What have you done to your Branson today?

[K5lwq]

Keep an eye on it for sure.

There is a small plate underneath that you can pull out (4 bolts). This allows you to take a peek inside.

Well I pulled the plate on mine at around 150 hours, I noticed a drip coming from the transmission input shaft. It's not constant a drip, definitely not enough to come out the weep hole. It actually lands on the coupler for the front axle prop shaft and ends up lubricating it.

At the time I suspected it came from working up and down on some very steep hills I was working at the time. Never really stuck to it because I believe there is two seals that seals the outer input shaft and the inner input shaft for the PTO.

Hard to get the context of the picture, but you can see the trail coming down just behind the fork for the clutch release bearing.

View attachment 814730

I am definitely planning on removing the plate for a closer look. When I loaded it on the trailer to come home is when I noticed the leak. Did not look for it until this morning and realized what it was. It was dripping pretty good then but not much this morning. It was hot yesterday and I worked the tractor hard so maybe it doesn’t leak as much when cool.

 

[Zork]

Well unloading the tractor this morning and noticed a small amount of fluid had dripped onto the trailer floor. Crawled under to find the source and it is coming from the weep hole in the bell housing. Very small amount but it looks like motor oil. I will keep an eye on it but believe I have a rear main seal leaking. What you want to bet that is not considered a part of the 6 year power train warranty?

At 132 hours a rear main should not leak.

Well after my warranty expired, I noticed this as well. I cleaned my somewhat restricted breather tube, and put a snug fitting oring on my somewhat loose dipstick connection. What do you know my drip went away.

 

[LouNY]

Well heck went out this afternoon to move mine and the battery was flat 100% dead. I had thought I noticed a dim light the other night and I guess I must have left the dome light on. Tried the boost pack and not enough, had to get the pickup and booster cables gave it about 15 minutes and the cables and boost pack were like a good battery. Brought the rpm's up to about 1600 and put the truck and cables away and the boost pack went in the house and had a cold drink of water and enjoyed the AC for awhile let her run for about half an hour and called it good, made sure the dome light was off when I shut her down.

 

[K5lwq]

Keep an eye on it for sure.

There is a small plate underneath that you can pull out (4 bolts). This allows you to take a peek inside.

Well I pulled the plate on mine at around 150 hours, I noticed a drip coming from the transmission input shaft. It's not constant a drip, definitely not enough to come out the weep hole. It actually lands on the coupler for the front axle prop shaft and ends up lubricating it.

At the time I suspected it came from working up and down on some very steep hills I was working at the time. Never really stuck to it because I believe there is two seals that seals the outer input shaft and the inner input shaft for the PTO.

Hard to get the context of the picture, but you can see the trail coming down just behind the fork for the clutch release bearing.

View attachment 814730

I removed the inspection plate and had a look around. Best I can tell it is the rear main seal. I also removed the starter and went between the flywheel and back of the motor with my camera but could not tell much as I was seeing more of the top side of the crankshaft. But I did go to the bottom of the bell housing and see some evidence of the leak.

Called dealer and they said is should be covered under the power train warranty. Hope they are correct. I will take it to them next Saturday.

Pic of the plate after I loosened the bolts.

Pic of oil on top of plate.

Pic of the inside.

Pic of the bottom of the throw out bearing.

Pic of the bottom of the bell housing behind the flywheel.

 

[2manyrocks]

Bummer that this happened at only 132 hours, but if they can repair it under warranty and it doesn't happen again, that would be the best outcome.

 

[K5lwq]

Bummer that this happened at only 132 hours, but if they can repair it under warranty and it doesn't happen again, that would be the best outcome.

I have a hard time believing it to tell the truth. It is rare for a main seal leak even with cheap seals unless it is installed wrong or damaged on installation. Pretty tight tolerance on modern engines.

 

[ptsg]

Bummer indeed. In case it's not the seal, wondering if there is a plug for the camshaft bearing that could leak? Was checking the manuals but couldn't find a good picture of the back of the engine without the flywheel and the mounting plate.

 

[K5lwq]

Bummer indeed. In case it's not the seal, wondering if there is a plug for the camshaft bearing that could leak? Was checking the manuals but couldn't find a good picture of the back of the engine without the flywheel and the mounting plate.

I have had the same thought. Maybe so but either way will require cab removal and split to fix. At this point no other option other than let it leak but I am sure it will only get worse over time.

 

[ptsg]

I have had the same thought. Maybe so but either way will require cab removal and split to fix. At this point no other option other than let it leak but I am sure it will only get worse over time.

Well, it will eventually stop leaking. Once it's out of oil.

 

[K5lwq]

Well, it will eventually stop leaking. Once it's out of oil.

Great point!
I hate they have to jack with it in this heat! I offered to wait till winter but they said bring it in as soon as possible because they don’t know how long it will take to get the parts and approval.

I went ahead and mowed today as grass is not growing much with no rain so I should be ok for a while. I can mow with the Kioti a little each morning if I have to. But the heat can kill me literally since I have MS. But if I die on a tractor know I went doing what I enjoy!