New 3725 and have a couple of questions

[TomIre]

I "upgraded" from a Ford 8n to a Branson 3725h and couldn't be happier. Just decided I wanted a warranty, reliability and some modern engineering.
First thing I did was take the back hoe off and get to work bush hogging as I lost a couple of spring weeks selling old and getting new. Fields are about waist high now. The tractor's been fantastic if a bit fuel hungry at 2500 rpm.
Anyway, got a couple of questions. One niggling and one not so.
On the hour meter, what's the meaning of the two alternating boxes on the far left? Couldn't find it anywhere in the manual.
The second is a bit more concerning/important. How the heck do you use the diff lock with the HST pedals? The diff lock is on the same side as the HST pedals and I don't think the diff lock engages with one press and disengages with a second press, does it? If it is only engaged when pressed I guess you can only use it with cruise control on? And, I feel I'm not likely to have cruise control on when I need the diff lock! Hope I'm missing something anyway.

 

[PapeCAT]

I am a new owner of a 3725 as well. I have also noticed that it is a bit thirsty, but I'm guessing about 10 hours a tank roughly? The alternating boxes are indicating that the "hourglass/timer" is on and the hour meter is counting up.
I've contemplated the cruise control with diff lock but have had to resort to being a contortionist and using the left heel on it whilst pressing on the hydrostat pedals with my right foot simultaneously. I believe on the 00 series they attached a hand control bar on the diff lock pedal as a solution to this. Some modification in a similar way might be in order.

 

[Aquamoose]

My 3520h is the same with regards to the differential lock pedal. I rarely use it and when I need it, it’s always at slow speed and still managed to engage it. While I can modify things, the temptation isn’t strong enough to bother with. I’m more inclined to adding a 3ph extension rod to operate it from the back while hooking/unhooking implements.

 

[scatterlandsfarms]

Congrats on the new tractor ,,,,,

 

[ericm979]

I also see about a gallon an hour when running it hard, like when putting larger material through a PTO chipper. Less when doing loader work at 2000 rpm. And I use the left heel on the diff lock. Or flip the brake pedal tie off and brake the one wheel that's slipping.

Some other Branson models have the diff lock on the left side but it doesn't look like there is an easy addition to ours to extend the shaft to the left without going inside the transmission. It'd have to be an external linkage. I have also thought about a 3pt lever on the back but with the extendable lower links precise positioning of the 3pt is not required like it is without the links. I just set the 3pt a little lower than the pins on the implement I'm hooking up and lift the left arm up to get it on the pin. If the right arm won't lift high enough I use the tilt cylinder on that side to move it close enough into position. I have top and tilt on the factory valves and can reach those from behind the tractor.

 

[TomIre]

Thanks for the responses. Disappointed in the diff lock but more than pleased overall.
Have any of you 3725 owners done your own 50 hour servuce? Any tips or tricks. Probably coming sooner than I expected.

 

[ericm979]

I did mine. The hardest part was finding one of the two hydraulic oils listed in the manual. I finally gave up and ordered some Mobilfluid 424 off amazon. The dealer has THF1000 in the shop but only in bulk; they would have sent me something else. The 424 was cheaper and the specs seem real close to the THF.

I used a bucket pump. It's a lot of cranks of the pump to get it full but there's no danger of an overflow due to the restrictive angle on the filler.

I used the diff lock all the time on my Kubota B7100 but I need it a lot less on the much heavier 3725.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

I don't know why they only relocated the diff lock on the cabbed version. Seems a shame. On the cabbed one, it's on the left side, and can just use left boot heel to hold it down. Seems like it should be there for all the 25 series HST's. I hope they move it for future models. I too rarely need my diff lock, really only when mowing one incline that's rather steep. With Rimguard in the rears, mine weighs over 7000 lbs with the FEL, bucket and box blade. About the same with the brush hog too. That weight is really useful for traction.

Glad you like your new tractor. Post some pics. We like tractor pics.

 

[TomIre]

Maybe I need to rethink Rimguard.

One more nit to pick is the oil dipstick location. I'm sure the engine was originally designed for another application. But, hiding the dipstick between the fuel bowl and oil filter was bad enough. Then, having to work around the loader arm . . . I have to use a flashlight to find the dipstick hole after checking. Would have been nice to add an extension to the tube to make it more accessible
But again, overall very pleased. I bush hogged my most challenging, steep field yesterday and nearly took a nap while doing it! A real pleasure to run.

Photos? Not sure how to . . .

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

Lol, I hear you on the dipstick. It took me a while to find it on mine, and the owners manual was pretty vague on location. I do like that great big fuel-water separator though. Very easy to see if anything's in it.