Oil filter for 4720ch

[Branson Bob]

The number on it is EA00001160B. I found an article (Branson Tractor Tech - www.mrbitztractors.com) on the net saying the oil filters used on Tier 4 Branson series 20 tractors are different than those used on tier 3 Branson series 20 tractors. It says tier 3 filters are smaller and will physically fit but do not provide adequate cooling for the oil (??, Has never occurred to me oil filters have a oil cooling function) I found a cross reference chart on the interweb that crosses references oil filters for seemingly everything. It says it has nothing in it's database for the Branson EA00001160B. I could find several cross references for the tier 3 filter (Branson part# HRA1102000A3) that gives the numbers above that Linc Tex noted, but that is apparently the wrong filter for the newer machines.

Maybe the dealer is right.

To the bolded above, when I was at O'Reillys, I looked at the WIX 51344 filter spec'd for the Tier 3 engines and it's definitely smaller than the one for the Tier 4 engine.

I agree the "oil cooling" argument seems a bit odd but I don't think there's any question that a smaller canister means less filter element.

I kept the OEM filter I replaced and when I'm done with this WIX 51626 replacement filter I'm gonna cut them both open and compare filter material, etc.

I'll post pics when that happens.

 

[Branson Bob]

At the bottom is the photo of the replacement filter I got from O'Reilly Auto Parts next to the OEM filter. As you can see the replacement (WIX 51626) is the same diameter but about 3/4" longer.

I ran the **** out of the tractor this weekend and I'm up to 68.3 hours after performing the oil change at 50 hours.

The oil is still golden.

To the bolded above, when I was at O'Reillys, I looked at the WIX 51344 filter spec'd for the Tier 3 engines and it's definitely smaller than the one for the Tier 4 engine.

I agree the "oil cooling" argument seems a bit odd but I don't think there's any question that a smaller canister means less filter element.

I kept the OEM filter I replaced and when I'm done with this WIX 51626 replacement filter I'm gonna cut them both open and compare filter material, etc.

I'll post pics when that happens.

 

[Cougsfan]

The problem all along hasn't been so much finding a filter that will physically fit, or even so much the physical size of the filter, or the micron rating of the filter. The problem is that Branson claims that aftermarket filters and older versions of OEM filters could cause problems with the emission equipment for tier 3 equipped machines. I have researched on this fairly extensively and everything I have found is very incomplete and non-conclusive. No one can seem to identify what the OEM filter does that aftermarket and/or older Branson filters doesn't do. But apparently there have been some failures in emission equipment linked to the oil filter choice. I still suspect it has to do with what pressure the filter begins bypassing. How big of a problem is this in the real world? Beats me. My guess it is a pretty rare problem and tying the emission equipment problem back to the oil filter is pretty non-scientific.
I happened to swing by the dealer when my oil change was due so I bought the OEM filter. I asked the dealer would they would void warranty work if someone installed an aftermarket filter and their emission equipment failed. He didn't know because his dealership has never faced that problem. He did re-affirm that Branson is quite adamant about only using the proper OEM filter on tier 3 machines.
So if your tractor is still under warrenty, paying a few bucks more for the OEM filter is pretty cheap insurance. The whole issue kind of ticks me off that Branson can't be more specific and factual on what they are saying.

 

[Branson Bob]

The problem all along hasn't been so much finding a filter that will physically fit, or even so much the physical size of the filter, or the micron rating of the filter. The problem is that Branson claims that aftermarket filters and older versions of OEM filters could cause problems with the emission equipment for tier 3 equipped machines. I have researched on this fairly extensively and everything I have found is very incomplete and non-conclusive. No one can seem to identify what the OEM filter does that aftermarket and/or older Branson filters doesn't do. But apparently there have been some failures in emission equipment linked to the oil filter choice. I still suspect it has to do with what pressure the filter begins bypassing. How big of a problem is this in the real world? Beats me. My guess it is a pretty rare problem and tying the emission equipment problem back to the oil filter is pretty non-scientific.
I happened to swing by the dealer when my oil change was due so I bought the OEM filter. I asked the dealer would they would void warranty work if someone installed an aftermarket filter and their emission equipment failed. He didn't know because his dealership has never faced that problem. He did re-affirm that Branson is quite adamant about only using the proper OEM filter on tier 3 machines.
So if your tractor is still under warrenty, paying a few bucks more for the OEM filter is pretty cheap insurance. The whole issue kind of ticks me off that Branson can't be more specific and factual on what they are saying.

Yeah it's an odd issue and certainly better to err on the side of OEM.

I posted the info for those in a pinch like I was... the tractor needed oil and filter so I'm pretty sure it's better off now with that having been done than not done.

Like I said upthread, I'll cut both filters open and post photos of when I do so.

 

[DavesTractor]

Using the correct oil seems to be more relatable to emission issues than filtration I would think. Some very small amounts of oil do get consumed in the combustion process and that exhausts to the DPF. Apparently some oils burn cleaner.

On filters, just because a filter has the correct threads and the gasket seals does not mean it is the correct microns, has the correct bypass, has adequate filtration material, has the correct type of filtration material, etc. If Wix or Napa or Baldwin took a Branson filter and de-engineered it and then said model xyz is proper, I'd have no problem with that. Otherwise you are your own filter engineer. With today's very good oils and a new tractor you might just be fine, but I think there are better ways to save $5-10 or however much the difference is.

 

[Branson Bob]

Using the correct oil seems to be more relatable to emission issues than filtration I would think. Some very small amounts of oil do get consumed in the combustion process and that exhausts to the DPF. Apparently some oils burn cleaner.

On filters, just because a filter has the correct threads and the gasket seals does not mean it is the correct microns, has the correct bypass, has adequate filtration material, has the correct type of filtration material, etc. If Wix or Napa or Baldwin took a Branson filter and de-engineered it and then said model xyz is proper, I'd have no problem with that. Otherwise you are your own filter engineer. With today's very good oils and a new tractor you might just be fine, but I think there are better ways to save $5-10 or however much the difference is.

:thumbsup:

 

[Cougsfan]

Using the correct oil seems to be more relatable to emission issues than filtration I would think. Some very small amounts of oil do get consumed in the combustion process and that exhausts to the DPF. Apparently some oils burn cleaner.

On filters, just because a filter has the correct threads and the gasket seals does not mean it is the correct microns, has the correct bypass, has adequate filtration material, has the correct type of filtration material, etc. If Wix or Napa or Baldwin took a Branson filter and de-engineered it and then said model xyz is proper, I'd have no problem with that. Otherwise you are your own filter engineer. With today's very good oils and a new tractor you might just be fine, but I think there are better ways to save $5-10 or however much the difference is.

I don't disagree with anything you said Dave. If there were Branson dealers in every town this wouldn't be a problem. My situation isn't that unusual that the nearest dealer is nearly 100 miles away in a direction I don't usually go. So it is much more than just a $5 or $10 inconvenience to follow Branson's filter recommendations.

I own 9 vehicles that use oil filters. Branson is the only one where using a commonly available filter is stated as a problem. I use aftermarket filters in all except Branson, not so much to save money, but because they are readily available.

NAPA, Wix, Fram, etc don't even list the new Branson's as a filter option. It is such a small, insignificant market that they aren't likely to do the reverse engineering that you mention. That would be a task much more suited to Branson as they are the ones who have made a tractor with the non-standard filter requirements.

I certainly have no desire to become a filter engineer. It does bother me that Branson puts their customers through this inconvenience and uncertainty with out so much as a reasonable explanation. Agreed this is not an overly big deal and doesn't really detract that much from Branson's overall standing as a good reliable tractor, but it is still frustrating.

 

[DavesTractor]

I don't disagree with anything you said Dave. If there were Branson dealers in every town this wouldn't be a problem. My situation isn't that unusual that the nearest dealer is nearly 100 miles away in a direction I don't usually go. So it is much more than just a $5 or $10 inconvenience to follow Branson's filter recommendations.

I own 9 vehicles that use oil filters. Branson is the only one where using a commonly available filter is stated as a problem. I use aftermarket filters in all except Branson, not so much to save money, but because they are readily available.

NAPA, Wix, Fram, etc don't even list the new Branson's as a filter option. It is such a small, insignificant market that they aren't likely to do the reverse engineering that you mention. That would be a task much more suited to Branson as they are the ones who have made a tractor with the non-standard filter requirements.

I certainly have no desire to become a filter engineer. It does bother me that Branson puts their customers through this inconvenience and uncertainty with out so much as a reasonable explanation. Agreed this is not an overly big deal and doesn't really detract that much from Branson's overall standing as a good reliable tractor, but it is still frustrating.

I think we are on the same page, so to speak. And I totally get it. But there are a lot of dealers that will quickly fill a box with filters for you and UPS them. But that takes some preplanning. We are thinking of doing an Amazon store next year with filter sets or individual filters. One click and filters are on the way. Not sure how all of that works, but it seems to be a good idea. Customers either need to be able to pick up filters quickly at a LOCAL place or we need a quick and hassle free way to order on the web.

And you are right regarding volume, I do not see how it would be worth it for Napa/Wix/Fram to go to the trouble of listing a filter for a Branson. And Branson has no real incentive to do so. They sell filters, and as far as they are concerned if you don't have a dealer nearby, the solution is to add a dealer, not to provide a generic filter.

For every tractor sold each year, they are nearly 100 cars sold. The tractor filter market is a small one. Having said that, I bet Wix/Napa/Fram already has the filter built that would spec properly for a lot of tractor applications, but how do we know? It's probably not a matter of designing new filters, instead it is a matter of deeming an existing filter as proper and adequate.

 

[LincTex]

We are thinking of doing an Amazon store next year with filter sets or individual filters. One click and filters are on the way. Not sure how all of that works, but it seems to be a good idea. Customers either need to be able to pick up filters quickly at a LOCAL place or we need a quick and hassle free way to order on the web.

I think you should! Real Branson/Kukje stuff, I mean.

Some dude from Sneedville, Tennessee is already doing it on ebay:
Branson Tractor 472H Filter kit . W/A23N2 Engine | eBay

 

[LincTex]

Having said that, I bet Wix/Napa/Fram already has the filter built that would spec properly for a lot of tractor applications, but how do we know? It's probably not a matter of designing new filters, instead it is a matter of deeming an existing filter as proper and adequate.

I agree... I'm very curious to know which specification changed enough to warrant a revised part/part number. Manufacturers just don't do that without a reason.



Having said that, If a little extra capacity is all that's needed, there's the Wix 51347/Napa 1347 Oil Filter if that's what the criteria is:
Wix 51347 & Napa 1347 Oil Filter: FleetFilter Secure Store - Wix, Fram, Baldwin, Luberfiner