Thoughts on BRANSON tractors....

[FMFProperties]

When I bought my Century tractor brand new in 2003, Cummins had partnered with Kujco back then. It was part of why I thought it was a good tractor. But thats not the problem. Support is where they fail.

Could you please give an example? Where do they fail in support? They have a dealer right there in your town, are they bad?

 

[finn1]

The Cummins A series engine was originally designed and produced by Onan. Their Engineering center was near Minneapolis.

Memory says the engine is a light duty design from the late seventies, used for genders and marketed for vehicle applications like step vans and bread trucks.

It never really took off in the market, but Cummmins kept it in their portfolio after they acquired the engine business from Onan.

It痴 a light duty engine, not at all related to the medium duty B series we are all familiar with.

 

[Texasmark]

I've Had my 4720 for over two years now and am very pleased with it. I only wish I had the cash at the time to buy bigger, not because it's to small it's just I like big. Have no complaints with dealer I purchased from in Texas and have had no problems with getting maintenance parts or repair parts the few I have needed. Experience with Branson as a whole has been exceptional. IMO someone that doesn't own one or hasn't owned one doesn't have a dog in the fight when it comes to criticizing them. It's kinda like the ford and Chevy fight.

When somebody doesn't have something and criticizes it you have to look between the lines for the motivation. Most of the time it's financially motivated, or just plain jealosy!

 

[Texasmark]

The Cummins A series engine was originally designed and produced by Onan. Their Engineering center was near Minneapolis.

Memory says the engine is a light duty design from the late seventies, used for genders and marketed for vehicle applications like step vans and bread trucks.

It never really took off in the market, but Cummmins kept it in their portfolio after they acquired the engine business from Onan.

Itç—´ a light duty engine, not at all related to the medium duty B series we are all familiar with.

Well I have the A1100N in my 2400. It's a swirl chamber which are easier to mfgr. (cheaper) and more reliable due to the fact that the injectors don't need to be so precise.......well sir, to me, injectors on a 3 cyl 24 hp engine nozzles are pretty small. Seems to me that it would be mighty easy for one to have problems that you wouldn't have if you had a sloppy spray pattern with a larger diameter nozzle and exploded it in a small chamber that fed the main one.

My B3.3 NA in my 6530 is 3300 CC and is naturally aspired and direct injected.

I Have no reference to the source of Cummins engine designs. I do know that they have produced well over 1 million engines and they are manufactured around the world (under license) to support the world market. The first Cummins I had was a turbo charged Big Cam 800+ cu in, 400 hp with over a million miles on it with one overhaul!

 

[arnoldziffel]

So, being a light duty engine design, are these Branson engines as strong and durable as other brand CUT tractor engines in the marketplace?

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

It is a cast iron block, cast iron head, cast iron manifold, cast iron rotating mass (crank and rods). Direct mechanical injection, no cheap aluminum or plastic parts. Where are you getting the idea that this is somehow more "light duty" than any of the other SCUT/CUT engines being used by any other brand?

 

[tradosaurus]

I don't see much about them on here.....What are your thoughts on them. Looking at the literature, they sure seem to be ok.

Are they worth looking into further or should I stay away from them? I noticed also they had the different series' in the same hp. Looks like frame sizing/weight differences....(?)

I looked at Branson when shopping for a new tractor. My concern was the nearest dealer was 3 hrs away and parts availability. You might be surprised how close in price a new Branson is to a new Kubota, NH, or JD.

For instance a Branson 3520R with backhoe is about $28K. A Kubota L3301 with backhoe would be about $29.5K.

 

[DK35vince]

I looked at Branson when shopping for a new tractor. My concern was the nearest dealer was 3 hrs away and parts availability. You might be surprised how close in price a new Branson is to a new Kubota, NH, or JD.

For instance a Branson 3520R with backhoe is about $28K. A Kubota L3301 with backhoe would be about $29.5K.

Not totally familiar with both models, but aren't you comparing a more full featured Deluxe model Branson with a standard model Kubota ??
Looks to me like the Branson R includes a lot more features and lift capacities.

 

[ericm979]

when I was shopping a couple years ago the Branson 3725 I got was many thousands less than an L3301 and had more features

 

[LouNY]

When I purchased my Branson 8050 a almost comparable Kubota was over $10,000 more for less tractor,
an LS a bit more tractor was the same, a New Holland was almost $20,000 more,
so 20%to 40% more for the same or less tractor.

 

[Jchonline]

They were bought by TYM. They have strong sales in the US, so I hope TYM doesnt mess with their model and just helps them grow it. If I had a reliable dealer close to me I would strongly consider them.

 

[Tennsawdust]

I don't see much about them on here.....What are your thoughts on them. Looking at the literature, they sure seem to be ok.

Are they worth looking into further or should I stay away from them? I noticed also they had the different series' in the same hp. Looks like frame sizing/weight differences....(?)

Haven't owned one, but have spent quite a bit of time on them. A friend has two Their tractors tend to be heavier than the competition and of simpler design. They forgo the electronic nannies in favor of simplicity. From my experience I would say it is a very solid tractor. I would consider one if they had a better dealer base in my area.

 

[3Lfarms]

When I was looking at 60-70hp tractors, I was very impressed with the Branson. It’s just the dealer was very small and they didn’t even have any cabbed machines to look at. He wanted me to buy one sight unseen. It probably would have fit me OK, but I will not put down $40k on something I haven’t even seen in person.

 

[Geotech]

Kubota followed by Deere are the main brands where I live and therefore probably the only ones I'd buy. I wouldn't even go for Case, NH or Massey simply since they dont have the network. I'd rather have a couple dealers nearby than just one. And forget about interstate purchasing and shipping when I need repairs. I'm not a mechanic nor do I play one on TV. My dealer gave me a good price on my tractor bundle but quoted some pretty high prices on implements later on. Nice to have options.

For all the hassle, I'll pay an extra couple thousand or live with a lighter tractor with less lift capacity. Some folks are more price sensitive or more driven by specs than me though. I'd rather obsess over new implements and improving my operating skills than the machine spes/price. You can add weight. You cant create more dealers around you.

 

[3pedal]

So far I have liked mine. It has done what I have needed and was less money for more tractor that the "Bigs". That said, my dealer went out of business, so my last year or so of warranty has been a little questionable and I am not sure how I am going to deal with service.