Branson 4520 rescue project!

[Branson Bob]

Thanks K5. No sooner do I download the video than my wife says, "what's that smell?" I told her it could be coolant and she says, "no, it smells like diesel." Weird the stuff you can catch on the internet these days.

 

[K5lwq]

Yeah I am thinking the diesel aftershave I was thinking of creating is not such a good idea after all.

 

[LouNY]

My wife would agree with you, she doesn't think it's a good skin conditioner either.

 

[K5lwq]

After quite a few years of trying I finally figured out this YouTube thing!

I replaced the iCloud videos with YouTube

 

[K5lwq]

I am at somewhat of a standstill waiting on the Knuckle arm and thought I would share a funny little story about this upgrade kit.

The kit I received was apparently for a tractor with two left sides and no right side. Did not know they existed. Anyway, when I called the place I ordered from he said oh it was my fault I put that kit together. Unfortunately, I am out of the right side knuckle arm but have some on order. They are on back order but I will get a ETA and call you Tuesday. Well, I did not hear from him so I called Wednesday and asked if he found anything out. He said no but he will send another email and call me.

Yesterday I called again and asked if he heard anything and he said not yet but if I don't hear anything by noon I will take one from another kit I have and send it to you. He then said he hates to break up a complete kit.

I told him I understand, if it makes you feel better send me another complete kit and I will send you this one back. My tractor has a left and a right side. He said well, let's see what Branson says. So I have no idea if it is coming or not.

Now I know I am not very smart but if you have the part in a kit that you screwed up on putting together in the first place and sell it to a customer, go on and make that customer whole. But maybe I do not understand the big picture.

 

[old and tired]

At work, we got a brand new Ford F350, first day out, coming home late... the alternator shaft broke in half and took out the fan belts. Got the run around each day with a promise it would be ready the next day... Thursday afternoon, I told the service guy to put his boss on since he does not make enough money for the tong lashing I was about to give out.

I told them I don't care if they have to remove an alternator from another new truck - We needed that truck. "Sir, we can not do that... we are sorry." Told them we are coming late tonight to get equipment out of our truck.

As we pulled into the parking lot, the manager came out of the building waving our keys saying "You are good to go."

 

[EddieWalker]

Who are you buying the parts from? Do they sell other parts? I'm not sure I want to deal with them, but if they are the only source around, it is what it is.

 

[K5lwq]

I ordered this from Reed in Georgia. The reason was no tax and that was cheeper than free shipping and they had the kit in stock. Most of the Branson parts I get from Bigtex tractor. They are great but in this case I need to save every penny I can.

 

[Branson Bob]

K5, I'm sure I'm not alone but I'd be interested in buying the tractor... you had mentioned that you didn't plan on keeping it.

Seems like it would be expensive to ship it to CA so I sense the numbers won't work but just so you know I'm interested.

 

[Granthol]

K5, I'm sure I'm not alone but I'd be interested in buying the tractor... you had mentioned that you didn't plan on keeping it.

Seems like it would be expensive to ship it to CA so I sense the numbers won't work but just so you know I'm interested.

I’ve been thinking that exact thing. It’s more the size I need vs my 2910.

 

[K5lwq]

Thanks guys! I definitely have no desire to keep it so it will be sold.

 

[K5lwq]

Project still on hold. I finally talked the parts guy into opening another tie rod upgrade kit and send me the right side knuckle arm. I received it and went to install today and low and behold it is a left side in a right side package. I now have a total of 3 left side knuckle arms and 0 right hand.

We are back in the cycle of waiting on him to get with Branson on Tuesday so they can reimburse him to reimburse me. Lol

At least the part number was correct so at least there is progress.

On a positive note I did receive the new loader valve that will be nice for whoever ends up owning this tractor. I got a 3 spool valve with joystick for loader and a extra spool for third function. I already have the hoses made up with fittings to go to the front of the loader.

 

[EddieWalker]

Branson is reminding me of the Keystone Cops

 

[FastEddieR]

Project still on hold. I finally talked the parts guy into opening another tie rod upgrade kit and send me the right side knuckle arm. I received it and went to install today and low and behold it is a left side in a right side package. I now have a total of 3 left side knuckle arms and 0 right hand.

We are back in the cycle of waiting on him to get with Branson on Tuesday so they can reimburse him to reimburse me. Lol

At least the part number was correct so at least there is progress.

View attachment 697750

On a positive note I did receive the new loader valve that will be nice for whoever ends up owning this tractor. I got a 3 spool valve with joystick for loader and a extra spool for third function. I already have the hoses made up with fittings to go to the front of the loader.

How about just turning the left knuckle upside down for the right side? LOL Don't you wish it were that easy?

 

[jjeff]

You may be surprised if you have the time to look at a heavy equipment/ logging oriented Napa or carquest with knowledgeable parts guys both have saved my rear in a pinch when I needed steering parts, such a s ball joints, tierod ends etc most of the time only needed minor fabrication to get to work properly. Great thread, I really enjoy watching people fix up older forgotten equipment.

 

[K5lwq]

Thanks jjeff I am trying my best to keep the mods to a minimum but very well may be the only option I have.

FastEddie, I sure do wish it was that easy.

The latest update is Branson is sending UPS to pickup the knuckle arm that was packaged wrong and when the correct one is back in stock they will send it to me. I have my doubts but I will give them a chance before I send it all back and try a different way.

 

[K5lwq]

Well Branson finally sent a label for me to send back the wrong part. It has only taken a couple weeks to get a label. I will be 90 before the actual part arrives. Lol Anyway I took the old knuckle arm to a machine shop to resize and taper the hole. That way I can continue going back together and change it later if a new one ever arrives.

 

[Hombre]

Any more updates on the "project".....I found this to be one of the more interesting topics here.

 

[K5lwq]

I am still working at working on it. Lol

We had to move my FIL in with us and that has been a challenge and limits my shop time.

I have sorted out the steering issues. I still have not received the right hand knuckle arm but I was able to have the original one resized to work with the updated tie rod end.

After that, I was testing the steering and found the cylinder pouring fluid from both glands. I removed the glands and the rod and left the cylinder on the tractor. I took that to a local hydraulic shop and the were able to get the seals I needed. I replaced the seals and had to dress the rod up because of nicks. Got that back together this weekend and it is working with no leaks.

I have ordered some new dust covers for the tie rod adjusters and will replace those while it is easy to get to. In the meantime I am going to start on some cosmetic stuff. I get maybe 2 hours a week right now to work on it so it will be a slow process.

I will keep this updated. Thanks for the interest.

 

[EddieWalker]

Thanks for the update. When I see you comment on other threads, I wonder how you are doing with the Branson.