Looking at Branson, but not finding much...

[xlr82v2]

So what is the scoop on the Branson tractors? Stopped and looked at a 4220i just the other day, but it was after hours, so the dealer was closed. I'm impressed with the build and layout of the controls.

Looked up Branson on the 'net, and their website is woefully inadequate... but looking at the specs, I think I'd be more interested in a 3820i.

So What's the scoop on Branson's... + or - ???

Thanks,

Brian

 

[halw]

xlr82v2,
It would be the best move you ever made. If you compare apples to apples, that is HP vs HP catagory, then check the weights of the tractors, then features and finally the price and the Bransons make the big 3 look like sand box toys. The only thing the big 3 have that Branson dont is hydrostat (not yet anyway), and in my own personal opinion you dont need no stinkin hydrostat, the clutch and shuttle are easy to operate and the hydro will eat horsepower, plus if you live at a high altitude you need all the HP you can get.
Branson is only one of 3 tractor brands imported to the US that builds the entire tractor, including the motor, and imports it and distributes it themselves(Kubota and Daedong-Kioti being the other 2). Read some of these posts that others have written here and see how Branson goes above and beyond to take care of their customers.
Just ask around and pick a good dealer.
Hal.

 

[xlr82v2]

Thanks Hal, that's good to hear.

The dealer I looked at is pretty new... Probably less than 2 or 3 months old I'm guessing. Anyway, I never saw it before, and it's in the town just down the road from where I live.

Hopefully I'll get to stop in sometime when somebody is home to get some prices.

You're right, hydrostat isn't necessary, and I don't want no stinkin' hydrostat... Grew up with an IH 544 Hydro... don't need any more of those problems!!

Like I said, I'm stricken by the 4220i... looks like it's put together really well, and I love the control layout. I've looked at Kioti, JD, Kubota, New Holland, and after my first look at the Branson, I'm almost sold, and I havent' even heard it run yet!

Do you guys know what street price range the 3820i or the 4220i is in with the FEL?

Thanks!!

Brian

 

[halw]

xlr82v2

I was priced a 4220 around march and it was about $18,900, that was equipped with BL20A Loader, R-4 tires and a set of rear hydraulics. I dont remember if it was an 05 or an 06 year model. Its like buying a car, some dealers may be higher, some lower but I think somewhere around 18,5 to 19,5 would be close, the 3820 is probably around 700 to 1,000 dollars less, at least thats what I was told by the dealer I got this price from. I wound up with a Century C42L, its the same tractor as the 4220 you saw, in fact the scan tag under the seat has 4220 written on it, anyway, it is a super tractor, I knew they were good but it got even better the more I used it and crawled around it. As for the motor it is a Cummins designed, Kukje built motor, the motors will fill a void for Cummins to use as their small industrial motor. Some complaints here about the motor smoking excessively at start up but what I found with mine is not to let the glow plugs cycle for the full 15 seconds like the manual says, mine smokes like hell if I let the fuel pump and glow plugs run for that long. Its so hot where I live (just what is a snow blower anyway)that you can fry eggs on the hood and my tractor starts just fine (almost instantly) with just a 2 or 3 second run before starting, plus I get a lot less smoke for a shorter period of time, I am sure that if we have a winter this year that I will have to let it cycle a little longer, only time will tell. If you look through all 25 or 30 pages posted here I doubt if you will find one single problem with the internals of the motor, that includes the earlier Kukje diesels.
Good shopping, Hal.

 

[dancce]

Hal,

Thanks for your comments.

As a dealer, I explain much of what you have pointed out, to prospective customers.
We are one of Branson's larger dealers,---however I feel we should be selling a lot more of them---they are the best value in their class.

The reasons for not selling more of these top-of-the-line tractors is that many people who come to look and drive, are not familiar with the Branson name yet, and are afraid they might be buying a product that will not be around in the future. And I fully understand a customer's being skeptical to beleive everything a sales person is explaining to them. (A lot of BS is slung by some sales people).

A case in point, is a sale we made this week of a Branson 4720i where I was up against a dealer of a "major" brand. He had taken an " equivilent" tractor to him to try out, and saw two other Bransons at his ranch that the customer had previously purchased from us----and reportedly went ballistic----began telling him how unreliable the
Branson' parts availablity is---and that I was not going to be in business much longer---and that he knew me personnally,etc.,etc, ad-nauseum.
My customer hesitated to tell me all of the specifics, especially of the personal attacks aimed at me. ( I told my customer, that I actually felt flattered----that it meant I must be really hurting him, for him to use this type of sales tactic.) Also, this competitor's price was actually slightly lower than mine.

Bottom line: My customer now owns two 4720i Branson tractors.

I guess the reason for my relating this long narative is to illustrate 2.5 points:

1) There are some sales people that will do and say anything to get an order----even to the point of damaging their own integrity. And unfortunately,this has a tendency to damage all sales people's believability, in the eyes of the buying public.

2) A savvy buyer will compare tractors, not just based on horsepwer ratings and price---but on which will fit his intended usage best based on tractor weight, reliability,the peak engine torque RPM, ease of operation, and last, but not least, the reliability and integrity of the dealer. (Branson actually encourages dealers to let a potential buyer try a tractor at the buyers location, before the sale.)

.5)Thanks, again Hal, for your input as an owner/user. Hopefully your ,on target, assesment will help others in their evaluation of the Branson tractors, when comparing against other brands on the market.

dancce

 

[dancce]

So what is the scoop on the Branson tractors? Stopped and looked at a 4220i just the other day, but it was after hours, so the dealer was closed. I'm impressed with the build and layout of the controls.

Looked up Branson on the 'net, and their website is woefully inadequate... but looking at the specs, I think I'd be more interested in a 3820i.

So What's the scoop on Branson's... + or - ???

Thanks,

Brian

Looked up Branson on the 'net, and their website is woefully inadequate... .

xlr82v2,
I totally agree with you---they should re-vamp their site---and I am sure it will be.
Branson is a major sponsor of the PBR (Pro Bull Riding) which is now a big deal nationally, and on the tube every week. They spend a lot to do this, so I am with you ----for a whole lot less than they spend on the PBR--they could have a much better web site. Pictures---Pictures--and more Pictures would help a lot!!

dancce

 

[BobQ]

I have a 4720 TLB. I love it and would buy one again! You will not be disapointed!

Bob

 

[century3045]

I have a Century 3045 and use it almost everyday. A lot of people have been impressed, including me at what this little machine will do. I'd buy another tomorrow if something happened to mine. Stolen that is, mechanical problems just don't happen too often.

 

[KYMike]

Welcome to Branson's forum. I've had my 3510 for 1.5 years and have not had any problems with as it does everything I need it to with ease, comfort, and efficiency. I bought from a long-established dealer who has worked well with me keeping it maintained.

I agree about Branson's website - c'mon guys, drop a couple grand into a new site! For finding out more about these heavy red tractors, though, try the site of Branson's parent company, Kukje - www.kukje21.co.kr/english/index.htm - and look at the video available from there. Very impressed with their history, technology, R&D, and quality commitment. Cummins' use of Kukje's small diesels (same as in our tractors) as their own says a lot about their design and build quality. You'll also spy some suspiciously Green tractors in the assembly line photos. That's right, Branson's parent company builds some John Deere models!

I encourage you to investigate Bransons and this dealer further. If you like the machines but aren't confident with a new dealer, Branson's web site does include a pretty good dealer locator. I don't know where you are from, but I was surprised to find 3 or 4 Branson dealers within driving distance of Louisville. On the other hand, a new dealer trying to get established might be willing to go the extra effort to build customer base and loyalty. Good luck!

 

[barticus73]

What would be an estimated price on a Branson 3820(or equivelent size range)TLB (tractor- loader-backhoe)package. I am looking at a Farmtrac 360 TLB and want to compare before buying.

 

[ronT]

I have a Branson 4020. Like the tractor but hate the BL20 loader. It's junk in my opinion, caused several headaches & dangerous situations for me. The C50/C50HL is a much better loader that works like it should(I tried one out after I bought the Branson). It came on the Century tractors which was the same tractor as Bransons.

Also beware of dealers that are here today and gone tomorrow. Some are hard to get a hold of since they are involved in other ventures besides tractors. They may talk a good story to get the sale but then........leave you hanging. Waiting a year & a half for a fuel cap here(gave up on the cap)and other issues. Dealer reputation is extremely important.

Have a good day,
Ron

 

[claggsgarage756]

Another point on them is that they have extended the powertrain warranty from 3 years to 4 years.

 

[bitstibe]

My perspective might be a little different. I owned 3 smaller Kubota's (BX2200, BX22 and 7610). Love the tractors and living in the mountains with lots of snow, used them a lot to move snow, mow and for digging lots of post holes. When I moved my horses to larger, 1 ton bales, I decided I wanted to go to a larger tractor for the growing needs on my small farm. I went to the Kubota dealer and was very surprised at the price increases as you went up the power scale. I did a ton of research and came down to the Kubota L3400 and the Branson 3820i. When comparing weights, power etc. I was impressed with the 3820i capabilities. Understand, I had NEVER had a problem with any of the Kubota's I had used before so this was a much tougher decision than I ever thought it would be.

My concerns were that, even though they build for Cummins and John Deere, they were a relatively unknown group to me. The final "tipping point" was the fact that I was able to get the 3820i for about $8k less than the Kubota AND the Branson dealer offered me more for my trade in Kubota than the Kubota dealer, go figure.

My transition has not been without challenges. I am at 7000 feet and had difficulty getting the tractor to start, even after 10-15 cycles of the glow plug. I also had the dreaded "BIG SMOKE" problem. My dealer and Branson worked very well with me and, except for the fact that it costs me $50 every time I want to haul it to the dealer (he is over 50 miles away), they took care of all the problems under warranty and even gave me a free oil change as they felt the timing was off when it came from the factory and had carboned up the injectors.

With that in mind, I have continued to use the 3820i and now have NO regrets for making the purchase. Branson has stood behind its product very well and the dealer and I have established a pretty good working relationship. I believe that in the price/productivity/power range, you can't beat this little tractor for its intended use.

Like others here I agree the web site needs some TLC but if you visit any of the other "non-American" tractor sites I think you will find the same challenge. Maybe it is a translation thing...

Hope that helps.

 

[BobQ]

Ront,

I have a 4720 with a BL20A loader and have had no complaints at all on it, I did install a bolt on wear edge though. What don't you like about yours?

Bob

 

[RED_TRACTOR]

Barticus73-
There is a small Branson dealer in Indiana- I believe he has a 3820 in stock.
If not he can get you the model you may need.
Also a larger dealer located in Somerset,pa. Both good guys and will treat you very well and be very,very price competitive.
Good luck and if they cannot satisfy your needs pm me and I will get you taken care of.
Regards,
Red