My Tractor Seems Unstable

[GeneSimm7]

I have had my tractor for 5 or 6 years now and this year it feels like it wants to flip over when sideways on a hill. The same hill I have driven on often before. Anyone got any ideas why? I also had a problem a short while ago where one of the rear wheels would lock up briefly while traveling. The wheel would be turning and then stop for a fraction of a revolution and resume turning again. My tractor is a Century 2535 (similar to a Branson 3510) with 4WD.
Thanks - Gene

 

[jeff9366]

How long has it been since you checked air pressure in all four tires?

 

[Thomas]

Tire load w/fluid?
When tire stops turning does it leave drag mark?

 

[Wagtail]

This may seem weird but, do you wear prescription (driving) sunglasses? They can warp your 'close in' perception, making what is a safe inclination into a 'dangerous' one.

I was hay raking a sloped paddock that the year before had been perfectly safe (and I have non-loaded tyres). However the slope had somehow increased the next year. I took a wee break and removed my sunnies and the whole 'world' changed! I switched back to regular, non-prescription sunglasses and all was well.

 

[GeneSimm7]

Yes, it was leaving short skid marks.

 

[GeneSimm7]

I have not checked the tire pressure. Does anyone know what it should be for a 15 X 19.5 tire?

 

[CobyRupert]

Yes, it was leaving short skid marks.

The tire was leaving them on the ground? Or in your shorts when on the sidehill? :laughing:

 

[majorwager]

Typical compact tractor rear tire pressure is 20 psi, sometimes 18 psi.

 

[countrybumpkin]

I run 9-1/2 psi

 

[TractorNH]

Your thread title led me to believe the appropriate remedy for your tractor situation was to medicate it. Almost seemed like you were concerned about your tractor heading off and tearing up a field or crashing into other tractors or something.

 

[GeneSimm7]

Your thread title led me to believe the appropriate remedy for your tractor situation was to medicate it. Almost seemed like you were concerned about your tractor heading off and tearing up a field or crashing into other tractors or something.

Generally it doesn't run off by itself!

 

[3930dave]

Generally it doesn't run off by itself!

He was thinking of the Tesla version !

Back to regular programming ....

Gene - operating hours on tractor ?

All fluids (esp. HST, rear diff, hydraulic as applies....) are at proper levels ?

Rgds, D.

 

[9973720wb19]

I use to like amusement park ride when I was a kid...

 

[PILOON]

LOL, aging and new eyeglasses tend to re calibrate the 'pucker meter'.

 

[GeneSimm7]

He was thinking of the Tesla version !

Back to regular programming ....

Gene - operating hours on tractor ?

All fluids (esp. HST, rear diff, hydraulic as applies....) are at proper levels ?

Rgds, D.

Tractor has ~300 hours on it. Engine and hydraulic fluid are OK. It is a 12 speed so no hydro trans. I wonder about rear diff fluid, but I don't know where or how to check it. Any suggestions? Thanks

 

[countrybumpkin]

The rear diff fluid is your hydraulic fluid.

 

[3930dave]

Tractor has ~300 hours on it. Engine and hydraulic fluid are OK. It is a 12 speed so no hydro trans. I wonder about rear diff fluid, but I don't know where or how to check it. Any suggestions? Thanks

I don't know your particular model - I'm assuming it has wetbrakes <- why I was asking about fluid level. Short of one of your brake pedals/linkages hanging up, the other other (remote) possibility with weird wheel action could be the brake disks not releasing when they should.

I've seen weird action in hydraulic systems that turned out to be nothing more than water contamination....why my first question was about hours. Any chance of abnormal water ingress ? Tractor in high water, implements hooked up that had been sitting a long time, or submerged themselves ?

Check what your's specifically says, this Branson seems to be looking for hyd fluid change at 350hours.

http://www.branson-global.com/service/03.%20operators%20manual%20for%2025%20SERIES%20tractor.pdf

If you're not that far off the recommended interval, wouldn't hurt to change the hyd fluid and filter now.

Rgds, D.

 

[52wej]

Gene, I have the same tractor and the pausing does not sound normal at all. Is that still happening, or has it stopped? Were you on level ground, or going up or down a hill? As others have suggested you should change the rear transaxle/ hydraulic fluid.Every 300 hours is the recommended frequency.
Also I would have both rear wheels jacked off the ground and see how much play is in the drive train. And you could see if anything is binding when you turn one wheel and watch what the other does. Is it possible that the differential lock is somehow still engaged? It is usually hard to engage and sometimes does not disengage very easily when your foot is removed from the engagement pedal. I have > 1100 hours on mine and the differential locking mechanism is still quite stiff. W. Jones

 

[SPYDERLK]

I have had my tractor for 5 or 6 years now and this year it feels like it wants to flip over when sideways on a hill. The same hill I have driven on often before. Anyone got any ideas why? I also had a problem a short while ago where one of the rear wheels would lock up briefly while traveling. The wheel would be turning and then stop for a fraction of a revolution and resume turning again. My tractor is a Century 2535 (similar to a Branson 3510) with 4WD.
Thanks - Gene

Gene, I have the same tractor and the pausing does not sound normal at all. Is that still happening, or has it stopped? Were you on level ground, or going up or down a hill? As others have suggested you should change the rear transaxle/ hydraulic fluid.Every 300 hours is the recommended frequency.
Also I would have both rear wheels jacked off the ground and see how much play is in the drive train. And you could see if anything is binding when you turn one wheel and watch what the other does. Is it possible that the differential lock is somehow still engaged? It is usually hard to engage and sometimes does not disengage very easily when your foot is removed from the engagement pedal. I have > 1100 hours on mine and the differential locking mechanism is still quite stiff. W. Jones

Yes. I share the thought that the problem is in one of the transaxles.

Whether from diff lock, front or back differential itself, or a bearing in one of them.

It appears that the problem is in the rear from your description.​

.. To be kinda silly: Youve checked the wheel and hub lug bolts right?

 

[GeneSimm7]

Yes. I share the thought that the problem is in one of the transaxles.

Whether from diff lock, front or back differential itself, or a bearing in one of them.

It appears that the problem is in the rear from your description.​

.. To be kinda silly: Youve checked the wheel and hub lug bolts right?

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm suspicious of the differential as well. Can anyone tell me how and where to check the differential fluid and what sort of fluid it would require?
Thanks again to all!! Gene