Branson warranty troubles

[Zork]

IF you really want to test that grapple, get it off that little tractor, put it on a MFWD hundred horse "farm" tractor and move boulders and big logs with it, dig some holes and put the power to it!

That would be a much better/safer way to test it and be much more impressive...

SR

I'd like to see it on a larger tractor.

Also, if ETA wants a video of a matched grapple on a Branson 3520, let me know. I'd be more than happy to receive a complimentary unit and provide honest feed back.

 

[CliffNeudorf]

Is this issue unresolved?

I experienced a similar but out of warranty front axle break this past fall. The wheel assembly came clean off with no warning. While I am not seeking warranty I feel this type of failure represents a safety issue which should be the subject of a competent investigation and corrective action if found necessary. I would appreciate hearing from anybody who has experienced such a failure. Please contact me by email.

I believe this investigation should look into the manufacturing process of the axle, is it made of two pieces welded together? or, is it a single piece construction? This investigation should only be led by Kukje Machinery who are the designers and manufacturers of the product. My tractor, as indeed are many tractors of this type, is quite often used on a public highway and on roadways, failure at such a time could lead to catastrophic results. In my case the wheel came off while turning over a compost pile. Hardly an excessive load.

For those that are interested, I have attached some pictures of the tractor and wheel axle as failed.

 

[EverythingAttachments]

I'd like to see it on a larger tractor.

Also, if ETA wants a video of a matched grapple on a Branson 3520, let me know. I'd be more than happy to receive a complimentary unit and provide honest feed back.

A Wicked Grapple on a larger tractor? :thumbsup:

 

[EverythingAttachments]

Wicked Grapple on a Branson 4520.

On a Branson 5220R

 

[Branson Bob]

I really appreciate reading this topic.

As a newer tractor owner, it's very informative to read the discussion about the physics of tractors. Because I've been using it a great deal, the backhoe has not come off the tractor in a long time so I'm glad to read confirmation that this has been beneficial to my front axles.

Adding greatly to the discussion is Dave from Dave's Tractors (where I bought mine) and Ted and Travis from Everything Attachments. lt's great to have so much experience-based knowledge in the forum.

I anticipate buying attachments from EA as their videos clearly show how conscientious they are in their design and construction... I just hope they extend their free shipping zone to include the entire lower 48, including California.

 

[rasorbackq]

Is this issue unresolved?

I experienced a similar but out of warranty front axle break this past fall. The wheel assembly came clean off with no warning. While I am not seeking warranty I feel this type of failure represents a safety issue which should be the subject of a competent investigation and corrective action if found necessary. I would appreciate hearing from anybody who has experienced such a failure. Please contact me by email.

I believe this investigation should look into the manufacturing process of the axle, is it made of two pieces welded together? or, is it a single piece construction? This investigation should only be led by Kukje Machinery who are the designers and manufacturers of the product. My tractor, as indeed are many tractors of this type, is quite often used on a public highway and on roadways, failure at such a time could lead to catastrophic results. In my case the wheel came off while turning over a compost pile. Hardly an excessive load.

For those that are interested, I have attached some pictures of the tractor and wheel axle as failed.

View attachment 498321View attachment 498322View attachment 498323View attachment 498324

Here is my Branson 47 HP with broken left axle


I too was driving my bucket in to the pile when I heard a snap. Lost front wheel rotation Only back tires spun. Dumped the bucket and drove in reverse Wheel fell off.
In Springfield NS BumpandNan on South Mountain close by you.
My machine was bought on KIJIJI and past warranty

 

[BumpandNan]

Sorry to hear about yours too Rasorbackq. Branson and Kukje have a lot of answering to do. With court cases building up against Branson & Kukje, maybe we will finally see some care for their customers that they seem too happy to promote on their websites but don't actually provide.

 

[sikmusicfreak8]

Ive got an 05 4720, which was suppose to be the troublesome front shaft era. I try not to load the front axle too much like Dave has previously mentioned, but I have*done it multiple times and never had an issue. What a lot of people don't understand is "shock load". Under heavy stress, if you shock load that front axle, things can break quickly. Little odd that this OP never detailed out how he was using the tractor, but I'd bet a paycheck it was not whats considered "normal" usage. If you are*ripping and then trying to excavate with the bucket, I can see someone loading the front in a bad way.

 

[Kentuckyfarmer]

Here is my Branson 47 HP with broken left axle

View attachment 501438View attachment 501439
I too was driving my bucket in to the pile when I heard a snap. Lost front wheel rotation Only back tires spun. Dumped the bucket and drove in reverse Wheel fell off.
In Springfield NS BumpandNan on South Mountain close by you.
My machine was bought on KIJIJI and past warranty

I use to work after hours and weekends for and excavation company and mostly operated high lifts or track loaders what ever you want to call them. Some times used track skid steers too. Their both heavy and made to move heavy material with the loaders. Skid steers have big counter weights in the back and high lifts are just plain heavy. The loaders are also close to the front of the machines. Tractors loaders are a little further forward and rear ends are lots lighter. Picking up heavy loads or digging puts lots of stress on these front ends and imo your looking to have break downs if that type of work is continued. Look at the weight of the tractor and how big the loader bucket is ver's a skid steer weight and the loaders bucket capacity is. Tractor or cut's are just not built to stand continued work beyond what it was built for. Just my 2 cents.

 

[DavesTractor]

I use to work after hours and weekends for and excavation company and mostly operated high lifts or track loaders what ever you want to call them. Some times used track skid steers too. Their both heavy and made to move heavy material with the loaders. Skid steers have big counter weights in the back and high lifts are just plain heavy. The loaders are also close to the front of the machines. Tractors loaders are a little further forward and rear ends are lots lighter. Picking up heavy loads or digging puts lots of stress on these front ends and imo your looking to have break downs if that type of work is continued. Look at the weight of the tractor and how big the loader bucket is ver's a skid steer weight and the loaders bucket capacity is. Tractor or cut's are just not built to stand continued work beyond what it was built for. Just my 2 cents.

To add to this, if you look at a Bobcat or track loader, you will find that when the front loader is all the way down (like when digging) the boom is resting against pads on the body/chassis of the Bobcat. So the pushing forces are not all absorbed by the arms and the pins, it gets spread out to the frame structure.