Branson Tractors recently began producing tractors in the United States in 1998. Since then, they’ve been bought by TYM, an international conglomerate of agricultural machinery.
Even with the buyout, they’re still known for decent reliability and their wide variety of tractors available for everyone from small farms to commercial enterprises.
With that being said, there are some common Branson Tractor problems you should keep an eye out for.
No machine is perfect, but with proper maintenance, you can hopefully cut down on these costly repairs in the future.
Fuel System Issues
The fuel system on a Branson can have a few different problems pop up over time. Luckily, these repairs can be done at home instead of having to take it to a tractor repair shop.
If you’re noticing performance issues or problems starting your Branson tractor, check out these two solutions.
Low Fuel Pressure
A fuel system with low pressure can be caused by a few different things.
Begin by checking your fuel lines for any restrictions that may be impeding your fuel supply from the fuel tank to the engine.
Your fuel filter should be free of debris as well. A clogged fuel filter can starve the tractor and keep it from properly running.
You should also check that your fuel pump is working properly. If it isn’t you’ll need to replace it.
Fuel Tank
The fuel tanks on Branson tractors have been reported to have leaked in the past.
If you notice a strong smell of fuel around your tractor or fuel underneath it, you’ll need to replace the tank.
Ensure all the connections leading from the tank to the engine are secure and not leaking as well.
Hard Starts
The most common reasons why a tractor won’t start or is having a hard start are battery problems, fuel supply issues, or cold temperatures.
A dead or low-charge battery will not be able to provide the current needed to ignite the air-fuel mixture in the engine.
A fuel-starved engine will also have trouble starting. Refer to our previous section to try and narrow down which part of your fuel system is giving you trouble.
Finally, cold temperatures will cause your tractor to have a hard start. Keep it in a warmed area like an exterior garage or shed.
You can also buy attachments that will warm the engine block and make it easier to start the engine in cold weather.
Electrical Problem
The most common problems, electrical-wise, on a tractor are often related to the battery. If you’re having electrical issues, here’s what to check.
Drained Battery
This should be a no-brainer, if you have a dead battery you’ll need to replace it. You can try to recharge it, but if the problem persists, you’ll have to buy a new one.
Repeatedly having dead batteries points towards a problem with the alternator or similar charging system on your Branson tractor.
Check your model to see if it utilizes an alternator to charge the battery and inspect it for damage.
While you’re looking at your battery, make sure the terminals are free of corrosion. A simple wire brush and baking soda should be enough to remove it.
Other electrical issues can be caused by damaged wiring harnesses or blown fuses.
Check that your fuses aren’t blown and that the wiring harness hasn’t been damaged while you’ve been operating the tractor.
Low-Performance Problems
Poor engine performance is almost always related to fuel, temperature, or spark plugs/glow plugs.
Begin by checking your fuel system. Go over the fuel filter, fuel tank, fuel lines, and even the fuel itself.
Old fuel that has been sitting can cause poor performance even in a diesel engine.
You should also understand that trying to operate a tractor in the cold can cause engine performance issues. You should wait until the tractor comes up to temperature before putting it under heavy loads.
Lastly, ensure that the spark plugs (gas tractor) or the glow plugs (diesel tractor) aren’t damaged or worn.
A bad spark plug or glow plug will be blackened or damaged. You can immediately see the difference between a bad one and a good one by comparing it to a new plug.
Branson Tractor Warranty
If you recently purchased your Branson Tractor from a dealer, you’re in luck. Branson offers a warranty on all their products like a lawn mower, tractors, backhoes, and more.
You can check the full details here, but it’s always worth calling the dealer you purchased your tractor from to find out if any repairs are covered under warranty.
Suggested Regular Maintenance
By performing maintenance regularly, you can keep your tractor out of the repair shop and working in the field.
Here are a few things you should generally be doing with your tractor, your manual will have a better layout of how to exactly take care of your machine.
Engine Oil
The engine oil should be changed after the first fifty hours. Then it should be changed approximately every two hundred hours after that.
The same guidelines apply to the engine oil filter. You should replace it every time you replace the oil.
Transmission Fluid
Transmission fluid should be replaced after fifty hours and then every three hundred operating hours after that.
Like the engine oil and filter, you should replace the transmission fluid filter every time you change the transmission fluid.
Engine Coolant
Engine coolant should be checked every single time you go to start up your tractor. Top it off as needed, but drastic changes indicate a leak in your system.
It should generally be replaced every year. If you notice discoloration or debris, you should flush the system and replace it immediately.
Clean the fan and radiator every fifty hours of operation. They get dirtier than you think!
You will only need to replace the radiator hose every two years, but it doesn’t hurt to check it while you’re cleaning the radiator to ensure it doesn’t need to be replaced sooner.
Fuel System
Check the fuel filter every hundred hours for signs of damage or debris. It should be replaced every three hundred hours or sooner if needed.
The fuel pipes and connections should be checked every fifty hours for damage or leaks. They’ll only need to be replaced every two years.
Likewise, the fuel hose should be checked every hundred hours and replaced at the end of every year.
Your fuel injection valve needs replacing every six hundred running hours.
Hydraulic System
The hydraulic fluid hoses will need to be checked every hundred running hours but only replaced every year. Cracking or signs of a leak should be tended to immediately in order to avoid more costly repairs.
The hydraulic system itself should be checked after the first fifty hours, at one hundred hours, and then every two hundred and fifty running hours after that.
Wrap Up
Hopefully, you were able to find a solution to your problem by using our quick guide to common Branson tractor problems above.
Often the most common problems have the easiest fixes, but when in doubt you should always call up the dealer for advice.
Stick to the maintenance routines listed in the manual for your model of tractor and you can help yourself avoid these annoying issues or costly repairs.
You spent your hard-earned money on a big piece of machinery, the least you can do is keep it in good shape!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
Who makes the engines for Branson tractors?
The tractor engine on a Branson tractor is manufactured by Kukje Machinery Co. They've been making diesel engines since 1968.
Are Branson and Mahindra tractors the same?
Branson tractors and Mahindra tractors are not the same.
Mahindra Tractors is an Indian agricultural tractor manufacturer owned by Mahindra & Mahindra.
Branson Tractor is an American company owned by the TYM corporation, an international conglomerate out of South Korea.
Is Branson a good tractor brand?
Branson tractors are popular in many countries and there are over 165 dealerships in the US and Canada. They're known for their quality and reliable service.
While they're new to the market compared to other manufacturers, they are making quite a name for themselves.
