Buying Advice Almost ready to buy used Branson 4720H

   / Almost ready to buy used Branson 4720H #1  

RedKnight13

New member
Joined
Oct 16, 2016
Messages
10
Location
Colorado City, TX
Tractor
Branson 2400, 4' big bee rotary cutter, 4' box blade
The closest dealer/service is 80 miles away (for any brand) and he showed me a used 2009 4720H with FEL and 6' bush hog for $12,000. He has just completed a complete engine overhaul because the current owner did not perform his daily or pre-start walk about and check the fluid levels. There was a leak on the coolant system and he overheated the engine. The dealer/service manager told me that the owner, apparently a church owns it, is wanting to sell the tractor and that I could probably get it for $12.5k to $13.5k and after talking with the owner, they would like 12.5k. The owner for some reason had taken off and misplaced the 4wd line so I would have to order a new one. The tractor has never seen the inside of a garage as the paint is faded badly and the seat needs to be replaced. I told the dealer I would want the hydraulic fluid drained, flushed and new oil w/filter. It needs a front tire repaired as it has a leak so I haven't been able to test drive it. The dealer said that he has been selling and servicing Branson since 2003. He believes this tractor still has a long life ahead of it. I will find out the hours tomorrow but he and the owner both have told me that it should be low hours, I am assuming about 500 hours and yes I know what assuming means! LOL. The tractor looks good considering how the owner didn't cover it. I was thinking about buying for 12k minus a new 4wd line, new seat and hydraulic fluid change out. I will not pull the trigger until I have run the tractor, FEL and the bush hog. I asked the mechanic if the radiator was plugged up from grass and such but he said it was actually pretty clean though he did blow it out just to be sure. The owner said that they used the tractor for mowing and pallet forks a few times. What do y'all think with what I have described? Now for the question I am curious about...what is the difference between the PTO 540 and 540E?
 
   / Almost ready to buy used Branson 4720H #2  
With 540 E (economy) you should have two pto speeds. Both will give you 540 at a set engine rpm. The 540 E will give you the pto rpms at a lower engine rpms. I use the 540 setting at higher engine rpms when square baling hay. I use the pto setting of 540 E at lower engine rpms when doing light pto work as in tedding and raking hay when you do not need the increased power.
 
   / Almost ready to buy used Branson 4720H #3  
The closest dealer/service is 80 miles away (for any brand) and he showed me a used 2009 4720H with FEL and 6' bush hog for $12,000. He has just completed a complete engine overhaul because the current owner did not perform his daily or pre-start walk about and check the fluid levels. There was a leak on the coolant system and he overheated the engine. The dealer/service manager told me that the owner, apparently a church owns it, is wanting to sell the tractor and that I could probably get it for $12.5k to $13.5k and after talking with the owner, they would like 12.5k. The owner for some reason had taken off and misplaced the 4wd line so I would have to order a new one. The tractor has never seen the inside of a garage as the paint is faded badly and the seat needs to be replaced. I told the dealer I would want the hydraulic fluid drained, flushed and new oil w/filter. It needs a front tire repaired as it has a leak so I haven't been able to test drive it. The dealer said that he has been selling and servicing Branson since 2003. He believes this tractor still has a long life ahead of it. I will find out the hours tomorrow but he and the owner both have told me that it should be low hours, I am assuming about 500 hours and yes I know what assuming means! LOL. The tractor looks good considering how the owner didn't cover it. I was thinking about buying for 12k minus a new 4wd line, new seat and hydraulic fluid change out. I will not pull the trigger until I have run the tractor, FEL and the bush hog. I asked the mechanic if the radiator was plugged up from grass and such but he said it was actually pretty clean though he did blow it out just to be sure. The owner said that they used the tractor for mowing and pallet forks a few times. What do y'all think with what I have described? Now for the question I am curious about...what is the difference between the PTO 540 and 540E?

There is no way on earth I would buy an abused tractor. I don't think I would buy it for half that.
 
   / Almost ready to buy used Branson 4720H #4  
An engine that was overheated so badly that it required an engine overhaul?!?
What parts were replaced? Can you see the repair bill?
Most over-heats just need a new head gasket, sometimes a new head.

Be careful... some places will replace just barely enough parts, just to get it sold.
 
   / Almost ready to buy used Branson 4720H
  • Thread Starter
#5  
Ok, just to give you the progress....I appreciate all of your advice! I went back with my father-in-law (because of his tractor experience) and had him look it over. He discovered many things that were not good about the tractor. It had been abused in many ways and had lots of "southern engineering" that just makes you shake your head at the ludicrous things that had been done. Needless to say, I did not purchase the tractor. I have decided to bite the bullet and purchase a new tractor. I will describe it in a new thread. Thank you again for all of your insight and advice. It was an eye opener.

Heath
 
   / Almost ready to buy used Branson 4720H #6  
Ok, just to give you the progress....I appreciate all of your advice! I went back with my father-in-law (because of his tractor experience) and had him look it over. He discovered many things that were not good about the tractor. It had been abused in many ways and had lots of "southern engineering" that just makes you shake your head at the ludicrous things that had been done. Needless to say, I did not purchase the tractor. I have decided to bite the bullet and purchase a new tractor. I will describe it in a new thread. Thank you again for all of your insight and advice. It was an eye opener.

Heath

I am SO glad you are getting a new one. You won't regret it!
 

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