Branson (TYM) Oil Recommendation

[TheOilWizard]

Hi all,

Never thought I’d make a “what oil should I use ” thread but here we are. I’m a bit lost when it comes to tractors.

Branson 3520 hydrostat with 250 hours. Operating temps between 30 and 90F.

Manual calls for 10w-40 diesel oil, but that seems to be a bit of an outlier compared to 15w-40… my question is, what do you think about running either 15w-40 semi synthetic annually or 5w-40 for 2 years? I estimate around 50-60 hours per year.

While on this topic, any recommendations for front diff and hydraulic oil? Any other advice is appreciated.

 

[fantastic]

Hi all,

Never thought I’d make a “what oil should I use ” thread but here we are. I’m a bit lost when it comes to tractors.

Branson 3520 hydrostat with 250 hours. Operating temps between 30 and 90F.

Manual calls for 10w-40 diesel oil, but that seems to be a bit of an outlier compared to 15w-40… my question is, what do you think about running either 15w-40 semi synthetic annually or 5w-40 for 2 years? I estimate around 50-60 hours per year.

While on this topic, any recommendations for front diff and hydraulic oil? Any other advice is appreciated.

Your proposition is good. 15w-40 is readily available vs 10w-40 HDEO. The Super Tech at Walmart is a no rebate straight low priced Full Synthetic oil for probably the same price as a blend from other brands.

For the other fluids just get manual spec & try to find a synthetic product if it's available.

 

[dnewton3]

For those temps, 15w-40 is an easy choice.
And for only 50-60 hours per year, I'd do OCI every 2 years, regardless of the brand and type you choose, because those are low hours for annual use.
For the hydro system, use any decent UTHF (universal tractor hydraulic fluid) you can find at a farm supply store, or WM.

 

[wander2039]

Think it has the Yanmar diesel? How long do you run it when used? Shorter runs I’d go with shorter and 15w40 is fine in that temp range. I put 5w40 in our LS which has a Yanmar but I plan on using it through winter, started up easily in the 20s. I used Mobil Delvac in the front axle and hydraulic but yours is a HST no idea the fluid spec.

 

[JTK]

Nice tractor. Kukje engine, correct? It would be happy on any good 40wt diesel HDEO variant. The little Yanmar in my TYM T224 leans towards 30wts per it's engine oil range chart and I've currently got Valvoline Synthetic blend 10w30 diesel oil in it. If I ever get to the point I need to work it super hard or puts tons of hours on it, I'd bump it up to a 15w40.

I thought the 3520's all had a shuttle shift transmission, but either way, hydro or shuttle will recommend a UTHF. People on TYM boards seem to get all hung up on the GL-4, ISO VG 32 verbiage in their tractor trans/hydraulic fluid specs. All you need is a UTHF. TYM boards love to prescribe 80w90 for the front axles as if synthetic 75w90 will destroy things in short order too.

 

[TheOilWizard]

Nice tractor. Kukje engine, correct? It would be happy on any good 40wt diesel HDEO variant. The little Yanmar in my TYM T224 leans towards 30wts per it's engine oil range chart and I've currently got Valvoline Synthetic blend 10w30 diesel oil in it. If I ever get to the point I need to work it super hard or puts tons of hours on it, I'd bump it up to a 15w40.

I thought the 3520's all had a shuttle shift transmission, but either way, hydro or shuttle will recommend a UTHF. People on TYM boards seem to get all hung up on the GL-4, ISO VG 32 verbiage in their tractor trans/hydraulic fluid specs. All you need is a UTHF. TYM boards love to prescribe 80w90 for the front axles as if synthetic 75w90 will destroy things in short order too.

Thank you! That's right, Kukje 1.7l engine. You may already know this, but Branson was just Kukje's US-friendly name before TYM purchased them. I've only owned it for 6 months, but I've been highly impressed. Will be doing the first oil change this summer.

 

[JTK]

Very cool. I've only owned my little T224 for about 6 months also. It's really came in handy this winter for moving snow around. I did my first engine oil change at ~10hrs. I plan to do the "50 hour" engine, transmission and front axle fluid changes between 40-50. Not sure what UTHF I'm going to use yet. It's either going to be something I mail order through Walmart or I'll run to my tractor supply and get Traveler's UTHF. I will use the x-ref to a WIX 51551 for a replacement hydraulic filter. It also has a serviceable suction screen to be cleaned and reinstalled.

 

[JamesPA]

I have a 4020R, same engine tuned to 40hp with the gear transmission. 15W40 Diesel works fine in those motors, though they are a bit slow-starting in winter at the best of times. If yours is slow to start, let the glow plugs cycle three times before trying to start it (dealer taught me that trick). It's a cummins design motor built by Kukje. Those 20 series are very solidly built for a compact tractor with much heavier frame than Deere or Kubota in that size. I use mine a bit for field work in the summer running a hay tedder and then general loader/backhoe work. Has almost 600 hours now with no issues. As long as you are matching the job and equipment to the size of the tractor it should work well for you. Also if yours has a DPF just give it an Italian tune up occasionally and don't let it idle too much. They are a non-electronic system so there is no regen, just have to run it hard to clean it out and keep it clean.

I ended up using the universal tractor fluid I bought from the Branson dealer, which was Naviguard brand. The NAPA brand fluid is good quality and would use that as well, know a guy who has been running the NAPA in lieu of IH hytran on IH equipment for decades on a dairy and it's done really well for him.

 

[JTK]

I've heard this a bunch over the years on tractor forums in regards to Kukje/Cummins, Daedong and Iseki/Mitsubishi engines. While all are excellent engines, they can be rough starters in extreme cold.

The little 21.5hp Yanmar in my TYM fires right up after one 10sec automated glow plug cycle. I've run it this winter in temps as low as -10F. Barely a bump from the starter and she goes with just a tiny puff of black smoke. You can twist the ignition counter clockwise for manual glow plug activation, or one twist to the right does an automatic 10sec cycle of them. I don't know what makes Yanmar start easier in extreme cold. My 3TNM74F is a little guy though. It only holds 2qts of oil.

 

[Ausfahrt]

I read this thread with interest because I didn't really want to start a new one and rehash old info. I have been using Rotella T6 5w-40 in my 2018 Kubota B2650. If I was still living in Florida I would absolutely be going with 15w-40 but I sometimes use my tractor in subzero conditions. Would you guys stick with T6 in my situation?

 

[JTK]

I read this thread with interest because I didn't really want to start a new one and rehash old info. My have been using Rotella T6 5w-40 in my 2018 Kubota B2650. If I was still living in Florida I would absolutely be going with 15w-40 but I sometimes use my tractor in subzero conditions. Would you guys stick with T6 in my situation?

Just curious what the owner's manual suggests for the Kubota engine in your B2650. I don't believe you can go wrong either way with Rotella T in either 5 or 15w40.

The oil chart for my Yanmar leans towards 30wts oddly enough, although 5 or 15w40 can be used. I've got a 10w30 Valvoline diesel synthetic blend in it currently and plan to change that out at ~30hrs or so. I drained the factory oil at 10hrs.

 

[crashz]

I read this thread with interest because I didn't really want to start a new one and rehash old info. I have been using Rotella T6 5w-40 in my 2018 Kubota B2650. If I was still living in Florida I would absolutely be going with 15w-40 but I sometimes use my tractor in subzero conditions. Would you guys stick with T6 in my situation?

I've had great luck using T6 in my Kubota and Yanmar engines. T6 is in my excavator right now. But I did change the tractor to 0w-40 Amsoil Max-Duty and I've been very happy with the way it starts in the cold. 5 seconds on the glow plugs and she fires right up smoothly. Opposed to the Kubota branded 15w-40 and stock battery, even brand new, it would struggle to fire up in the cold winter months (around 0 degrees f).

For our neck of the woods a good year round oil is a either a 5w-40 or 0w-40 diesel oil. 15w-40 is fine, but strains your starting system.