Branson 4720h initial service / Issues and Concerns / Information Needed

Dusty Discs · Mar 18, 2013

First things first: GREETINGS TO ALL! New member here and I'm looking forward to many interesting discussions concerning the object of our professions, hobbies, toys or however you describe all things tractor. I'll get to the point.

After extensive review of this forum, I was ready (I thought) to tackle the initial service on my Branson 4720h. Warmed up Big Red, drained the Hydro oil, cleaned the screen, changed the hydraulic and transmission filters (OEM) all with no problems. (A friend stopped by and we B.S.'d until I was called for dinner. (I'll finish tomorrow.)
Next morning, while changing the oil in the front axle, I encountered the issues that are the subject of this post.
I first drained the right side and only a little over 3 qts. came out. I next checked the dip stick (left side) and it showed the oil level right in the middle of the safe zone. I then drained the left side and got about the same amount for a total of about 6.3 qts from the front axle. This is over a quart less than the capacity of the system (7.4 qts.) according to the owner's manual. OK, so it wasn't all the way full. No concern (yet). The manual also said there are 3 drain plugs for the front axle but I could only find two plus one burp plug, all with yellow paint. Is there a third drain plug that I missed? Maybe some used oil that I did not drain out? Starting to get concerned. I next reinstalled the two drain plugs. I expected to add about the same quantity of oil as I removed but NO! I was only able to add about 60 fl. oz. (1.875 qts) on each side when I reached the full mark on the dip stick. What gives?

Summary: I remove 6.3 qts. from a 7.4 qt. system when the dip stick reads in the middle of the safe zone. I then refill the system with only 5.0 qts. and the dip stick reads full. That doesn't seem OK. Any ideas?

Another issue: The owner's manual calls for the same hydro oil in both the hydro system and the front axle. My gut tells me this is wrong. Should be gear oil in the front axle, right? Did I screw up again by putting hydro oil in the front axle? I think I probably did. If so, how do I get all 7.4 qts. out when only 6.3 qts. (or 5 qts.) comes out when drained. Or are the manual specs. wrong and the system really holds less.
Whew. That's it. Sorry I got so windy but I am both confused and concerned. Big Red is parked and will remain so until I get these issues resolved and questions answered. I trust the good folks who read these posts can shed some light on these matters.
Thanks in advance for all responses.

emitchell · Mar 18, 2013

Kukje which makes Branson does recommend hydraulic fluid in the front axle, you were right in putting it in there. I would button everything back up and drive the tractor forward and backward a few times and check again. This would purge the casings of any air pockets that might have formed that could give a false measurement. If it shows full I would use the tractor normally and just monitor the fluid. You could also take the burp plug out of the right side and make sure its not stopped up.

sd455dan · Mar 18, 2013

Dusty Discs said:
First things first: GREETINGS TO ALL! New member here and I'm looking forward to many interesting discussions concerning the object of our professions, hobbies, toys or however you describe all things tractor. I'll get to the point.

After extensive review of this forum, I was ready (I thought) to tackle the initial service on my Branson 4720h. Warmed up Big Red, drained the Hydro oil, cleaned the screen, changed the hydraulic and transmission filters (OEM) all with no problems. (A friend stopped by and we B.S.'d until I was called for dinner. (I'll finish tomorrow.)
Next morning, while changing the oil in the front axle, I encountered the issues that are the subject of this post.
I first drained the right side and only a little over 3 qts. came out. I next checked the dip stick (left side) and it showed the oil level right in the middle of the safe zone. I then drained the left side and got about the same amount for a total of about 6.3 qts from the front axle. This is over a quart less than the capacity of the system (7.4 qts.) according to the owner's manual. OK, so it wasn't all the way full. No concern (yet). The manual also said there are 3 drain plugs for the front axle but I could only find two plus one burp plug, all with yellow paint. Is there a third drain plug that I missed? Maybe some used oil that I did not drain out? Starting to get concerned. I next reinstalled the two drain plugs. I expected to add about the same quantity of oil as I removed but NO! I was only able to add about 60 fl. oz. (1.875 qts) on each side when I reached the full mark on the dip stick. What gives?

Summary: I remove 6.3 qts. from a 7.4 qt. system when the dip stick reads in the middle of the safe zone. I then refill the system with only 5.0 qts. and the dip stick reads full. That doesn't seem OK. Any ideas?

Another issue: The owner's manual calls for the same hydro oil in both the hydro system and the front axle. My gut tells me this is wrong. Should be gear oil in the front axle, right? Did I screw up again by putting hydro oil in the front axle? I think I probably did. If so, how do I get all 7.4 qts. out when only 6.3 qts. (or 5 qts.) comes out when drained. Or are the manual specs. wrong and the system really holds less.
Whew. That's it. Sorry I got so windy but I am both confused and concerned. Big Red is parked and will remain so until I get these issues resolved and questions answered. I trust the good folks who read these posts can shed some light on these matters.
Thanks in advance for all responses.

isn't there a drain plug for the center differential of the front axle, maybe it's recessed ?

Tchara · Mar 20, 2013

I checked the fluid in my front axle, but there wasn't a dip stick (3520R). The manual said there was one on the right side of the axle.But just the cap. I filled the front axle to the threads. Can you over fill the axle. It's a brand new tractor, and took almost 2 quarts.

eldumpogrande · Mar 20, 2013

Tchara said:
I checked the fluid in my front axle, but there wasn't a dip stick (3520R). The manual said there was one on the right side of the axle.But just the cap. I filled the front axle to the threads. Can you over fill the axle. It's a brand new tractor, and took almost 2 quarts.

On my 4720h the dipstick is on the left side. I seem to recall someone in the past on this site saying the manual had the wrong side stated. From what I've seen on Branson literature, which is sub par, this is very possible. As far as adding too much, I'm pretty sure you don't want to do that. As it heats up, this could cause problems with expansion. When I changed mine, I was (unlike you) able to check the level with the dipstick. You look on the left side? (BTW, I only found two drain plugs for the front axle.)

Hansen Equipment Inc · Mar 20, 2013

Changing oil in the front axle is a time consuming process. They drain slow and fill slow. We always watch the amount that came out (as long as it was correct) and the amount that goes back in. Pressure can get trapped in the outer housings. We lift the front wheels off the ground and pivot the axle to each side for awhile. Then with the correct amount in the axle we run it around the yard, then let it sit overnight if we can and then recheck it. A good rule of thumb is the oil should be a little over half way up in the main housing. We use 80w90 gear oil in the front axle. A MTF hyd oil would work in the front axle, the rear axle and trans uses a MTF hyd oil and has the same type of gears so it would not hurt anything. It may make more noise when hot due to MTF is thin and has no tack. The R series Branson calls for 80w90 gear oil.

Tchara · Mar 20, 2013

I read your post yesterday, and when I got home tonight looked on the left side for the dip stick and found one. The manual says right side. And as feared I over filled it, so I drained enough out to get it in the operating range of the dip stick. Gonna drive it a little bit then check it again.

ARNAUDVILLE · Mar 6, 2018

so that big yellow screw on top of the axle is the dip stick .is it really a screw or a plastic cover over the screw that pops off. I'm no mechanic but I'm retired and trying to save a few bucks . but I do have a 15 acre crawfish pond that keeps me busy . please help me.

ARNAUDVILLE · Mar 6, 2018

whats a burp plug and what does it look like

ericm979 · Mar 7, 2018

On my 3725 there's a red plastic fill plug on the right hub gear housing and a yellow painted hex nut with dipstick on the left. Each hub housing has a drain plug but the oil is common for the entire axle and both housings.

lowriderb · Mar 18, 2018

I am changing my trans fluid today on my 4720H today. I see/have the two oem Hyd filters.. Wheres the "screen" at? I,m thinking Costco for utf unless theres a tractor supply in Wenatchee wa. then I,ll the there utf. I,m at 50hrs now.

LouNY · Mar 18, 2018

I don't know where your tractors screen is, on my 8050 it was on the rear housing down low by the pto, it was an oval cover with a bolt in each ear, mine also had a magnetic plate in the bottom of the rear housing a small plate held on by 4 bolts.
If yours is a hydrostatic trans personally depending on the temperatures that you use your tractor in I'd be leery of Costco or TSC fluids.
Is it worth it to save 20-50 dollars on fluid every few years for what you have invested in your tractor

Cougsfan · Mar 19, 2018

Wow Lou, Are you trying start the 1,000th debate on this forum concerning oil quality? We are really talking well over a $100 cost difference between Costco Premium tractor fluid and one of the "brand" names for changing the hydraulic oil on a 4720. I guess I am not as rich as some people, because to me that isn't small pocket change. I have never heard a fact based argument that the store brand oils that meet the correct specs are any better or worse for your tractor than the brand names. Now if you put 303 fluid in your 4720, you will have screwed up. But we are not talking about that. We are talking about a fluid that meets Branson's specs. You hear arguments about not all oils are the same, and the additives and quality of additives between various fluids, but no one can seem to quantify what they are talking about in any way that is more sophisticated than biased marketing hype.

Personally I am not in the slightest bit convinced that Chevron brand at $110 per 5 gallons is a single iota better than Costco Premium tractor fluid at $47/5 gallons. I would love to see an independent fact based study showing otherwise. I wouldn't try to convince anyone not to put expensive fluid in their tractor if they want to. It will work just fine. But unless someone can produce something more substantial that anecdotal based arguments, I remain unimpressed by the old "is it really worth the x dollars" line.

LouNY · Mar 19, 2018

Cougsfan said:
Wow Lou, Are you trying start the 1,000th debate on this forum concerning oil quality? We are really talking well over a $100 cost difference between Costco Premium tractor fluid and one of the "brand" names for changing the hydraulic oil on a 4720. I guess I am not as rich as some people, because to me that isn't small pocket change. I have never heard a fact based argument that the store brand oils that meet the correct specs are any better or worse for your tractor than the brand names. Now if you put 303 fluid in your 4720, you will have screwed up. But we are not talking about that. We are talking about a fluid that meets Branson's specs. You hear arguments about not all oils are the same, and the additives and quality of additives between various fluids, but no one can seem to quantify what they are talking about in any way that is more sophisticated than biased marketing hype.

Personally I am not in the slightest bit convinced that Chevron brand at $110 per 5 gallons is a single iota better than Costco Premium tractor fluid at $47/5 gallons. I would love to see an independent fact based study showing otherwise. I wouldn't try to convince anyone not to put expensive fluid in their tractor if they want to. It will work just fine. But unless someone can produce something more substantial that anecdotal based arguments, I remain unimpressed by the old "is it really worth the x dollars" line.

No I really would not like that, that being said I just went to TSC's web site and looked at their multipurpose fluids and was surprised/disappointed that they don't list what specs it meets or exceeds in todays world and being more familiar with IH fluids if it doesn't meet or exceed MS-1209 I would not even consider it. I know that my 8050 wanted Texaco fluid which is non existent, my dealer provided a Gulf product which didn't work well with my power shuttle and had terrible cold starting performance. I am now running Cen-Pe-Co multi purpose which is working good for me.
With a hydrostatic tractor I would want a fluid with extremely high shear strengths and good cold weather flow qualities but that is strictly a personal opinion, I also run synthetic oil and lubes in most equipment truck, car, tractors even my old 574 has Rotella T6 oil for cold start and flow as well as high temp stability. But again this is strictly my opinion.

lowriderb · Mar 19, 2018

I went with what the Branson dealer in Spokane said to use. Napa UTF green lid. I just changed the oil, rotella T6 5-40 in the engine. 80-90 W gear oil I,ll get tomorrow for the front diff.. still not sure where the screen is on a 4720H..I will poke around it tomorrow. Should the tractor be hot when doing the trans and diff changes?

Peter 315 · Mar 19, 2018

If the oil is warm it will drain out better

lowriderb · Mar 20, 2018

Screen cleaning ring a bell with anyone? I see nothing in the manual about a transmission screen. Just a radiator screen.

LouNY · Mar 20, 2018

lowriderb said:
Screen cleaning ring a bell with anyone? I see nothing in the manual about a transmission screen. Just a radiator screen.

Yes there seems to be a screen crossways in the case, items 36-39 I believe. The attached PDF is a parts break down.
View attachment 4720 hydraulics.pdf

lowriderb · Mar 20, 2018

I see the "strainer" in the diagram, I found this on my tractor. It looks accessible from both sides. I going to put a few hours on the tractor and drain the hyd. fluid. I see two drain bolts painted yellow under there. One seems to be in some kind of separate housing.