Our World Just got bigger...

Lunk · Oct 22, 2009

Montana Tractors: Tractor Manufacturer of Farm, Compact, Agricultural, Sub Compact & Utility Tractors, Implements & Attachments.

It looks as if Montana has hijacked the entire Branson / Kukje line, and even some additional series (3110???)!

I think this will benefit Branson owners everywhere, as it expands the dealer network by quite a bit. Even though Branson warranty work would most likely not be covered - Parts availability would be assured for the future.

Thoughts?

Lunk

polo1665 · Oct 22, 2009

I'd like to know a little more about the warranty aspect. What makes you think we would not be covered? I agree about the dealer network expansion.

Mark

gldwing57 · Oct 23, 2009

That is funny, just by putting different decals they went from Branson to Montana...
Guess we could just order some decals and all have new tractors...lol

But I guess similiar when they went from Century to Branson... I am glad its not the other way and they put the Branson decals on the Montana's...they are not near has heavy..

The outcome should be interesting..I have a Montana dealer closer then a Branson dealer..So does this mean that all Branson dealers will now be Montana dealers?

gamble77 · Oct 23, 2009

It was very weird walking by the Montana booth at the ag show recently. Nothing but rebadged Farmtrac's and Branson's in their booth...no green tractors anywhere in site.

Oh yeah...right across from there was the nice big LS Tractors booth...just to add salt to the wound I guess!

MicroPilot · Oct 23, 2009

Very wierd indeed. The dealer I bought my Century from opted to not go the Branson route and started carrying Montana's. Looks like it's come full circle back for him.

gtobill · Oct 23, 2009

So now we can start a which one is better thread??

robbianderson@netzero.net · Oct 24, 2009

i did alot of homework,looked at alot of tractors,and bought a 3510i last month. i'm 37 months from retirment. i hope this does not afect my dealer.

blueriver · Oct 24, 2009

robbianderson@netzero.net said:
i did alot of homework,looked at alot of tractors,and bought a 3510i last month. i'm 37 months from retirment. i hope this does not afect my dealer.

It sure should affect your dealer ... better, bigger an stronger ... I would think.

Lunk · Oct 26, 2009

polo1665 said:
I'd like to know a little more about the warranty aspect. What makes you think we would not be covered? I agree about the dealer network expansion.

Mark

I mean that A Montana Dealer probably would not do warranty work on a Branson that still has coverage, as technically they would not be obligated too...They sell Montana's. not Branson's.

I could be wrong though...

bobmisi · Oct 27, 2009

Can't see why a Montana dealer would turn away warranty work in these tough times, since the factory is paying them to do the work. Personally, I can't see this as a good move for Branson owners, I was never impressed with Montana tractors. My Branson is a great machine, really built well. I guess time will tell, I hope I'm wrong.................

Lunk · Oct 27, 2009

bobmisi said:
Can't see why a Montana dealer would turn away warranty work in these tough times, since the factory is paying them to do the work. Personally, I can't see this as a good move for Branson owners, I was never impressed with Montana tractors. My Branson is a great machine, really built well. I guess time will tell, I hope I'm wrong.................

If Montana shifts their lineup to all Kukje product, we win because our market penetration will increase!

Also - Montana dealers will become a service outlet for Kukje products, another win for Branson owners.

I just don't know for sure if a Montana dealer would handle Branson warranty work is all...

gldwing57 · Oct 27, 2009

I know there are some dealers out there lurking looks like one would jump in on this thread with some insight as to what to expect

DavesTractor · Oct 27, 2009

gldwing57 said:
I know there are some dealers out there lurking looks like one would jump in on this thread with some insight as to what to expect

As a Branson dealer, it's a mixed bag. On a positive note, if this makes Kukje stronger due to increased volume, that is good. On a negative note, I now have a direct competitor with the same product (other than decals) 8 miles from me.

I've heard that the Montana's will be Branson Red. Seems odd that they would not have the confidence to go ahead and spray some green. Montana spent a lot of money branding the Montana line, and did a good job in a short period of time. Now we have blue Farmtrac Montana's, Red Branson Montana's, and I'm not sure just what will be green. Seems like an identity crisis in the making.

I am speculating on the color issue, so please feel free to correct me on this.

gldwing57 · Oct 28, 2009

So you are saying that there will still be Branson Tractors and Branson dealerships, selling the same tractor that Montana has just with differnt logo's

I thought Montana was just going to take over and the Branson dealers would
either be out in the cold or start selling Montana's

That is too weird; it would be like Ford buying GM and start putting F150 badges on the Silverado

DavesTractor · Oct 28, 2009

gldwing57 said:
So you are saying that there will still be Branson Tractors and Branson dealerships, selling the same tractor that Montana has just with differnt logo's

I thought Montana was just going to take over and the Branson dealers would
either be out in the cold or start selling Montana's

That is too weird; it would be like Ford buying GM and start putting F150 badges on the Silverado

It isn't all that unusual to have one tractor sold under two brands. Take Kioti and Bobcat, both Daedong. But at least they are painted to look different and probably have different loaders.

Branson is owned by Kukje. They will stay. Montana will just sell Branson tractors with different decals. I see this as a better deal for Branson than for Montana. They will wholesale more tractors and retain retail.

georgiatractor · Nov 4, 2009

when will Montana dealers start displaying branson tractors in their inventory -- none of the dealers i have called have any tractors in inventory

Lunk · Nov 5, 2009

georgiatractor said:
when will Montana dealers start displaying branson tractors in their inventory -- none of the dealers i have called have any tractors in inventory

Good question... The release basically said tractors shipping in October.

The one thing I wish Branson would do, is update their website to provide more current information, and specs.

I've seen 3110's listed for sale on Tractorhouse, and they aren't even listed as an available model on Branson's site. The rest of the site is a bit weak on information too. I cannot fathom why, in this day and age, a major manufacturer would skimp on their website...

Reg · Nov 20, 2009

DavesTractor said:
As a Branson dealer, it's a mixed bag. On a positive note, if this makes Kukje stronger due to increased volume, that is good. On a negative note, I now have a direct competitor with the same product (other than decals) 8 miles from me.

I've heard that the Montana's will be Branson Red. Seems odd that they would not have the confidence to go ahead and spray some green. Montana spent a lot of money branding the Montana line, and did a good job in a short period of time. Now we have blue Farmtrac Montana's, Red Branson Montana's, and I'm not sure just what will be green. Seems like an identity crisis in the making.

I am speculating on the color issue, so please feel free to correct me on this.

The Brochure (.pdf file) shows Branson red on the 20 series, even has a BL20 loader decal on one of them.

I think Kukje would get confused if Montana asked them to spray green, even if it was a slightly different shade to the JD green.
Maybe that is the hangup ? (-:

DavesTractor · Nov 20, 2009

Reg said:
The Brochure (.pdf file) shows Branson red on the 20 series, even has a BL20 loader decal on one of them.

I think Kukje would get confused if Montana asked them to spray green, even if it was a slightly different shade to the JD green.
Maybe that is the hangup ? (-:

Well Reg, that could be, but I know Kukje knows how to put together green tractors since they assemble John Deere's on behalf of John Deere in Korea for the Asian market, or at least did for years in the past. Not sure if that is still the case or not, someone else might want to confirm or refute.

YanmarFever · Nov 20, 2009

In My opinion, red tractors would be a lot easier for Branson to take back ... in case Montana goes under.
All they have to do is change decals, its easier than painting a green tractor.

Face it, Montana does not manufacture anything, they are just a group of investors.....

Truth hurts sometimes

Again, just my opinion.