New Branson 25 series

PapeCAT · Jan 23, 2017

Anyone have any opinons or info on the new branson 25 series for the USA market? I just saw them added to the branson website. On paper, they look very similar to the 20 series albeit a bit wider, and all have a new smaller bore 4 cyl (no 3 cyl in the line) with no turbo'd options and up to 42 hp.

On the pics the Cab looks to be a new design from the looks of the roof.

I'm curious if this new engine is still mechanically injected and what the tier 4 strategy is in general.

endorphine44 · Jan 24, 2017

I'm interested in the new engine/tier 4 strategy as well. Looking at the site the 3725R uses an A2000N3 where the older 4520R uses an A2000N2, but the 4225R uses the A2000N2...so what's the difference between the N2 and N3 engine?
I'm glad to see they're still producing new products, I was a bit concerned after the TYM purchase...kinda waiting to see how that all shakes out with models/engines between Branson and TYM

ericm979 · Jan 28, 2017

I went to a Branson dealer (Dave's in Red Bluff) that has some 3725s yesterday. Besides the engines, the differences I can remember:
The front axle is wider by about 2" per side. The rear track appears to be the same but the 3725 comes with larger tires than the 3520 which would make it wider.
There's a huge Bosch fuel filter/water separator.
The controls for the PTO and cruise are moved from below the steering wheel to the base of the loader joystick. They're more readily accessible there.
There's two crank operated 3pt lift rod adjusters, one per side, instead of the usual right side only.
Dave said that the DPF has more catalyst.
Also the 25s have a slightly longer wheelbase according to the spec sheets.
Fit and finish looks the same.

They're mechanically injected with a DPF.

Having a 37 and 42 makes more sense than 35 and 47 (in HST). That's a big gap.

Kentuckyfarmer · Jan 28, 2017

ericm979 said:
I went to a Branson dealer (Dave's in Red Bluff) that has some 3725s yesterday. Besides the engines, the differences I can remember:
The front axle is wider by about 2" per side. The rear track appears to be the same but the 3725 comes with larger tires than the 3520 which would make it wider.
There's a huge Bosch fuel filter/water separator.
The controls for the PTO and cruise are moved from below the steering wheel to the base of the loader joystick. They're more readily accessible there.
There's two crank operated 3pt lift rod adjusters, one per side, instead of the usual right side only.
Dave said that the DPF has more catalyst.
Also the 25s have a slightly longer wheelbase according to the spec sheets.
Fit and finish looks the same.

They're mechanically injected with a DPF.

Having a 37 and 42 makes more sense than 35 and 47 (in HST). That's a big gap.

I got tired of the pto and cruise button being below the steering wheel. I moved it over to the right side where the knockout in the plastic by the rear hydro controls are. Got tired of bending down and pushing the button when I was bush hogging a 22 acre field I have. Have several draining ditches I have to drive thru and got tired of leaning over and picking up the three point to keep the hog from scalping the ground so I took the three point control lever off and extended it so it comes to the top of the seat. Just little things could have been done to make it more comfortable to operate these tractors. Glad to see they are making the changes.

Mr Bitz · Jan 29, 2017

25 series have a much heavier frame from the older 20 series, cab is redesigned much more head room and now grey in color instead of black. All 25 series have 4 cylinder diesels even the 37hp. Very smooth running engines, very quiet in the cab. I think Branson has a home run on the 25 series and if I had to guess I think we'll be seeing higher hp units in the future based on this chassis maybe up into the 60hp range. Just my 2 cents. As far as tires it's totally dependent on what the dealer orders for that tractor. Almost any size goes.

PapeCAT · Jan 29, 2017

Very good info. I would definitely be interested in the 6225CH if available one day in the USA. with minimum R4 tire sizes of 12 - 16.5, 17.5L - 24

Good news on the engine, frame and cab upgrades.

ericm979 · Jan 29, 2017

Kentuckyfarmer said:
I took the three point control lever off and extended it so it comes to the top of the seat.

During my test drives I noticed that it's a bit of a reach to get to the 3pt lever. It's no different on the 25s. When I'm brush hogging I often keep a hand on the 3pt lever so I can lift the mower quickly if I hit a rock. I'd be interested to see your extension.

Kentuckyfarmer · Jan 29, 2017

ericm979 said:
During my test drives I noticed that it's a bit of a reach to get to the 3pt lever. It's no different on the 25s. When I'm brush hogging I often keep a hand on the 3pt lever so I can lift the mower quickly if I hit a rock. I'd be interested to see your extension.

I'll go out tomorrow and snap a few pictures of the changes I did and try and figure out how to post them.

Kentuckyfarmer · Jan 30, 2017

ericm979 said:
During my test drives I noticed that it's a bit of a reach to get to the 3pt lever. It's no different on the 25s. When I'm brush hogging I often keep a hand on the 3pt lever so I can lift the mower quickly if I hit a rock. I'd be interested to see your extension.

Don't know if you can make it out very good took photo with a iPad.

ericm979 · Jan 30, 2017

The 3pt and switch mods look iike they could have come from the factory. Is it quieter with the external muffler and no DPF?

Mr Bitz · Jan 30, 2017

Nicely done.

Kentuckyfarmer · Jan 30, 2017

ericm979 said:
The 3pt and switch mods look iike they could have come from the factory. Is it quieter with the external muffler and no DPF?

Sorry about the pictures being twice but was first time posting pictures and really don't know what I'm doing.

It really not that much louder. You can hear it for sure. Wouldn't be as noisy if it had a turbo. I'm use to noise with those old tractors I spent so much time on. But it's not as bad as those old ones for sure.

Kentuckyfarmer · Jan 30, 2017

Mr Bitz said:
Nicely done.

Thanks and I did finally get new speakers in and it's a world of difference. When I get out in the field this spring I might just be able to hear what is on the radio instead of just some crappy noise. My age and hearing loss I have to have it cranked pretty good to understand what's on it.

Cougsfan · Feb 11, 2017

Yes, nice work. The direction the stock exhaust blows, it is always blowing chaff into the radiator. Don't know what Branson was thinking when they designed that. I am almost waiting anxiously for my DPF to plug so I have an excuse to re-route things

What prompted you to relocate the PTO Speed switch, cruise control, and hazard flasher switches?

Kentuckyfarmer · Feb 11, 2017

Cougsfan said:
Yes, nice work. The direction the stock exhaust blows, it is always blowing chaff into the radiator. Don't know what Branson was thinking when they designed that. I am almost waiting anxiously for my DPF to plug so I have an excuse to re-route things What prompted you to relocate the PTO Speed switch, cruise control, and hazard flasher switches?

When bushing pasture or fields, disking, raking hay whatever the fields are long and every time I would have to set the cruise or disengage it I would have to lean down to do it. Same as 3pt was way down on the side of the seat had to reach down beside the seat to let it down or raise it. Made it so everything was in reach while sitting normally in the seat and all within reach. Makes it all the more enjoyable to operate the machine. Someone said the new 25 series have the controls for pto and others relocated now too.

ericm979 · Feb 11, 2017

25 series PTO and cruise switches

ericm979 · Feb 11, 2017

I got my 3725 today. It's got almost three times the displacement of my B7100 and yet it's quieter. I did some brush hogging. With a 5' cutter going through waist high thick bushes it doesn't even slow down.

Kentuckyfarmer I'm going to have to do your 3pt lever mod. It's too low and the travel is short.
Is there an adjustment that limits the 3pt travel? It doesn't go very high.

Kentuckyfarmer · Feb 11, 2017

ericm979 said:
I got my 3725 today. It's got almost three times the displacement of my B7100 and yet it's quieter. I did some brush hogging. With a 5' cutter going through waist high thick bushes it doesn't even slow down.

Kentuckyfarmer I'm going to have to do your 3pt lever mod. It's too low and the travel is short.
Is there an adjustment that limits the 3pt travel? It doesn't go very high.

I didn't see any type of a height adjustment. Maybe some one else knows of something I don't. More knowledgeable people on here than me. Yes makes a world of difference with that 3pt extended and more travel in the handle. We need some pictures of the tractor to wee what we are missing out on. Good luck with your new purchase.

ericm979 · Feb 18, 2017

Finally got a day when I was home and the light wasn't too bad. It's been raining a lot here. Pictures show the 25 series' left side adjustable 3pt link (I see I left the handle lock unlocked) and two factory remotes. I got a dealer added top and tilt. There's a larger fuel filter, dashboard that I think is a little different from the 20 series, and the moved PTO, cruise and 4-way flasher switches.