New Tractor Problems

[jrsavoie]

Remind me not to buy one of those Branson tractors.

 

[K5lwq]

Remind me not to buy one of those Branson tractors.

Make no mistake about it, this is a dealer problem not a brand problem. Branson will stand behind that starter, if it is still under the warranty.

The dealer sounds willing to help but only if the tractor is brought to them. Some dealers will send a tech to the tractor and some will pick it up at no charge or for a nominal fee.

Some dealers say it is up to the customer to bring it to them period. All of this should be understood before purchasing any big ticket item.

 

[jrsavoie]

Make no mistake about it, this is a dealer problem not a brand problem. Branson will stand behind that starter, if it is still under the warranty.

The dealer sounds willing to help but only if the tractor is brought to them. Some dealers will send a tech to the tractor and some will pick it up at no charge or for a nominal fee.

Some dealers say it is up to the customer to bring it to them period. All of this should be understood before purchasing any big ticket item.

I'd be calling cooperate, if that's possible. Then I'd be trading it in on something else if there was no resolution.

 

[cokeicee]

If it's an osgr starter sometimes the solenoid contacts or the plunger are to blame.

it isnt it is a jheeco. Ive been looking for one on the internet and cant seem to find this exact one.

Make no mistake about it, this is a dealer problem not a brand problem. Branson will stand behind that starter, if it is still under the warranty.

The dealer sounds willing to help but only if the tractor is brought to them. Some dealers will send a tech to the tractor and some will pick it up at no charge or for a nominal fee.

Some dealers say it is up to the customer to bring it to them period. All of this should be understood before purchasing any big ticket item.

Yes when I bought it I asked about servicing and the person delivering it said there was no problem with picking it up. I don't think he said anything about cost be even so I don't mind paying the dealer a fee to pick it up. They told me to hire a wrecker. It is 50ish miles to the dealer all highway. I tried 3 different companies and the cheapest 1 way was 435$.

I'd be calling cooperate, if that's possible. Then I'd be trading it in on something else if there was no resolution.

I called Branson and the service guy said I had to go through a dealer. I told him about the situation and he gave me the number to dealers that were 2.5 hours away. He said that was all he could do. If they don't resolve it, I will order the part from somewhere and get it installed myself. I just wish companies didn't act like this. I have called no less than 20 times in 4 days. 18 times the service department isn't there. Always an excuse, lunch, errands or just not answering. 1st time I called, very helpful and suggested different things that could be wrong. I told him I'd try all of them and get back. Went to get back to him and they told me to call a wrecker so I asked about the part and they told me I'd have to pay retail for it if I did the work myself. I asked how much the part was and they said they'd call me back with the price. That was Tuesday. Haven't had a meaningful conversation since. This is a pretty big dealer. I'd trade it in but my only other choice is JD.

 

[K5lwq]

I'd be calling cooperate, if that's possible. Then I'd be trading it in on something else if there was no resolution.

So a starter that could be rebuilt if necessary for around $100 at any local starter/alternator shop would cause you to spend $18k to 25k for a new tractor? At some point you have to pay for your own maintenance anyway.

Me, I would fix it and move on in life.

 

[K5lwq]

it isnt it is a jheeco. Ive been looking for one on the internet and cant seem to find this exact one.


Yes when I bought it I asked about servicing and the person delivering it said there was no problem with picking it up. I don't think he said anything about cost be even so I don't mind paying the dealer a fee to pick it up. They told me to hire a wrecker. It is 50ish miles to the dealer all highway. I tried 3 different companies and the cheapest 1 way was 435$.


I called Branson and the service guy said I had to go through a dealer. I told him about the situation and he gave me the number to dealers that were 2.5 hours away. He said that was all he could do. If they don't resolve it, I will order the part from somewhere and get it installed myself. I just wish companies didn't act like this. I have called no less than 20 times in 4 days. 18 times the service department isn't there. Always an excuse, lunch, errands or just not answering. 1st time I called, very helpful and suggested different things that could be wrong. I told him I'd try all of them and get back. Went to get back to him and they told me to call a wrecker so I asked about the part and they told me I'd have to pay retail for it if I did the work myself. I asked how much the part was and they said they'd call me back with the price. That was Tuesday. Haven't had a meaningful conversation since. This is a pretty big dealer. I'd trade it in but my only other choice is JD.

Do you know anyone with a pickup truck and a trailer? I don’t think you need a wrecker. It should not be that hard to get it transported.

Maybe offer to pay the dealer mileage to send a tech to your place to fix it.

 

[cokeicee]

So a starter that could be rebuilt if necessary for around $100 at any local starter/alternator shop would cause you to spend $18k to 25k for a new tractor? At some point you have to pay for your own maintenance anyway.

Me, I would fix it and move on in life.

I didnt know you could get a starter rebuilt. I will call around tomorrow to find a place.

 

[cokeicee]

Do you know anyone with a pickup truck and a trailer? I don’t think you need a wrecker. It should not be that hard to get it transported.

Maybe offer to pay the dealer mileage to send a tech to your place to fix it.

I have both I cant move it. I dragged it 4 feet with my truck and it left ruts in my driveway because I had the forks on the front in float. Id have to figure a way to raise them. The rotary cutter on the back I feel I could drop in place with a few good kicks but the forks IDK about.

 

[K5lwq]

Put it in float and jack the loader up high enough to load on the trailer. Then cut a piece of angle iron the length to support the cylinder so it will stay when you lower the jack.

Something like this.

 

[jrsavoie]

it isnt it is a jheeco. Ive been looking for one on the internet and cant seem to find this exact one.


Yes when I bought it I asked about servicing and the person delivering it said there was no problem with picking it up. I don't think he said anything about cost be even so I don't mind paying the dealer a fee to pick it up. They told me to hire a wrecker. It is 50ish miles to the dealer all highway. I tried 3 different companies and the cheapest 1 way was 435$.


I called Branson and the service guy said I had to go through a dealer. I told him about the situation and he gave me the number to dealers that were 2.5 hours away. He said that was all he could do. If they don't resolve it, I will order the part from somewhere and get it installed myself. I just wish companies didn't act like this. I have called no less than 20 times in 4 days. 18 times the service department isn't there. Always an excuse, lunch, errands or just not answering. 1st time I called, very helpful and suggested different things that could be wrong. I told him I'd try all of them and get back. Went to get back to him and they told me to call a wrecker so I asked about the part and they told me I'd have to pay retail for it if I did the work myself. I asked how much the part was and they said they'd call me back with the price. That was Tuesday. Haven't had a meaningful conversation since. This is a pretty big dealer. I'd trade it in but my only other choice is JD.

I'd be bad mouthing Branson from here to eternity.
You've already convinced me to never consider buying one.

Do you have AAA?

Might be cheaper to get the deluxe coverage. Have them tow it and have tows left over.

Hate to say it. But the past 2 times I tried to use them were both goat rodeos.

First time they were 28 hours to show up. The second recent time we waited 2 hours for a call and just drove the car to the shop.

I was glad to hear no further damage was done by driving it.

Until these last 2 adventures, everything's gone smoothly for the last, I don't know how many years.

 

[mini14]

Osgr means offset gear reduction. They are super easy to rebuild

 

[Cycledude]

since we don’t know for sure what’s causing this issue if it was me I’d be finding someone to haul it to the dealer for a reasonable price to hopefully get it fixed under warranty.

 

[hosspuller]

If you're going to replace it yourself sans warranty, call this outfit...

DB Electrical - Aftermarket Auto Parts - Starters and Alternators

I've used them for 3 starters & 1 alternator. (different machines) I'm well pleased.

 

[scaredychicken]

could there be a kill switch on it that was accidentally / unknowingly engaged, when you went to take the phone call ? check with the dealer.
seems to me that it would be an unknown, yet simple solution
all the best

 

[BarryTX]

It sucks to deal with that kind of dealer. Hope bringing their expert personnel to your place can be considered.

 

[kpsp50]

Sorry to hear about your misfortune. You have a bummer to bummer warranty. I have a 3515R got from KENO tractor phone number 541-850-8193 I live 1500 mile from them and would do it all over again.GREAT dealer. Call and talk to George or Eric the owner. They will help you over the phone and will ship you parts. You may have to E-mail papers to prove when you took possion of tractor for the warranty. GOOD luck please keep us posted. Steve hope it's something simple.

 

[ismilelots]

Hi All,
Wanted to get your take on things. I bought a new branson 2515h 5/23/2021. It has 45 hours on it. It was delivered to me from a dealer about 40 mins away. 3 days ago I was using the forks but had to run in the house to take a call. I shut it down and it would not turn back on. It makes a single click. I checked the battery at autozone, tried jumping it. Same results. I tried jumping the solenoid and same result. 1 click. I imagine the starter is bad. I called the dealer and they said I have to get it to them but it has the forks on the ground and a bush hog on the back. They want me to call a tow company and the cheapest is 450$. I personally think it is crazy but wanted to hear anyone elses thoughts.

If you have a hydro trans, I've had it happen twice exactly the same. Jumped off and it wouldn't restart. Both times it was a branch stuck in the safety switch for the pedals (they make sure they're centered before starting). Not sure if yours is the same, but worth looking. I have since bypassed that switch so it won't happen again.

 

[FarmerCliff]

I just banged the crap out of it and put power directly too it. It made a half turn and stopped with a grinding noise.

The sounds like a bad solenoid and/or not getting enough amperage. I had the same problem with my Kubota. Make sure you are jumpering with thick enough cables.

I would take booster cables and hook the negative from the battery to the engine block and the positive from the battery positive to starter always on terminal and then use a thick gauge wire to jump from the positive terminal to the "start" terminal. If you still get grinding and clicking then you probably need to replace the solenoid.

If you have older GM cars then you probably know a lot about bad solenoids and if you have an GM car with headers then you definitely know about bad solenoids

 

[Jerry/MT]

CHeck,clean,tighten all 4 battery cable connections. I'll bet starter isn't the problem.

+1

 

[jrsavoie]

Load test the battery.. Never ok know. I usually do that first