Between the LS MT352 and Branson 5520C/H

[PeteN]

Before I offer my opinion on Branson, I'll state I originally would have bought a Branson tractor but ended up buying an LS. I know the Branson would have met all the requirements that I had and the local dealers also spoke highly of the product. I was interested in the 5520H. In over a year neither dealer in my area has ever received a tractor in that power range. As others have mentioned, I was attracted by the lack of engine electronics on the Branson. Even had a plan to remove the DPF filter and replace with a muffler so that was not an issue even before I had the tractor. Nothing like trying to fix a problem you don't even have. What switched me over to LS was a list of features that exceeded a Kubota or Branson for a lower price and it was available! Spent more money than I planned since I went for a cab version which my local dealer said was not on the table until next year with the Branson due to a shortage of glass for the cab. I believe a Branson is a good purchase if you can get what you want rather than settle for what you can have. I don't rely on a tractor to run a business so it is more of a what I want purchase. I doubt that I will get more than a 100 hours/year so I'm not really worried about the electronic features on the LS but I bet I'll use and appreciate them when I am using the tractor. My biggest problem with Branson is how they treat their smaller dealers and customer response. Try using the the Contact on the Branson website and see if you get a response. I was just trying to get the specs earlier this year on the 5520 (which was the 5220) through multiple emails and never got a response. Gotta wonder if you had a real issue that you would want the manufacturer to respond to. Especially seeing how they treat the dealers in my area.

 

[K5lwq]

Before I offer my opinion on Branson, I'll state I originally would have bought a Branson tractor but ended up buying an LS. I know the Branson would have met all the requirements that I had and the local dealers also spoke highly of the product. I was interested in the 5520H. In over a year neither dealer in my area has ever received a tractor in that power range. As others have mentioned, I was attracted by the lack of engine electronics on the Branson. Even had a plan to remove the DPF filter and replace with a muffler so that was not an issue even before I had the tractor. Nothing like trying to fix a problem you don't even have. What switched me over to LS was a list of features that exceeded a Kubota or Branson for a lower price and it was available! Spent more money than I planned since I went for a cab version which my local dealer said was not on the table until next year with the Branson due to a shortage of glass for the cab. I believe a Branson is a good purchase if you can get what you want rather than settle for what you can have. I don't rely on a tractor to run a business so it is more of a what I want purchase. I doubt that I will get more than a 100 hours/year so I'm not really worried about the electronic features on the LS but I bet I'll use and appreciate them when I am using the tractor. My biggest problem with Branson is how they treat their smaller dealers and customer response. Try using the the Contact on the Branson website and see if you get a response. I was just trying to get the specs earlier this year on the 5520 (which was the 5220) through multiple emails and never got a response. Gotta wonder if you had a real issue that you would want the manufacturer to respond to. Especially seeing how they treat the dealers in my area.

Interesting perspective and I sure hate to hear you never received a response.

However, apparently the Branson dealers do not feel like they are mistreated as Branson has won the Dealers Choice Award 2 years running.

Branson Tractors Earns Dealer's Choice Award for Second Consecutive Year

Branson Tractors has been selected for the Dealer's Choice Award and is the #1 brand for Overall Dealer Satisfaction in the tractor category in the 2021 Equipment Dealers Association (EDA) Annual Survey.

www.rurallifestyledealer.com

 

[PeteN]

Yeah, I saw that. I think they treat their big dealers better (LS has the same problem). Since Branson seem to be more established in the south US they may pay more attention to that area. I thought I read that LS won that same award for multiple years (I believe 5) before Branson won it. Makes you wonder what it takes to win that award. I'm not trying to knock down Branson since I think their product is worth evaluating. It just didn't work for me mostly due to un-availability. I think the manufacturers need to understand that a tractor in the compact/utility size is a one time purchase for a lot of non-commercial owners. In the current state of affairs, I don't believe there is the same level of customer service that there used to be. Seems to be a more take it or leave it attitude which isn't healthy for any industry in the long term.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

My biggest issue is that I have 2 Branson dealers within 150 miles, and 6 or more LS dealers. On top of that, many of the Branson dealers listed on their website, no longer carry Branson. They are LS and Kioti. It’s a great product... but their presence in these parts is slim, and they apparently don’t update their dealer network often... because several listed dealers have dropped them.

 

[Torvy]

Pete, i understand your perspective. We moved to Texas from Wisconsin 16 years ago. Can not find a decent cheese curd or Kringle here. Every manufacturer will treat their bigger dealers better, just like (almost)every dealer will treat their bigger customers better. That is fine unless it affects me. Haha.

I don't understand why so many people think they should contact the manufacturer directly. I have never done so with anything that I did not buy directly from the manufacturer. Tractors and auto dealerships are not owned or operated by the manufacturers. They are independent businesses. I was able to find a lot of info on Branson's website. Maybe it has improved since you were looking.

They do understand it is a one time purchase. A good dealer knows he can parlay that purchase into maintenance and parts and implement sales, not to mention word of mouth sales. For the manufacturer, they need you to be big enough to buy again or you present little individual value to them after purchase. One reason they push SCUTs. People who buy them will often upgrade to a bigger unit. Boom. Double the lifetime sales number.

 

[Torvy]

My biggest issue is that I have 2 Branson dealers within 150 miles, and 6 or more LS dealers. On top of that, many of the Branson dealers listed on their website, no longer carry Branson. They are LS and Kioti. It’s a great product... but their presence in these parts is slim, and they apparently don’t update their dealer network often... because several listed dealers have dropped them.

More dealerships may seem useful, but you only need one good one. JD and their fans like to tout the number of dealerships compared to everyone else in the US. At the end of the day, most of us will only use one dealer once we buy.

For what it is worth, my 'local' Branson dealers have had more product to sell than the local LS guys. Like much of the modern economy, internet sales are big business. Those dealerships who embraced that model have flourished.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

More dealerships may seem useful, but you only need one good one. JD and their fans like to tout the number of dealerships compared to everyone else in the US. At the end of the day, most of us will only use one dealer once we buy.

For what it is worth, my 'local' Branson dealers have had more product to sell than the local LS guys. Like much of the modern economy, internet sales are big business. Those dealerships who embraced that model have flourished.

That is valid... but with only 2, and the fact that their current dealer list, contains many that actually don’t carry the brand anymore, it seems they are in retreat. I only need one, but I’m 2 away from none. 4 of the 6 dealers on the list within 150 miles, no longer carry Branson.

 

[Torvy]

Try to find out why. It may just be they were not great dealers. Branson is a different tractor with a low price point. My guess is dealers were trying to squeeze for more money and were undercut by nationwide guys willing to deliver. The tricky thing is who left whom? The LS/Kioti dealer nearest my city house used to sell Mahindra. He said they did not honor their warranty and left dealers holding the empty purse. Of course, that is his side. In the early stages, some manufacturers will take anyone as a dealer. Over time, the herd thins as the bad ones leave or are booted. The marriage with TYM may mean they had some philosophical changes.

One thing I have noticed is that more and more dealers carry multiple brands. The big Branson dealer near me only has Branson tractors. They have other implements and mowers, but only Branson tractors. I haven't seen an LS or Kioti dealer that doesn't also carry something else. Not sure what that says, but it makes you wonder.

 

[K5lwq]

That is valid... but with only 2, and the fact that their current dealer list, contains many that actually don’t carry the brand anymore, it seems they are in retreat. I only need one, but I’m 2 away from none. 4 of the 6 dealers on the list within 150 miles, no longer carry Branson.

There have been plenty of Branson dealers not make it. And more will not make it I am sure. Some will change brands and some will just go out of business. But the same thing happened with Kioti and other brands trying to make it in a new market. Does not mean it is a bad tractor for either. They just do not have the brand recognition yet and some dealers are not good managers.

The Branson website has always been outdated. They make very few updates and could do a much better job.

 

[ericm979]

Even had a plan to remove the DPF filter and replace with a muffler so that was not an issue even before I had the tractor. Nothing like trying to fix a problem you don't even have.

Be aware that with the current 20 series, if you gut the DPF, the dash indicator lights will stay lit. No one currently knows how to make them go out. Its not like the older ones where it didn't care.

Better to keep it all intact until it causes a problem. The problems some people were having with the DPF was it getting clogged in cold weather when operated only for short periods so it did not get hot. The newer 20 series has the ability to do manual regens and an exhaust valve to hold heat in for those regens. That should take care of that problem.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

I think the biggest issue with Branson dealerships is that it's too easy to sign up to become one. The "big" name paint color tractor dealers have to have a pretty big pile of cash to buy a dealer franchise for their area. Not so Branson. From the little bit of talking to my original selling dealer, Branson doesn't even make you put money down to "buy" a set line of products/models. And there's no minimum inventory you have to keep on hand. So (relatively speaking) it takes very little start up cash to set up a Branson "dealership". There was also no minimum staff level, no mandatory factory training, either for sales staff or mechanic/service staff.

With it being so easy to start one up, I think too many "little guys" start one up, not quite realizing that to make the business work and flourish, that they still needed to do all the same things that the "big paint" dealer franchises are required to do.

So consequently, you see the little dealership that is also a tire shop, gas station, bait store, hair salon, and now they are also a "Branson Dealer". With no minimum inventory requirements, the only way you know some of these little guys are actually dealers is because they put up a big Branson banner in the back corner of the bait shop.

Now the Branson dealers that come at the business like it's a major equipment franchise (like some of the big Branson dealers mentioned on TBN), they seem to do alright. Their business is steady and growing. But they have committed to a big investment in inventory, staff and training to make it happen. It's not accidental, or "luck".

 

[Torvy]

That is how new to market brands often have to break in. The 'shotgun' approach. Once you have a big enough following, you can afford to be picky and vet your dealers. The trend among the older establishment brands is consolidation. A bunch of formerly independent dealers are bought out by the big fish in their pond and become, in effect, branch offices of the dealer. I imagine in 10-20 years you will see similar movement among the younger U.S. brands. (Mostly the older Korean companies doing business here now)

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

I have no doubt that the tractor is every bit as good as the rest, or better. Which is the difficulty I find myself having. A great tractor, with future support that is questionalble. FWIW, bot of my Branson dealers are very small. Enthusiastic about the tractor, but mom and pop mower and trailer sales.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

I’m going to look at a 5520 that is privately owned, as I don’t have a cab Branson for sale within 200 miles. Just to get my eyes on one. Even this one is 200 miles away Im fine buying from Bix Tex or the like... I just cant trailer it there if I need a warranty repair.

 

[K5lwq]

I’m going to look at a 5520 that is privately owned, as I don’t have a cab Branson for sale within 200 miles. Just to get my eyes on one. Even this one is 200 miles away Im fine buying from Bix Tex or the like... I just cant trailer it there if I need a warranty repair.

I think you should probably stick to a brand that has support in your area. I like my Branson but it is not right for everyone.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Sadly, people talk about large tractor dealers... and in our area, there are none... unless you want a Kubota or Mahindra. Everything else, is a small dealer mostly selling mowers and trailers . No one here has gotten on the internet to sell tractors and move volume.

 

[ericm979]

My dealer is 250 miles away. I've been there twice- once to test drive, once to pick up a used backhoe. The dealer ships parts. So far all I have needed is filters. The routine maintenance is not hard if you're used to working on vehicles.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Oh, I’m fine with routine maintenance, even some repairs... that’s sort of my hobby with both autos and motorcycles.

 

[Cougsfan]

Large dealers aren't the cat's meow either. Several of the better known brands in my area are represented by large, multi-location car dealership-like operations. They are overpriced, non-responsive, and could care less about anything concerning you except your getting your money.

 

[Bobrown14]

I recently bought an LS MT352 with cab and shuttle. On 30 acres with a lot of grass and a long driveway in snow country.

We moved to the "farm" right before covid and thought I'd be able to get a tractor used easily and relatively cheap with a cab. Then covid.... there were no tractors available locally within 100 miles that had cabs.

I'm retired so getting cab was a requirement - I'm not plowing snow at night it an open station or cutting grass in the hot sun either.

I started watching the online tractor sales and after 2 years go REALLY lucky found my LS MT352 cab with 20 hours on it. Its got all the bells and whistles including 3 rear remotes , filled tires etc - I added a 72" brush hog and a 66" tiller.

My local Bobcat dealer in town had a Bobcat (kiyoti) 45hp - called they wanted 2x what I paid for the LS tractor.... and that tractor had the minimum of options and arrogant sales guy. I called them before I pulled the trigger on the LS to give my locals a shot at my money. I quickly moved on.

I bought the tractor from a well respected dealer in Oklahoma and had it trailered to me - no taxes which had I bought in NY would have cost me more than the tiller I also bought from that dealer no taxes.

There's an LS dealer about 40 miles from me that I know and spoke to and his shop is very close to some good friends of mine if I need service. He's sorta of an arrogant douche tho... sad to say.

I'm extremely happy with my tractor. Has plenty of power every option I need probably more of everything I need so in 2 years I wont be wanting a bigger tractor.

Bought a snow pusher from my local TYM/Case dealer and the owner is a great guy and knowledgeable but costy. Specially for a cab model with same specs as my LS.