Risk of buying a Century tractor

[chevymanar]

Hey folks I am in the market for a tractor and came across a Century from a local person but I am very leery to purchase a tractor that is no longer made. I realize Branson took over the Century line (or something like that) and at the moment parts for a Century can be purchased at a Branson dealer.

Most people I talked to aren’t that familiar with the brand and have swayed me away from buying this tractor, but I feel like it is a good deal.

What are yalls thoughts of being able to find parts for this tractor in years to come? Say 15-20 years down the road?

The model is a Century 2535.

 

[jeff9366]

TYM recently purchased Branson.

How long will TYM maintain Century parts?

I trust you are good at working on equipment, including hydraulic systems.

 

[EddieWalker]

I have a 2003 Century 2535 and it's been a good tractor, but parts can be difficult to get. Branson has all the parts, but most of the time I buy something after market to replace what's not working. My fuel pump is a diesel Mr Gasket, my filters all come from Amazon or Napa. Hoses are all built by a company in town. The most major issue that I've had with it so far is the wiring. It's a nightmare, but the same as any other brand. I finally gave up on it, tore it all out, and redid it. After a year of issues, it's nice to be able to start it every time I want to use it without spending hours or days looking for the problem.

Branson Tractor Parts | TYM Parts Dealers

Big Reds is a good online source for parts. If you have the original plastic power steering reservoir, you'll need to get the metal one to replace it when it starts to leak from Big Reds.

 

[Deere Dude]

Hey folks I am in the market for a tractor and came across a Century from a local person but I am very leery to purchase a tractor that is no longer made. I realize Branson took over the Century line (or something like that) and at the moment parts for a Century can be purchased at a Branson dealer.

Most people I talked to aren稚 that familiar with the brand and have swayed me away from buying this tractor, but I feel like it is a good deal.

What are yalls thoughts of being able to find parts for this tractor in years to come? Say 15-20 years down the road?

The model is a Century 2535.

I wouldn't touch it. It is a good deal until it is a 3000# paper weight because some critical part is broke and you can't fix it. I would hold out for a name brand tractor that has been in business and will stay in business.

 

[chevymanar]

Thanks for the responses! Y’all have verified what my buddies told me also so I’ll stay away from this one!

 

[Cougsfan]

Wow, Everybody is so conservative! I owned a grey market Yanmar for around 15 years. I was told by friends before I bought it that I was crazy to buy it because I wouldn't be able to get parts. Well, it was a fantastic little tractor, and it didn't need many parts but I could always find what I needed (if not locally, fairly easily on the internet). A neighbor bought it from me. It is probably close to about 30 years old with 2,000 hrs and still running strong. He loves it too.

I have seen quite a few old Kubotas that are 3000 lb paperweights. Not because you can't get parts, but because they cost more to fix than they are worth. (Not a knock on Kubota, but it could happen to any tractor)

 

[airbiscuit]

"You pays your money and you takes your chances," It's all about tolerance for risk and possible value. If the price for a grey market tractor or an orphan tractor is ridiculously cheap, then maybe okay to pull the trigger. If the price is only slightly less than current brands, then run away. That grey area (pun intended) is the tough part.

My first CUT was a grey market Shibaura SD1500AO. It was great for making trails and running a 4' rotary cutter through thick brush. I bought it for $2,500, used it for 3 years, and sold it for $2,500. Not too much of a risk for $2,500 (it was in excellent condition), and I figured I could buy NAPA filters and ford parts for it if I needed to (Didn't need any!).

The low price allowed me to go from 0 to 1 CUT tractor. However, as I continued to upgrade, the higher price made me less willing to take that kind of risk.

BTW 1 - I think grey market tractors (Kubota, Yanmar, Shibaura, Iseiki) are less risk than orphans (Farmtrac, Century, Montana, Scorpion)

BTW 2 - I think 5-10 years in the future, either Branson or TYM will be an orphan (both won't be independent brands).

BTW3 - Both Jeff9366 and EddieWaker give good advice

 

[Gale Hawkins]

22 CENTURY 2535 For Sale In Idabel, Oklahoma | TractorHouse.com

I can see what this low hour 2535 sold for last year they would be tempting.

 

[52wej]

I am a 2004 Century 2535 owner who has had very good luck with my tractor. Over 1100 hours now. It is true that the dealer network in my part of the country is weak, but it seems much stronger in the western part of the country and Texas. I still am able to order basic OEM maintenance parts from dealers by phone. No major repairs yet, but I know that there will be a clutch repair job sometime in the future as I have done a LOT of loader work with mine. But that is no fault of the tractor. The quality of the build on mine is superb, very heavy and solid. The C-50 loader that came with it is heavy and will lift a surprising amount, more than the front tires will support. Glow plugs, a fuel pump, and the power steering fluid tank are the only items I have replaced. I am still on the original battery after 14 years which has been a pleasant surprise. Would I buy another one? That will depend on the strength and proximity of a dealership (<100 miles). And the lack of lasting dealerships has been the real weakness of the line. But as for quality, if you want a simple durable machine I can easily recommend it. I have used most major brands extensively on a farm for almost 60 years and this is as durable as the old iron in my view. W Jones

 

[TractorNH]

BTW 2 - I think 5-10 years in the future, either Branson or TYM will be an orphan (both won't be independent brands).

TYM has been building tractors for 60 years and while they've built many tractors for other brands, I doubt TYM will be bought up. They also build part of the Mahindra line of tractors. Whether TYM really gains ground as a brand in the US on their own is questionable (though possible). They just don't have a strong dealer network at least in the northeast.