Branson - Who makes it ?

[dullpain]

Did a little searching but could not find what I needed. Anybody that can give me a brief account of Branson tractors it would be appreciated.

Who makes them , what country , what engine and what country , how long in business , etc.

many thanks

 

[polo1665]

Company that makes them is called "Kukje". They are a south Korean company owned by "Dongkuk Steel Group", the second largest steel producer in South Korea. They manufacture their own diesel engines and also supply engines to Cummins. From What I can tell they have been in the Farm equipment business since 1968.
Here are a couple of links to information.

Cummins Announces Partnership With Kukje Machinery Co.; South Korean Firm Is Nation's Largest Manufacturer of Agricultural Machinery

Dongkuk Steel - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


Hope this helps

Mark

 

[Reg]

They (Branson) firmly deny that they use "Cummins" engines.
They were downright rude to me about it, but did eventually agree that the engine was of Cummins basic design - but, they insisted, MADE BY KUKJE !

Anyway, according to models they also use Yanmar and Mitsubishi engines - or should I say designs based on those but produced by Kukje ?

You will find this to be quite common, Kukje make or has made several tractor models that have green paint and JD decals on them, many of the New Holland tractors are in fact made by Iseki, etc.

I started to track down the transmission and rear end makers as well, but all the notes from that were on a computer that is no longer used and for which I don't have a usable backup (for those folders).
It looked very much like the auto industry, assembly plants that buy in all their major components, with a lot of component commonality.
Don't expect MAJOR differences in the principle components as you compare brands.

 

[Lunk]

The engines are Kukje, but they do manufacture small diesels for Cummins...IIRC

 

[kevanos]

I haven't seen Cummins advertised for the Kukje/Branson tractors. They DO use Caterpillar/Perkins engines (have been advertised as both, remember Cat owns Perkins), and also John Deere engines in their tractors. Kukje does mfg some John Deere tractors in S.Korea.

 

[Reg]

I haven't seen Cummins advertised for the Kukje/Branson tractors. They DO use Caterpillar/Perkins engines (have been advertised as both, remember Cat owns Perkins), and also John Deere engines in their tractors. Kukje does mfg some John Deere tractors in S.Korea.

I think you will find it to be the other way around.
Kukje manufactures diesel engines of Cummins design (base design at least) under license from Cummins.
BTW I have one, as well as the shop manuals covering the Cummins, Mitsubishi and Yanmar engines they use.
Cat/Perkins is a relatively recent addition.

 

[MicroPilot]

They (Branson) firmly deny that they use "Cummins" engines.
They were downright rude to me about it, but did eventually agree that the engine was of Cummins basic design - but, they insisted, MADE BY KUKJE !....

Kukje manufactures diesel engines of Cummins design (base design at least) under license from Cummins.

This is true. They Mfg. Cummins engines under license for Cummins. The "A" series I believe. Kukje is probably under some contractual limitation preventing them from using the Cummins name in their products. They also probably have limited rights to use some of the Cummins designs or technology in their own products.

 

[DavesTractor]

This is true. They Mfg. Cummins engines under license for Cummins. The "A" series I believe. Kukje is probably under some contractual limitation preventing them from using the Cummins name in their products. They also probably have limited rights to use some of the Cummins designs or technology in their own products.

Yep, they build the engines for Cummins and install the same engine in the tractor, but if they want to use the Cummins logo and have the right to advertise same, it cost $600 per tractor. The Cummins name is valuable, but I'd rather not spend that much extra when you only get a decal.

Branson makes a real good solid tractor.

 

[Kaizer Peas]

I wouldn't want a Cummins engine in my truck if it had to be a Dodge but I sure do like it in my Branson.

 

[ransam]

do you know where I can obtain bottom end bearings etc for a Branson 4720i it has a cummins in it but Cummins or branson will not identify the engine or cross refernce it.

 

[Reg]

do you know where I can obtain bottom end bearings etc for a Branson 4720i it has a cummins in it but Cummins or branson will not identify the engine or cross refernce it.

Try here;
Valenti's Vintage Vehicles dba Valenti's Tractor

 

[DavesTractor]

do you know where I can obtain bottom end bearings etc for a Branson 4720i it has a cummins in it but Cummins or branson will not identify the engine or cross refernce it.

Any Branson dealer can get these. Or are you saying they are backordered or something? Keep in mind that for some reason some genius at Branson decided to sell them by halves. So if you order 4 rod bearings, you get enough for 2 rods. Go figure.

 

[Texasmark1]

Lets clarify something and set conjecture and SWAGS aside.

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 when 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

 

[travlitt]

Lets clarify something and set conjecture and SWAGS aside.

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 when 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

You are correct in the statement that the 6530 is no longer manufactured. I believe it was replaced with the 6640 and not a 6630. I have a 6640C and its true, its built like a tank. It does all I could ask of a tractor in that size, weigh and H/P.

 

[Reg]

In a nutshell;
Branson, Century, Kukje are overbuilt and under appreciated.

Kukje, Komatsu AND OTHERS build Cummins designed engines in various countries under license .

 

[Mattc8832]

I wish we had a Branson Dealer around here in Central WV - I believe they would sell good for a price and quility stand point. I use to see alot of them around the Greene / Washington County PA area when traveling through there.

 

[dex3361]

I wish we had a Branson Dealer around here in Central WV - I believe they would sell good for a price and quility stand point. I use to see alot of them around the Greene / Washington County PA area when traveling through there.

Near Beckley, WV is a Branson dealer. Farley tractor located in Shady Spring, WV

 

[Texasmark1]

I wish we had a Branson Dealer around here in Central WV - I believe they would sell good for a price and quility stand point. I use to see alot of them around the Greene / Washington County PA area when traveling through there.

A little brand recognition may do just do that. Just as I did, once you see what they have to offer it solicits your attention. Soooooo I am trying to do that with pictures and quality/performance/attributes verbiage in my postings here and in the Yesterday's Tractors Forum. My nearest dealer is about 50 miles away, but that is not a problem as I order parts through them, the few parts I needed, and they drop ship them to the house via UPS and invoice my credit card. The Plainview warehouse is where my parts originate. Course you need a dealer to see, feel, and haggle over one. Grin.

Otherwise it would be an accident as was with me, driving down the Istate one day and saw this row of good looking red tractors. Did a Uturn and the rest is history.

Mark