Any advice about a Branson?

   / Any advice about a Branson? #1  

kybota

Silver Member
Joined
Sep 1, 2004
Messages
107
Location
KY
Tractor
2004 Kubota L3130hst
About a week ago I posted a couple of queries about Branson in that section of TBN. I suspect not too many TBNers go there so I didn't get many opinions. Or maybe my questions were kinda lame. Hey, I'm a newbie!

This is my quandary. I really like my local Branson dealer. He seems genuinely knowledgeable and reliable about tractors. The prices with loaders on Bransons 3520/4220/4720 were significantly more tantalizing than at the other dealers I've been to (Case/JD/MF/Agco, I haven't been to the Kubota dealer yet and he's the closest one of all. Go figure).

But . . .

Their website just returned today after being gone for several weeks which is a bit scary from a business stability sort of perspective. But stuff happens, no?

Anyway, now that it is back it looks the same, and still did not have the new higher horsepower model specs. (Now that I think of it they may still need to move the older models).

And, I had never heard of Branson until I saw one sitting on the dealer lot near me last Spring (he's about 10 miles from my property).

Since this is a really major purchase for me, I'm probably gonna shy away. The Kioti dealer was the only one close on price for hp and features (the DK models, which have a few more niceties than the Branson).

I'm trying to convince myself it is too risky I guess. I would likely keep and not trade for a long time so resale is something to think about but not totally driving my decision. I suspect resale will be tough!

Thank you for your 2 cents.
 
   / Any advice about a Branson? #2  
The Branson website is a whole story in itself. Definitely problems with the website. Supposedly recently terminated the company handling the site, and new one is being built. Good tractor, parent company (Kukje) makes JD for the Asian market under contract and Cummins engines under contract, so they have convinced someone of their quality. Tractor distributed out of GA, we've used one on the lot for moving equipment for nearly two years, blew a PS hose, that's about it. Oh yeah....we sell them.
 
   / Any advice about a Branson? #3  
I test drove a Century, which is the same tractor. If I had not already bought my New Holland I would have seriously considered the Century.

My concern with some of the tractors out there other than the so called "Big 3' is longevity of the dealership and them keeping the line. I don't think it is as bad as it use to be but was a concern of mine. If your local guy has had Branson for some time then I wouldn't worry.

The tractor itself really seems to be built well.

murph
 
   / Any advice about a Branson? #4  
I was "there" about 2 years ago. I knew I wanted a tractor and what I wanted to do with it. I started looking in the local area. We have a little bit of everything - JD, NH, Kubota, etc. I saw the Branson at the dealer where I purchased a lot of my yard equipment - lawn vac, trimmer, blower - and thought it was a well-built tractor. I spent the next 6-8 months gathering information from "tractor owners" and dealers. I think I looked at everything that was available within a 100 mile radius.

There are a lot of others out there that know more than I do about tractors, but when I compared the Branson to the "big 3" I decided it met my needs better than any of the others for the money.

The dealer was part of my decision. He has been in business for several years and comes highly recommended by many tractor owners in the area - even other dealers can't say anything bad about him. He was the only one that didn't try to talk me into something I didn't want or need.

I have had the tractor for a little over a year. Some minor problems have surfaced, but the dealer is quick to respond. Parts don't seem to be a problem either. Bottom line - This might be my first tractor, for that matter it might be the only one I ever buy, but I haven't been sorry for one minute.
 
   / Any advice about a Branson? #5  
I am a satisfied Branson owner. I read your post in the Branson forum, but was only cruising thru, and didn't respond. I have been on a "work at home" vacation the past couple of weeks. My wife has been working me like a borrowed mule, however part of my work involved the Branson. I have 16 acres and the 40 HP 4020 seems to be a great fit for me. Also, due to pricing levels, I was able to purchase a backhoe with mine ...and have been using it to clear a wooded hillside for a future barn site. This past week I spent a few days digging in the dirt. I have a toothbar on my bucket which does an amazing job...but when I got into really rocky stuff, I would use the BH to break it up, then use the loader to move it. It sure was a hoot. I also built a mini barn this week (12' x 16') and used my loader to lift shingles to the roof. That sure was a back saver. I have a tiller that I use for my garden, and also use a rotary cutter . I like the heftyness , weight, and stance of my tractor and with industrial tires, I find it to be very stable on the hilly acreage I have. I try to use my tractor daily and find it to be a great asset. For us weekend warriors ....these are great machines for the money. My dealer is a good mechanic, and a great guy to deal with...so I don't worry much about mechanical issues. I have a set of chains for the front tires and used them last winter when clearing snow on my hilly driveway. Everything worked great... to think what I was missing all those years when I had to shovel by hand. I like to kid with my dealer everytime I see him, by saying " I knew I should have bought green" . He only laughs. Although I haven't seen it mentioned here, since Cummins sells the newer kukje A series engine for small industrial applications, I believe you would also be able to get parts thru the Cummins dealerships for these engines as well since they also have to support their customers. I wish you the best in your tractor search.

sassafraspete
 
   / Any advice about a Branson? #6  
I am also going down that road - the branson/century line does look like fine tractors. My concern is future parts supply and A reliable dealership in my area. Fisrt off the parts - engine parts I am not concerned with since cummins is in the picture. But what about tranny parts or hydraulic parts in 10 years ? Will I still be able to get service manuals for these exact models in 10-20 years ? Second - I am concerned as well about the dealership network - I have only one dealer in my area - say he decides to hang it up in a few years - then what ? Travel to the next dealer - several hundred miles ?
Not facts but just my concerns as I look at these as well.
 

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