Any thing on Branson Tractors?

[DavesTractor]

That's correct. My Branson tractor has "Kukje" all over it. The key has a big "K" on it, the grille has a big "Kukje" logo on it.

Kukje though is the Korean manufacturer of Dodge Cummins Diesel engines. So if you like Cummins, you like Kukje.

They do not make the B series Cummins like in our trucks, but they do make the small A series Cummins for industrial applications. It is a feather in their cap that they could pass the test with Cummins to build engines for them.

 

[DavesTractor]

It gets complicated. To make matters worse, "made" in USA is different legally than "assembled" in USA. Mahindra has some marketing where they proclaim "assembled in the USA". Technically correct, but I don't really care for it. I think it sort of implies "made in the USA" which is actually a pretty high standard to meet.

I'm quoting myself which is weird I know, but I re-read this and I think it is negative against Mahindra. I do not mean it that way, I am more critical of the rules in place where a manufacturer of about anything can say it is "assembled" in the USA even if all the pieces are from China/India or whatever. JD and Kubota both have some "assembled" in the USA units that are made elsewhere and they use this to their advantage also, so MUSA is not breaking new ground or doing anything wrong. Just for me personally, I like to be really clear and have no hint of slick marketing. But that is not the world we live in.

 

[Reg]

There is a thread somewhere with a very pedantic quote saying that Kukje build (make, manufacture, pick a synonym) the Cummins "DESIGNED" A series engines.
They insist that it is NOT a Cummins engine, but is an engine DESIGNED BY Cummins.
It is NOT "built under contract" as a Cummins engine.
According to how you read it that could mean a lot or very little.

Yeah, I know; Picky, picky

 

[Garandman]

To be "Made in USA" according to the FTC, "All or virtually all significant parts or processing" must be of US origin.

To be "Assembled in USA" the product's "principal assembly" must be here, the assembly must be "substantial," and the product's "Last substantial transformation" must be here. "Screwdriver assembly" does not qualify, but there is no limitation on imported parts.

https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guidance/complying-made-usa-standard

There are ways around this. Harley Davidson says their brakes are made by Findley Brakes in Findley, OH. They don't mention that Findley is 100% owned by Nissin Koygo and many of the parts are imported. The Showa forks and shocks they use are made by "American Showa." Showa started providing forks and shocks to HD in the 70's. The main difference between them and the shocks on other bikes (my Triumph came with a Showa rear shock, for example) is that HD uses the absolute cheapest, smallest suspension components they can, which would not be tolerated outside the cruiser market. But "USA."

 

[Reg]

I never quite understand why H-D can't be PROUD that they have switched over to superior modern components from quality manufacturers overseas.
Not that I follow them, but somewhen in the 80s they switched to Mikuni carbs and the things would actually START and RUN below 40 degrees F.

Of course they're still stuck with the V-twin layout - but I think that is about appealing to people who just want to make retro noise and get their guts shaken.

 

[pblanton]

BTW, Big Red's in Granbury Tx. has a good deal on a 2015 Branson 3520H with a backhoe. That's what I got back in early spring, and mine was about $1000 more than Big Red's is asking now, which is $24,995

2015 Branson 3520H Tractors Under 40 HP - Granbury, TX | Machinery Pete

 

[pblanton]

Branson builds a great tractor and have very good prices at the moment. No argument on that. But your geographic descriptions of where tractors are made are incomplete enough that it might unintentionally mislead folks. Like your comment on Mahindra; yes a ton of the Mahindra models are built in India, but the eMax is made in Korea, the Max is made in Japan, the 1500 series (and previous 15/16 series) are made in Japan, etc. And I agree that Yanmar built tens of thousands of JD compacts, but some are made in the USA. What you mentioned is not untrue, but I think this may help clarify. Enjoy the Branson!

I agree. Mahindra is an Indian company, but nobody makes everything in one place anymore. We live in a global economy and it is getting harder and harder to "buy American", or Indian, or Korean, or Japanese.

For instance I have a Triumph Bonneville America that was assembled in the UK, has a UK originally designed engine that had its design updated by Kawasaki in Japan when Triumph was acquired by Hinckley.

So yeah... nothing is simple anymore.

 

[pblanton]

They do not make the B series Cummins like in our trucks, but they do make the small A series Cummins for industrial applications. It is a feather in their cap that they could pass the test with Cummins to build engines for them.

Thanks for the clarification Dave. I do tend to shoot from the hip.

 

[burzynsr]

Wow, just pointing out that this conversation was started in March of 2012, I guess some things never get old!!!

 

[pblanton]

Wow, just pointing out that this conversation was started in March of 2012, I guess some things never get old!!!

LOL! Well, we do get notified whenever someone replies... and it just keeps going.

 

[bowsniper1188]

Does anyone on here happen to have cross reference info on filters for the 3520h? I've been able to find most of them but I can't find anything on the secondary trans/hydraulic filter

 

[bowsniper1188]

Or a manufacturer tech service phone # would also be helpful. The dealer I bought from hasn't been very reliable with getting me info.

 

[DavesTractor]

Dealers for the most part just use the OEM filters. Manufacturers frown if we do otherwise. As such, we do not keep a crossover list. But I expect someone will respond that has done the research. The only way I would use an aftermarket filter would be if you could find the same filter via another source (like some Mahindra filters are clearly Bosch and have Bosch numbers on them), or if the filter company specifies a filter for that tractor (like Napa or Wix has a listing for your tractor). I would not use one just because the threads are correct and the gasket lines up. What is inside is obviously important. Lastly, check pricing, not all OEM filters are outrageously expensive. There are quite a few examples of the OEM filters being priced pretty close to a good quality aftermarket.

There was a post on here at some point, and I do not remember the tractor brand, where someone used the internet to find a cheaper air filter replacement for his tractor. It wasn't quite correct and did not seal properly and he ingested dirt and needed a rebuild. So be careful, and if you do go aftermarket just make sure it is proper. I think a lot of aftermarket filters are plenty good in the quality realm, I have no issue with that.

Branson has no consumer line for service. I'm not saying they won't answer your questions, but they are not staffed for it. Questions should be answered at the dealer level, and if the dealer does not know he can check and get back to you. At least that is the way it is supposed to work.

 

[bowsniper1188]

When I bought the tractor the first question I asked the mechanic that works there is do I need to get consumable parts from you and he told me that I could get then at any auto parts store. He mentioned Wix specifically as an example but said that anything with matching numbers would be fine. Am I being mislead then? Because on top of all that there is one filter that no one has, I mean I called Wix and had them check other places too and no one has a cross for this filter, to top that off the dealer doesn't even have the OEM filter they are gonna have to order it.

 

[DavesTractor]

When I bought the tractor the first question I asked the mechanic that works there is do I need to get consumable parts from you and he told me that I could get then at any auto parts store. He mentioned Wix specifically as an example but said that anything with matching numbers would be fine. Am I being mislead then? Because on top of all that there is one filter that no one has, I mean I called Wix and had them check other places too and no one has a cross for this filter, to top that off the dealer doesn't even have the OEM filter they are gonna have to order it.

That is not impressive at all. A dealer ought to have shelves filled with filters. That is the most basic part to carry. We sell filters every single day of the year. I'd find another dealer that is reasonably near and have him UPS you a set of filters. We can do it from here, but you might want to build a relationship with a more local dealer. Plus shipping is cheaper and faster if you are close.

 

[bowsniper1188]

It makes me wonder if the filter is interchangeable (the secondary and primary filters seem to be the same circumference but different lengths) because he has the primaries on hand and that he said he didn't even recognize the secondary's part #. But of course they couldn't answer that question either. It's a serious buzz kill cause the tractor's performance has been excellent to this point but now I have to deal with a stupid filter issue on a brand new tractor.

 

[EddieWalker]

Napa had filters for my Century and now I buy Wix filters for it and my others tractors from Amazon for a lot less money. I have commercial accounts with Napa and ABC with fair discounts, but Amazon is always cheaper. Ebay has even better prices then Amazon on some filters, but it's hit or miss if they have what you want.

 

[Reg]

Does anyone on here happen to have cross reference info on filters for the 3520h? I've been able to find most of them but I can't find anything on the secondary trans/hydraulic filter

I don't have it handy, but to answer your question another way;
Yes and it is all detailed in the Branson/Century/Zetor forum - several years ago.

I'll take the opportunity to remind you that THIS is the Mahindra forum and while some Branson/Century/Kukje owners browse here you will find what you are looking for ...where it belongs
EDIT:
Ooops, it is now called the "Century & Branson" Forum.
:END EDIT