Looking to see if anyone else has had any experience with Branson. There is a 4520r for under 22K near me with the FEL, R4 tires and 2 rear remotes. My dad has always gotten Kubota but the same featured tractor in Kubota line is alot more money. Anyone have any experience with Branson? I saw one other review on a 2012 that seemed to indicate the fuel tank had an issue on hills if less than half a tank. I went and looked at the tractor yesterday and since it is a demo, I need to give the dealer a thumbs up or down today. Any help would be appreciated as this is my first time buying a tractor for myself.
Is a Branson 4520R a good tractor?
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GManBart
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They aren't bad machines, but for the same money, you could get an LS, or Kioti, with an HST tranny, and more powerful loaders. I haven't looked at the newer Branson's because there wasn't a dealer close by when I was shopping, but I think the general feeling is they aren't quite as "good" as an LS, Kioti, Mahindra, etc....whatever that means.
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GManBart
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I'm not in the industry, so someone may have a better answer, but the engine appears to be a Kukje A2300N2-R....Kukje us a Korean company. It's possible they license their design from Cummins, but that's outside anything I could figure out.
alleycatdad
Member
I have a 3510 HST and it's been a great machine. Very very pleased with features and function compared to the available competition and the price was right.
SA
SA
Thank you all for your quick responses and help by the way. This is a rather spur of the moment decision. I'm really only interested in it because the price is so reasonable. I called a local Mahindra dealer and they have a 4035 which runs 25K. I liked that it is rated to lift over 3000 lbs. Should I be concerned with the differences in HP? The Branson is 47HP while the 4035 is only 40HP. I've got about 80 acres of which 10-12 is field.... the rest is logging trails and woods so this will be used for anything and everything on the "farm".
TSO
Elite Member
That engine is very likely a Kujke built "Cummins" ... just like my LS has an LS built "Mitsubishi" --- basically the companies buy the license to build the engine. I can't say if my version of the Mitsu is any better or worse than if it had been built directly by Mitsu in their own factory, so I would assume the same logic would apply to Branson's engine.
I think the Branson's look like decent machines. There's no dealer near me so I had to shop them ONLY via the internet and I didn't know enough about them to keep them high on my list. I've read about some problems with them from this forum, but that's all I know.
Keep in mind, that "lift" number you are using for the Mahindra (lifts over 3000 lbs) does NOT apply to the loader, it applies to the 3-point linkage (actual number is 3090 lbs at ball ends). The 4035 loader lifts 2400 lbs at max height (measured at the pins) with 3900 lbs breakout force at ground level (at the pins). If you shop Mahindra, some of their tractors are made by Mahindra, some are made by TYM, some engines are Daedong (parent company of Kioti), etc etc etc... but they seem to be pretty good tractors, and if I had the money, I'd be inclined to seriously consider a 5035, 5010/6010 cab version.
Lots of good tractor companies out there right now. I would say don't bother looking at Case or New Holland, because LS makes them. You can literally buy the exact same tractor directly from LS for thousands cheaper. Kioti is a good tractor. (McCormick is a red Kioti) TYM's are pretty good, but seem to have some problems (see the TYM forum). Kubota makes good tractors. JD makes good tractors. But JD & Kubota seem to be #1 & #2 in the pricing lines across the board (from what I've seen).
HST vs Shuttle: If your PRIMARY task is ground-engaging work like plowing, grading, etc ... then get the shuttle. If the majority of your work is going to be EVERYTHING BUT those things, then get the HST. It's better for loader work, mowing, and most every other task where you go any direction but straight. HST rocks. Kubota has an HST system on their "Grand L" line called HST+ and it has some advanced features that make the HST even better, but you'll pay a premium for it.
Good luck. And, if you like the Branson, buy it. No one will fault you for it. Just do yourself a favor and test drive everything you can (within an hour or even 2 if needed) because you will definitely find pros & cons to all of them.
I think the Branson's look like decent machines. There's no dealer near me so I had to shop them ONLY via the internet and I didn't know enough about them to keep them high on my list. I've read about some problems with them from this forum, but that's all I know.
Keep in mind, that "lift" number you are using for the Mahindra (lifts over 3000 lbs) does NOT apply to the loader, it applies to the 3-point linkage (actual number is 3090 lbs at ball ends). The 4035 loader lifts 2400 lbs at max height (measured at the pins) with 3900 lbs breakout force at ground level (at the pins). If you shop Mahindra, some of their tractors are made by Mahindra, some are made by TYM, some engines are Daedong (parent company of Kioti), etc etc etc... but they seem to be pretty good tractors, and if I had the money, I'd be inclined to seriously consider a 5035, 5010/6010 cab version.
Lots of good tractor companies out there right now. I would say don't bother looking at Case or New Holland, because LS makes them. You can literally buy the exact same tractor directly from LS for thousands cheaper. Kioti is a good tractor. (McCormick is a red Kioti) TYM's are pretty good, but seem to have some problems (see the TYM forum). Kubota makes good tractors. JD makes good tractors. But JD & Kubota seem to be #1 & #2 in the pricing lines across the board (from what I've seen).
HST vs Shuttle: If your PRIMARY task is ground-engaging work like plowing, grading, etc ... then get the shuttle. If the majority of your work is going to be EVERYTHING BUT those things, then get the HST. It's better for loader work, mowing, and most every other task where you go any direction but straight. HST rocks. Kubota has an HST system on their "Grand L" line called HST+ and it has some advanced features that make the HST even better, but you'll pay a premium for it.
Good luck. And, if you like the Branson, buy it. No one will fault you for it. Just do yourself a favor and test drive everything you can (within an hour or even 2 if needed) because you will definitely find pros & cons to all of them.
Thank you sir! Appreciate the time and effort put into your response! I'm going to stop and try the Mahindra on the way home but I think I'm going with the Branson just because I can get the tractor, fluid in the rear tires and some extra implements for less $ than the Mahindra.
Purchased the 4520R and it was delivered yesterday! Really impressed with the tractor so far! It has lots of power and with the rear tires filled, the FEL and my new 6' box blade it weighs in over 7000 pounds. One thing the dealer mentioned was that if I could get off road diesel I should. Is this the case or can I just get it at the pump at Walmart?