Branson or Massey Ferguson

[robarosa]

Hello tractor folks;
I have read up on these tractors here and now looking for a comparison. I'm looking at a Branson 4220 and Massey Ferguson 1540. Anyone here with experience with both or any other feedback? I would appreciate it. Dealers are local and give good service. Both fit me well. Looking for some input.

Thanks;

[Gary Fowler]

I think they are both chinese made tractors now, so pick your poison. I seem to remember the MF dealer telling me that they no longer use the UK made Perkins diesel engine and use a chinese version that uses 1950's Perkins technology which is not covered under patent of license agreement with Perkins any more. I kind of turned off to them when he told me that. Still got a us made price but with possible chinese made quality. Some folks here swear by their chinese made tractors, but other swear at them, so make your own decision. Every manufacturer has a lemon some time.

[Owenslee]

Be advised that Branson was purchased by Montana Tractor as reported on the Montana web site earlier today.

[MFRED]

The MF comacts are made in Japan. Iseki diesels. The 1540 qualifies as a compact. Your MF dealer may have been talking about the 2600 series utility tractors, those use a Simpson diesel, made in India.
I thought the Bransons were made in Korea?

[woodchuckcanuck]

My MF dealer told me my 1643L came from Korean factory. So long as the tractor works as promised and the dealer provides good service, I'll be happy with that.

[polo1665]

Branson tractors are manufactered by Kukje, a Korean company and assembled and distributed under the Branson name in Rome, GA.. They are powered by diesel motors that are also manufactured by kukje. Kukje also manufactures these motors for Cummins Diesel.
Kukje and Montana have signed a letter of intent that would have Kukje manufacturing tractors and Montana marketing them in the states. I have no knowledge of where Massey Ferguson tractors are manufactured, what motor they carry, or where they are assembled. Unfortunately MF was was brand that I did not check out when shopping for my tractor.
I have had my Branson 3510H for nearly two years and have 165 hrs with no trouble. It seems to be a very well built and heavy tractor and I am very happy with it so far.

Mark

[Tongy]

I have a Massey 1540 and love it. Its a 2006 and had 100 hrs on it when I bought it, just broke in nice. I put 30 hrs on so far.
I am redoing some hay ground and it pulled a 2 bottom plow thru some pretty tight ground really nice. The first time over that rough ground with a 10' disk was a bouncy ride, but it handled it ok.

[johnvickl]

Originally Posted by robarosa

Hello tractor folks;
I have read up on these tractors here and now looking for a comparison. I'm looking at a Branson 4220 and Massey Ferguson 1540. Anyone here with experience with both or any other feedback? I would appreciate it. Dealers are local and give good service. Both fit me well. Looking for some input.

Thanks;

i owned a 4220 2 years ago and loved it, it was great but i went to a cab and sold it. for me it really was a good tractor for the money.

[robarosa]

Thanks for all the input.

[DavesTractor]

Originally Posted by Owenslee

Be advised that Branson was purchased by Montana Tractor as reported on the Montana web site earlier today.

Not right at all, but you are not the first one to get it wrong as it has been confusing. Until just recently, nobody knew for sure what sort of an agreement might be made between Branson and Montana. Now we do.

Branson has agreed to sell tractors built by their parent company, Kukje in S. Korea, to Montana. So you can buy a Branson from Branson, or by one labeled as a Montana from Montana.

I think someone posted that Branson is built in China, and of course that is wrong also.

It is a confusing tractor world out there. With tractors being built all over the world and sometimes labeled under several brands.