Branson BRANSON6530C 3.80 star(s) (5)

Branson 6530C
Model Year: 2004

Have had several service work on the A/C system with no success. This is the main problem that I have had.

Pros: Engine has been good.
Cons: A/C system is sorry.

Tons of Features
Model Year: 2006

I bought my Branson 6530C used with 214 hours and have only put 16 hours on it. BUT in the short time I've used it, I have to say that the adjustable 3pt hitch and 3 speed PTO alone are features that I would have paid dearly for on any other model and supremely useful. The frame is thicker than comparable models and it's heavier. It has the Cummins 3.3 which is used in light equipment all over the world and parts are readily available. So far the only complaints are minor, such as the cab lights are not molded into the roof and get hung on brush and the clutch cable is tight (this is likely due to previous owner leaving the tractor in the weather for 6 years). Any Kubota or JD in the same category would have cost $10,000 more with fewer features. Made by Kukje in Korea. Same company that makes the smaller Cummins diesels and 4-5 different model tractors for John Deere. Parts are available but not cheap, but at least you don't have to worry about the company going under and being stuck with no parts. Kukje has been making tractors since 1968 and one of the first ISO9000 companys in Korea. Great tractor for the money. Great power. Great features! No regrets.

Pros: Powerhouse Cummins and loaded with features.
Cons: Red plastic paint turned pink in sun! A PINK tractor? Heck no! I'm painting this thang!

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My Story
Model Year: 2007

My tractor is a 6530C 4wd., with a 30 loader and cab. It is a 2007 model and was built by Kukje in S. Korea as others have stated. The engine is a Cummins B3.3 (liter...200 cu in 4 cyl naturally aspired). It's made in Japan by Komatsu (the heavy equipment you see next to Cat at construction sites) under license from Cummins. The plate on the engine says so! The 6530 is no longer mfg'd. by Kukje and the replacement (6630) is of a different design. No Cummins engine. The info about Kukje making tractors for Branson is true. The 1968 startup is true. Branson changes their designs and equipment therein so just like other equipment, before you talk about what the tractors have or don't have you have to pay attention to the model and serial numbers. History of why I went with the badge: Back in the spring of '07 I wanted a new tractor for my little spread as I had retired and the big stuff was way too much for me. Being senior, I wanted the comfort of a cab for both seasons and surely wanted a loader. 4wd was a must as compared to a 2wd. Can do a whole lot more work with less HP rating (efficiency). Comparison made to a 100 hp JD 4230c 2wd I had at the time. Additionally, when working pool banks and when the loader is full of gravel, the 4wd front end was a must. I visited my local popular colors: Blue, Green, Orange, and Red/Black and found nothing that suited me. I gave up looking. In September '07 I was driving down the interstate and saw a row of good looking red tractors. The rest is history. The tractor has been everything I wanted and expected. It is built like a tank and performs as such. I would buy it again. The distribution is via dealerships with at least 2 parts warehouses in the US (Georgia and TX and may be one in CA.). The main office is over in Georgia and I guess that is the "POE". They do not do customer business from there---dealers are for that. Since I have Titan tires on mine I assume they ship the tractors over here with no tires. Makes for an incomplete tractor for import duty purposes. If you google map their GA. site you will see piles of tire/wheel assy's stacked there. 2 summers ago I was mowing a neighbor's field and was not familiar with it. I got into some rocks with my drum mower and threw one at the RT hand door of my cab and shattered it. I called my local dealer and he said they had 6 in the warehouse in Plainview, TX. I had it via UPS in just a few days. Nothing wrong with their customer support. Those are the facts from a satisfied owner. Mark

Pros: Would buy it again.
Cons: None.

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Failure of the Front Drive
Model Year: 2008

This has been a great disappointment especially the factory support for the failure of the front drive due to improperly installed bolts from the factory. I am also dealing with persistent wiring problems.

Pros: Price.
Cons: Reliability.

Branson 6640C
Model Year: 2013

Leaks oil, eats anti freeze and fuel. Dealer is incompetent. Branson tractor refuses help. Referred me to their attorney. Looks nice, but piece of junk. Never know if and when it will run. Stalls daily.

Pros: Looks.
Cons: Doesn't run!