Lunk
Platinum Member
I just read in another thread that a Branson should "not be touched with a ten-foot pole." Personal opinion no doubt.
I know a guy who just bought an L3400 Gear drive that checked out my Branson 3510i just the other day. Liked the platform layout better, the tilt wheel, lower fuel tank fill height, and the extra range in the transmission. Also thought the SS QA on the BL-10S Loader was pretty slick.
His unit was very basic, and though he wouldn't say what he paid for his, His jaw dropped when I told him I paid under 16k, plus my old Ford 2000.
I know that resale will not be as high on my Branson. I also know that folks think nothing of plopping down 30k on a p/u truck that will be worth squat in 5 years (unless they don't need, or use it...). I am pretty sure that my tractor will depreciate a heck of a lot slower than my last Ford car did...
I'm aware that my tractor will probably not still be running hard in 50 years (like so many tractors built in the 50's and 60's). Heck - I hope I've upgraded at least twice by then! Let my grandkids buy their own tractors! I imagine that it's possible that at some point we as Branson owners may experience parts issues down the road, but barring a major component failure, we should be OK. Kukje's been building tractors for 40 years or so, so I think some form of support will always be available, as the company itself is both reputable, and strong.
I still cannot figure out why my tractor weighs 1000 - 1500# more than most units in the 35hp class. Might be a detriment for finish mowing, but I've got a Ferris Pro-Cut 20 for that, and it does come in handy when digging a hole, skidding logs, box-blading, snow removal, towing out my stuck p/u truck, etc.
What I AM definitely sure of, is that I got a well-built, heavy-duty, full-featured tractor that fits my budget, and meets my current needs.
My .02
Lunk
I know a guy who just bought an L3400 Gear drive that checked out my Branson 3510i just the other day. Liked the platform layout better, the tilt wheel, lower fuel tank fill height, and the extra range in the transmission. Also thought the SS QA on the BL-10S Loader was pretty slick.
His unit was very basic, and though he wouldn't say what he paid for his, His jaw dropped when I told him I paid under 16k, plus my old Ford 2000.
I know that resale will not be as high on my Branson. I also know that folks think nothing of plopping down 30k on a p/u truck that will be worth squat in 5 years (unless they don't need, or use it...). I am pretty sure that my tractor will depreciate a heck of a lot slower than my last Ford car did...
I'm aware that my tractor will probably not still be running hard in 50 years (like so many tractors built in the 50's and 60's). Heck - I hope I've upgraded at least twice by then! Let my grandkids buy their own tractors! I imagine that it's possible that at some point we as Branson owners may experience parts issues down the road, but barring a major component failure, we should be OK. Kukje's been building tractors for 40 years or so, so I think some form of support will always be available, as the company itself is both reputable, and strong.
I still cannot figure out why my tractor weighs 1000 - 1500# more than most units in the 35hp class. Might be a detriment for finish mowing, but I've got a Ferris Pro-Cut 20 for that, and it does come in handy when digging a hole, skidding logs, box-blading, snow removal, towing out my stuck p/u truck, etc.
What I AM definitely sure of, is that I got a well-built, heavy-duty, full-featured tractor that fits my budget, and meets my current needs.
My .02
Lunk