Branson 4820 problems

[alaarp]

I have a Branson 4820 with about 20 hours on it. So far, a nice tractor and I love using my grapple to lift logs and move brush. My problem/problems are with the Land Pride 4' rotary mower. The tractor chokes down and stalls while cutting field grass. Admittedly the grass has been growing for months but my old Massey Ferguson 135 with a 5' JD mower always was able to bull through, but not this combo. Not only does it struggle to cut the grass, but the fuel usage is much higher, taking about 5 gallons of diesel in just over an hour.
Now the lift won't work. Can't move the mower to a higher setting. Stays down and won't move or even attempt to move.
I have misplaced my manual, so I am in a bind on this. Any ideas would be appreciated.

 

[3gunr]

Somethings wrong for sure , that tractor should handle a 6 foot cutter with ease, Check the 3 pt lift knob between your feet below the seat ,If is turned all the way in the 3 pt wont move. Disconnect the drive shaft on the cutter and see if the blades are turning freely, Using that much fuel could be an issue with the ecu ,

 

[3gunr]

I would be calling the dealer before i tried anything ,

 

[K5lwq]

Check the rear remotes are in neutral position. One of them I believe is not spring to center. If it is not centered then it would explain why you can not lift the three point and the pump deadheading would rob your power on the mower. Other than that It should be under warranty and the dealer should be involved.

 

[alaarp]

Somethings wrong for sure , that tractor should handle a 6 foot cutter with ease, Check the 3 pt lift knob between your feet below the seat ,If is turned all the way in the 3 pt wont move. Disconnect the drive shaft on the cutter and see if the blades are turning freely, Using that much fuel could be an issue with the ecu ,

Good advice and I will check all this Thursday which will be my first opportunity. Dont know exactly what the ecu is...is that something to do with regen?

 

[alaarp]

Check the rear remotes are in neutral position. One of them I believe is not spring to center. If it is not centered then it would explain why you can not lift the three point and the pump deadheading would rob your power on the mower. Other than that It should be under warranty and the dealer should be involved.

I will check this also. Good advice, thanks.

 

[K5lwq]

I do not believe the 4820 has ECU(engine control unit) but rather uses the Data logger to control the regen. It should be basically the same engine that is in mine. The fuel delivery is mechanical so no way for the Data logger to modify fuel.

My bet is on the rear remote valve but could be wrong. Hopefully it did not run very long like that because it is not good for the hydraulic pump.

 

[JM7500]

I use a 6' medium duty cutter with my 4820R all the time without issues. My rear remote levers are stiff and if I bump the standard (spring return) valve lever sometimes it will stay open without me realizing it. The detent valve lever stays in place. I have to watch it carefully with my hydraulic top link. My dealer told me to keep the 3pt down valve all the way open. It helps some.

The owners manual doesn't have any information that can help you. I burn around a gallon of diesel every hour I brush hog so your usage is extremely high. Right after I got my tractor last year, I noticed I was using a lot of fuel. I found a small fuel leak on the fuel pump, which the dealer repaired under warranty without any hassle.

 

[ericm979]

It sounds like you may have had a hydraulic valve deadheading the whole time you were mowing. Fuel consumption should be 1 gallon per hour not 5, and a 48hp machine should be able to drive a 4' mower through just about anything without struggling.

But if the hydraulic system was deadheading it'd be taking about 15hp from the engine, which you might notice.

 

[ptsg]

I will add, along with the hydraulic deadheading suggestions, check the parking brake. Make sure it's off and not stuck on or something. That's burning waaaay too much fuel for just a dead heading hydraulic system.

 

[Needville]

I would also check that your PTO is not in "Economy" mode. That can cause it to bog down in heavy grass.

 

[5030]

I would be calling the dealer before i tried anything ,

Best advice given. It's under warranty, use the warranty. You start fiddling with it you run the risk of any warranty denial.

 

[alaarp]

I will add, along with the hydraulic deadheading suggestions, check the parking brake. Make sure it's off and not stuck on or something. That's burning waaaay too much fuel for just a dead heading hydraulic system.

All good stuff. I will be checking it out tomorrow. Much appreciated.

 

[alaarp]

I would also check that your PTO is not in "Economy" mode. That can cause it to bog down in heavy grass.

See, that may be partially the problem. I never understood what the difference in regular and Economy Mode was and DID put it in that setting for at least some of the mowing, thinking it might help. Good advice.

 

[alaarp]

I will add, along with the hydraulic deadheading suggestions, check the parking brake. Make sure it's off and not stuck on or something. That's burning waaaay too much fuel for just a dead heading hydraulic system.

Makes sense but I mowed two different days and put the brake on an off each time, so it may not be it, but again, it is worth checking. I am getting good advice from several of you and it is very much appreciated!

 

[alaarp]

It sounds like you may have had a hydraulic valve deadheading the whole time you were mowing. Fuel consumption should be 1 gallon per hour not 5, and a 48hp machine should be able to drive a 4' mower through just about anything without struggling.

But if the hydraulic system was deadheading it'd be taking about 15hp from the engine, which you might notice.

Is there any way to determine if this is the case?

 

[ericm979]

Is there any way to determine if this is the case?

If I can't hear it deadheading, I find out when the 3pt won't go up.

 

[alaarp]

Reply to all who responded. Fixed the hydraulic lift by following your suggestions about the adjustment knob under the seat. I have been using another brand tractor whose seat adjusts using a knob in that location. Lift is working fine now. Seat adjustment knob is smaller and to the driver seat lower right with a triangular knob.

Second item regarding fuel usage. It WAS in the 540E setting for the PTO so I took it out and it ran some better with better fuel usage. Mowed for 2 hours and used less than 2 gallons with was a big improvement. Set the mower cutting depth to a higher setting which helped and we haven't had rain in a week which made the grass clog less. Still concerned about the power issues and I am going to take the tractor in to the dealer in the next week or so.

Bottom line: TBN responders came through for me. I like the tractor until this issue and I will be fixed one way or another. I have operated tractors for years but have only owned/operated a MODERN tractor for months (this tractor). Still in the learning curve about what does what and why. Thanks for your patience.

 

[alaarp]

One other item: Can someone tell me what the PTO 540E setting is for? Thanks.

 

[ptsg]

The E in 540E means "Eco". Basically you achieve the 540 RPMs at the PTO with less engine RPM, typically around 1800 RPM. It will use a lot less fuel as well. Compared to the regular 540, where the engine has to be at around 2500 RPM.

It's mostly used on light to medium duty work, like mowing mostly grass, not too tall. Or if you don't mind going a bit slower, it can do some heavy work as well.

I run most of PTO implements in 540E. I get about 8 to 9 hours on a full tank in 540 or 12 to 13 hours on a full tank in 540E.