Branson 3520h

[Gafn]

I posted in the pricing section why I upgraded to the Branson... I sold a BX2660 Kubota for this 35hp Branson...

I have 25 hours on it now.
I still dislike the seat and steering wheel arrangement... this should have been designed better...

For my small orchard, today was a planting day, this is something I could not do with the kubota without many trips...
On the pallet forks had 4, 55 gal drums full of water need to water in new trees, also had various hand tools.
On the rear 3 pt platform I have built, had 25 new trees, plus 600lbs of soil, drove out to the farthest part of my farm, planted all the trees watered them in, and it took a single trip.
Normally with the little orange guy... I would have used my Ram 2500 instead, and the back breaking work to load an unload at the height of the bed.
Today was a joy of ownership,and the buyers remorse I was having is gone...

The little orange guy was not a bad tractor - I just needed more of a tractor, and the Branson is doing everything I ask of it.
I have had the loader off, and it is a 5 minute job to get it off and on.
The wife can handle it without any issue, she has taken on the job of watering the trees that are too far for our current irrigation system - we are expanding some this year.
I bought a Branson because I did not have the $$ for a new Green or Orange, and we could not be happier.
Time will tell if the Branson is a bad deal or not, but for now we are extremely happy.
It has graded the drive (nearly 3/4 of a mile), hauled water, soil, fertilizers, new trees, tilled new ground for the gardens, and cut every field that I have, all without any issues.

Today is 25 hours... and still have not made the 1st payment yet...

BTW we have some slopes on my land, and the Branson feels right at home, perhaps it is the weight or the size, but it feels more stable than the little orange guy did.

Will keep you informed...

 

[DennisFolsom]

Back when I first started shopping tractors, I tried out a Century at a dealer's. At the time, the Century was a twin of the Branson. I liked a lot about the operator's platform and control layout. At that time, there was no HST model available. I don't remember a problem with the seat & steering wheel layout, but In only drove two of their models for a short test drive.

Your Branson should serve you well. Enjoy!

 

[EddieWalker]

I have a 35 hp Century, which at the time I bought it, the same as the 35 hp Branson. My seat is very uncomfortable. No padding or support. I bought a seat cushion for wheelchairs on ebay that has been amazing. It is the difference between mowing for 8 hours and enjoying myself and being out for an hour without the cushion and being in pain.

Does yours have the plastic tank for the steering hydraulic fluid? I went through several of them, plus several attempts at repairs before finding out about the metal replacement tank that's available.

The fuel pump isn't very good and I replaced mine with an Airtex electric fuel pump from Amazon for under $30 that is great!!!

Eddie

 

[Gafn]

Dennis/ Eddie

Thanks for the feedback...

Eddie, the seat is just fine for comfort... basically the steering wheel is to low, as the seat is a suspension type it is high until your weight gets it down, and it raises when you get up, so you try to stand up higher as something is following your backside, and my thighs jam into the underside of the steering wheel. If I remember to put the seat to the farthest back position, then all is well, but that is a PITA to remember each time getting on and off... so I forget and get stuck between a lifting seat, and a non movable steering wheel.

Thanks for the info on the steering fluid box, I will keep an eye on it.

Dennis the operators station is laid out very nice, just the seat issue for me getting on and off, the wife has no issue as she ... well lets just say I outweigh her a lot so her legs slide right under the steering wheel. lol

 

[Gafn]

I did a little digging today and found the part numbers for filters from Wix for the tractor.

I know some folks will hate on the Wix filters.... at least you will have a Wix number to cross ref to your favorite brand...

Here are the part numbers for WIX filters for the 3520h:

Engine Oil – 51334 -$7.99
Fuel – 33263 - $11.49
Air – 46438 - $31.99
Hydro – 51202 - $26.99

Filters - $78.46

Here is the link to the look up as they have many of the Branson’s listed:
WIX Filters - Products Catalog by Application

 

[bdog]

I hope you have good luck with your Branson. I bought a 4720 new back in 2004. In the first few months of ownership it had to go back to the dealer several times. Clutch was replaced twice and busted a tie rod. I had serious concerns about the longevity of it especially once out of warranty. That was a long time ago and their products may be a lot better. The tractor sure was heavy built. Appeared to be a lot stouter than a kubota but it had some weak links.

 

[52wej]

GAFN, Like Eddie I also have a 35 hp Century purchased in 2004. I now have over 800 hours on it and other than the fuel pump, glow plugs, and a preemptive repair with J&B weld on the PS supply tank, the tractor has done an amazing amount of work with no problems. I have done a lot of loader work with mine over the years and have no complaints other than there are no dealers close by in my part of VA. W Jones