After literally months of looking, I finally bought a used tractor that I think I'll be happy with. It's being delivered later this week. I like a lot of the Branson's features, but most of all I like the weight of it. I believe it weighs in at 3700 pounds - considerably more than some of the other compact tractors I've been looking at.
It's a Branson 2810. It's 4WD, AG tires, with FEL, but not Hydrostatic. It has about 100 hours on it. It also came with a bushhog, and pallet forks. I wanted something a little bigger, but this one should do what I need it to do, which is primarily gathering up wood over 20+ acres, and moving it to a burn pile, and gravel driveway maintenance. Not sure where I'd use the bushhog yet, but I'm sure it will come in handy one day. The pallet forks (a separate attachment - not the kind that bolt to the bucket) are pretty heavy duty though I'm not quite sure what I'll do with them
Anyway, I had a question regarding maintenance. Current owner says the 50 hour service was done at a dealer. I don't have maintenance records for it, but I assume they changed the oil and hydraulic fluid filters, and cleaned the fuel filter bowl. Would they have typically changed the hydraulic fluid at 50 hours?? It's now due for 100 hour service, and I want to change the filters, but I'm wondering if I should also change the hydraulic fluid at the same time. Owner found the manual. and I'm sure time interval specs are in the manual. Any thoughts in the meantime?
One more question. Previous owner kept the bushhog mounted at rear of tractor most of the time, and consequently was not worried about rear end ballast. I won't have room to do that, so I would want to get the tires filled for additional weight when using the FEL, or pallet forks especially. I've read stories about something called 'Rim Guard' (beet juice?) being used for rear tire ballast, as well as the more common anti-freeze/water mix. One dealer never heard of 'Rim Guard' - he uses antifreeze/water mix. How much might I expect to pay a tractor dealer or repair facility to fill the tires with either? Can I do it myself with the right valve? Rim Guard might not be available to end users though, and has to be done at a dealer (??). Is there anything else that can be used that won't rust out the wheels of course.
Thanks for your comments.
It's a Branson 2810. It's 4WD, AG tires, with FEL, but not Hydrostatic. It has about 100 hours on it. It also came with a bushhog, and pallet forks. I wanted something a little bigger, but this one should do what I need it to do, which is primarily gathering up wood over 20+ acres, and moving it to a burn pile, and gravel driveway maintenance. Not sure where I'd use the bushhog yet, but I'm sure it will come in handy one day. The pallet forks (a separate attachment - not the kind that bolt to the bucket) are pretty heavy duty though I'm not quite sure what I'll do with them
Anyway, I had a question regarding maintenance. Current owner says the 50 hour service was done at a dealer. I don't have maintenance records for it, but I assume they changed the oil and hydraulic fluid filters, and cleaned the fuel filter bowl. Would they have typically changed the hydraulic fluid at 50 hours?? It's now due for 100 hour service, and I want to change the filters, but I'm wondering if I should also change the hydraulic fluid at the same time. Owner found the manual. and I'm sure time interval specs are in the manual. Any thoughts in the meantime?
One more question. Previous owner kept the bushhog mounted at rear of tractor most of the time, and consequently was not worried about rear end ballast. I won't have room to do that, so I would want to get the tires filled for additional weight when using the FEL, or pallet forks especially. I've read stories about something called 'Rim Guard' (beet juice?) being used for rear tire ballast, as well as the more common anti-freeze/water mix. One dealer never heard of 'Rim Guard' - he uses antifreeze/water mix. How much might I expect to pay a tractor dealer or repair facility to fill the tires with either? Can I do it myself with the right valve? Rim Guard might not be available to end users though, and has to be done at a dealer (??). Is there anything else that can be used that won't rust out the wheels of course.
Thanks for your comments.
as a last bit, I use my box blade as a counterweight with buckets filed with concrete for additional weight - that way when I'm mowing, I don't sink as deep in the marshy bits of the pasture.