Bransons lack of customer support????

[dancce]

Erik:

155 hours when changed. Checked it 50 hours ago and it looked new. Have been doing a lot of dirt work in really sandy soil lately and noted the dark smoke on load change was lasting longer than usual. I was also getting dark smoke when heavily loaded. New filter = no more smoke. The tractor feels stronger too - though I think that's just my overactive imagination.

Brgds.

MarEng,

Definitely not your imagination. If the tractor was blowing black smoke and felt like it had less power, then it very likely was not getting enough air through the filter. If the engine can not get enough air to properly mix with the fuel, then it will create an incomplete burn and throw off black smoke, (excess unburned diesel fuel)----AND---it will lose horsepower.

dancce

 

[MarEng]

Erik:

Some more filter feedback. Tried to install the Kukje hydraulic filter this weekend. It doesn't fit. It is about 3/4" longer than the WIX and hits the hydraulic pipe elbow coming out of the main reservoir. It will almost line up but not quite. Figured I'd crossthread and ruin a $?00 part trying to keep from throwing away a $24 filter. Bought another WIX which will go on some time this week. Called the dealer that sold it - he confirmed the filter was the same for both the 3510 and 3510i and that the part number was correct. I know a Kukje came off of there originally. Have written Branson to see if there has been a filter supplier change. I'll try to crawl under there and look closer, to see if moving a hose clamp or other minor change might correct the problem. (I wasn't prepared for a hydraulic fluid shower or any real difficulty when I tried to change - hence I didn't stick around for long - just put the WIX back on.)

Besides the noted difference in length, you can see a bypass valve in the Kukje filter. IF there is one in the WIX it is better shrouded and MUCH smaller. On a lighter note - the Kukje filter states very clearly on the side that it should be changed every 300 hours. Guess they didn't read their manual!!

Happy Tractoring, Will.

 

[Erik_in_Hoyt]

Will,
as I recall, Branson told me to use their filters because the bypass is bigger than non-OEM and so you can go longer between replacement -- which is one of the big selling points for me to go with the WIX filters.
Thanks for the warning!

have a good week!

 

[DavesTractor]

Will,
as I recall, Branson told me to use their filters because the bypass is bigger than non-OEM and so you can go longer between replacement -- which is one of the big selling points for me to go with the WIX filters.
Thanks for the warning!

have a good week!

Erik, The Branson filter is the ticket in cold temps. The Wix will have a harder time with the thick oil. Of course letting the tractor warm up at idle will help that some. I think that is the reason the bypass is designed as it is. Otherwise you can hear the pump squeal a little, which can't be good.

 

[Erik_in_Hoyt]

That's a good reason - wonder why neither Branson nor any of the other dealers I've talked to could tell me that?

Thanks!

 

[DavesTractor]

That's a good reason - wonder why neither Branson nor any of the other dealers I've talked to could tell me that?

Thanks!

Top secret info....

 

[MarEng]

Erik:

Finally gave up on the Kukje hydraulic filter. No obvious reason why it won't fit now. The only mod to the hydraulics was done by the dealer when they deleted the PS tank. No answer from Branson. $23 piece of barn art consigned to the trash. Guess I'm now a WIX MAN. As for bypassing on cold days, I'll be careful on both of the one's we have here in south Texas each year .

Best Regards and Happy Tractoring, Will.

 

[Erik_in_Hoyt]

thanks Will, have a good weekend!
changing fluids today.