Branson engine heater ?

[ronT]

I have a Branson 4020 that is hard starting in cold weather. I see a block heater was an option on it, unfortunately mine never came with one for here in Iowa.

Anybody have experience with which brand, size, model engine heater will work best on my Branson. Thanks in advance.

Ron

 

[Zork]

Welcome. that sure is a nice picture /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[SHIFTY]

If you have an early machine (one if the first few 47 hp 4 cylinder A series engines) Be sure that their is a check valve installed inline on the injection pump return line,Without it they would loose prime and crank a bit

 

[Red_rider]

Good looking tractor! Can't help much with the engine heater - not much call for it here in Central Virginia. I'm sure some of the folks in Indiana would have some input.

 

[JCar]

Ron Branson offers a real good factory block heater that will heat the tractor up nicely, just check with your dealer he should have one in stock or at least can get you one.

 

[JerryG]

Nice looking tractor. Is the grill guard OEM?

 

[Evasive1]

Boy what pretty tractors when they are clean. Probably will not see mine that clean again until next spring.

Your rear tires look different from mine. Are those the standard R4's that came with your Branson? My tread on top is more of a rectangle and yours have a slight hook to them. Nice looking tires.

Century 3045

 

[GEB]

Check back with your dealer, I ended up with 2 of them.
One was installed and one still in the pakage, just last weekend
I give it to a buddy to see if it would fit his new 30hp?..JD.
Also, try some diesel addittive, it will make it start and run
much better!
Gene

 

[sassafraspete]

Ron, that sure is a beautiful tractor....and I recognized the grill when I saw it. Maybe I should ship you mine and have you work it over.

Are you running the offroad fuel....or the tweaked up winter variety from the gas station? If offroad, you might try switching, or using an additive.

Also, have you thought of going to a synthetic oil? Might be more fluid in the cold weather.

I have been very pleased with my 4020. I am on the 2nd winter now...although we have about 50 degrees outside now...we got down below zero 3 weeks ago. I just do one cycle on the glow plugs and she fires. It has been very dependable so far.

I just hope I haven't jinxed myself...as we are supposed to get to single digits by the end of the week. My tractor sits outside in my temporary shelter (tractor tent or igloo). I might be humbled if we get down to 20-30 below....but that doesn't happen often. I've been running the on highway fuel, keep my tank topped, and use synthetic oil.

 

[ronT]

SHIFTY,

It's a 2003 model Branson 4020. Just hit 20 hours on it.

Ron

 

[ronT]

JCAR,

Called Branson direct...they would ship me one out for about $69. That sounds a little high to me for a Kats block heater. Thanks for your reply.

Ron

 

[ronT]

JerryG,

Grill guard started as a OEM, but after I was pushing some brush/branches and cracked my grill, I had to do something. I just beefed it up a little...added a few more bars. If that's not enough i'll add some steel mesh on it but so far this worked great.

Branson has a can of touchup paint..."Branson Red" perfect match.

Ron

 

[ronT]

Evasive1,

Yes they are the tires that came with it. Don't know if dealer ordered something different but all his Bransons had the same R4's on them.

It's not quite as clean now as in August...but almost.

Ron

 

[ronT]

GEB,

I did just add a little diesel additive and now the weather warmed way up to about 30 degrees. -10 below though this weekend. (dreaming of spring time /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif) Thanks

Ron

 

[ronT]

sassafraspete,

Thanks for the beautiful tractor comment. Almost looks like yours... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif The grill wasn't that hard to do and certainly made a difference.

Still running some diesel fuel left from early fall bought from gas station...so put in a little additive.

I like the tractor but a few bugs in it yet to work out. Thanks

Ron

 

[JCar]

Ron, The block heaters that I have been buying from Branson are made by Yanmar and they screw into the side of the block. It is 400 watts with a cord, I have installed at least a dozen this year.
Jason

 

[JerryG]

ronT,
Even with your additions, it looks stock. Good Job. They should all come the way it is now.

 

[GEB]

Yeah RonT looks good from here!
I was pickin up a 1979 Ford truck cab with my old 3820,
chain sliped & crashed right on my hood /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
I do all sorts of metal fab work myself, so my new 4720
will get a grill guard work over soon.
I did shorten the ROP bar abit already, simply because
it was too tall for both of my buildings & sooner
or later I'm sure someone was gonna drive in not knowing
and make a mess out of the tractor and building!
And not to worry, I do custom roll cages for off-road Jeeps
so cuttin down my ROP was a brezze /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
Gene

 

[thcri]

Ron,

What part of Iowa are you from. I am from SE Minnesota and get into Iowa alot.

Oh by the way, that is a nice looking rig. I didn't know Branson/Century existed until after I bought my New Holland. Did have the opportunity to try one and I think I would have bought if I hadn't already bought.

murph

 

[ronT]

murph,

I'm from northeast Iowa.

Almost bought a New Holland myself but the dealer took too long to get back to me with a price.

While I was waiting(weeks) /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif I stumbled on a Branson dealer out driving around one day. Liked it-researched it...bought it.

Ron