Bragging on my Branson!

[52wej]

Ok, I really don't have a Branson per se. But it is a 2004 Century 2535 with over 1100 hours. I was doing some work at church on a playground and had to move some pallets of rubber tire mulch. Since I have 2 tractors, the Century (35 hp) and a MX 5200 Kubota (50 hp), I figured I would use the larger frame tractor yesterday to move the pallets. Nothing doing, the forks on the 3 point hitch would not budge the pallet at all. So today I went back with my Century, which to be honest has a hydraulic top link. (absolute necessity for 3 pt hitch forks). It grunted and picked up a 1 ton pallet of mulch and I moved it to where it was needed. Of course I had to put some gravel in the loader bucket so I could steer properly. These little red tractors are tough!! W.Jones:thumbsup:

 

[Gafn]

52wej

Are you saying that your 50HP Kubota can not pick up 2200lbs at the 3pt hitch?
The 3520H (35HP) is rated at 3300lbs on the 3pt, and 2100 with the BL25 loader.
I would think that a 50 HP tractor should be able to lift a ton without any issue, maybe I am too much of a tractor rookie (bought 1st tractor in 2015), but 50HP should make my 35hp look weak...

 

[Branson Bob]

Yup.

Here's my 35 HP Branson lifting 2428 pounds (275 gallons x 8.34 lbs/gallon + 135 IBC Tote). And yes, had to scoop some gravel in the FEL to keep good balance on both axles.

Ok, I really don't have a Branson per se. But it is a 2004 Century 2535 with over 1100 hours. I was doing some work at church on a playground and had to move some pallets of rubber tire mulch. Since I have 2 tractors, the Century (35 hp) and a MX 5200 Kubota (50 hp), I figured I would use the larger frame tractor yesterday to move the pallets. Nothing doing, the forks on the 3 point hitch would not budge the pallet at all. So today I went back with my Century, which to be honest has a hydraulic top link. (absolute necessity for 3 pt hitch forks). It grunted and picked up a 1 ton pallet of mulch and I moved it to where it was needed. Of course I had to put some gravel in the loader bucket so I could steer properly. These little red tractors are tough!! W.Jones:thumbsup:

 

[Branson Bob]

FWIW, the Kubota MX 5200 is lighter and has less lifting capacity than the Branson 3520H.

 

[Gafn]

Branson Bob
Thanks for the spec sheets - guess when I bought my 3520, I did ok then... I take those tote cages and fill with red/white oak split firewood - the green stuff... can only lift 3/4 of a tote full. With a Kubota - I would only be able to life the empty tote cage... /lol

 

[Branson Bob]

In fairness the Kubota are excellent machines. Well-designed, refined, and finished.

 

[52wej]

If you look at the back end of the Kubota you will see that it is not as rugged as the Branson. That being said, it is a good tractor, great shuttle transmission, very responsive FEL and it will handle a 7 ft bushog because it does have a larger frame. Because of the size difference, both have very specific uses on our farm.W Jones.

 

[Gafn]

Hey guys... I put the /lol on there - not bashing a Kubota - in fact I owned one of the B series - but I bought too small of a tractor, and had to change - that Kubota never once had an issue - started every time, and did what it was designed for, my needs changed and I needed to lift near 1 ton - as I adopted the Tote cages as my firewood transport method. That little bota was not capable of lifting one of the totes, and some engineer was stupid enough to put the brake pedal above the HST rocker... like how the heck and I supposed to control a pallet pickup while on a hill? Both feet on the same side? bad design for sure....

At a friends place I have logged nearly 100 hours on his 95HP Kubota pulling a 16 foot bat-wing and maintaining 3/4 mile of gravel roads... That is a nice cab tractor - makes that bat-wing feel like it's not really there... but some of the control leavers like the PTO feel really cheap... But again - never had an issue one with it, always started, and no repairs required in 7 years of ownership, so my friend is very happy with the Bota... Right now my Branson is in the shop - still WAITING on parts..... and waiting and waiting.... my grass is taller than my child, and I am still waiting.... Seriously wish Branson would get their parts figured out - this is nuts...

 

[ptsg]

Right now my Branson is in the shop - still WAITING on parts..... and waiting and waiting.... my grass is taller than my child, and I am still waiting.... Seriously wish Branson would get their parts figured out - this is nuts...

I've seen you mentioning this a couple of times. What parts exactly are you waiting for?

I find this a bit odd, as I follow a couple of Branson Facebook groups where some dealers will post some stuff every once in a while. About 3 months ago, they were able to find Branson parts for a 19 year old Branson F3550. And since you're located in GA, where the Branson HQ and lots of dealers are also located, it shouldn't be taking that long.

 

[ptsg]

Right now my Branson is in the shop - still WAITING on parts..... and waiting and waiting.... my grass is taller than my child, and I am still waiting.... Seriously wish Branson would get their parts figured out - this is nuts...

I've seen you mentioning this a couple of times. What parts exactly are you waiting for?

I find this a bit odd, as I follow a couple of Branson Facebook groups where some dealers will post some stuff every once in a while. About 3 months ago, they were able to find Branson parts for a 19 year old Branson F3550. And since you're located in GA, where the Branson HQ and lots of dealers are also located, it shouldn't be taking that long.