Branson 5520R 50Hrs Service

[Phattruck]

My Branson 5520R is approaching its 50Hrs service mark, I ordered the filters, 15W-40 oil, and 80W-90 gear oil. But I'm stuck on which Transmission/Hydraulic fluid to get, Traveller Premium Universal Tractor Trans/Hydraulic Fluid from TSC looks good but I'm also considering the Chevron THF 1000 at a higher cost.
Can you guys or gals advise me about if Traveller is a good Transmission/Hydraulic fluid for my Branson? I'm asking because there's no cross reference anywhere pointing the Traveller brand.
I've been browsing all over but I found no concrete answer to my dilemma, also the confusing TSC web page advertising two Traveller Premium Universal Tractor Trans/Hydraulic Fluid that looks the same on their page but one at $42.99 and the other one $61.99. Please help.

 

[K5lwq]

I used Mobile 424 tractor fluid.

 

[LouNY]

Mine was a bit more then that;
I'm using Cen-Pe-Co multi purpose fluid.
It's not cheap but it is a very high quality multi-purpose fluid.

 

[kantuckid]

The TSC fluid is being used in many high dollar tractors-that's a fact. As an "oil thread" this is no doubt highly disscussionable...

 

[ericm979]

The TSC stuff might be ok. But there's no testing of tractor fluids to see if they meet standards. The oil manufacturer can claim whatever they want. I trust major companies like Chevron and Mobil more than TSC.

My owner's manual lists actual brands/models of oil instead of standards. Chevron THF1000 was one of the ones they listed. Being under warranty you might consider sticking with the THF.

If you can get THF1000 without paying for individual shipping you should be able to get it for less than $61/pail.

 

[Boswell]

I'm not endorsing Travelers brand however i have seen this very topic discussed on this forum as well as other tractor forums. I have never seen a failure reported from the use of Travelers. I did see a complaint about water in the buckets where apparently pallets of the oil were exposed to rain and water that gathered on the top of the buckets somehow found its way inside.
That all being said, I am guessing there are tens of thousands of tractors and other equipment currently in use with this oil. Private labeling is common. Napa brand motor oil is nothing more than Valvoline. Travelers is most likely a very well known and reputable brand.

 

[LouNY]

I don't shop Tractor Supplys brand of oils so I haven't watched closely but I see that their supplier of the so called "303" and they have had a class action lawsuit about the oils not meeting the advertised spec.
I do buy some of my brand name oil from them or Wally world.com

 

[Boswell]

I'm not by any means an authority. My understanding (and someone please correct me if I am wrong) "303" should not be used in anything but the older vintage tractors. It does not meet recommended or have the recommended ratings to be used in a more modern tractor. Very cheap stuff and those who may shop buy price only may get themselves in trouble. Cheap is not a good way to shop, or is most expensive. Just make sure it meets or exceeds the recommendations of your tractor manufacturer. As for the "303" lawsuit I know nothing about. I will see if I can find more info.

 

[Number15]

303 is a no no. lot's of states have a stop sale on 303 now and it is getting harder to find. That's a good thing.

Travellers is blended by one of the warren companies. I'm sure it decent stuff, I probably would have used it if Mobil 424 was not on sale.

 

[Phattruck]

Thank you to everyone for the great input/recommendation, really appreciated.

 

[kantuckid]

Warren also mfg.'s the Rural King oils. There are mdf's available if your into details. The Providence HD full syn oil I use is a full pkg proper oil. Asking dealers what brand to use is OK but not how I play. TSC's full syn tractor fluid is good stuff in my book. Walmart, last time I checked came off the same line at Quaker State for their full syn oils which I buy in the 12qt boxes.

 

[kantuckid]

I'll share this caution & tip when installing a new hydraulic filter on your Branson. The lipped rubber sealing ring on the filters is loose in it's groove and easily falls off while handling the filter. As I opened the box it was readily obvious that it's loose and un-retained in any way.
To avoid a calamity I placed a very sticky grease in the groove to ensure the seal remains in place as the filters screwed on. Also make certain that your sealing ring is not flipped backwards if it does fall off as one side has sealing lips while the other is flat.

Note!-On the FB Branson group there is a very recent picture of an owners hydraulic filter with a loose piece of what is probably a fallen off sealing ring showing!
This a real concern to avoid.

I went with O'Reily's tractor fluid as TSC was out of what I've been using. Walmart also sells a premium Universal tractor fluid but costs more (about a buck a gallon more!) than the one I bought.

 

[ptsg]

Note!-On the FB Branson group there is a very recent picture of an owners hydraulic filter with a loose piece of what is probably a fallen off sealing ring showing!
This a real concern to avoid.

I also saw that filter picture on the FB group, although, I don't really post anything on that group. All it is, is just a piece of RTV that the factory used. Not concerning at all. It's exactly for things like that that the 50 hour maintenance is important. Not so much changing the oil, but the filters.

If the guy who took that picture, would cut the filter open, he would most likely find some shavings/metal chips as well from the machining processes. Kubota is specially bad at cleaning the castings after machining and there are several threads on TBN showing some stuff way too big to be in there.

 

[kantuckid]

That picture caught my eye based on the absence of the sealing gasket itself, not the piece of black stuff you called RTV silicone.