm hex head, the shoulder 22mm diam x 67mm long and the bottom M16x21 threaded. Good luck sourcing precisely that if your dealer is no longer around or if Branson/TYM exit the North American business.

 

[Zork]

Very happy with my machine. Purchased mine ca. 2004 and only have 450 hours. Replaced feul gage sender/tie rod assemblies under warranty, thank you Kevin/C'VILLE Power. Upgraded power steering tank to steel. Backhoe seat replaced. Battery gave up the ghost due to coavid. Replaced stiff loader hoses last year due to one failure (my fault). Last weekend, I transitioned to a SSA adapter.

 

[steve tym]

My 7 year old Branson (that I just sold) had around 800 hours. I think the only thing I did to it was the main hydraulic hose under warrenty after I had it about a year. I have no complaints.

 

[Omega Woods]

I’ve had mine since 2016. Zero problems except for battery cable ends need replaced this year and I have a terrible time seeing the hydraulic oil in the sight glass. Really happy with it.

 

[Williy]

LouNY perhaps you can find something here that will
be of help?????

https://www.linuxmint.com/google.html?q=branson%208050%20free%20service%20manual

willy

 

[LouNY]

LouNY perhaps you can find something here that will
be of help?????

https://www.linuxmint.com/google.html?q=branson%208050%20free%20service%20manual

willy

Thanks,
I looked through several of those and found the operators manual in many of them but no service manual.
I have been told by several dealers and a few area rep that Branson has never released a service manual for the 8050 now one of the area Regional Reps did say an English version so there may be a Korean one someplace out there it amazes me that a company would manufacture and sell a tractor with no service manual available.