Branson 5520CH vs Kioti vs Kubota for new tractor owner

[MadGunner]

The goal is to buy a tractor that will survive 20+ years, mow and shred, collect logs and debris, clear fields for food plots and native grass planting, build and maintain gravel roads, and comfortably fit my 6'2" 265-lbs medium-build frame, with sufficient leg room to enjoy spending many hours on the tractor.

I'm into year four on a 50 acre property in central Texas near Lockhart (BBQ capital of Texas!) that is being transformed to support wildlife, hobby farm, and recreation activities (e.g. hunting, shooting, telling stories around the campfire). ~30 acres are pasture, meadows and lowlands, mostly flat, with some slopes; ~20 acres are trees, thickets, mesquite, berms, creek and ponds.

Tractor purchase budget is $30~40K.

Day one must-have-requirements for the tractor are a cab, HST, cruise control, FEL, third function for grapple, two rear remotes, and the ability to easily pull a rotary cutter that can cut 2" saplings. Future work involves rear implements that are six feet or wider, to include tiller, discs, and a potential future upgrade to a larger cutter (maybe 12' Bush-Whacker MW-144).

I'm looking at the Branson 5520CH tractor, which is new this year, replacing the 5220CH model. I've received quotes from four dealers, and the tractor with loader price is showing ~$33K, but none are in stock. The nearest dealer says Sept 7 ~ 14, so I'm waiting. Meanwhile, I'm reading TBN forums and seeing posts from many happy Kioti and Kubota owners.

Should I be chasing the Kioti NX5510 or Kubota MX5400 instead of the Branson 5520CH?

Which tractor in this class around 55hp has the most comfortable cab? Easy to get in and out?

I'm new to tractor ownership and not a mechanic (but I'm cool with fluid and filter changes, greasing, etc.), so I'd prefer a dealer or good mechanic within an hour or less driving distance from Lockhart, TX (e.g. Austin to San Antonio). I'm willing to drive anywhere in Texas to buy the tractor, but also want the peace of mind that warranty support is available nearby. I see a lot of John Deere and Kubota tractors in the area, but Google tells me Branson is one of best *price* options, and a neighbor has a Branson with no complaints.

Thoughts?

 

[jeff9366]

Kubota has around 50% market share in the USA for compact tractors.

Deere has around 20% market share in the USA for compact tractors.

Kubota and Deere are the two highest priced options in compact tractors but also maintain the best resales.

I will make a guess that Branson has 1% market share in the USA for compact tractors.

Branson is doing well in some markets, especially in the west. Zero dealers in many states. Effectively a regional brand.

Branson tractors are well reviewed here, especially in terms of cost per pound.

Compact tractors are in relatively short supply at present due to Covid-19 factory and transportation impediments. All brands. Kubota's USA plants are mostly in Georgia and have been hit hard. Kubota also has important installations in Kansas, especially parts distribution.

Non one can accurately forecast tractor supply and related parts supply in the next year.

You have to sit in cab tractor models to determine which will be most comfortable operating.

Kioti NX5510, Kubota MX5400, Branson 5520CH would all be good size/weight choices.

The goal is to buy a tractor that will survive 20+ years,

Kubota and Kioti make almost all components in their own plants. (Wheels/tires are an exception.)
Others buy 15% to 50% components by value from third party suppliers which can complicate parts supplies. (Deere, buying whole engines from excellent Yanmar for Deere compact tractors, may be near or over 50%.)

Tractor reliability is primarily related to prudence of the operator. Prudence in operation. Prudence in maintenance. A prudently owner-operated, well maintained Branson will last longer than an employee-operated, poorly maintained Kubota.

 

[K5lwq]

Here is a thread about the new Branson 5520C. I was able to check one out at my local dealer and it is a nice tractor.

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/century-branson/429115-new-branson-5520c.html

Kioti also makes a very good tractor. I have had good luck with my LK2554. My understanding is Kioti has been a little slow in response for some customers with issues. Hard to say how much of that is dealer issues or things that shouldn't be covered anyway.

You certainly would not go wrong with Kubota. They make an excellent machine and have a proven track record.

I went with Branson because of the simple design. No computer controls to give problems. Most problems with new tier 4 tractors have centered around the emissions or ECM's having issues. With Branson there is much less to go wrong. I will also say Branson is very liberal with their warranty coverage. They listen to their customers and try to do what is right.

Best of luck in your search and welcome to TBN!

 

[rademamj1]

Overall, I think you have done a great job at identifying your tractor needs. After just making my first time tractor purchase 3 years ago, I found most of the tractor brands were highly capable and reliable. Branson, Kubota, JD, Kioti, New Holland, LS and many others will give you many years of service.

A cab tractor for Central Texas is the only way to do work during the summer heat. You will need to trim your trees to insure no damage to your tractor cab. My first month of my cab tractor ownership, I was constantly cutting and trimming trees, to eliminate potential damage. I found a lightweight cordless chainsaw was just perfect for this task.

Give as much thought to your implement needs as you have done for your tractor. I found my post hole auger was far less useful than expected, and my PTO chipper and PTO stump grinder was used about 40% of the time on my tractor, mainly for the land cleaning phase of my ranch. Just make sure your tractor has dual rear remotes, because you will need them from time to time.

I found the rotary cutter nearly indispensable in clearing thick brush....but a flail mower I rented for a week was nearly just as useful and gave a very good cut.

 

[mred2]

Check where the nearest LS dealer is. They make some of the tractors for New Holland. Most people buy LS or Branson based on price, options and weight. Try to sat on as many as you can. There are a lot different with a cab and some have a lot of room or no room. Depends on you. Check where the controls are and how they feel for you. Make sure it is priced with at least 2 remotes or more. My top choices were Branson and LS. LS had the better options for the money and at that time a closer dealer. If you are going to be on the tractor, you need to make sure it fits you and it feels right. And weight, hp, cost, warranty, support, the dealer does make a difference.

 

[MadGunner]

No thanks to COVID, buying a new tractor resulted in months of delay. The 50~60 HP class of tractors with HST and cab were largely out-of-stock across many dealers in the area (e.g. 3+hour drive in any direction throughput central Texas). I was able to compare paper specs and prices across brands, and sat in similar models to get the feel of each cab. The more visits to dealers performed, the more I found myself leaning toward Branson, primarily due to price, weight, lift, and reliance on mechanical technologies. Although Branson may not have the market share nationally of the orange and green brands, the lower price point for an arguably equivalent tractor in regions where Branson has dealerships really levels the playing field.

Note - all the brands I checked in this class of tractor have "nice" cabs, but they're all a bit tight and it's awkward for my entry and exit. I did sit in a cab of two larger (80~100+ HP) tractors, and found those cabs to be the perfect size, but no HST and outside my budget. I would rate the cabs of the 50~60 HP tractors the same as getting into a car, versus my preference for an F150 or F250 truck is akin to larger utility tractors. Getting in and out of the car and CUT tractor cabs is awkward, too tight, bang knees, but still do'able. An open station may work better for ergonomics, but the cab provides air conditioning for Texas summers.

I visited LS, Kioti, Kubota and Massey dealers, and each was asking a higher price compared to an equivalent Branson 5520CH. If the LS or Kioti dealers had a tractor in-stock, I would've weighed the higher price against immediate delivery (especially for a Kioti NX or Kubota Grand L60), but COVID has slowed down all the supply chains. The Kubota and Massey prices were outside my budget.

The buying process started with formal quotes on August 7 from multiple dealers and closed on October 18, resulting in ~10 weeks from inquiry to delivery.

In the end, I picked up a new Branson 5520CH with BL200SL Self-Leveling Loader on Saturday, October 18, 2020, from Epperson Tractor in Lorena, Texas (near Waco).

Dealer welded three hooks on the loader bucket and installed third-function valve to drive grapple, auger, and other hydraulic front-end attachments.

Dealer filled the tires with products I ordered online, and filled the rears to 75% with water on top of the mix:
+ 20 gallons of Propylene Glycol Boiler Antifreeze from Chemworks, and 1-gallon of corrosion inhibitor (10-gallons plus 1/2-gallon for each rear tire)
+ 10 gallons of Multiseal Hydro 1500 sealant that mixes with ballast (5-gallons for each rear tire)
+ 2 gallons of Multiseal Pro HD 2500 sealant (1-gallon for each front tire)

Implements purchased with the tractor include:
+ Armstrong Ag BGR Mini 60" Grapple
+ Titan 4000# Pallet Forks
+ Ag-Meier Bronco 72R Rotary Cutter with slip clutch and guard chains
+ Ansung ER074 Rotary Tiller with slip clutch
+ Armstrong Ag 6' Standard Box Blade
+ Premier MD09PHD Hydraulic Auger Drive with 2" hex coupler and 9" auger
+ and Falcon Super Duty II 83x20 10K-lb Trailer to carry it all

Out the door, base tractor with standard loader was $34K; adding the third function valve and upgrading to self-leveling loader brings the tractor total near $36K, and then add $12K for implements and trailer resulting in a total of $48K. Add ballast and sealant plus several round-trip ~4+ hour drives to visit dealers and we're near $50K all-in. Christmas comes early in Texas! A lot of hard work saving over time for this purchase. Now we start again and work toward a shed for the tractor.


Misc items / future thoughts:

I ordered a ballast box online a few minutes ago that should arrive next week; will fill that with sand and cement for +900-lbs rear ballast.

Previously purchased a Field Tuff 72" Cultipacker with 3-point adapter that works with UTV and will now work with tractor; for use after broadcast seeding with Tarter 5-Bushel Pull-Behind Spreader.

Still mulling over future selections for:
+ Bolt-on cutting edge for loader bucket to reinforce the standard edge
+ Top & Tilt kit - rear hydraulic cylinders to perform 3-point attachment adjustments (for use with box blade)
+ 7' landscape rake (considering Homestead Pinnacle 84" Landscape Rake)
+ Tooth bucket for digging dirt and gravel (considering KMK Welding 72″ Severe Duty Low Profile Dirt Bucket with w/ Teeth and Universal Quick Attach)
+ Disc harrow

More to follow in future posts... I'm hoping to add some simple mods, such as cameras and monitor, LED lights, window tint, toolbox, etc.

Big thanks to TBN and YouTube for all the helpful tips and learning-from-others!!!

 

[K5lwq]

Very Nice rig MadGunner! Congratulations!

 

[ptsg]

That's a nice rig! Congrats on your new tractor!

You did an awesome job describing the entire process, reasons behind your choice, prices and so on.

Also, that hydrostatic transmission hooked to a 4 speed synchronized range gear must be really nice.

 

[dodge man]

Nice setup, congrats. Thanks for sharing pictures.

 

[LouNY]

Nice looking setup.
If you have any thoughts about adding the bolt on cutting edge I would recommend doing so immediately,
as soon as you do much with the bucket and get a few dimples in the bucket edge it will not fit well.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

Nice setup. Sounds like you hit the ground running with attachments too.

Keep us posted on how your projects are going along and welcome aboard.

 

[MadGunner]

Note - one of the pros in past reviews of Branson tractors are comments that the tractor body is all metal, no plastic. This is no longer true, at least for the cab models 5520C and 5520CH. The rear fenders are red plastic (like the orange Kioti and Kubota), lower trim around the cab roof underside is black plastic, and I suspect the red rooftop is a fiberglass material (somebody please correct me if I’m wrong). I was a bit disappointed with the fenders, but that’s a minor issue, and no different in the other brands I looked at, thus not a con for comparison.

rademamj1 - thanks for the comments on implements! I view implement planning a lot like selecting a scope for your hunting rifle… plan to spend at least half of your rifle price on the scope if not more, and plan to buy a bunch of ammo, as a hunting rifle without a scope and ammo is of limited utility. If you budget accordingly for a tractor, a new owner with several implements can get a lot of return on that investment by using the tractor to do work that would otherwise be hired out (assuming similar goals for wide ranging use cases on a ranch, hobby farm, etc.). I’m hoping to put hundreds if not thousands of hours on this tractor, and not have it found years from now as a “low hour barn find!”

LouNY - thanks for the feedback on the cutting edge; I’ll avoid using the bucket until installing the additional edge, so as not to dimple/warp/dent the bottom of the bucket.

ptsg - yes, I like the idea of the new 4-range gear selection with HST on the Branson 5520, but I’ll know more as seat time increases. Maybe the tractor is still new and stiff, but changing ranges isn’t as smooth as I’d like. It takes some work to get into a couple of the positions, occasionally needing to tap the pedals. When I first test drove a 5520 at a dealership, the tractor I climbed into was "new-off-the-truck” from earlier that afternoon, and I found it had a frozen or locked range selector. The dealer checked it, stated it needed a repair or shipping block removed (maybe the new model was so new the staging crew weren’t up to speed yet on what to do), and it was announced fixed the next morning. All in all, I’m hopefully optimistic about the new 4-range feature Branson has introduced versus the traditional 3-ranges found on most tractors in this class.

 

[rademamj1]

A big congratulations on your tractor package. Wishing you many years of quality service from your tractor. I loved the photos, and thanks alot for all the feedback.

 

[MadGunner]

Various comments on attachments and implements:

The Branson bucket has sets of two holes at intervals along the bottom of the bucket to support bolt-on teeth or a cutting edge, but doesn’t support both (unless using a third-party tooth bar). I’m planning to add a cutting edge to the OEM bucket for soft work (spreading and back-dragging), and will purchase a third-party bucket that is purpose-built with teeth for digging tasks.

Agreed with others that have stated the rotary cutter is best for clearing wild brush, but flail mowers are attractive as they provide the same or better result when comparing rotary cutters to flail mowers in open fields. The extra length of a rotary cutter is great for backing into tall thickets, but that length is a negative when simply maneuvering for other purposes. After the property is tame, I’d prefer a flail mower. Rotary cutters raise concerns for me when turning that I've got to keep track of the long tail, and when driving down-up thru creeks and gullies of binding the PTO shaft. The extra length behind the tractor imposed by a rotary cutter requires the operator to be careful when turning near trees, buildings and other obstacles as it swings out and risks unexpectedly hitting things, and when crossing thru steep down-up terrain the tractor and rotary cutter may turn into a “V” that is too tight for the PTO shaft and couplers to accommodate, potentially resulting in serious damage to the gearbox, shaft, and/or tractor.

The idea of a flail mower on hydraulics that can be used to trim a border on steep slopes like berm inclines and bank declines is especially attractive, but that complexity is expensive and generally results in smaller cutting width, so I view them as a sophisticated solution that road crews and others require, but not something I can afford.

Agreed on post hole digger comments, as others have stated a rear-mounted 3PH auger is generally underwhelming in performance and hard to control for precise digging. Comments on TBN are why I opted for the front-mounted hydraulic drive auger with 2” hex coupler, which allows for down-pressure unlike most 3PH augers. I plan to use this implement to dig holes for tree saplings and fence posts, and bonus points if I can find an adapter to use this for helical pier installs to support decks and outbuildings.

Back to rotary cutters… I see some people describe using their shredder as rear ballast when using the front-end loader. A rotary cutter is often one of the heavier implements that people own, and its length far past the rear tires works well as a counter-weight. I don’t plan to use the rotary cutter for rear ballast when doing loader work, as I’m the type that *will* bang into things when working in tight corners, causing mayhem; best to avoid.

I’ll use a ballast box when extra weight is necessary for heavy loader work. eBay and online sites sell a 5-cubic-foot metal box that weighs about 100 pounds for less than $300 delivered, then you add cement or equivalent, making the box ~900 pounds when attached to the rear of the tractor. The Branson is already heavier than most in its class. Specs online suggest the 5520CH is ~4400 pounds. I bet the rig is north of 6000 pounds when you add the loader and filled tires, plus operator. The loader is rated to lift ~2,700 pounds, minus the weight of the bucket, grapple or forks, which indicates you can lift a ton and move it around. Nearly a half ton hanging off the back as a counter-weight using the ballast box (or other heavy 3PH implement) should help with lifting tasks.

Thanks much to the tips and advice provided by TBN!

 

[MadGunner]

Thoughts on how I approached selecting implements:

First comparison criteria involved determining best value looking at price versus metal - what was the cost of the implement, how heavy was its build material, and was it available immediately. Price isn't applicable if the supply chain is indefinitely delayed with no delivery date due to COVID or other factors.

Second consideration focused on reviews or comments from owners online and local dealers.

Third input applied a positive bias for local manufacturers, especially small businesses versus large corporations. From my perspective, Made in Texas ranks first, Made in USA ranks second, Made by an Ally (e.g. Korea or India) ranks third, and Made in China best to avoid unless no other option is available/affordable. Economics is war without bullets.

Once I settled in on the decision for a Branson tractor, the preference for red and black paint weighed into selection as a tie-breaker on implements, if all other factors were equal. At a minimum, it was a requested detail when asking dealers about what inventory was available. Fortunately, most implements are available in a variety of colors, although some may require special order if the local dealer doesn't have red. Many people aren't too concerned with colors, but I'm not a fan of Skittles. I prefer a monotone sense of order for the tools in my world, especially if there isn't a dollar cost. Color-coordination presents a professional image to customers if you're planning to use the equipment for paid jobs, and generally looks clean-and-orderly in the shed, garage, barn, and when hauling down the highway.

The primary task for this tractor purchase is mowing and clearing brush, a recurring job to be performed multiple times per year, every year, and is the first job performed upon delivery. Therefore, the first implement to select is a rotary cutter. After the shredder is included in the budget, other implements are added to list. Any that don't make the initial purchase are set aside as future objectives, balanced against needs versus wants.

I purchased the Ag-Meier Bronco rotary cutter based on (1) its heavy build quality and rating to cut 2.5-inch material, (2) a local dealer that sold multiple brands highly recommended it, (3) a customer at the dealership seconded the positive experience, (4) it was available in red, and (5) manufactured by a small business in Texas! The Bronco was ~$2700 from Epperson Tractor near Waco.

Runner up for rotary cutter selection was the Rhino Twister TW36 that cuts 3-inch material at a cost of $3500 from a local Rhino dealer, Hanson Equipment in Lockhart. It was a tough decision between the two, as both the Ag-Meier and Rhino were in-stock and immediately available. I sent an email directly to Rhino and they replied the next business day, confirming the TW36 will work well with the Branson 5520CH ~47 HP PTO. Hanson was very helpful answering my questions about rotary cutters in general, and I hope to do business with them in the future as they're minutes away from the ranch.

If money wasn't a limiting factor, I would've gone for the Rhino rotary cutter due to its 3-inch cutting rating and weight, but opted for the Ag-Meier given its lower price point and hyper-local small-business manufacturing versus larger corporation. My minimum requirement was 2-inch material cutting, so this more than solved the need and left some dollars on the table for pallet forks, etc. In third place for shredders, I looked at the Titan Implement 1506, and the Modern Ag Super Highway, where Titan is a great price and Modern Ag is galvanized, but neither were available nearby in-stock.

Stepping up to a 7-ft shredder was also a consideration as there are some models available in the $2500~$3700 range, but I stuck with 6-ft to ensure an easy fit on the Falcon trailer. The width of 7-ft shredders probably won't fit within the rails of the trailer that I bought to haul the tractor. If/when I go larger at some future date (and have more than $10K to trade against mowing hours), I'll pursue a flex wing cutter like the Bush-Whacker MW-144, but that's probably only going to happen if I start a side hustle doing tractor work and shredding for others. A larger cutting deck or flex wing will likely require a new, wider trailer, which should be factored into the overall cost.

I purchased the Falcon Super Duty II 83x20 trailer due to its excellent entry-level price point at $3500 for a twin 5400# axle trailer with 7000# jack, capable of hauling ~10,000 pounds, made in Texas by a family-owned business that values the honor of a handshake, and Epperson Tractor had it available in red. A larger trailer up front would've been a good idea, but it'll likely be years before I can quit working for the man and start doing tractor work for others, so for now, a rarely used trailer is best not to over-spend.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

Madgunner,

As far as the tractor weight goes, for comparison my tractor is listed as 4200 lbs bare tractor weight. Adding the FEL and standard 67" bucket, plus filled rear tires, plus my 6' box blade, my tractor scales at 7100 lbs. That is not a guess, that is actually weighed on a CAT scale.

Yours should be pretty similar in weight.

 

[ericm979]

Its taken a couple hundred hours on my 3725 for the range transmission to get less difficult to shift. I don't shift it often. High is too high for my steep terrain, low is only good for pulling or the steepest hills. I use medium for nearly everything. Most of my shifting is into neutral when I run the PTO chipper and back out when I'm done. (I'd love to have a low medium and a high medium and the ability to shift while moving)

I think the gear clearances are tight. I don't feel any slop in the drivetrain. So it's not surprising it would take some work to shift gears. Giving it a little pedal sometimes helps.
Of course you range transmission is different from mine but I would expect Bransons' spec for gear clearances to be similar.

It's easier to shift than the Kubota L3301 I test drove though. Neither I or the salesman could get it to shift.

 

[K5lwq]

The fenders on my 4815c are plastic as well. Maybe a cab thing?

 

[ptsg]

The fenders on my 4815c are plastic as well. Maybe a cab thing?

My thoughts as well.

 

[Luke82]

Madgunner,

Congrats on the new tractor! And thank you for the very detailed write up on the entire experience from choosing the tractor and all of your implements.