What have you done to your Branson today?

[K5lwq]

Honestly, it was the first time I've see this style. I think it's more popular towards the German area. It's still not as popular as the 3 pt ones but still some what popular. Quicke, a loader manufacturer, also offers the same style of counterweight.

I have seen 2 point counterweights but usually for the front 3 pt hitches and the pins are centered with the weight, the weight just kind of rocks back and forth on the arms.

I too have mix feelings about the arms, but is it really that much difference in stress to the arms versus a 3 pt mounted one, considering where the side links pull on the arm?

Some examples of the 2 point style available:

https://quicke.nu/products/implement/counter-weight/

Euro Hitch Counterweight For Sale | SOTA Tractors Australia

www.sotatractors.com

That is really interesting. I always liked the old IH Farmall 2pt fast hitch system. But after years of seeing the top link this looks like added stress to the lift arms. I am guessing it is not a problem if they do this regularly.

 

[kantuckid]

Not JM7500 but TSC had Mobil 1 delvac (424) for sale last time I was there 49.99 a 5 gallon pail

Rural King has a bunch of tractor fluids in various brands and sometimes beats TSC's prices- I use their "Providence" full syn HD engine oil but they don't seem to have Full or blended synthetic fluid-only dino which is OK too .
My rear weight ballast box is from Titan. Was cheap and well designed-I filled mine with crushed rock as less $$$ then cement. It has round tubing holes for holding usefull items like cant hooks, tamping/spud bars and my drawbar I use to skid logs. I leave stuff in the holes as it just adds weight. I also have a 2" ball in the built in receiver hitch it has. I've even pulled smaller logs off the ball with a chain wrap. After my rocks settled I also carry chains around in that depression to my woods jobs and they add weight too. A barrel is much cheaper but I've sold most all my welding equipment as I'm aging out of many shop activities (other than my life long woodworking & one last motorcycle restoration) and selling stuff off so my wife doesn't have it to deal with.
Most all loggers around me have cement filled barrels on the back of large tractor use loaders if they don't have a true dedicated design truck loader.
Not using enough rear ballast sets up a tractor for a front axle failure lifting heavy stuff, of course! Most any brand has a mfg. named weight amount for their FEL equipped tractor models to shoot for in rear ballast. I suppose you could have too much (seems unlikely) with a utility or compact like mostly seen here?

 

[JM7500]

Hello JM7500, can I ask what transmission/Hydraulic fluid did you used? I approaching my 50Hrs service mark and the only thing missing to get is the transmission fluid. I'm looking at the Traveller Premium Universal Tractor Trans/Hydraulic Fluid from TSC but their web page shows two identical items with different SK#s and one at $42.99 and the other one at $61.99. Very confusing.

I used O'Reilley's Premium Tractor Fluild. This is what my dealer would have used if I had taken it in for service. It's about $50 for 5 gallons here. I used Rotella T6 15W-40 in the engine.

 

[Cougsfan]

I agree that the two point hitch counter weight is interesting. It appears the arms are strong enough or they wouldn't be doing it. If you do a simple stress analysis it is fairly obvious it shouldn't be a problem. It would definitely be quicker to attach and detach. I am always amazed at how they do simple things differently in Europe. Not necessarily always better or worse, but different.

 

[Aquamoose]

I suppose if you use Pat’s hooks, it can be done European style. Kinda makes sense if there’s no need for the top link.

 

[Phattruck]

I used O'Reilley's Premium Tractor Fluild. This is what my dealer would have used if I had taken it in for service. It's about $50 for 5 gallons here. I used Rotella T6 15W-40 in the engine.

Thank you for the answer JM7500! I thought that I looked everywere but O'Reilley's never cross my mind, they even ship the product. Thank you to everyone that responded to my Post!

 

[kantuckid]

Shipping is common, how much when delivered is the crux of buying bulky heavy items. I often use free ship to store items and pick them up when we go on a walmart grocery run-a 50k RT. An e.g. is I found, in a quick web search that a certain AC/Delco oil filter was cheaper at Advance AP's than on amazon or elsewhere. I combined an amazon return item with a free pick up of that filter at Advance who does UPS shipments that have labels on them. Could not have been more handy!

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

Didn't stop to take any pics, but had 4 IBC totes of firewood (seasoned ash) delivered this morning. Used the SSQA forks to offload them from the deckover trailer.

I got way behind on things and didn't have any dry wood put up for the winter. I'm telling myself "next year, I'll be ready". Time to start scrounging wood next spring.

 

[kantuckid]

What I've done Branson wise is to read through the entire so-called manual.

The info that really matters in this sucky document could be placed on an under the hood sticker- Really!
Seriously, it never even mentions my model-a 4820R, only the 20 Series coverage and some other models, not my own.
I'm left to assume the capacities are accurate?
The pics are poorly done. The safety cartoons might well be the best aspect of the entire mess, yet of little use to an experience owner.
I guess the lawyers made certain we don't roll one over, so on...

I am not!!! a cup half full or cup half empty person but this so-called manual needs serious attention to become more useful.
FWIW, I am a retired wrencher and tech teacher/educator and had much & varied technical training & experience and know a decent manual when I see one and this aint it!
I got an "A" in Technical Writing too and while this has been written by someone with decent English skills (cannot blame the Koreans) it's other wise sadly lacking. I do blame the Koreans for allowing their USA distributor to perform so poorly with their products manual though. My bachelors degree is in Vocational Technical Education which means I am trained to analyze process and facts in technical applications-such as this manuals content. That came after my skill training in several areas-which is simply to say that I know of what I speak-> that this manual sucks.

My previous two tractors were Kiotis and the dual FEL & tractor owners manuals are far, far more professional!
I also own a Kioti DK35,40,45 Series Factory Service manual which is very well done too.

Branson dealers and owners need to say this to the Rome, GA people and demand more.
Rant over for now...

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

I don't disagree with your evaluation of the manual. Mine has actually made me laugh out loud over a few of the pages.

However, one thing to understand is that those manuals are NOT created here in the US. Those are created by Branson Mothership in Korea. They are first and foremost created in their native language. Then, since Branson sells and ships tractors all over the world, those manuals are "translated" into various languages for their respective main markets. Some of the more "technical" terms and labels for things tractor related, do not translate well from Korean into other languages.

This is what is at the center of the manual's "awkwardness".

If you have a specific technical question about your tractor, either this forum, or specifically user "Asteral" has been a constant source of valuable information for us. You can ask it in the forum here, or send Asteral a direct message. He will get back to you sooner or later (he's a busy guy, but never hesitates to help us all out when he can).