Buying Advice Branson or LS

Jrus · Jan 1, 2015

Iv been looking at tractors for awhile now. Iv narrowed it to either a LS g3038 or a Branson 3520r. The Branson has alot more impressive specs. Heavier tractor more lift capability and more user friendly options. However the LS is cheaper but has a longer warranty loader seems to work more smoothly and is only 167xx. The Branson is 18900. To step up in the LS 3000 series is significantly more money then the Branson but has all the user features I like about the Branson. I guess I'm just looking for some reviews and thoughts of who thinks what is a better tractor for the money.

jeff9366 · Jan 1, 2015

LS seems to be increasing its market share; Branson seems to be fading.

If you plug those model numbers, individually, into the search box in the header you can pull information on the models your are interested in from of the 4,000,000 thread TBN archive.

EddieWalker · Jan 1, 2015

Century and Branson used to be the same thing. Then they get rid of the Century name and it's now just Branson. There used to be a dozen dealerships of both Century and Branson within an hour of me ten years ago. When they got rid of the Century name, there was probably half a dozen Branson dealers. Every one of them are now gone and the closest Branson dealer that I'm aware of is more then 2 hours away. I think they make a great tractor, but from day one, they have had problems getting parts. It's one thing to make a great tractor, it's another to support it. They have never been very good at support, and in my opinion, the reason they are a declining company. I would not buy Branson because I don't feel they are going to be here ten years from now.

Eddie

JCar98823 · Jan 1, 2015

A dozen dealer within an hour ? no wonder they went out of business. Is there a part you are needing for you Branson ? Has anyone seen the New McCormick X1 series tractors sure look like Branson's. As far as 10 years from now I guess who really knows, just buy what you like and use it. I will say Branson does do a very poor job of self promoting.

TomSeller · Jan 1, 2015

I would favor the LS over Branson. Many people like Branson but the dealer comments I am seeing here would concern me. I see very few significant complaints about LS.

Jrus · Jan 1, 2015

Yeah iv got about 5 dealers I know of I'm michigan one supposedly the biggest branson dealer in North America. Quoting the dealer. However he's been selling them for 16 years now and says they are very good about warranty work and he has alot of parts in stock. The common things he said anyway. The guy (he is the oh sales men/owner of the joint) told me he has had very few ever come back in the years he has been doing it. Was telling me branson has been known to cover things out of warranty as well depending on history of the tractor. I dono if he was blowing smoke up my *** or not. Iv always had older ford and newhollands the ls 3038 just didn't seem like a whole lot of tractor. Compared to a Branson. I don't wanna buy too small I guess.

arnoldziffel · Jan 1, 2015

Branson tractors are well-built and tough machines I think. HOWEVER, I don't think they will survive long term in the US.

Not enough dealers and the one in my area previously sold string trimmers and spark plugs -- no tractor technicians on site. (Dealer just dropped the line).

Jrus · Jan 2, 2015

Yeah do you guys have any thoughts on the new tier 4 emissions motors. I'm a mechanic for a company with 90 some trucks and pieces of Equiptment. I know how I feel about the the dpf systems on the trucks but haven't had anything on Equiptment yet....

JCar98823 · Jan 2, 2015

I did a quick search back to 2003 on this site, people were saying the same things, I don't think Branson will be around in 10 years....

Mr Bitz · Jan 9, 2015

"BRANSON" Hands down.. I've seen the LS tractors and I'm sure they are a fine tractor as well, but Branson is built by Kukje Manufactoring out of south Korea and they have built agriculture tractors since the 60's. And they are a metal manufacturer so thus the heavier built Branson. Branson will stand by you (trust me).. It all goes of the saying "a product is only as good as it's dealer" This is so true, so if you your unsure of what to purchase, talk with your local dealer and get a good feel for them, how will they stand by their product? Will they go up to bat for you in the event something goes wrong.. Keep us posted to what you do.. Thanks. If you want a price on a Branson, PM me and I'll get you one..