Which Model Branson?

[rScotty]

Hello, I'm really confused by all the various models of Bransons. What is the difference betwen a 15/20/25 series machine with similar HP? Can someone unwind the various model designations for me?
One thing that helps with other brands is that most have a website where I can "build my own tractor" and then it will give me the cost of the various options and final price.
Does Branson have that sort of website? Where do I go to honestly compare features and prices??
rScotty

 

[ericm979]

Branson Tractors shows features but it's broken at the moment. All tractor makers should have a build your own like Kubota but few do.

The 15 is a smaller chassis than the 20/25. The smaller 20s have three cylinder engines; the larger 47hp and up 20s and the 25s have fours. The 25s have a few more features than the 20s but they're pretty close. It's changed a little since 2 years ago when I bought my 3725 but then the 25s had a better layout for some of the switches, more catalyst in the DOC+DPF, a different fuel filter, adjustable 3pt links on both sides, and at my dealer, 2 rear remotes. If I remember right my dealer added those to their 25s to differentiate them more from the 20s.

When I was shopping I used the large Texas dealer's web sites for basic pricing information, prior to visiting a dealer. They're useful for getting an idea of the difference between the models even if the prices are not the same as California.

 

[Aaron L]

The 15 series is a bit smaller than the 20/25 families (maybe 5-10% bigger), but is significantly lighter (3000-ish vs 4000+ lbs). This is due to the larger/beefier chassis that Eric mentioned. The extra weight, wheelbase, and track width of the 20/25 families (increasing traction and stability) are an asset if you intend to use larger ground engaging implements and/or lift and move larger loads with the FEL.

Earlier 15 series (with the SL15 loader) were rated at 1835 lbs lift to full height. Earlier 20 series tractors with the BL25R loader were rated for 2100 lbs. The newest 15 series tractors now have a loader (BL150) that is rated at 2200 lbs to full height at the pins. That's close to the current 20/25 loaders (BL200) which are rated at 2701 lbs. Those numbers are pretty close, but they don't tell the whole story. If you're planning on moving larger/heavier items (pushing 1500 lbs or more) with the FEL, especially if you're going to be lifting them to or near full height, then I'd suggest you go with the 20/25 series.

That's one of the primary reasons why I decided to move up to the 20 series from the 15 series that I'd been considering earlier. Better traction when moving large/heavy 'project' trucks and such around the property and running ground engaging implements was another. If you're not going to be lifting stuff on the high end of the FEL rating up to/near max height, and don't need the extra stability or traction (and/or the extra weight isn't desirable), then the 15 series would be a better way to go.

They are very capable machines, at the top of their class in performance and durability. There's engine HP overlap between the 15 series and the larger 20 and 25 series tractors to address the different needs of their customers. Some folks need more PTO HP, but don't need the higher weight of the 20 and 25 series. Others need the higher weight, but have no use for the higher PTO horsepower 40 thru 55 HP 20 and 25 series machines. That's why Branson sells 3520 and 3725 tractors (and used to sell a 3020) as well as 4015 and 4815 tractors.

Machines with "R" at the tail of the model designation (such as 3015R) have 12 speed (4x3) shuttle shift transmissions with conventional clutches. The f/r shuttle is synchronized, as is the four speed main box. The 3 speed range box is not synchronized. They have both hand and foot throttles, and have independent PTO's. The H machines (such as 3015H) have three range hydrostatic transmissions with independent PTO. The transmission pedals (F/R) are side by side, and are linked to the throttle. As you step on a pedal (starting the rig moving, and then increasing speed/decreasing gear ratio), the engine RPM's are increased to help with the ratio changes.

One other thing to consider is you elevation. I see that you're in Colorado. You're likely at or above a mile (5280ft) above sea level. I've seen various formulas for figuring how much HP is lost as you increase elevation above sea level. 3% loss per 1000 ft over sea level is common. I'm at 200 ft and change above seal level, but will be moving to Wyoming within the next year or two. 7000-ish feet elevation (Average for the state of Wy) would mean as much as 21% power loss. Very significant, especially as I plan on running PTO powered implements and would like to have 30 PTO HP or more available.

For this reason, I decided to go with a turbocharged model as they are much less affected by power loss due to high elevation. For the 15, 20, and 25 series tractors this means the 4015R/H, 4815R/H, 4020R/H, and 5220R/H. A 4520R would loose up to almost 9 of its 42 PTO HP, putting it (on paper) at about the same PTO output as the less expensive turbocharged 4020R. A 4225R would have lost up to 7.5 of its 36 PTO HP..........knocking it down to 28.5. I went with the 4020R and am extremely happy with it. I couldn't quite justify to SWMBO (or myself) taking the big step up to the turbocharged 5220R.

 

[rScotty]

.....SNIP......
For this reason, I decided to go with a turbocharged model as they are much less affected by power loss due to high elevation. For the 15, 20, and 25 series tractors this means the 4015R/H, 4815R/H, 4020R/H, and 5220R/H. A 4520R would loose up to almost 9 of its 42 PTO HP, putting it (on paper) at about the same PTO output as the less expensive turbocharged 4020R. A 4225R would have lost up to 7.5 of its 36 PTO HP..........knocking it down to 28.5. I went with the 4020R and am extremely happy with it. I couldn't quite justify to SWMBO (or myself) taking the big step up to the turbocharged 5220R.

Thanks, I'm understanding part of it now. But still slightly confused. So "R" is the 4x3 12 speed - I assume that is with an independent PTO. In fact, I'm going to assume that every tractor on the market today has an independent PTO. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.

Then "H" stands for the 3 range Hydrostatic transmission. And apparently "R/H" means turbocharged. I got all that. So how do they designate what transmission the turbocharged tractors have? Or do all turbocharged models have the same type transmission?

BTW, I live at 7000' altitude, so there is a reduction of in power here if not turbocharged, but it isn't as noticible as people at lower altitude believe. In fact, two of our tractors are turbocharged and two are not and it doesn't make a noticible difference. Diesels aren't like cars that way. For gasoline engines, altitude does make a huge difference.

There are several reasons for this. One reason that applies equally to gasoline engines and to diesels is simply that most engines are rated for HP at some maximum RPM, but they don't need wide open throttle to get to that RPM. Even running at their rated RPM, most engines aren't running at full throttle. So the easiest way to get the same power at higher altitude is to simply run at a slightly higher throttle setting. If it's a gasser you may notice but if it's a diesel you may not even notice the difference.

The reason diesels don't take so much extra throttle as you may think is because all diesel engine have two unavoidable ram-charging benefits. Unlike gasoline engines which throttle by reducing air, diesels throttle be reducing fuel, not air. So the diesel intake is wide open to air at all times. What that means is that most of the time diesels are compressing more air than they need for combustion. At higher altitude that feature doesn't change, and an additional benefit happens because the incoming column of lower density (lighter) air is able to accelerate in that wide open intake faster between piston strokes - this is the "ram" air effect. What it all adds up to is that diesels with their constantly wide open air intake cam take advantage of both extra unburned air as well as the free intake velocity "ram charge" density packing in a way that gasoline engines cannot. A big advantage.

Also we need to adjust that 3%/1000 feet number. I'm familiar with how it is calculated; and it is real as far as it goes, but it is incomplete for calculating engine power. That is because the basic calculation assumes the influence of gravity but does so at a constant temperature. So it ignores a major effect with is called temperature induced "density altitude". Basically, air gets more dense as it gets colder, and the normal temperature at higher altitudes is lower than at sea level. At 7000 feet here we are about 10 degrees F lower than Denver, and probably in summertime 20 to 30 degrees below a sea level city at a similar latitude. So to effectively look at power loss for engines, we also need compensate for the temperature influence on what is called "density altitude". That's a more complex calculation and maybe that's why it is often ignored. It's easier to just use a chart. Take a look; it will surprise you. There's a good chart at: Density altitude - Wikipedia
rScotty


rScotty

 

[houska]

Branson's website was not-great when I was making my purchase decision a month ago, and is even more broken now. I doubt there is any meaningful model "list price" comparison available, nor do I know of any side-by-side across-model-line spec comparison. However, the URLs for the pdf brochures for each of the 3 series are:

https://www.bransontractors.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/3015r_3015h_3515r_3515h_4015r_4015h.pdf
https://www.triplemtractors.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Branson-20-Series.pdf
https://www.triplemtractors.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Branson-25-Series.pdf

(Yes the last 2 are specific dealers, but I'm pretty sure it's standard brochures.)

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

rScotty,

Aaron got you most of the way there. But the "R" vs. "H" in the model is strictly denoting the transmission. R=shuttle, H=hydro. The only real way to tell by model number whether or not it is a turbo tractor is to look up the model number spec sheet. If the model number has a "C" in it, it denotes it is a cabbed tractor.

I agree the Branson website is rubbish. But, Branson has FINALLY hired a marketing company to help them with marketing in the US market place. They've never had that before. So hopefully, one of the first things their new marketing program will do is to hit that website pretty hard and rebuild it into something usable. Hopefully it will become more user friendly, and have a "build your own" feature added too.

I used a couple larger dealer's websites for info when I was looking. Plus just asking questions on here, which a few of the Branson dealers that frequent this forum stepped up and answered. Then I went directly to my local dealer for the final push.

On the PTO, I believe all the Bransons currently offered have a switch to select between independent and linked. I know my 25 series does. So with a shuttle shift, you can switch the mode between just using the switch on the dash for independent, or switch it to linked so it shuts off when you press in the clutch. On my hydro version, the "linked" function will automatically turn off the PTO if I raise my implement up to full height. Or, I can just turn it off with the dial switch if I want. I normally just turn mine on and off with the switch, which on my cabbed unit, is on the right hand fender, practically right under my hand as I rest it on the right fender while operating.

 

[ericm979]

When I bought my 3725 the 25s had the PTO and cruise and 4 way flasher switches by the loader valve on the fender and the 20s had them next to the steering wheel below the dash. I think the 20s have since moved them to the fender.

 

[PapeCAT]

Just an FYI on the new loaders, the BL150 and BL200 appear to have the exact same specs going down the list save for max weight lifting capacity. Also good news is that new even the 45 series tractor gets the new upgraded loader , the BL450 but I haven't seen any specs on it yet. At first glance the new loaders can be identified by the different pin/bushing style.

 

[Aaron L]

My 4020R (shuttle shift) has the dial switch for the PTO and the flashers button below the steering wheel (and the lights/horn/turn signal switch to the left).

The linked position on the PTO switch links it to the 3pt lift, disengaging the PTO when the 3pt is raised and reengaging it when the 3pt is lowered again (same as the function that Slim described on his hydrostat tractor).

RScotty I am sorry if I confused you with the R/H on the model designations. I meant the 4020R and 4020H, 4015R and 4015H, 5220R and 5220H, and 4815R and 4815H. Slim got you squared away there. I should have typed 4020R/4020H (and so forth for the other turbocharged models)

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

Thanks Aaron,

I was thinking that the linked switch went to the clutch pedal on the shuttle shift units, my mistake.