Bye, Bye Branson???

[arnoldziffel]

I've got the tractor bug bad.

Not long ago I "discovered" the Branson brand of compact tractors. A local lawn mower shop started to handle the line earlier this year.
Driving by their shop it appeared that their original stocking inventory never changed. Eventually, one or two machines sold but several more just sat there.

About two months ago I stopped on a Sunday out of curiosity and spent some time carefully looking over a 2400H model. What a well engineered little jewel of a tractor! The fit, finish and assembly reflected real manufacturer pride and attention to detail.
The dealer's local advertising indicated exceptional discounts -- perhaps the best pricing at any USA Branson dealer. I'm afraid I was being seduced.

I don't need another tractor but boy I thought it would be great to try one of these little Bransons. So, I set about selling some parts of my Wheel Horse collection to perhaps fund such a purchase. I had success and early last week had put together the dollars to buy the 2400H.
A quick business trip to Kentucky had to be accomplished late last week and I put-off making the Branson purchase until my return 2 days ago.

Yesterday I drove to the Branson dealer and was shocked to see NO tractors of any model on the lot. I was too surprised to go in and ask but I suspect that the dealer MAY (?) have given-up the Branson line.

I'm sitting here with mixed feelings. Did I miss a great opportunity to own a beautiful little tractor at a favorable price or did I dodge a bullet as the next nearest Branson dealer in my state is almost 4 hours away and any after the purchase warranty/service matters would have been difficult.

I hope Branson can get a solid dealer network established. It appears to me that they build great, HIGH VALUE machines with real pride.

 

[jeff9366]

The tractor market is tough, there are great rewards in scale and scale generates positive feedback on its own. Some companies decide to produce PRIVATE LABELS for other companies to achieve scale. (Cabella's tractors)

It is incredibly difficult to make any new brand viable. That is why large companies pay BILLIONS of dollars for niche brands you have never heard of which, despite the odds, have established a viable brand.
(Non-prescription AIRBORNE is one example.)

Then there are the large and random vagaries of currency foreign exchange rates.

HOPE doesn't cut it. It is deep pockets for the manufacturer, quality design, quality manufacturing and a sales force living on the road and working six days a week for years. Expanding overseas requires learning new cultures.

Many companies borrow money to expand. Often they operate OK until repayment is due, then choke.

 

[mkreitler]

I agree it seems that Branson has a very limited dealer network in my area only one dealer within 50 miles and it is a mom & pop store so it is just a matter of time before it disappears I suspect. When I spoke with them a few years back they said if it was not that he retired form FORD and received a pension they would starve to death.In there area of MISSOURI it's all about John Deere, New Holland,Kubota,and LS. Making it a tough sale. Also I have heard that PARTS can be a PROBLEM. This is also something you want to think about in the future before you spend your money. I also considered this before I made my decision on what BRAND to go with in the end I chose KUBOTA ORANGE!!! IF'S IT'S RED KEEP IT IN THE SHED!!!

 

[Clay45]

Its self fulfilling. You put off a purchase long enough and the dealers won't be there.

 

[k0ua]

Go get a Kioti CK2510. A much stronger dealer network. Of course there might not be much of a presence in your area.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJSytvhRQYs

 

[GManBart]

Keep in mind that Branson didn't make that machine....they're made by Kukje in Korea. There are lots of very nice machines in that size range, so I don't think you really missed out.

 

[arnoldziffel]

Kioti is well represented in our neighborhood and I already own a Kioti relative -- my Bobcat CT230. I agree that this is a very good product.

I also have a small Mahindra and New Holland so I really did not need the Branson I just was so impressed with the well designed Branson 2400H I was ready to buy "just one more".

 

[EddieWalker]

I bought a Century in 2003 from a local dealer who was selling them like crazy at the time. There where half a dozen Branson and Century dealers within an hours drive of me to choose from in all directions. The Branson dealers came and went, but over time, there where fewer and fewer of them. Then a couple years ago, Century ceased to exist and my dealer switched to TYM. Now the closest Branson dealer is over 2 hours away. I haven't been there yet since I can get parts from them online fairly quickly.

I'm sort of looking for a cab tractor and I really like the Branson 60hp cab tractor, but wont buy one because I have so many doubts about how much longer they will be around and how hard it might become to get parts for it in the future.

Eddie

 

[300UGUY]

I bought a Kubota, and never looked back. Dealer is close, lots of support for Kubota, they are expanding in this country.

 

[bucktaker]

I bought a Kubota, and never looked back. Dealer is close, lots of support for Kubota, they are expanding in this country.

me too