Hydraulic Drive Gear Failure

[Patcait04]

I had the same thing happen on my branson 4020 a few months ago. Only has around 400 hrs and with out warning my three point and loader hydraulics failed. After around a month of trouble shooting the small stuff, like filters, fluid, pressure relief valve, and removing pump i was still dumb founded. The dealer told me the pumps almost never fail and it was likely the hydrulic drive gear, he said this is a common problem. Upon closer inspection I noticed that the inside splines of the drive grear were gone and the shaft of my pump were more like a triangle shape than the square spines. The spines on the power steering pump are still good and the steering works fine. I got a hold of a new pump and drive gear (right around $500) and was told about the govonor spring being a issue to getting the timing cover off and also that the gear has some bearings that need to be worked off. Dealer informed me that the govonor spring and linkage is on the right side around the injection pump and i need to take a access cover off to remove them. After looking at it I take it this cover is the oil fill on the right side of the timing cover? I have just started working on this project last night and have everything off the front of the tractor. Hopefully I will crack the case open tonight and get the new gear in if everything goes alright. The dealer told me that branson doesnt use gaskets that often and that the timing cover is is only sealed by a bead of silicone. I will keep you posted of my progress and if you have any questions I will do my best to answer them. Thanks

 

[Patcait04]

After around an hour of breaking bolts loose on the time cover i started to tackle the govonor springs and linkage. The first access cover was on the timing cover itself, on the right side and it had a oil fill spout (2 bolts 2 nuts). Once this is off I disconnected the link arm that was held in place by a small cottor pin and a small washer, "be carefull not to drop", invest in good set of needle nose. The second access cover is slightly farther back parrell to the loader brackets. It is larger and has six bolt and the throttle cables are on the outside of the cover. Their are two springs that need to come loose one has a U that is easy to remove the other is alittle harder to get disconected as it is hooked in a very small hole on the govonor linkage. Once these were off the timing cover came off pretty easy. The hydraulic drive gear had two bearings that needed to be taped off "be gentle". I then replaced the gear with a new one and began putting everything back together useing silicone to seal the timing cover. I came to a stoping point for the night when I was unable to reconnect the second spring that is hooked into a small hole. This would be much easier to see what I was doing if I could take the loader off the tractor. But with no hydros this isn't eaisly done. Hopefully tonight I can get everything put back together and fire it up.

Hopefully this will be helpful if you attempt to tackle this. I'm not overly mechanical and its still only taken me maybe 4-5 hours to slowly dismantle and reasemble to the point that I'm at now. With any luck I estimate that I should have it back together and working after a couple more hours of tinkering.

 

[Gold Fender]

Hi guys!

New to this page, but I have a Branson 2810 with hydraulic gear failure, both power steering and bucket. Question: How many bolts are on the gear case? I've removed all the face bolts and one from each underside, but seem to remember some hidden ones. I don't want to break or pry the case. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[Sysop]

Patcait04, Congrats on finding your issue and solution!

Gold Fender, if you have a dealer local they may be able to make you a copy of the diagram from the service manual. AND welcome to TBN!

 

[Gold Fender]

Patcait04, Congrats on finding your issue and solution!

Gold Fender, if you have a dealer local they may be able to make you a copy of the diagram from the service manual. AND welcome to TBN!

Have the manual, no indication in it of where the bolts are. I took the bottom oil plate off to check, but no go.

 

[mesterly]

I'd take the radiator off so you can get clear access. I sprayed about about a 1/2 gallon of degreaser on it, though I can't remember how many bolts. My gear was stripped, and the end of drive coming out of the pump was starting to go so I opted for a new pump. Good luck! BTW my pump and bearings were dry, oil just wasn't splashing into the housing, event tho there was no blockage so the bearings and spline are now packed with bearing grease... I know it could get in the oil but considering things were dry I figure grease was better than dry.

 

[Gold Fender]

I'd take the radiator off so you can get clear access. I sprayed about about a 1/2 gallon of degreaser on it, though I can't remember how many bolts. My gear was stripped, and the end of drive coming out of the pump was starting to go so I opted for a new pump. Good luck! BTW my pump and bearings were dry, oil just wasn't splashing into the housing, event tho there was no blockage so the bearings and spline are now packed with bearing grease... I know it could get in the oil but considering things were dry I figure grease was better than dry.

Thanks for all the help guys! I did get this response from the good folks at Branson regarding the "hidden" gear case bolts (hidden to me because I'm not a mechanic!!)

"Rex,

Please find attached file. It is pictures of the 2810 gear case. For the gear case to come off you have to remove the oil pan. If you have any further questions jus let us know.- Aaron"

I've attached the picture they sent me. Hope this helps anyone in the future changing the hydraulic pumps and gear bearings!