Branson 2800H Hyd leaks

[jpsaf8geusa]

2013 2800H with 600 hours, Add-a-Grapple.

First off, I really like this tractor. It has done everything I asked it to do. Only complaint has been the front wheel seals. The right front seal was repaired once under warranty and twice by me. Now the left front is leaking. Since I put the grapple on it it has been worked hard to bring fallen tree stuff out of the woods out back. I now have another leak under the floor board area of transmission fluid. I keep thinking that it must be related to the 3rd function switch that is located in that area but I can't see anything.

So the two questions:
1) is the front end that weak that the seals have to be replaced that often?
2) any ideas on the leak that seems to be coming from the main drive line area? It can't be the rear engine seal since it is hydraulic fluid.

As soon as the weather gets above freezing I plan on a full power wash to find the actual leak.

Thanks for help.
John Sage

 

[K5lwq]

Finding good quality seals is getting harder anymore. That said, I would not think you should have to change 3 on the right and now 1 on the left under normal operating conditions. Loaders can be hard on the front ends on all tractors when they are overloaded regularly. Not knowing your demand it will be difficult for anyone to give a good cause. Could it be you need to upgrade to a larger tractor?

The leak underneath could be coming from a hose or fitting. Is it possible you snagged something coming out of the woods?

 

[oldnslo]

There are two hoses on left side of tractor that are held in place by hose clamps. On my 2400H one of the clamps was lose allowing it to drip oil. Had to remove floor board to access the clamp

 

[Branson Bob]

John, on some models of Branson, gear oil will routinely leak out of the fill port on the front axle. I believe they addressed that problem by modifying the fill port. Are you absolutely sure it's your seals?

Another common fluid leak on Bransons is the steering piston which for some models was recalled and replaced.

 

[jpsaf8geusa]

Am I sure that it is coming out of seals? Mmmmmm. So I replaced the seal on the right side and filled it--then oils came out the right side. Thank you it deserves a closer look. As soon as the snow melts, probably Thursday, my plan is to complete power wash the tractor to find the other leak. I will drain the front and add lube and see where it is coming from. If it is that I will do my happy dance!!!
thanks,
John.

 

[ptsg]

Bob has a good point. Mine leaks out the vent port all the time, when working hills and the front axle leans towards the vent port.

I have the old style orange vent port, which is basically a plastic plug with hole through the center, then crossed at the top.

My dealer knew I was working on hills and overfilled the axle slightly on purpose. Once I started working the hills, it did leaked a little bit. It still does it after almost 300 hours but then again, the dipstick still reads at the full mark.

 

[thekidb]

I've had 2 leaks underneath my 2800h. One was a loose fitting that was accessed by removing the floor mat. Easy fix.

The other leak was around a rubber plug that is located above the front driveshaft exit on tranny. It looked like the plug had dry rotted. I simply applied a very liberal amount of RTV silicone on and around the plug. Hard to get to but that fixed it.

I also have issues with front end leaking through the filler cap when working on hills. I just deal with that one.

 

[jpsaf8geusa]

Everyone: thanks,

Found the leak underneath, it was probably, as K5lwq said, caused by something striking it. It steel line connection to transfer case. What a bugger to get to. I loosened the bolt and am going to put some sealant and hope for the best.

I looked at a Kubota B series tractor at the equipment rental place and it had the same type of front end knuckles. Now not sure about it. I may not have had the front end flat when I filled it. So now I am going to put it back together and put a little lube in at a time until I figure out for sure where stuff is leaking from.

Thanks for the sounding board. I just found the "Century-Branson" board. I kept looking for a Branson board never heard of Century so I missed it.
I will follow-up after I think everything is fixed.
John.

 

[K5lwq]

John, glad you found the leak but I am curious about that line. Do you have a picture of where the leak is coming from? Also, when you say sealant are you talking thread sealer?

 

[jpsaf8geusa]

K5lwq,

Here is a picture from the parts breakdown. It at the left end of pipe (11) right around the flange. The loosened bolt (10) and I can wiggle the pipe. I plan on lightly prying on the flange and putting RTV at the connection. I will let it seal for awhile and then try it out. If it still leaks I will have to remove rubber hose (8) to remove the tube to investigate further.

 

[ericm979]

RTV on the outside is unlikely to fix it but it won't hurt to try. If you can clean all the oil off with solvent first that will help.

From the the diagram it looks like there are two o-rings and seal or spacer on the pipe. Which is kind of unusual. But I bet they need replacing.

 

[PapeCAT]

My 2012 Branson 2800H had front steering seals replaced on warranty due to leaking pretty bad. Inside of the wheels were coated. Also the relief valves were leaking when loader hit relief pressure as well. They just "tightened ops good" from there was good to go.

It was my first tractor after buying our property. I worked it hard, lifted, dug, pried, etc with the loader and did things I shouldn't have that surely stressed that front end that caused seal leaks, I believe.

 

[K5lwq]

RTV on the outside is unlikely to fix it but it won't hurt to try. If you can clean all the oil off with solvent first that will help.

From the the diagram it looks like there are two o-rings and seal or spacer on the pipe. Which is kind of unusual. But I bet they need replacing.

This is what I was thinking.

 

[jpsaf8geusa]

Update: The front hyd leak was definitely the front hub seals. Replaced and all good. The RTV is holding good on the supply line so far. No spots under tractor!!! Good day.

Then there was the starter. The starter started hanging as I was finishing up the 600 hour maintenance. Argh! $546.00 for new starter. The original starter was one of the gear reduction starters and it's gears were all messed up. Phone calls to local (100 mi) electrical shop couldn't give me any info without a part number. Anyway the new starter is your old fashioned plain starter like you would find on a vintage American car. Now it sounds like an old ford six when starting but it starts and runs.

When the starter failed and I got the price for the new one I was ready to give up. I went to the orange dealer and priced a new L2501 and I would have gotten one if there was one available but luckily I would have to wait. Now that mine is back up and running I am sticking with what I have. I installed a 3rd function and an add-a-grapple. The little work horse is just the size I want.