Comparison LS XR4145HC VS Branson 4720CH

[ursa]

Been doing some research on what to purchase and have narrowed it down to the LS XR4145HC and the Branson 4720CH. Both are about the same price around 28k with FEL and Cab. I will be getting R4 tires. Both companies have dealers close enough to home. I am really having a challenge deciding because I have not had enough experience with either.

Pros of the LS 4145HC:

- Appears to be a little more refined in terms of design.
- Greater lift capacity
- My impression is the company has deeper pockets thus more staying power when times get tough
- I am hearing less complaints in terms of repairs but this may be entirely anecdotal evidence, I really have no real numbers to go by.
- Transmission/ Engine Quieter than the Branson

Pros of the Branson 4720CH:

- Simpler, less computerized, so perhaps less likely to have an electronic related failure that i cannot figure out.
- Has a couple extra HP and looses less HP through the PTO
- Has the ability to widen out stance of rear wheels (The LS with R4's are not configurable to different widths).
- The tractor itself (without cab) is a couple hundred pounds heavier, however the cab version of the two tractors is not that different in weight though, not sure why, makes me wonder if the build quality of the cab is not as good on the Branson.

I have aprox 20 acres, part of which is hilly and heavily forested. Tractor will be used to maintain about a mile of gravel roads, will likely get a road boss or grademaster 6ft grader. Will do some logging work, move dirt, dig, and bush hog.

My biggest priorities are low center of gravity and having a good width, and getting something that will have a reasonable resale value later in case I move. I also dont want to have a major failure right out the gate or right after the warranty period and its hard to tell which brand is better in that regard..

Appreciate any insight you may have on any of the bullet points above! Thanks in advance!!

 

[coolnick73]

* Disclaimer-I bought a Branson 4520C

Although I didn't really look at LS in person (the nearest dealer was 70 miles away), I did quite a bit of research on many different brands.
The reasons I went with the Branson were similar to your pro list:
-Simple non-computerized Cummins-esk engine with mechanical fuel injection
-Simple Tier 4 strategy; large catalytic converter (DOC) vs smaller DOC w/ regeneration cycles
-Two speed PTO
-Standard dual rear remotes

The things I don't like about the Branson
-Cab interior quality is like a Korean economy car from the early 1990's
-Noisy at PTO speed (I still wear hearing protection)
-Long term health of company and future of parts could be a headache

I think either way you will be happy. It seems the Koreans like to pack in many features and price their products reasonably.

 

[GManBart]

I had really good luck with my LS, and tend to think they're a stronger company, with more dealers, and growth potential than Branson at this point, but they're both decent machines.

More important than anything else is spending seat time in the machines to see what you like, and don't like. Something that you can't stand might not bother me, and vice-versa. Either machine should be able to handle the tasks you've outlined, so I wouldn't worry much about that part.

 

[870wing]

I don't think you will have to worry about Branson being around or getting parts. Branson has teamed up with McCormick and Landini to supply them their series 1 tractors.

 

[Helitech]

Branson also released a new series in the last few months. My local dealer has sold some of the new 15 series Bransons.

 

[Fernland]

Not the same model but I recently spent a lot of time comparing a XG3037 to the 3520h and ended up with the Branson. The Branson cockpit and controls fit me better, tractor seemed more stout and pricing was better as well.

 

[TSO]

I don't think you will have to worry about Branson being around or getting parts. Branson has teamed up with McCormick and Landini to supply them their series 1 tractors.

Both LS and Daedong (Kioti) also supplied compacts for McCormick within the last 5-10 years, so I wouldn't put too much stock in Kukje (Branson) having long term success based on that relationship.

To the OP, I have been on both machines, and owned a couple LS tractors a few years ago. I think they are both good. I like how heavily built the Branson tractors feel. However, I've sat in the Cabs of every CUT in the market, and I feel like the Branson cab on these CUT's is the worst in the industry. It felt extremely cramped, and the layout was strange. Of course that is personal opinion, so I'm sure someone may disagree... But that was my feeling on it.

That aside, I would think that at this point, LS is on a roll and has more "staying power" than Branson. LS prices are going up, and when I traded my first LS, and sold my second one, I did not notice any hit on resale that was worse than any other brand.

If you have good dealers for both, the choice will be tougher.

Did you notice any "comfort" differences?

 

[ursa]

Thank you to those who have replied so far! The LS dealer here has the cabbed model, unfortunately it is not HST, but its given me a good idea of the tractor. The Branson dealers do not have the cabbed version available for me to look at so I have not been able to inspect the cab. I guess this is an issue when working with lower volume dealers, you may not be able to inspect the exact product you are going to buy. I have driven the 4720 HST and it felt ok, was just a bit noisier than I expected. I will have to go back to the dealers and really get more of a feeling for the layout differences. The FEL operation of both seemed responsive enough but honestly I havent used FEL's enough to know exactly how to compare them well.

 

[870wing]

Both LS and Daedong (Kioti) also supplied compacts for McCormick within the last 5-10 years, so I wouldn't put too much stock in Kukje (Branson) having long term success based on that relationship.

You are absolutely right that both Kioti and LS supplied compact tractors to McCormick. Both companies got better visibility of their products through the partnershipand and both seem to be doing quite well now.

I was referring more to the fact that these partnerships usually have a minimum 5 year duration with a renewal option. That means Branson parts and service should be around for a while, in case that was a concern.

I've sat in the 4520 cab version (version before 4720) and found it tight. I also found the tires came up to close to the fenders which made putting chains on an issue (we get 4-5 monthes of winter)

 

[Texasmark]

If Branson's time is about up, what are all the rainbow brands that it makes going to do for a manufacturer? Sorry guys, gotta disagree with you again.

On the cabs, I can't say about the 4500 series, but I'm 6'5 and 250 and one of the reasons I bought my 2007 6530 4wd with FEL was the comfortable, roomy cab, handy controls, tilt and telescoping steering wheel, hydro steering, shuttle, 24 F and R gears, washers and wipers front and rear, inside rear view mirror, outside rear view mirrors, choice of type of PTO with a selector switch, 3 PTO speeds, pin held exact location lift arm braces (no flopping around, exact positioning) lift arm extension tips (gives you about 2" of fore-aft slop, FEL remotes and 2 sets aft, flat floor, exhaust stack off to the side, not in your face, air compressor (in the seat) operated cushion, high back with armrests cloth seat (actually a chair), and the clincher was the 3 pt control lever right at the rear where you hook up (in addition to the normal one inside the cab)...no more having to run back and forth when working alone....it's all right there for you.......and it's all standard equipment with a 4 year bumper to bumper warranty......oh and a Cummins B 3.3 NA direct injection, naturally aspired engine to boot.

Yeah, any day now and they are going to be in the ditch.

 

[ursa]

- How much of a difference will having the 2 speed PTO make? The Branson has it the LS doesnt. (I cannot predict yet what all implements I will end up using besides the brush hog and havent thought that far ahead.)

- Regarding the Branson, the Simple Tier 4 strategy; large catalytic converter (DOC) vs smaller DOC w/ regeneration cycles, will this make the probability of having expensive repairs down the road less likely and will it be possible to perhaps "modify" things more easily if a person wanted to do that type of thing.

 

[Texasmark]

- How much of a difference will having the 2 speed PTO make? The Branson has it the LS doesnt. (I cannot predict yet what all implements I will end up using besides the brush hog and havent thought that far ahead.)

- Regarding the Branson, the Simple Tier 4 strategy; large catalytic converter (DOC) vs smaller DOC w/ regeneration cycles, will this make the probability of having expensive repairs down the road less likely and will it be possible to perhaps "modify" things more easily if a person wanted to do that type of thing.

My 6530 has 3 which, at the 2600 rpm rating for my engine are 540, 750, and 960 (substitute for 1000 of yesteryear).

Most implements of today run off 540 so a single 540 pto would do for most normal chores.

However if you have a really light load and want to save fuel and get the job done sooner, the 760 would be the thing...assuming the engine rpms didn't drop excessively in the process. I use 100 rpm on a 2600 rpm engine for my don't go below when considering lugging or not. The 1000 rpm is for special purpose implements. To name one, a belt driven hammer mill like you would use to grind corn or chop stalks.

So looks like a simpler Tier IV may be your only advantage in that arena. Buttttttt

 

[coolnick73]

The Branson has mechanical fuel injection that isn't tied to a computer. The DOC has a computer module to monitor it. As far as I know, the only electronically controlled aspect of the engine is the electronic fuel cutoff. I'm not sure if the DOC computer would lock-out the fuel if it was angry for some reason.

I'm not sure how the whole eCRDI thing works with the DOC. One of the things that scared me away from the electronic injection was that I was unsure if all manufactures used a common language (OBDII or something), or a one-off proprietary language. I have an old grey market Iseki (Bowlens) that I've had a problem getting parts and service for so that factored into my decision. That being said, of all the automobiles that I have owned over the years, I don't think I have ever had a problem with the electronic fuel injection systems, so worrying about the eCRDI may be foolish on my part.

Some of the John Deere's have the two speed PTO and they market it as a fuel savings measure, as TexasMark said.

One thing the LS has that the US Branson does not have is draft control. I believe it is to auto-regulate the depth of an implement such as a plow so it will keep it at a consistent depth when the plow wants to dig in deeper.

 

[Texasmark]

One thing the LS has that the US Branson does not have is draft control. I believe it is to auto-regulate the depth of an implement such as a plow so it will keep it at a consistent depth when the plow wants to dig in deeper.

Harry Ferguson's 3 point system, which was the hallmark of the systems for eons, used the draft control (function) to keep the tractor from being pulled over backwards upon striking an immovable or overly heavy object. Additionally it helped to maintain plowing depth, as you said, when it wants to dig in deeper it backs off the pressure, lifting up the implmement somewhat, allowing the tractor to resume it's work.

My 6530 has that function, lever controlled, just like in the old days. It mimics the Ferguson system in that there is a pressure sensor on the third member that activates the action when pressed on by the obstruction pushing against the 3rd member. The control lever in the cab determines at what pressure the lift releases (backs off) and helps to set the depth in the first place. My 2400 doesn't have it.

 

[motownbrowne]

My 6530 has 3 which, at the 2600 rpm rating for my engine are 540, 750, and 960 (substitute for 1000 of yesteryear).

1000 RPM speed for PTO implements is certainly not of yesteryear. Lots and lots of larger implements run at 1000 RPM. Mostly you see it in ag applications, such as hay balers. 1000 RPMs became popular as a PTO speed sometime after 1960 because you can transmit twice the horsepower through the same size shaft by increasing the speed. Many tractors produced in the last 60 years had two different PTO shafts coming out the rear, a regular 540 shaft and a fine tooth 1000 RPM shaft.

 

[Texasmark]

1000 RPM speed for PTO implements is certainly not of yesteryear. Lots and lots of larger implements run at 1000 RPM. Mostly you see it in ag applications, such as hay balers. 1000 RPMs became popular as a PTO speed sometime after 1960 because you can transmit twice the horsepower through the same size shaft by increasing the speed. Many tractors produced in the last 60 years had two different PTO shafts coming out the rear, a regular 540 shaft and a fine tooth 1000 RPM shaft.

Yeah that's true; good point. I just recall running a hammer mill from a 20' belt off an old JD B popper, grinding corn stalks......get that sucker whining and the belt whizzing and dump in half a dozen full stalks and listen to her munch on them; give her time to build back up and hit it again.

When I had my JD 4020 ('69 as I recall), I'd put in the 1000 spindle and run an 8' dual blade Mohawk mower/shredder with it in a high gear and half PTO rpms to save gas and time. Also noticed on the 375 JD baler warning label that it says to use 540 indicating otherwise possibility surely for the reason you mentioned.

I guess that's why my little 2400 has 2 speeds on the bottom end of the Branson tractor chain. Some people use it.

Thanks,
Mark

 

[wing98]

the company that makes branson tractors have been making tractors since 1948 i don't think you have to worry about them going out
the kukye machinery company is pretty solid company

 

[ursa]

Thanks Everyone! Important question: Regarding Width as measured from outside edge to outside edge of back tires - This is huge for me, since I need it as wide as possible. Can someone tell me the measurement of their LS XR41xx with R4's and could someone tell me the same measurement for the Branson 4720 with R4's?

I understand the LS with R4's is not adjustable and the Branson is. This may tip it in favor of the Branson if the Branson at its widest setting is gonna be quite a bit wider/more stable. Really love this site and all yall's comments.

 

[TSO]

Thanks Everyone! Important question: Regarding Width as measured from outside edge to outside edge of back tires - This is huge for me, since I need it as wide as possible. Can someone tell me the measurement of their LS XR41xx with R4's and could someone tell me the same measurement for the Branson 4720 with R4's?

I understand the LS with R4's is not adjustable and the Branson is. This may tip it in favor of the Branson if the Branson at its widest setting is gonna be quite a bit wider/more stable. Really love this site and all yall's comments.

here's an option: have the dealer order the rims that would come on the R1 rears. Then, have 14.9x24 R4's installed. That way, you'll have the adjustable rims.

 

[Cataclysm]

My XR4155HC with R4's at 9psi is 70 inches wide. That includes the bulge of the tire. No load on the FEL or rear lift. No fluid in tires.