I need a part for my Branson, dealer has been trying for a month with no luck...

[tbergman]

The rh knuckle on my 4720h branson tractor broke in two (clearly was a bad casting) and my local dealer has tried for a month to get one for me. The part number on it is TA00033467A. I found the part at yourequipmentparts.com, but it has an E on the part number, and I cannot raise anyone by phone to ask if this is a good substitute or not...Anybody know of a really good Branson parts dealer I can call, or better, anybody have a used one I can get?

 

[travlitt]

The rh knuckle on my 4720h branson tractor broke in two (clearly was a bad casting) and my local dealer has tried for a month to get one for me. The part number on it is TA00033467A. I found the part at yourequipmentparts.com, but it has an E on the part number, and I cannot raise anyone by phone to ask if this is a good substitute or not...Anybody know of a really good Branson parts dealer I can call, or better, anybody have a used one I can get?

Call Panhandle Tractor and ask for Buster. 806-293-0337. He is the distributor for Branson tractors for the aera. If it can be got, he can get it.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

Dave's Tractors in CA

Red's in TX

Mr. Bitz here in ND

I'm sure any of these guys can help you.

Good luck.

 

[shooterdon]

It is really sad that a dealer cannot do the work to find a part. Even sadder if they did the work and the part is not available.

Good luck.

 

[ptsg]

Looks like you have the older style. I have both service manuals, one from 2008 and another from 2016.

I checked the knuckle arms on both and they are in fact totally different. So you can't use the newer style.

Here is a couple of pictures to confirm that:

2008 Service manual:



2016 Service manual:



Now about why it broke, I might have somewhat of a theory that also happens with mine, which is a 15 series, but the knuckle arm is similar.

There is a bolt on each housing where the knuckle arm attaches, that works as a stop for the steering. On mine, it's not properly adjusted. So on full lock it will hit the stop bolt before the steering cylinder runs out of stroke, thus pulling the knuckle arm a bit. Mine is pulling about 5/32".

Over time, this will eventually break as the cast iron is not really meant to act as a spring.

This reminds me to adjust mine before warranty ends.

Anyway, to source new parts, I would try to contact the Branson dealer in Rome, GA. I saw a post on Facebook where they managed to find a couple of parts for a Branson F3350 which is about 20 years old.

I believe it's called Mathis Trailers and Equipment sales.

 

[Texasmark]

Call Panhandle Tractor and ask for Buster. 806-293-0337. He is the distributor for Branson tractors for the aera. If it can be got, he can get it.

Buster (Jenkins) fixed me up for warranty work when I first bought my 6530 and had the field rep deliver my parts over here N. of Dallas, air conditioner idler pulley failed...redesigned and replaced. On another occasion years later, had me a new cab door within the week from a rock strike over here, front end repairs due to my abuse on one occasion within a week here. Answers questions I have from time to time. Asset to the company! I don't know if he's part of the Plainview, TX. Branson distributorship or not. Initially I thought he was....may be a separate dealership.

Big Red's in Granbury, Tx. is another fast, comprehensive, parts supplier. Big at selling tractors too.

 

[tbergman]

yes, mine is definitely the older style. I appreciate the tip on adjustment. I can see how that would cause the break, and I was turning sharply at the time it broke...

I have several calls out after all the great advice. Thank you.

 

[travlitt]

Buster (Jenkins) fixed me up for warranty work when I first bought my 6530 and had the field rep deliver my parts over here N. of Dallas, air conditioner idler pulley failed...redesigned and replaced. On another occasion years later, had me a new cab door within the week from a rock strike over here, front end repairs due to my abuse on one occasion within a week here. Answers questions I have from time to time. Asset to the company! I don't know if he's part of the Plainview, TX. Branson distributorship or not. Initially I thought he was....may be a separate dealership.

Big Red's in Granbury, Tx. is another fast, comprehensive, parts supplier. Big at selling tractors too.

He is the Plainview, TX. Branson distributorship.

 

[scatterlandsfarms]

let us know how this works out please .

 

[tbergman]

let us know how this works out please .

Success! As I got the suggestions I began to make inquiries. Dave's tractor got back with me right away, and while I was waiting for their parts department to call me back, I went to my local dealer and retrieved my broken part, and told them to cancel the order. The very next day, before I could make a deal for the part elsewhere, Bob Adrian called me back and said if I still needed the part, it had come in. The part had an E on the end instead of an A, and the bearing race that gets inserted into the gearbox, was twice as long as that on my broken part, but Bob told me not to pay for it, instead just go see if it will fit (you don't find that kind of service or trust much these days...) So, off I went. Now to let you guys know just how much of a novice I am at this stuff, I had been trying to fit the part onto the axle and the hub with the wheel still on. I used a ratchet strap to support the hub and a hydraulic jack to support the axle, and after fighting with it for a couple of hours, gave up on account of impending darkness. As I was driving out the gate, heading home in defeat (I still could not yet be sure the part would fit 'cause I could not get the *&*%$ spindle shaft stabbed at both ends at the same time...) it occurred to my pea-brain, that maybe if I removed the 90 pound tire and rim, maybe it would be a little less difficult to put together. With my blaze of insight giving me new hope, next day I tried again. Took longer to remove and replace the tire than it did the new part! Once the tire was out of the way, I easily stabbed the spindle shaft into place, tightened the bolts up and it all pulled perfectly together. Filled it with 90 wt oil, reattached the tie-rod end, fired it up and went back to work long enough to verify everything works just like it should. I then hooked my strap onto the mule I used to drive out to the breakdown site, and towed it back to the barn. All good. No injuries (other than my pride for my stupidity...) and we are back in business! It is a great feeling. Thank you everyone.