Clutch problem on new 7845

[KentC]

I have a new Branson 7845R that jerks hard during the first part of the clutch pedal travel. On this tractor, the clutch pedal operates a potentiometer that sends the clutch pedal position to the computer. After the initial jerk, and the pedal moves upward an inch or so, the normal, gradual transmission engagement begins. The jerking action only starts after the transmission is warm. The jerking occurs at different positions of the pedal; it is not consistent. Same problem in forward and reverse. As of this writing, the tractor only has 5 hours. Of course, my dealer is telling me that this behavior is normal for this tractor, but has ordered a replacement potentiometer to try. Any ideas?

 

[LouNY]

Morning Kent,
I have an 8050 which uses a similar arrangement.
We don't have a normal single disc clutch in these tractors, it is a multi disc wet clutch with
separate clutch packs for forward and reverse. The 8050 only has 3 ranges and the 4 speed tranny,
In the A range I can work the clutch smooth enough to hook up to implements or wagons, in B or C it
is too jerky and shudders to much.
It has taken some time to get used to running it, just use the shuttle lever for forward or reverse, don't
touch the foot clutch. The only time I use the foot clutch is shifting gears or ranges and if I'm working it where
a gear change will amount to stopping the tractor i just use the hand lever to go to neutral change my gear or range
and use the shuttle to reengage. On the road when I'm the high speed range I use the foot pedal to change gears
and keep the tractor moving.
If the dealer has the proper equipment the computer clutch engagement can be adjusted (laptop and software) most of them
will not have the software or knowledge of how to use it.
I believe that in this country only the 8050 and 7845 use this power shuttle, the rest of the world gets it in the K78 series a few others.
Different "hytran" fluids will also make a difference in the felt shift quality, I'm using Cen Pe Co multi purpose fluid now and it behaves
much nicer then the Texaco fluid I had changed to at the 50 hour service.
Enjoy your new tractor.

 

[KentC]

Lou,

Thanks for the info. Is your A range high or low? My transmission has 4 ranges; Crawl, 1st, 2nd and 3rd. My problem is most pronounced in 1st and 2nd. I have not had a use yet for Crawl and 3rd is a transport/highway range that is high enough to dampen the jerk. I mostly use 2nd gear and when I engage the clutch, the back tires will spin about 6 inches at the jerk, then the tractor does not move until I continue releasing the clutch pedal to the point that the transmission begins a smooth takeoff. Sometimes the jerk is when the pedal is 1/4" up from the bottom and sometimes 2-3".

 

[LouNY]

Kent,
My A is low, B is second and C is high.
Your issue sounds different then the way mine behaves, mine is just very difficult actually impossible to get a smooth engagement with the foot pedal.
It has taken me a while to get used to not using the foot clutch, but now I usually slip the shuttle into neutral and release the foot pedal
and let then controller handle it by using the shuttle lever.
I did find that switching the PTO to link I could get a softer PTO engagement then the switch gives.

 

[Mr Bitz]

You need to get it broke in and worn a bit. Might take 50- 100 hours. It'll get better.

 

[LouNY]

How is your clutch doing? any better

 

[claggstractors]

To KentC and LouNY, I am a Branson dealer in Oklahoma. I am currently on them like white on rice to provide the proper service tools for the 45 and 50 series tractor. Actually have the manual for the 45 series that they said they didn't have in 2016 but has a printing date of July 2015 so LouNY is correct about the incompetence of Bransons service department. If y'all would like to join me in the battle, via email, PM me. To Mr. Bitz, what you just said is just plain ignorant.

 

[Mr Bitz]

Really? just plain ignorant??? I have sold many 7845Cs but can't speak for 8050s have never sold one nor have I ever had one, but the 78s will start shifting better with time,. This is with first hand experience. So please don't be calling someone ignorant when you could have questioned their statement and asked how they have come to the conclusion especially a fellow dealer. Think first.

 

[claggstractors]

Yes. Ignorant, as in lacking knowledge. No need to question your first hand experience but your ignorance is causing you to think that the stopping of the shuddering and jerkiness is the clutch getting better or broken in. It is actually a failure symptom due to incorrect calibrations ruining the surface where the sealing rings ride on the clutch pack housings. This damage causes excessive leakage which gets rid of the shuddering but also gets rid of any hope of it lasting past 2000 hours. Know this from dealing with other power shuttle tractors that have had big bills, outside of the warranty period, due to lack of proper dealer knowledge and support.

 

[Mr Bitz]

No use talking to you. Obviously got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. This conversation is over. Sorry for your discust with Branson.

 

[KentC]

How is your clutch doing? any better

Branson advised my dealer that they had seen the problem before and recommended a replacement of the Electronic Control Module for the transmission. The part has arrived and the tractor is in the shop now. I am a little skeptical since the problem only starts after the motor/transmission is hot. The transmission works smooth as butter when first started and gets progressively worse as the engine/transmission gets warmer. I am not sure if the heat affects the ECM, but I guess it could.

To recap, when hot, the transmission jerks hard when engaging, whether with the clutch (potentiometer switch) or shuttle shifting. After the initial jerk, the transmission then smoothly engages and begins movement in the direction selected. This jerking is hard enough to slip all four tires on the dirt about 6 inches when running the engine at the recommended 1800-2100 rpm. The jerking occurs with the same intensity whether going forward or reverse. Replacing the potentiometer clutch switch did not help the problem.

I will post the result of the ECM change-out.

 

[Cougsfan]

Yes. Ignorant, as in lacking knowledge.

Wow! It is judgemental, biting, divisive statements like this that makes forums more harmful than good at times. Isn't it possible to respectfully disagree with someone without feeling the necessity to launch a personalized attack on them?

 

[KentC]

Got the tractor back from the dealer after they replaced the transmission's Electronic Control Module. I worked the tractor pretty hard over the weekend with a lot of stop, go and reversing direction while moving a lot of dirt.Replacing the ECM fixed the problem with the jerky transmission.

Next on my list is trying to correct the floppy bucket syndrome. I have read all the posts and have a good understanding of the cause. I am going to start with a adjustable hydraulic line restrictor.

 

[LouNY]

Good to hear it's working better.
It's a shame that the area rep or dealer didn't have the software and knowledge to reset/reprogram
the TCU. We have 2 tractors on the farm 1 CIH and 1 NH the Puma is a full electronic and has only needed a
couple of minor tweaks to the shuttle and power shift, the NH has needed powershift and shuttle shift programing a few times,
as it would be to harsh a shift. The service techs had the tools (laptop and software) to adjust and tune them as required.

 

[claggstractors]

Very surprising. I have replaced several on the 8050s with no or even worse change. Even if a servicing dealer or tech has the knowledge and wants the tools they are unavailable from Branson stateside. With age and wear on the power shuttle components the tools will become an absolute necessity.

 

[KentC]

To KentC and LouNY, I am a Branson dealer in Oklahoma. I am currently on them like white on rice to provide the proper service tools for the 45 and 50 series tractor. Actually have the manual for the 45 series that they said they didn't have in 2016 but has a printing date of July 2015 so LouNY is correct about the incompetence of Bransons service department. If y'all would like to join me in the battle, via email, PM me. To Mr. Bitz, what you just said is just plain ignorant.

I would like to have a copy of the manual for the 7845. How can I get it?

 

[Mr Bitz]

Can order one through a dealer. That's it as far as I know.

 

[DrericDO]

Got the tractor back from the dealer after they replaced the transmission's Electronic Control Module. I worked the tractor pretty hard over the weekend with a lot of stop, go and reversing direction while moving a lot of dirt.Replacing the ECM fixed the problem with the jerky transmission.

Next on my list is trying to correct the floppy bucket syndrome. I have read all the posts and have a good understanding of the cause. I am going to start with an adjustable hydraulic line restrictor.

Can you explain or take a pic of the ECM that was replaced on your tractor ( if you still have it 5 years later). I’m trying to fix mine that is doing the same. Or Maybe just the part number of what was replaced?