Branson owners I need 4 questions answered.

   / Branson owners I need 4 questions answered. #1  

Iminoverhead

New member
Joined
Feb 28, 2017
Messages
18
Location
Houston,TX
Tractor
Branson 3510
I'm a first time tractor owner, I didn't even know how to start it, so with that said I don't know anything. The tractor and property was left to me, one day its concrete and side walks and now its country...oh, I didn't know what I was getting into but I'm never going back, I like it. My first question is about the pto on a 2002 Branson 3510, does the pto have to stop spinning? When I engage it I can tell it is spinning faster but when I disengage it slows down and if I grab it I can stop it. After watching Tractor Mike videos I have learned that I should not be behind to tractor while it is running and that the pto is dangerous, I'll never do that again.

The second question is about the sight glass to the right of the pto, it is leaking fluid, how do I get the sight glass out to replace it?

The third question is what is that area called where the pto and sight glass is located? I'm guessing transmission, I don't know.

The fourth question is what type of replacement fluid should I put back in hydraulic, transmission or something else?

Thank you.
 
   / Branson owners I need 4 questions answered. #2  
Judging from your lack of experience you should probably make friends with a neighbor farmer, you will learn a lot by observing. Especially once you begin taking on task at your new place. I applaud you for taking on this venture and acknowledging what you don't know, its always good to know what you don't know.
1) I'm not 100% on your tractor, but it is common on a lot of tractors for the PTO to spin slowly when not engaged (residual fluid flow in the transmission). If the tractor is properly parked (breaks set) you can walk around it, the danger is when you have an implement running, that PTO is very strong and if your clothing gets caught by and implement it can pull you into that implement before you can react. Farming is a very danger job so a degree of caution is wise on your part. Watch your implements, stay clear of them when pto is on and wear your seat-belt, rollover is a real risk, especially for newbies who are not accustom to the lack of suspension.
2) that sight glass is probably the fluid level indicator, on flat ground the fluid should show in the middle of the glass, a little above or below middle is ok you want to see a fluid line in the glass.
3) You could call it the transmission, Rear axle housing, but I'd call it the 3pt (three point) hitch where you hook up your implements.
4) The manual should say, or contact the dealer for fluids and amounts, over or under filling can cause problems just like using the wrong fluid. Hopefully you find a manual that will tell you what and how much to use. An experience neighbor would be handy to show you the basics of operating the tractor.

It sounds like you inherited a farm, are there any family friends nearby that could take you under their wing? I have several hobby farmers near me and we love nothing more than helping with a problem especially if it involves our tractors.

Jason
 
   / Branson owners I need 4 questions answered. #3  
The sight glasses atre usually made to pop out. Here's one way to replace them (if it's a plastic sight 'glass'): How to replace an oil level sight glass on BMW motorcycles Like it says be careful to not damage the bore that the glass is in (though it's cast iron on a Branson instead of aluminium on a BMW motorcycle).

You want "tractor fluid" for the transmission if it's a HST. I don't know what manual trans use but it may well be the same thing. Tractor fluid has additives that regular hydraulic fluid doesn't have, for tractor's wet brakes. Chevron THF1000 is often speced for Bransons.
 
   / Branson owners I need 4 questions answered.
  • Thread Starter
#4  
Jackpot!!!

I took your advice and my neighbor (you have to get in truck and drive to his house) agreed to help me. He has offered to lease the land form me for hay and I can help him so I can learn what I am doing. Thank you.
 
   / Branson owners I need 4 questions answered.
  • Thread Starter
#5  
The sight glasses atre usually made to pop out. Here's one way to replace them (if it's a plastic sight 'glass'): How to replace an oil level sight glass on BMW motorcycles Like it says be careful to not damage the bore that the glass is in (though it's cast iron on a Branson instead of aluminium on a BMW motorcycle).

You want "tractor fluid" for the transmission if it's a HST. I don't know what manual trans use but it may well be the same thing. Tractor fluid has additives that regular hydraulic fluid doesn't have, for tractor's wet brakes. Chevron THF1000 is often speced for Bransons.



I can't wait to try this...I get to use fire. I never would have thought of this. Thank you.
 
   / Branson owners I need 4 questions answered. #6  
That's great news on finding a helpful neighbor. If you are going to have animals and need hay, you can do a 1/3's Agreement with your neighbor. He grows and cuts&bales it for 2/3 of the hay and you keep 1/3 of what he bales for your animals as payment for him using your Hayfield. Though if you don't have animals a straight lease is cleaner.

Good luck, the enjoyment of physical activity and being outside will make it difficult to ever work a desk or factory job again.
 
   / Branson owners I need 4 questions answered. #7  
In - deep, just put your feet down you are not as deep as you think. :) You know that you don't know which is the major lesson learned. I have a couple of answers for you as I have a 2004 century 2535 which is basically the same tractor, with a different name. First the pto will spin very slowly where it is not engaged simply from the thickness of the rear transmission fluid when cold. Once it warms up completely it will stop. But as you said you can stop it by grabbing it. But as others have said NEVER get near the PTO when running. I know a poor lady who lost an arm when a piece of her clothing caught on a spinning pto shaft.

The sight glass is simple to repair. Position the tractor so the front is facing down hill so the fluid drains away from the sight glass. USe a small screwdriver and gently pry out the sight glass with the rubber o - ring that is used as a seal. Clean the recessed base with a good solvent and allow to dry. Put a small bead of silicone caulk around the back of the recess area. Align and push the sight glass and o-ring back into place. Let the tractor stay overnight before you start and run it. End of problem. I have over 600 hours on my repair.

The tractor uses a combination hydraulic / rear transaxle fluid. I purchase mine from Tractor Supply as it meets the specifications. I do not have the specifications with me, but can look them up if you need them. Properly maintained these are simple durable machines do an amazing amount of work for their size. Good Luck W. Jones
 
   / Branson owners I need 4 questions answered.
  • Thread Starter
#8  
In - deep, just put your feet down you are not as deep as you think. :) You know that you don't know which is the major lesson learned. I have a couple of answers for you as I have a 2004 century 2535 which is basically the same tractor, with a different name. First the pto will spin very slowly where it is not engaged simply from the thickness of the rear transmission fluid when cold. Once it warms up completely it will stop. But as you said you can stop it by grabbing it. But as others have said NEVER get near the PTO when running. I know a poor lady who lost an arm when a piece of her clothing caught on a spinning pto shaft.

The sight glass is simple to repair. Position the tractor so the front is facing down hill so the fluid drains away from the sight glass. USe a small screwdriver and gently pry out the sight glass with the rubber o - ring that is used as a seal. Clean the recessed base with a good solvent and allow to dry. Put a small bead of silicone caulk around the back of the recess area. Align and push the sight glass and o-ring back into place. Let the tractor stay overnight before you start and run it. End of problem. I have over 600 hours on my repair.

The tractor uses a combination hydraulic / rear transaxle fluid. I purchase mine from Tractor Supply as it meets the specifications. I do not have the specifications with me, but can look them up if you need them. Properly maintained these are simple durable machines do an amazing amount of work for their size. Good Luck W. Jones


Thank you. That is good information, I will do that.
 
   / Branson owners I need 4 questions answered. #9  
I just got a used 3510 from a fellow who got himself a 3520 to handle his round bales, and he had a full set of manuals to go with it. I haven't used it for much yet but it sure seems like it is one beefy little beast. The manual says "Transmission fluid (also for use for steering wheel) Front Axel Fluid" and indicates "TF500" as the type and lists Texaco TDH Oil 1893 and Chevron Tractor Hydraulic Fluid in the remarks column. As far as I can tell these basically cross reference to any good tractor hydraulic fluid.
 
   / Branson owners I need 4 questions answered. #10  
TSC Premium Trans/hydraulic fluid meets JD 20c spec and the Kabota HDN or whatever that 3 letter acronym is for their oil. If those 2 specs don't define a trans/hyd/diff/wet brake/hydrostatic steering fluid I don't know what would.

On the front axle with a FEL, back in 2007 the word was use what you use in the tranny. I did and was sorry for abusing my front end one day when I was in a hurry and the $640 parts bill I got for the replacement parts to fix it. With the parts came the recommendation for heavier oil to prevent these problems: Today it's use gear lube and 85w-140 is the grade recommended for larger tractors. My 2016 2400 comes standard with 80w-90.
 

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