Is this tractor trashed or am I being too picky?

BlaisePascal · Oct 15, 2018

Hi,

I drove to check out a Branson 4720h that has just a couple hundred hours on it. I was ready to fall in love, but I was surprised at how beat
up it looks. However, I don't know if I'm being too picky, since I haven't shopped for used tractors before. My current tractor (JD 5105) came with the house and land a few years ago.

Here are the issues that I found after going through the checklist that I posted here.

* The hydrostatic transmission needs to be adjusted. The tractor continues to move after releasing the forward or reverse pedals. I had to tap the other pedal to get it to stop; using the brakes wasn't sufficient.

* The hydro whined when using medium or high range (it was 40 degrees F outside). When starting to move on level ground in high range at idle speed, the hydro chattered and whined and the tractor stalled. It didn't stall at higher rpm, but still whined.

* The front end of the tractor and the FEL are pretty beat up. The bar that runs across the bucket width behind the bucket looks like it was broken and rewelded in the middle.

*Everything on the FEL seems straight and in line. The tractor nose guard is bent where it attaches to the tractor.

* The dealer reported a 5 or 6 drip oil leak and said, "Our Service Mgr. said it is the oil filter base/housing that is bolted to the block. He said it is easily accessible and should be a simple job." It wasn't leaking today, but they said that would fix it anyway.

* Other minor problems are a rip in the seat, the PTO shield is bent, and the 3 pt. top link is missing.

* Does the FEL look like it has been properly lubricated?

* Is this much dirt and grime around the headlights normal? A seal on the bottom of the hood was hanging loose, so I wonder if too much dust got into it.

The tractor started fine every time except once. That time it started after turning the PTO switch on and off. I hadn't touched the PTO switch up to that point.

The FEL and front wheels didn't have noticeable play in the them. The FEL, 3 pt. hitch and PTO all moved as expected, although the dealer didn't have any load that I could pick up with the FEL or equipment that I could attach to the 3 pt. hitch. They sell much bigger tractors.

I didn't notice any leaks. The air filter and radiator were dirty, but not clogged. The oil level was good and there was no froth on the stick after running the tractor. There was no battery corrosion. I didn't notice any smoke when starting the engine.

The brakes seemed okay: the engine did stall when I tried to move while holding the brakes. All three HST ranges worked, including reverse. There wasn't noticeable slop in the steering wheel. The emissions light blinked, but not every time that I started it.

Here are a few more photos.

View attachment 574873

So in addition to your thoughts on the individual issues above, I'd also appreciate your overall assessment. It this normal wear and tear for a tractor with a couple hundred hours, or was this tractor used too hard and should be avoided?

Thanks!

oosik · Oct 15, 2018

JMHO - whether you are too picky or not - - finding that many items of concern to you on the tractor - - you will most likely never be satisfied if you purchase it. My suggestion - - move on.

atsah · Oct 15, 2018

I would say the owner abused it only having a couple of hundred hours on it and it look like it does. I would move on to look at something that was taken care of..

mred2 · Oct 15, 2018

Agree, a lot of wear in a short time. Only way I would want it, a very low price, dealer to repair items, including welding the bar on the front, cleaning it up and painting the bar. I don't think you could get that tractor to smoke with the DTF filter on it. If the dealer will give you a 6 month warranty on every thing, front to back. And there is still factory powertrain warranty for at least 2 years.
For some of us there is always a price, but a lot of us can work on our own equipment.
At my age and ability, I would most likely walk.

mred2 · Oct 15, 2018

DPF not DTF, sorry.
There is a branson dealer in Wedowee, Huddleston Equipment. They may be able to look up some history on it. If they had been closer, that is the model tractor I would have been looking at.

Aquamoose · Oct 15, 2018

From the looks of it, it looked like it was rammed into something, either by accident or with neglect. The back looks like the PTO was never used (cover still on & too clean)

My tractor is at 325 hrs and it’s cleaner than this with a bit extra grease at the pins but it’s not a deal breaker if it’s still tight. Maybe you could ask to pull out one pin to inspect?

I’d ask for a 6 month warranty on the engine, pumps & tranny this if you still want to pursue.

BlaisePascal · Oct 15, 2018

Thanks for the replies.

Do any of the individual issues concern anyone?

If it's just high wear and tear, but everything is solid or fixable, then maybe I should get it if the price is right. But what is a good price?

Thanks.

Thomas · Oct 15, 2018

If I,I would look else where, to many questions marks.

Ford850 · Oct 15, 2018

It looks rough to me. With that much abuse to the outside, I have to wonder how it was used/abused internally and if it had regular maintenance. The price would have to be very low for me to consider it.

Tomtint · Oct 15, 2018

It looks like that thing has been under water.... where is it from ? ... anywhere that was recently flooded ?

ericm979 · Oct 15, 2018

The damage explains the low price. It's led a hard life. My 3725 stalls if you try to take off in high range at idle. The simple mechanical linkage Branson uses between the HST and throttle works well in low and medium but needs added throttle in high range. The bracket that holds the grill guard could be straightened or replaced. The cut and welded torque tube on the loader would concern me. If someone used the loader improperly and twisted the torque tube you fix it by cutting the tube, syncning the loader arms and welding the tube back together.

My other concern given the general damage and neglect is if the oil's been changed before the dealer got it. The maintenance schedule calls for a change at 50 hours of engine oil, HST fluid and front axle oil. They may have skipped all those and the dealer changed the engine oil. After the first change it's 300 hours for engine oil. I dont remember offhand what the HST interval is and my manuals aren't here.

BTW when operated on a side slope with uphill to the left the front axle oil can leak out of the breather cap on the right hub. That can lead to low fluid level which could cause damage if it got low enough.

metalbender · Oct 15, 2018

PASS Too many issues that are easily visible. What faults are there to make someone trade in a low hr machine?

tractorshopper · Oct 15, 2018

For just a couple hundred hours, I've had 3 machines that look much much nicer at that point. I'd pass, but that's just me. Must have hit something pretty hard to bend the grill guard rail. Maybe more than once. Might have been trying to use the loader as a bull dozer. There is a fine line between use and abuse and it's too new to look that way to me. Makes me wonder what you can't see that could also become a problem.

newbury · Oct 15, 2018

OP -
A LOT depends on price, there are a couple of listings on Tractorhouse.com

But where in heck near Birmingham, Al did it get down to 40°? I'm in Fulton and the lowest we've seen is 47°.

AWSubie · Oct 15, 2018

Tomtint said:
It looks like that thing has been under water.... where is it from ? ... anywhere that was recently flooded ?

My thought as well!

radios1 · Oct 15, 2018

there's a much better deal here. https://www.tractorhouse.com/listings/farm-equipment/for-sale/28182407/2014-branson-4720h

cathy liebchen · Oct 15, 2018

the welded front SSQA tube is a very common repair usually caused by using the loader with one lockdown arm not latched. The rest looks like minor stuff if the price was really low. Branson resale is usually pretty low as a percent of new price anyway. But buying used is always a risk

cathy liebchen · Oct 15, 2018

"He said it is easily accessible and should be a simple job" then they should have fixed this already. I see this all the time on used equipment. "I have the part and its a simple fix so buyer can do it"

BlaisePascal · Oct 15, 2018

Aquamoose said:
I壇 ask for a 6 month warranty on the engine, pumps & tranny this if you still want to pursue.

That's a good idea, but I drove 10 hours to look at the tractor, so getting warranty work done by the selling dealership is out of the question. Are there any third party warranties for tractors like a car extended warranty? If not, I don't see any way they could offer a warranty.