Branson 4520 rescue project!

[K5lwq]

As many of you already know, I committed to taking the challenge of getting a 2003 Branson 4520R back to work! What a big dummy I am! :laughing:

The easy way would be jack this dude up and drive a new tractor underneath. This poor thing has been abused! It looks like it spent a few years at the bottom of a lake somewhere! Every lever is ceased or otherwise inoperable.

I have no idea what all is wrong with this thing so no promises it will ever go again.

The known is as follows:

1. Injector Pump not pumping.

2. Nothing electrical works except the fuel feed pump.

3. Every hose will need to be replaced.

4. Leaks from just about everywhere.

5. Loader valve will need updating.

6. Tires will need some repair or replacement.

7. Seat is toast!

8. Missing floor panels.

9. Body needs quite a bit of work.

10. Missing draw bar.



The first step is to get into the shop. Not easy because of all the stuff I keep for who knows what reason. Anyway, I decided to get a battery for it and replace the cable ends. This allowed me to use the starter to back it off the trailer into the shop.



Now I need to get the loader secured out of the way for safety. I started with a Come Along chained to the ROPS but quickly realized BAD idea! So I made up a couple of hoses and connected to the old Kioti third function valve to perform the lift.

After a lot of 50/50 Acetone and automatic transmission fluid and some gentle persuasion(a big shop hammer), I managed to get the bucket off to reduce weight.

Then cut angle iron to support the lift cylinders.



Now I can start working on it. I will update this thread with progress as I have time to work on it. The first goal is make the engine run. If that fails, the rest is useless. :confused3:

 

[groundcover]

Wow, what's the history on that poor thing ? Wonder why someone would spend that much and then abuse it to that extent. Good luck with the project !

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

All I can say is, "Wow."

I'll certainly be following your progress on this one.

Good luck.

 

[K5lwq]

Groundcover, I have no idea the history except a member here bought it and decided he needed out from under it.

Slim, yes Wow! I am a guy that does what I say I will do at all cost. But if I had seen this thing in person before committing I would run away! :laughing:

 

[LouNY]

She is a rough looking critter.
I would wonder if maybe it was bought for a manure scrapping tractor,
by a chicken raising operation.
Not enough rust for confinement hog operation.
But I would say run hard and put up wet would be a good description of her.
Good Luck

 

[K5lwq]

You may be correct Lou only I think they left the tractor in the pile and I wound up with the chicken ****! :shocked:

 

[K5lwq]

Well, I took the stop solenoid off and the fuel delivery rack was definitely stuck. I removed the side plate of the injector pump and found plunger 1,3 and 4 stuck up.

I removed the check valve for number 4 and filled with acetone automatic transmission fluid mix. Then used a brass punch to drive plunger down. Reinstalled check valve and it stuck again. So I used some of my Corrosion X that I only use for special occasions because of the price of that stuff! Put it together again and it freed up. Repeated process for each plunger till they all are free moving.

I then ran a hose to a new 5 gal Diesel pail with two gallons of diesel and a can of sea foam. I bled the lines and it smoked but would not fire off.

The fuel filter is bad but allows fuel to flow. I decided to bypass it for now with a inline filter. Then I removed the check valves again and used some more Corrosion X to make sure they moved freely in the body. Put it all back together and bled the lines again.

Hit the starter again and she fired up! She smoked like something crazy but as it warmed up it started to clear.

The radiator is dry so I shut it down to let cool. Started it up a few more times and I think the engine will live again!



I will get some antifreeze in it next weekend and start working through the wiring issue so I can start and stop it with the switch. Then I will have to fill with hydraulic fluid and replace all the lines and power steering lines. The clutch is stuck so I need to get all that sorted so I can steer and get it out to free up.

A lot of work to do yet but happy so far with the progress!

 

[PILOON]

Well, hats off.
You are brave, sure hope the price was good.

Now that you got it to fire up you are off to the races.
I suspect there are lots of minor issues but nothing that time and patience won't overcome.
All in all you will probably end up with a good machine that you will know very well.

 

[ptsg]

Been wondering about this project.

I'm sure you'll get it going strong again! Having the engine starting does bring the motivation levels up high!

Good luck my friend! :thumbsup:

 

[K5lwq]

Piloon, there is a lot more issues and am not sure they can all be sorted without big expenses but time will tell. I am in at $2750 so far. Not that great of a deal but if we can keep it out of the junk yard then it will be worth it. If it becomes a machine that I think will last a while it will go to auction. Not planning on keeping it.

Ptsg, yes my brother hearing that engine fire up was a blast! There is a major oil leak coming from somewhere but could not pin point it in the short amount of time I had. I did not hear any knocking so at least that is good. It also was hitting on all cylinders so there is some hope.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

Congrats so far K5.

I salute you. Looking forward to the rest of the rebuild thread.

 

[K5lwq]

Thanks Slim! We shall see how it goes.

 

[Branson Bob]

K5, if it's any consolation you're the right man for the job. I wish I could help out. It's very noble of you to try to resuscitate that broken down Branson. Good luck and we're all pulling for you (for whatever that's worth).

 

[K5lwq]

Thanks Bob! That would be cool if you could help! I have a guy that works for me that wants to learn about tractors so he is lending a hand. He is a sharp guy who catches on quick and does not mind getting his hands dirty. :thumbsup:

 

[PILOON]

Thanks Bob! That would be cool if you could help! I have a guy that works for me that wants to learn about tractors so he is lending a hand. He is a sharp guy who catches on quick and does not mind getting his hands dirty. :thumbsup:

"Not minding dirty hands"---sure sigh of a willing upcoming good mechanic.

My favorite garage is a small 3 man operation that are always dirty and greasy but then there is nothing they can't repair and at a fair price.
They are so busy that it is rare to a slot sooner than 2-3 weeks.
Best yet they let me supply parts that I've shopped on the net.
It is a win/win as I in return have recommended many clients to them.

 

[Cougsfan]

Good luck on this project. With patience I think you will have saved a tractor from the boneyard. Do you have a need for this tractor or are you just doing it for fun(?).

 

[K5lwq]

Cougsfan, I do not need it at all. I just wanted to help the TBN member here get out from under it. He was tired of jacking with this tractor. Hopefully it will come back to be a reliable tractor. If it does I will find someone that could use it and sell or give it to them.

If I don't find the right person I will take it to auction.

If I determine it will always be a problem tractor it will be sold for parts or scrap. I do not want to give someone a headache.

 

[Hombre]

Cougsfan, I do not need it at all. I just wanted to help the TBN member here get out from under it. He was tired of jacking with this tractor. Hopefully it will come back to be a reliable tractor. If it does I will find someone that could use it and sell or give it to them.

If I don't find the right person I will take it to auction.

If I determine it will always be a problem tractor it will be sold for parts or scrap. I do not want to give someone a headache.

It can become a very dependable unit. All it will take is time, patience and cubic money. How much of each you want to spend is up to you. :thumbsup:

 

[K5lwq]

Not a lot to report. I put antifreeze in and it just ran out the bottom radiator hose. There is a hole on the bottom of the hose so I will order new hoses for it.

It is 27F here today but the tractor fired right up? :laughing:

It leaked what looks like a gallon of oil the last time I ran it and what dripped out over the week. Made a good mess for me to clean this morning. The strange thing is it now is showing full on the dip stick and the leak appears to have stopped. Only thing I can think is the oil is thicker because of low temperature but as fast as it was pouring out I would not have thought that would matter.

I will order the hoses and try again next weekend if they will show up in time.

BTW, we are supposed to get quite a bit of snow this week and a low close to or below 0F. I think Mr Slim has been talking to the good Lord about sending me his weather for me joking with him about the snowblower!

 

[Hombre]

Not a lot to report. I put antifreeze in and it just ran out the bottom radiator hose. There is a hole on the bottom of the hose so I will order new hoses for it.

It is 27F here today but the tractor fired right up? :laughing:

It leaked what looks like a gallon of oil the last time I ran it and what dripped out over the week. Made a good mess for me to clean this morning. The strange thing is it now is showing full on the dip stick and the leak appears to have stopped. Only thing I can think is the oil is thicker because of low temperature but as fast as it was pouring out I would not have thought that would matter.

I will order the hoses and try again next weekend if they will show up in time.

BTW, we are supposed to get quite a bit of snow this week and a low close to or below 0F. I think Mr Slim has been talking to the good Lord about sending me his weather for me joking with him about the snowblower!

Did you check the oil level prior to starting it the first time? Where was the oil coming from when leaking, could you determine that? Possible overfill? Just SWAG....