test drove my first branson today

[deer assassin]

I have been looking at ls and kioto and thought today i would go and look at a branson

i drove a

4520 c

4720 h

and a 5220 r


i have to admit i was impressed they ran smooth as butter of course my tractor at home is a 67 oliver 550

I also drove a kioti dk4510 and there was no comparison IMO I liked the branson better

I just did not care for the hydrostatic drive i guess i could get used to it but the shuttle syncro seemed fine to me

i liked the fact there is no regen on the motor

i could see one at the house soon.

 

[Kentuckyfarmer]

I have been looking at ls and kioto and thought today i would go and look at a branson

i drove a

4520 c

4720 h

and a 5220 r


i have to admit i was impressed they ran smooth as butter of course my tractor at home is a 67 oliver 550

I also drove a kioti dk4510 and there was no comparison IMO I liked the branson better

I just did not care for the hydrostatic drive i guess i could get used to it but the shuttle syncro seemed fine to me

i liked the fact there is no regen on the motor

i could see one at the house soon.

I am pleased with the one I have. I had a John Deere track loader or highlift what ever you like to call them that had a direction reverser that I ran for close to ten years. It worked the same as a shuttle shift and my first hydro was the bx23 Kubota. Was Leary of it but after having it I really like it and that's the reason I got the Branson with a hydro. I made a few changes like extend the three point control leaver so I didn't have to bend down to pick up implement or put it down. It's at a comfortable height now. And moved the cruise control and pto buttons over by the rear hydro controls also so I didn't have to bend over to set cruise or turn on pto. They are also mechanical injection pumps and not a common rail. No computer control, no limp mode. If the dpf get plugged it's an easy fix not to have that problem with out hacking a computer or reprogramming it. Other than those few changes for comfort the tractor has been flawless. Getting close to 500 hours.

 

[ericm979]

The dual counterbalancers in the four cylinder motors make them smooth. HST is nice if you need to reverse or change speed often while running a pto implement like a mower. My land's steep and I only mow small sections at the moment so it's rare to go the same direction and speed for long. If you're mowing more open fields or roadsides its not so much of an issue.

 

[madpuma13]

I am pleased with the one I have. I had a John Deere track loader or highlift what ever you like to call them that had a direction reverser that I ran for close to ten years. It worked the same as a shuttle shift and my first hydro was the bx23 Kubota. Was Leary of it but after having it I really like it and that's the reason I got the Branson with a hydro. I made a few changes like extend the three point control leaver so I didn't have to bend down to pick up implement or put it down. It's at a comfortable height now. And moved the cruise control and pto buttons over by the rear hydro controls also so I didn't have to bend over to set cruise or turn on pto. They are also mechanical injection pumps and not a common rail. No computer control, no limp mode. If the dpf get plugged it's an easy fix not to have that problem with out hacking a computer or reprogramming it. Other than those few changes for comfort the tractor has been flawless. Getting close to 500 hours.

Could you take a picture of your modified 3pt handle and where you moved your buttons to.

Planning on doing the same and getting ideas. Would you do anything different?

 

[madpuma13]

I have been looking at ls and kioto and thought today i would go and look at a branson

i drove a

4520 c

4720 h

and a 5220 r


i have to admit i was impressed they ran smooth as butter of course my tractor at home is a 67 oliver 550

I also drove a kioti dk4510 and there was no comparison IMO I liked the branson better

I just did not care for the hydrostatic drive i guess i could get used to it but the shuttle syncro seemed fine to me

i liked the fact there is no regen on the motor

i could see one at the house soon.

I have a 4720ch (same as the 4720h just had a cab) and love it. It is a beast!

Edit: thought I'd provide a better review.

I went through and looked at Kubota, JD, Massey ferg and Branson.

Massey was a new dealer in the area and wanted jd, Kubota prices. Nothing really special to me and not knowing if the dealer would hang around, I didn't spend much time here.

Both Kubota and JD had nice tractors and were more refined than Branson. For the equivalent tractor they wanted close to 45k. Both dealers have been around and I expect them to stay but the price... Just ****.

The Branson dealer had been established for over 2 decades. Owned by a wonderful couple who say they have no intention of leaving. I debated between the cabbed version or not. And decided that even if I got the non cab version of the Kubota or JD I'd be paying more for those if they had the same capability as the Branson. So I got the cab.

The tractor had 2 rear remotes and the dealer threw in a front 3rd function. Gave me a great price imo.

All in all, the Branson ended up being the perfect decision for me. The Branson was very capable and had the weight to back it up. And the dealer was fantastic. In fact he was the ONLY dealer I spoke with that didn't say one word, positive or negative, about the other brands.

Good luck with your decision! If you have any questions feel free to post them.

 

[deer assassin]

i appreciate any and all input

I drove a few LS tractors today this is just my opinion

i liked the ls hydrostat drive on the ls way better than branson
i like branson shuttle shift 12 way better than the ls 16 the ls was hard to shift

i like the simplicity of bransons engine vs the ls

i think the branson is a better built tractor i like their pto lever better than flimsy electric switch for the pto on the ls

the entry into the ls cab was better than branson

I really want a cab tractor but cant justify the $$$

most of my work will be in the woods and not a large amount of bushogging

next weekend I will look at some kioti and kubota

i am really digging the branson

the branson dealer i like better than the ls dealer branson dealer was smaller but more knowledgeable just got a better vibe

 

[Kentuckyfarmer]

Could you take a picture of your modified 3pt handle and where you moved your buttons to.

Planning on doing the same and getting ideas. Would you do anything different?

Here you go. Would I do anything different. No it's pretty handy where I moved them and much easier not having to look down and bend down to do things.

 

[madpuma13]

That pto handle is perfect ! What did you use for it?

Did you use anything to cover up the area under the steering wheel since you moved the entire switch plate?

 

[Kentuckyfarmer]

That pto handle is perfect ! What did you use for it?

Did you use anything to cover up the area under the steering wheel since you moved the entire switch plate?

I just had a piece of scrap metal. Removed the three point handle completely and cut where the handle attached and welded a piece between. Welded at a small angle toward the front at the bottom otherwise it would be to far back. As far as a cover.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

Kentucky,

Looks like you put the switches up where they normally sit on the 25 series. I like the location up there, except I have to mind that I don't press the hazard light button while moving around and working the FEL. Lol. I do wish my 3 pt lever was higher like you modded yours. That was a good idea and looks handy. Do you think you might snag it if wearing a big jacket or something?

Deer,

Just curious as to what about the LS HST you liked better than the Branson? Only thing I can think to say on the Branson HST is sometimes it doesn't want to go into or change gear ranges, and by just nudging the reverse pedal, it usually drops right in.

 

[Kentuckyfarmer]

Kentucky,

Looks like you put the switches up where they normally sit on the 25 series. I like the location up there, except I have to mind that I don't press the hazard light button while moving around and working the FEL. Lol. I do wish my 3 pt lever was higher like you modded yours. That was a good idea and looks handy. Do you think you might snag it if wearing a big jacket or something?

Deer,

Just curious as to what about the LS HST you liked better than the Branson? Only thing I can think to say on the Branson HST is sometimes it doesn't want to go into or change gear ranges, and by just nudging the reverse pedal, it usually drops right in.

The buttons are located in the knock out section of that plastic piece and as close to the hydro controls as I could get it. My arm doesn't hit them at all when using the loader. As far as having a coat get tangled with the three point control 99 percent of the time I have a coat on I wouldn't be using the three point only the loader so that would be in the up position and would be by the back of the seat. It stays nice and toasty in the cab during the winter. No need for a coat at all if spending any amount of time in there. Summer time ac is a must in the cab. Unless you have back window open and doors open, and if doing any kind of field work the dust and bugs is the reason I have the cab. I spent lots of years on open tractors and eat bales of dust and pounds of bugs. My old age is all about comfort in anyway I can find it. These old bones and muscles can't take what they use to.

 

[dancath]

I have a 4720h and I love it.I only compared it to deere and mahindra. Much cheaper than both and fit and finish was equal. The branson was almost as heavy as the mahindra and I was looking for weight I added 1000# to the rear wheels with weights and that thing goes any where.The thing has such a short turning radius it will turn on itself.I also love the cruise control with a big lawn it is hard to stay awake. Lucky I have a cold one in the drink holder.I do not think I will have a problem with the dpf I remedied it with help on this forum.I now can run it at a reasonable rpm burning much less fuel.The only thing I do not like is a rather whiney hst but wear headphones.I have 70 hrs on it and the 50 hr. service was done in about 40 min.

Dan

 

[Kentuckyfarmer]

I have a 4720h and I love it.I only compared it to deere and mahindra. Much cheaper than both and fit and finish was equal. The branson was almost as heavy as the mahindra and I was looking for weight I added 1000# to the rear wheels with weights and that thing goes any where.The thing has such a short turning radius it will turn on itself.I also love the cruise control with a big lawn it is hard to stay awake. Lucky I have a cold one in the drink holder.I do not think I will have a problem with the dpf I remedied it with help on this forum.I now can run it at a reasonable rpm burning much less fuel.The only thing I do not like is a rather whiney hst but wear headphones.I have 70 hrs on it and the 50 hr. service was done in about 40 min.

Dan

No dpf and no computer to worry about is worth at least $4000 to me. I know what you mean about falling asleep. Also I have close to 500 hrs and either the hydro wine is lots less when new or my hearing is worse.

 

[deer assassin]

Deer,

Just curious as to what about the LS HST you liked better than the Branson? Only thing I can think to say on the Branson HST is sometimes it doesn't want to go into or change gear ranges, and by just nudging the reverse pedal, it usually drops right in.

i noticed the same on the branson hydrostat not wanting to change ranges.

what i liked about the LS hydrostat was the transition between fwd and rev also the transition of full on forward and slowing down to letting off

the branson was real jerky granted it could of been just that one

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

I hear you on the comfort there Kentucky. I was insistent that whatever tractor I ended up with would definitely have a cab, with heat and (preferably) A/C. I finally mowed my road ditches last weekend, and it was dust bowl dry out. It was so nice to sit in the air conditioned cab, with the radio on, cruise control on, and watching the dust cloud swirl around me without getting inside the cab, or in my lungs.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

i noticed the same on the branson hydrostat not wanting to change ranges.

what i liked about the LS hydrostat was the transition between fwd and rev also the transition of full on forward and slowing down to letting off

the branson was real jerky granted it could of been just that one

I have had to learn to slowly raise my foot off of one direction pedal before slowly pressing down the other one. It will stop so short you'll think it's standing on the FEL if you don't. I guess the "plus side", if there is one, is that if you do have to stop fast for whatever reason, you can do so without touching the brake pedal. Same thing goes for dropping out of cruise control, you have to put your foot all the way back into the forward pedal before you shut off the cruise control, or you can expect to be lurched pretty hard (and potentially spilling your cold beverage).

 

[Kentuckyfarmer]

I have had to learn to slowly raise my foot off of one direction pedal before slowly pressing down the other one. It will stop so short you'll think it's standing on the FEL if you don't. I guess the "plus side", if there is one, is that if you do have to stop fast for whatever reason, you can do so without touching the brake pedal. Same thing goes for dropping out of cruise control, you have to put your foot all the way back into the forward pedal before you shut off the cruise control, or you can expect to be lurched pretty hard (and potentially spilling your cold beverage).

My Kubota is the same way. Take your foot off and you stop real quick. Although it doesn't have cruise. So it wasn't a learning process for me with the Branson. It does still stop really quick but with use and hours on the clock it isn't as jerky as when new. It also slips into gear lots easier with hours of use. Not trying to sell anyone on having a HST I think it's the best of all a person can get when buying a tractor either with a straight geared trans, shuttle shift or what ever is out there. With the ability to pick any speed in doing what needs to be done it either not to fast nor to slow and you can speed up or slow down just a tad very easy. Old school was 4 or 5 speeds and one reverse. Either ride the clutch a little or hope for the best is what I started on years ago. That being said the newer tractor have lots of speeds forward and in reverse so a newer shuttle shift with lots of gears forward and in reverse its probably pretty close to an HST in being able to pick a speed. The only shuttle shift I drove was a 310 JD backhoe and I really didn't like having to use my hand to operate it and foot to operate the fuel pedal and right hand the loader control. Then in between steer with the left hand. Lots of things going on when back filling ditches in close quarters. Had a JD highlift that had a direction reverser but that was a whole different ballgame and liked it better than the hoe. I like the HST because set the rpm's and go forward or reverse as fast or as slow as you want just by pushing a pedal. Simple

 

[sikmusicfreak8]

I do wish I got a cab. Don't really NEED it because SoCal is pretty mild, but somedays I feel it would be very nice.

 

[Kentuckyfarmer]

If your working row crops or just hay fields and bush hogging open areas cabs are really nice. Open tractors have there places just as cabs do and it is really up to each what they prefer or money dictates. In my old age I became a wimp. I wish I had AC while I mow with the Kubota. I do however stop lots for refreshments and maybe a nap to if no one is looking.

 

[LindenBruce]

OP,
What was it about the DK4510 you did not like? I checked one out a few weeks ago and it was a nice unit. I still have yet to try out a Branson. Bruce