Branson 4720 fan shroud

[Kentuckyfarmer]

I can't say enough good so far about the Branson tractor after shopping for almost a year and now having it for two years and lots of hours. How simple and dependable it is and with any mechanical ability I don't think there is anything on it if needing fixing I would tackle myself. I was Leary about not buying the big name tractor having grew up having nothing but farmall, international, Allis Chalmers, Oliver, and the occasional two lunger JD. Having said that all work, even a few mods and all maintenance so far has been done by me. If anything need fixed wasn't because tractor manufacture fault was mine so that blame is on me. But there is one thing that has me baffled is the fan shroud. On the left side the fan ate part of it and I cleaned up all the little shards that were hanging all around the whole shroud. After cleaning it up I kept a eye on it and notice more shards (like you cut a piece of pvc with a saw the little bits that you have to scrape off) and they seem like their kinda melted. I checked all bolts and looked at clearance and its about even all the way around. But it keeps getting these shards on the edge of the shroud. I don't run thru steep ditches or put the tractor in a bind when bush hogging or using in any other chore. Is the fan growing and hitting the shroud when tractor is at running temp when bush hogging or other chore? Everything seems to be solidly mounted under the hood. I can't see or figure what's causing this and am looking for suggestions on what to look for. Hope someone with more brain power than me can help and was wondering if others was having the same problem. Thanks for the help.

 

[madpuma13]

Mine did the same thing. My dealer said it was common and gave me three options.

1. Do nothing.
2. Replace it with another plastic shroud
3. Replace it with a metal shroud from a non cabbed version

He says for some reason the cabbed models come with a plastic shroud and the non cabbed with metal. He'll be installing it next week.

I'll post up pictures and how well it works out.

My guess, after looking it over you can see the shroud is held in place at the bottom and top but there is nothing in the middle. Mine had just a little bit of flex there in the middle and I figure the shroud is vibrating just enough to catch the fan.

It may be resolved just by fighting it a way to secure the middle of the shroud.

 

[Kentuckyfarmer]

Mine did the same thing. My dealer said it was common and gave me three options.

1. Do nothing.
2. Replace it with another plastic shroud
3. Replace it with a metal shroud from a non cabbed version

He says for some reason the cabbed models come with a plastic shroud and the non cabbed with metal. He'll be installing it next week.

I'll post up pictures and how well it works out.

My guess, after looking it over you can see the shroud is held in place at the bottom and top but there is nothing in the middle. Mine had just a little bit of flex there in the middle and I figure the shroud is vibrating just enough to catch the fan.

It may be resolved just by fighting it a way to secure the middle of the shroud.

Thanks for the information. Wonder what the reason was behind putting on a plastic one ver's a metal for just the cabbed tractors. Maybe someone that works at dealership or is a dealer can chime in and explain. Is there anybody else with Branson tractors with cabs that have seen this? If this seems to be an overall problem maybe Branson will address it with a fix.

 

[Mr Bitz]

Ok. The fix is a smaller diameter but more aggressive fan. Also will need a larger spacer between waterpump and fan to push the fan closer to radiator so it does not interfere with the a/c compressor tensioner pulley. Replace shroud with new. If you choose to.

 

[Phileas Fogg]

I can't say enough good so far about the Branson tractor after shopping for almost a year and now having it for two years and lots of hours. How simple and dependable it is and with any mechanical ability I don't think there is anything on it if needing fixing I would tackle myself. I was Leary about not buying the big name tractor having grew up having nothing but farmall, international, Allis Chalmers, Oliver, and the occasional two lunger JD. Having said that all work, even a few mods and all maintenance so far has been done by me. If anything need fixed wasn't because tractor manufacture fault was mine so that blame is on me. But there is one thing that has me baffled is the fan shroud. On the left side the fan ate part of it and I cleaned up all the little shards that were hanging all around the whole shroud. After cleaning it up I kept a eye on it and notice more shards (like you cut a piece of pvc with a saw the little bits that you have to scrape off) and they seem like their kinda melted. I checked all bolts and looked at clearance and its about even all the way around. But it keeps getting these shards on the edge of the shroud. I don't run thru steep ditches or put the tractor in a bind when bush hogging or using in any other chore. Is the fan growing and hitting the shroud when tractor is at running temp when bush hogging or other chore? Everything seems to be solidly mounted under the hood. I can't see or figure what's causing this and am looking for suggestions on what to look for. Hope someone with more brain power than me can help and was wondering if others was having the same problem. Thanks for the help.

My 2016 4720Ch did the same thing. I am concerned, but service dealer is so far away, I would rather fix it my self. My problem is all parts dealers are useless, can't get a call back from anyone to get parts. Anyone having luck ordering parts from a specific dealer?

 

[Mr Bitz]

Text me (701)214-8403. I'll get you parts
Mr. Bitz

 

[Kentuckyfarmer]

Text me (701)214-8403. I'll get you parts
Mr. Bitz

You think this would be covered under warranty?

 

[Mr Bitz]

Give me vin #

 

[Kentuckyfarmer]

Give me vin #

CRXE00070. I guess this is the VIN. Thanks

 

[Kentuckyfarmer]

My 2016 4720Ch did the same thing. I am concerned, but service dealer is so far away, I would rather fix it my self. My problem is all parts dealers are useless, can't get a call back from anyone to get parts. Anyone having luck ordering parts from a specific dealer?

If that isn't the twin to mine it sure did miss it's calling. Looks exactly like that.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

Did they fix that on the 25 series, or do I need to run out and check mine?

 

[Kentuckyfarmer]

Did they fix that on the 25 series, or do I need to run out and check mine?

I would be curious to know if they did. If you check let us know please.

 

[Phileas Fogg]

Like you, I am happy with this tractor. Its a really hard worked, but the fan shroud issue is silly factory defect, I have this one on 18 acres in Texas and the A/C is completely dead. Its less than a year old and I bought it BECAUSE OF AC option!

 

[Kentuckyfarmer]

Like you, I am happy with this tractor. Its a really hard worked, but the fan shroud issue is silly factory defect, I have this one on 18 acres in Texas and the A/C is completely dead. Its less than a year old and I bought it BECAUSE OF AC option!

I could have gotten a lot more tractor for the money if I would have gotten one with out a cab and front wheel assist. But my age I have eaten my fair share of dust and bugs. AC is a must and tractor wouldn't be moving until it got fixed. Here in Kentucky you have to have gills to breath in the summer and the bugs you just can't get away from weather it be night or day. I almost wish it had auto steer sometimes. Was watching the guy across the road with a huge Massy and what looked like a 24 row corn planter. He was either texting or watch YouTube vids, not a hand on the steering wheel. Looked like he was comfortable.

 

[Mr Bitz]

Like you, I am happy with this tractor. Its a really hard worked, but the fan shroud issue is silly factory defect, I have this one on 18 acres in Texas and the A/C is completely dead. Its less than a year old and I bought it BECAUSE OF AC option!

Is that tractor under the 2 year bumper to bumper warranty yet. If so get it to a dealer to get it fixed. Compressors for these are not cheap.

 

[Mr Bitz]

Like you, I am happy with this tractor. Its a really hard worked, but the fan shroud issue is silly factory defect, I have this one on 18 acres in Texas and the A/C is completely dead. Its less than a year old and I bought it BECAUSE OF AC option!

I agree. Silly defect. I believe all new 2017 models have updated the fan. Don't quote me for sure but I think that's the case. Still plastic shroud though.

 

[Kentuckyfarmer]

I agree. Silly defect. I believe all new 2017 models have updated the fan. Don't quote me for sure but I think that's the case. Still plastic shroud though.

If this fix isn't a warranty thing about how much are we talking about for the updated fan and spacer and what else is needed for the fix? Thanks for any info you can supply

 

[Mr Bitz]

The fix should be under warranty we've done several of them. Don't know the cost off hand. As long as it's under the 2 year warranty part yet.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

Here's a pic of mine on my 25 series. Don't know what would be different visually, but maybe the experts can tell by looking?

 

[Mr Bitz]

25 series are updated.