Oil & Fuel 2015 Branson 3520h DPF Issue

[LincTex]

By the way, you have way too many tractors. :laughing:

That's just the ones that "run and drive". Got a lot more for "decoration"!

 

[pblanton]

Hi , I have a new Branson 3520h with about 45 hours that I put on in the first 2 weeks of ownership . I have the loader and bh86 backhoe . I used it on one of my new home construction sites for trenching electrical , sewer and drain lines . I find the swing speed on the backhoe a bit slower than I'm used too , so I was running it at 2500-2600 rpm all day long . I found that it works better with the loader at this rpm too . The dealer also told be that it should be run at pto speed for the DPF . It ran perfect with lots of power the whole time . Also when I have it in my shop , It sure is nice when I start it up to get it out (or put it away) that I am not choking on nasty diesel exhaust , it has no visible smoke and no smell . (much better than the worn out bobcat loader and excavator that I sold , those two were heavy smokers lol)
Just my two cents

^^^ Loves the assspain of an unreliable tool ^^^

LOL! Just kidding. I agree that the exhaust of a Dee Pee Effed diesel tractor is as sweet as a breast-fed baby fart, but if the tractor is not used at full throttle and over a relatively short period of time plugs up to a point that the tractor strands you, then it is a FAIL!!! I should be able to use a tractor lightly without being punished for living in the US. Being the self-starting, problem-solver that the Texas public school system taught me to be, I'm modding it.

And seriously... The Texas public school system of the late seventies/early eighties was pretty damned good. I wasn't allowed to slack and was pushed toward the best use of my innate abilities. It's a shame that modern oatmeal-headed students are taught bullshiznit...

I also have the backhoe and have to admit that it's probably the best backhoe at this price point. Of course I'd rather be able to move and dig at the same time but those backhoes are more than double the price of a Branson *520 with a backhoe.

This one though has "voice control" for moving as long as you have an extra person sitting in the main tractor seat, who listens to your commands and executes them perfectly. That's meat-based voice-operated backhoe positioning. Meat-based technology is tried and true; proven over multi-millenia of real-world use. The only issue is that meat-based technology is universally unreliable and in societies where slavery is illegal, quite expensive.

 

[rterp]

^^^ Loves the assspain of an unreliable tool ^^^

LOL! Just kidding. I agree that the exhaust of a Dee Pee Effed diesel tractor is as sweet as a breast-fed baby fart, but if the tractor is not used at full throttle and over a relatively short period of time plugs up to a point that the tractor strands you, then it is a FAIL!!! I should be able to use a tractor lightly without being punished for living in the US. Being the self-starting, problem-solver that the Texas public school system taught me to be, I'm modding it.

And seriously... The Texas public school system of the late seventies/early eighties was pretty damned good. I wasn't allowed to slack and was pushed toward the best use of my innate abilities. It's a shame that modern oatmeal-headed students are taught bullshiznit...

I also have the backhoe and have to admit that it's probably the best backhoe at this price point. Of course I'd rather be able to move and dig at the same time but those backhoes are more than double the price of a Branson *520 with a backhoe.

This one though has "voice control" for moving as long as you have an extra person sitting in the main tractor seat, who listens to your commands and executes them perfectly. That's meat-based voice-operated backhoe positioning. Meat-based technology is tried and true; proven over multi-millenia of real-world use. The only issue is that meat-based technology is universally unreliable and in societies where slavery is illegal, quite expensive.

I just read your reply 5 minutes ago , and i'm still laughing my a** off . Yeah I know what you saying, I figured I had two choices , #1 once again buy somebody elses old POS tlb , or #2 buy a brand new shiny Branson with warranty ( and get some exercise switching between seats lol ) !!!

 

[rterp]

Oh yeah , bplanton , let us know how you make out modifying the muffler

 

[Kentuckyfarmer]

Have a 4720 and removed the soot cooker from it a few weeks ago because of the same reason. Winter time just short runs and not getting warm enough. Summer different story. I used a Allis Chalmers muffler bought from tsc and piped it above the cab. It is a little barky but not bad inside of the cab at all. I removed the pressure sensor and exhaust temp sensor and taped up the connectors. Also removed the data logger that's bolted above the battery and taped up that connector. No lights on dash and runs like a top. No more worries.

 

[pblanton]

Oh yeah , bplanton , let us know how you make out modifying the muffler

I bought a muffler at Tractor Supply and took the new mufler and the DPF to Bud's Muffler in Colorado Springs. The bend on the inlet to the DPF is so tight that he had to send the tubing out to get it mandrel bent and he also had to have the flange plates fabricated because they apparently aren't a standard size. The muffler cost about $30 and the shop work was $156; so my DPF delete kit for the 2015 Branson 3520H was under $200.

I dropped it off at Bud's just before new year's eve and they called today to tell me that it's ready. I told them no rush, so it took about ten days to get the work done.

My wife is picking up the muffler this afternoon and I will install it after work and take some pictures. I'll take some video too so you can hear the way it sounds with a muffler instead of DPF.

 

[Kentuckyfarmer]

I bought a muffler at Tractor Supply and took the new mufler and the DPF to Bud's Muffler in Colorado Springs. The bend on the inlet to the DPF is so tight that he had to send the tubing out to get it mandrel bent and he also had to have the flange plates fabricated because they apparently aren't a standard size. The muffler cost about $30 and the shop work was $156; so my DPF delete kit for the 2015 Branson 3520H was under $200.

I dropped it off at Bud's just before new year's eve and they called today to tell me that it's ready. I told them no rush, so it took about ten days to get the work done.

My wife is picking up the muffler this afternoon and I will install it after work and take some pictures. I'll take some video too so you can hear the way it sounds with a muffler instead of DPF.

Did you pipe it up or have it still blowing toward the front (stock)? I used the flange off the inlet of the dpf. Cut it off was the same size as the outlet of the exhaust manifold. Bought the muffler from tsc and two 180 degree and two 90 degree and one 22 degree mandrel bends off the web. Was 11 gauge stuff. Cost about 48 bucks. Made a couple hangers out of some scrap iron I had and bought a couple muffler clamps. Welded the mandrel bends after cutting and dry fitting everything and muffler is clamped so I can remove and replace if need be. All cost was under 100 bucks. I have it go up because I was tired of it blowing dust and hay chaff up sucking it in the radiator. Not any more noise just a little when it's working hard it bellars a little. Unplug the two sensors and the data logger and it acts like it never was there. Simple!!!

 

[pblanton]

Did you pipe it up or have it still blowing toward the front (stock)?

I left it like it was. The new muffler is a bolt in replacement for the DPF. I haven't taken off the sensors and data logger yet, so the DPF light is still flashing like mad. I just needed to get the tractor off of the road where it stranded itself a month ago. I'll pull it into the shop this weekend and clean it up. I need to remove the sensors and data logger, and weld up a bracket for the muffler.

With the muffler on in place of the DPF, it feels like it's been uncorked. It feels much more responsive and more powerful. If you had me drive one with a DPF and one without and told me the one without was turbocharged, I'd believe you. This little three cylinder engine is actually pretty hairy chested.

When I first started the tractor after installing the new muffler, it smoked like a gateway to he11. I ran the RPM up a bit and once it burned off the soot that had lined the exhaust manifold, it cleaned up a lot. The only real difference now is it is a little louder, and belches a bit of smoke when you first start it. When you accelerate it also puffs a little smoke, but once it reaches operating RPM, the visible smoke stops. Just like the diesel tractors I grew up on.

Pictures follow...







And for a video that shows me starting it and the way it sounds now...

YouTube

 

[Kentuckyfarmer]

Yea you just unplug the stuff and the light goes out. I know what you mean it does seem to have a little more hair on its chest. If I knew how to post pictures I would how I did it. Got to love how simple these tractors are to rid your self of this one problem. I had a 2010 dodge cummins and it cost lots more to clean that motor bay up. It too ran like a different animal. Nice job and am sure it will prevent problems in the future. Knock on wood!!!

 

[LincTex]

...and he also had to have the flange plates fabricated because they apparently aren't a standard size. The muffler cost about $30 and the shop work was $156; ...

That sounds pretty fair.

 

[dancath]

Neat!! If I did this to my 4720 could I then run my engine lower rpm then the crazy high one every one recommends.It sure burns a lot of fuel.

Thanks

Dan

 

[Branson Bob]

Nice video too.

Glad to have the parts # as well.

Great job and thanks for the info.

 

[Kentuckyfarmer]

Neat!! If I did this to my 4720 could I then run my engine lower rpm then the crazy high one every one recommends.It sure burns a lot of fuel.

Thanks

Dan

Yup. Idle it, warm it up what ever you want. Nothing more to plug up. Just like the having an old diesel. Even the smell.

 

[LincTex]

Not any more noise just a little when it's working hard it bellars a little.

The only real difference now is it is a little louder,

JUST FOR REF... A guy wouldn't have to use that Stanley ford muffler. It's a straight through.
If you want it a little quieter, go to Napa and ask for a small oval shaped muffler.

 

[pblanton]

This particular Stanley muffler has a baffle in the middle. You can't see straight through it like some of the others, which is why I picked it. That said, you have plenty of room for an oval muffler with better baffles and that would make it much quieter.

 

[Texasmark]

So the DOC got clogged. He must use his tractor like I do. It runs for about 10 minutes most of the time. Not enough to heat up to burn up the soot. I was wondering if this would be a factor with the DOC design.

Scuse me for butting in but you are going to accumulate moisture especially in the winter in all your fluids doing that besides having DEF problems you mention. You asked for help by posting. Here's my take on trying to help you. Do the 2k run-in as stated every 25 or more. Block off the radiator with a piece of cardboard or whatever and get the the engine up and running against the thermostat while doing that. Get some kind of PTO driven implement and run it while you are doing your def cleanout. Also I would ensure that you do the fluid and filter changes at the recommended intervals.

 

[LincTex]

Scuse me for butting in but you are going to accumulate moisture especially in the winter in all your fluids doing that besides having DEF problems you mention.

These tractors don't use DEF (Diesel exhaust fluid).

None of the problems you mentioned will typically happen, or it would be common on most all tractors over the last 50 years.

Yes, numerous "short runs" are bad for most everything in small ways over time, but not typically catastrophic.

 

[pblanton]

You don't have to be excused for "butting in". This is a public forum and your comments are welcome!

As LincTex said, these tractors don't use DEF. They have a simple soot-cooker on them along with a logger that takes pressure differential measurements in the DPF and uses that information to light up an idiot light on the dashboard. There is no DPF regen cycle that modifies the fuel injection or anything like that.

Mine clogged up after 62 hours of pretty light use, which is what I use it for. I use mine mostly for the FEL and dragging a box blade down the driveway. Occasionaly I use the backhoe, but that's most rare. I never plow or bale or use any PTO so I am not a use-case for a DPF. I expect mine will get clogged regularly, so off it came.

 

[Kentuckyfarmer]

You don't have to be excused for "butting in". This is a public forum and your comments are welcome!

As LincTex said, these tractors don't use DEF. They have a simple soot-cooker on them along with a logger that takes pressure differential measurements in the DPF and uses that information to light up an idiot light on the dashboard. There is no DPF regen cycle that modifies the fuel injection or anything like that.

Mine clogged up after 62 hours of pretty light use, which is what I use it for. I use mine mostly for the FEL and dragging a box blade down the driveway. Occasionaly I use the backhoe, but that's most rare. I never plow or bale or use any PTO so I am not a use-case for a DPF. I expect mine will get clogged regularly, so off it came.

Amen!!! I bought this kind of tractor knowing it wasn't computer controlled injection and didn't use def. I knew I could fix the problem if I started having problems with the soot cooker clogging up which I did. No more problems. In the winter time I Speer a bale of hay and feed cattle then I'm done. I'm not going to have a tractor I have to hook up to some implement and run the ball sack off it to warm it up when I don't need to. I have enough to do. All the years we lived in Minnesota on a dairy farm we always had at least 4 tractors. Was in the 50's, 60's and 70's. We used them for what was needed and then parked them. All were diesels and sometimes were run for a couple minutes and sometimes run for a couple hours in the winter. All used motor oil, hydro oil and gear oil. Same as the one I have. Never had problems with moisture of any kind. Just had problems starting when it got below zero and weren't parked where we could plug them in.

 

[Cougsfan]

Yesterday I used my Branson to move a bunch of snow with the FEL. I found the loader worked best (quick) at 2000 rpm. The tractor guzzled fuel pretty fiercely. When I mow or grade I prefer to run at 1500 rpm. The tractor isn't as noisy and the fuel efficiency goes way up. Is 1500 RPM for hours on end going to clog the Soot burner?