Any thing on Branson Tractors?

[LindenBruce]

I've been looking at the 4520R myself. But they don't seem to come with any rear remotes. So I sent an e-mail to the company. They told me they have rear remotes systems available for all of their ROPS tractors. Based on the wording of the response, I took it to mean the valves bolt to the ROPS base and are not tucked up under the tractor for a cleaner install. That was kind of a turn off. But still considering this tractor anyway.

For dealer, I got what I think is a killer quote from Big Red's for a tractor with FEL, Branson 76e backhoe with subframe attachment, and appropriate trailer for 29,995.00. Just saying. Bruce

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I've been looking at the 4520R myself. But they don't seem to come with any rear remotes. So I sent an e-mail to the company. They told me they have rear remotes systems available for all of their ROPS tractors. Based on the wording of the response, I took it to mean the valves bolt to the ROPS base and are not tucked up under the tractor for a cleaner install. That was kind of a turn off. But still considering this tractor anyway.

For dealer, I got what I think is a killer quote from Big Red's for a tractor with FEL, Branson 76e backhoe with subframe attachment, and appropriate trailer for 29,995.00. Just saying. Bruce

Bruce, have you gotten a quote from Dave's Tractor? He sells Branson also.

 

[DavesTractor]

We have a 5220R in stock. 55HP turbo, sweet tractor. We sell mostly Mahindra as we are a Mahindra distributor, but this tractor is impressive by any standard. There are factory remotes available for the Branson tractors that tuck the valves underneath. They are more expensive then aftermarket, but a little cleaner installation.

 

[Jrus]

Iv read some previous posts. I have the largest branson dealer in the north just a few minutes from my house. He's been selling branson for 16 years good old time boy and has been pretty straight up with me. Iv looked at many of the big colors and been turned off. Blue especially and iv always been a ford tractor guy. The wields seemed to be of lesser quality. Then I saw some Branson's. Very impressive tractors. Ill be buying a 4520r in the next few weeks here is what I think iv made my mind up on. For 20590 you can't beat the amount of tractor for your money.

 

[rydfree]

Hello this is only my 3st post but I have been snooping around for quite awhile . I just purchased a 2015 Branson 3520R with FEL,Backhoe and a BH15 5' Brush Hog . I think I got a reasonable deal at $24,241.25 OTD for the package . The dealer is @50 miles away so not a big deal since any tractor dealership is at least 20 miles from me . The dealer has been in business awhile and has a service dept as well so I feel pretty good about that end of the deal . I did get a few quotes from tractor shops that did not stock the units but I would never buy something so expensive from a brochure .
I live in town on 1.33 acres that has my house and old business that the wife and I ran for 20 years and I recently paid off my Kubota ZG222 zero turn (way overkill but hey , I like quality stuff) . I also wanted it to be the last mower I ever bought . Why did I choose a Branson tractor ? Last year I purchased about 8 acres outside of town and I need something to prepare a new home site , moving dirt , digging trenches , stumps etc . The first thing I will have to tackle is brush hogging a good bit of thick underbrush and installing a overflow pipe in a small pond area . The first place I went was naturally the Kubota dealer as the ZG has been flawless even when I used it as a brush hog when my daughter bought 3.5 acres of a mess right after I decided to get it . That thing went through 3 foot tall grass , weeds , small sapplings , scurrying rodents etc like it was a tractor itself ,lol. Well the smallest model Kubota had that I thought might even tackle the job was their BL26 but at over 31k , Wow ! Over the next 6 months I would look at and consider everything from used dedicated heavy equipment backhoes and possibly getting a old tractor with a cutter just to brush hog with , to a new JD 2032R , Kiota CK27, Mihindra 3016, and a LS G3038 . After looking at the Branson 3520R with all its features , build quality , size , weight , warranty and capabilities for 24K total , it was a no brainer . Since closing my own business I am a multi-craft maintenance tech for a major automotive engine block supplier so I know what to look for as I will be the one fixing everything after the warranty is up . From the outside this thing is built well and is big enough to get the jobs I need done . It certainly fits the idea of what a tractor should be considering its appearance compared to the other offerings in the "Compact" catagory . Good or bad I will post the results here as it will definitely not get babied at its new home .

 

[Reg]

rydfree,
I think you got a good deal and I *KNOW* that tractor will serve you well.
If this is your first hoe just remember that things go a lot quicker if you take SMALL BITES.
Narrow buckets can DIG, wide buckets are for moving material.

Looking out of my MASSACHUSETTS window I was about to ask what you would be using for snow removal attachments - then I saw your location
Another thing would have been a block heater...

Gee, but these New England winters have changed me

OK, the next most useful thing might be a tooth bar.
If nothing else it helps avoid that smiley face bucket look, but seriously it is great for loosening up soil or gravel.

 

[rydfree]

Thanks Reg , it is my 1st tractor and backhoe but I have done some time on a Bobcat loader so maybe the FEL will come naturally . One of the things that I liked about the Branson was the fender mounted joystick for the loader . I do plan to take it slow with everything as I learn its capabilities . It supposed to be 18 degrees here tonight and a bit chilly for the next week so it will be next weekend at least before I get to try her out .

 

[Reg]

OK, for some odd reason I thought that Alabama was WARMER than Mass.
I would put a block heater in for sure, I think mine was about $60 a few years ago.
There are radiator hose heaters, but those are slower to get the heat to the engine and IMO more hassle to install.
On the (Cummins designed) Kukje engine in mine you just drain some coolant, remove the left side panel, remove a threaded plug in the side of the engine block and thread the heater plug in, replace that coolant, arrange the power cord and tie it off with tie wraps, replace the side cover - DONE.
BTW the plug that you remove has a 1/2 inch square recess in it that accepts a 1/2 inch socket drive, that makes it easy enough to find - especially on a nice NEW and CLEAN tractor

 

[seaneastok]

Hey LindenBruce...I just saw your location and wanted to say Hey...I was born and raised In South Lodi out on Eight Mile and Ham Lane..We kind of used to be neighbor's. Also do you happen to know Jimmy Judd? We used to work together out at Pollardville Palace showboat. Sorry to the OP not trying to hijack the thread.

 

[rydfree]

OK, for some odd reason I thought that Alabama was WARMER than Mass.

Well not lately . Supposed to be 12 degrees tonight and rain all weekend on my days off so the tractor will stay in the shed for another week or two .

 

[Reg]

Well not lately . Supposed to be 12 degrees tonight and rain all weekend on my days off so the tractor will stay in the shed for another week or two .View attachment 412930

A project, a project, Ahhh a project
You have a chance to WORK on your tractor without getting it dirty or wet
The great block heater project - REALLY worth the cost in time and money, especially for its "therapeutic" value.

I am NOT trying to play moderator here, but I suggest we respect the general etiquette of the forums and move this discussion to the Branson, Century, Zetor forum.

Although - well, block heater topics seem as popular in Mahindra forums as in any other

 

[pblanton]

Local dealer has pretty good pricing on Branson tractors. I know nothing about them. Any one here?

Yes. I put my, "thing" on a Branson tractor regularly. My dealer isn't particularly local, but I can handle most issues myself. So far my 2015 Branson 3520H Hasn't given me any. To paraphrase apple, it just works.

 

[pblanton]

Iv read some previous posts. I have the largest branson dealer in the north just a few minutes from my house. He's been selling branson for 16 years good old time boy and has been pretty straight up with me. Iv looked at many of the big colors and been turned off. Blue especially and iv always been a ford tractor guy. The wields seemed to be of lesser quality. Then I saw some Branson's. Very impressive tractors. Ill be buying a 4520r in the next few weeks here is what I think iv made my mind up on. For 20590 you can't beat the amount of tractor for your money.

Ford is no longer a tractor maker. Though you may be a Ford fan... that's irrelevant. If they aren't a tractor manufacturer, then what's the point?

Most (almost all) small tractors are made in South Korea now. So pick a South Korean maker that you like and go with them. John Deere is made in Osaka Japan. So, if you think that buying Deere is "Buying America" then you're wrong. Mahindra is Indian. If you are a Mahindra fan then go with them. I'm not; though I like Rush Limbaugh, I'm not a Mahindra fan.

I bought a 2015 Branson 3520H and love it. It is a very capable tractor and I use it way more than I thought I would. My wife thought I was crazy buying a tractor for our little six-acre property, but we use it ALL OF THE TIME!

By the way, the matching box blade was acquired through Colorado Tractor Attachments... cotractorattachments

 

[Reg]

Valenti in Troy NH still has BIG displays of Bransons outside their shop right on route 12.
I usually have a near 40 ft trailer following me around when I pass, so I can't stop.
Not that I really NEED anything, but it is always nice to browse and they are "good people" there.
I should make a shopping list for next time I pass and TRY to squeeze in there

 

[DavesTractor]

Most (almost all) small tractors are made in South Korea now. So pick a South Korean maker that you like and go with them. John Deere is made in Osaka Japan. So, if you think that buying Deere is "Buying America" then you're wrong. Mahindra is Indian. If you are a Mahindra fan then go with them. I'm not; though I like Rush Limbaugh, I'm not a Mahindra fan.

cotractorattachments
View attachment 433168

Branson builds a great tractor and have very good prices at the moment. No argument on that. But your geographic descriptions of where tractors are made are incomplete enough that it might unintentionally mislead folks. Like your comment on Mahindra; yes a ton of the Mahindra models are built in India, but the eMax is made in Korea, the Max is made in Japan, the 1500 series (and previous 15/16 series) are made in Japan, etc. And I agree that Yanmar built tens of thousands of JD compacts, but some are made in the USA. What you mentioned is not untrue, but I think this may help clarify. Enjoy the Branson!

 

[Reg]

Where "made in" or "built in" usually means "assembled in" - - from parts produced world wide.

I first noticed this when I took apart a GENUINE Singer sewing machine nearly 5 decades ago.
Even then every little gear, shaft, casting, stamping, forging, molded bit, had a country of origin molded or stamped into it.
Spain, Germany, France, on and on....

Internationalization is nothing NEW - ask GM, Ford, Chryco, et al.

Bottom line; It doesn't matter where, what matters is that the sum of the parts work well together, i.e. it is good by design, not by where it was assembled.
but Bransons are ASSEMBLED BY Kukje in South Korea

 

[pblanton]

Thanks for the clarification Dave. Yes, I was speaking in generalities. I know that large John Deeres are still made in (assembled in) America. As far as the vagaries of tractor manufacturing you would be a much better resource than me on that topic.

 

[DavesTractor]

It gets complicated. To make matters worse, "made" in USA is different legally than "assembled" in USA. Mahindra has some marketing where they proclaim "assembled in the USA". Technically correct, but I don't really care for it. I think it sort of implies "made in the USA" which is actually a pretty high standard to meet.

 

[pblanton]

That's correct. My Branson tractor has "Kukje" all over it. The key has a big "K" on it, the grille has a big "Kukje" logo on it.

Kukje though is the Korean manufacturer of Dodge Cummins Diesel engines. So if you like Cummins, you like Kukje.

 

[whizdbiz2]

My Mahindra eMax 22 is a TYM made machine with a Daedong (Kioti to us Americans) diesel engine, assembled somewhere in the U.S. Do I care? Not really. I do care for the performance and the longevity and the more I hear about these Korean firms the more respect I have. Obviously the big makers think so too since they put their brand names on them.