anyone have opinions on Branson Tractors?

[Bullstrode35]

Since you're asking for opinions, I just thought you might be interested to hear from somebody with a Branson that's done a few hours and can say how they hold up.

Mine's a 6530R. I bought it when it was about 5 years old and had done 900 hours on a dairy farm where it was left out in all weathers and worked pretty hard.

I'm pleased to report that the Branson held up well even though the previous owner admitted that his farm hands had given it a tough time. Yes, I'm pleased with it. The Cummins engine is all you'd expect, the body is strong, the features good and the advice and parts easily available.

Certainly worth considering. But at the end of the day, it's what you're comfortable with,

cheers,

B35

 

[TomSeller]

Screw that, get a REAL American tractor ... a Massey Ferguson. I mean, what name sounds more American than Massey Ferguson? Of course, Massey (and Massey-Harris) were Canadian companies, and Ferguson was from the UK ... and even when they merged as Massey-Harris-Ferguson (and then MF) they were still Canadian. They were later acquired by AGCO, one of the worlds largest global farm/machinery companies, based out of Duluth, GA. And even though the Massey Compacts are made in Japan by Iseki, and even though the current 26xx series tractors are produced in Brazil, and even though the 46xx series tractors are also built in Japan by Iseki... all that matters is that SOME of the MF tractors are built in the US by AGCO, and of course it has an American HQ ... so MF must be American?!?!

I got dizzy following that. I have Two old Masseys I would never part with.

 

[TSO]

I got dizzy following that. I have Two old Masseys I would never part with.

I know, right? It's funny what qualifies in people's minds these days as "American" ...

My 2004 Toyota Sequoia was built in Indiana and has around 80% domestic parts content... More than the vast majority of "American" cars, especially back in 2004. Yet I still hear "why don't you buy American vehicles?" from people.

Not that I wouldn't want to see my tractor built right here ... Hopefully someday that happens again.

 

[arlen4720]

Not that I wouldn't want to see my tractor built right here ... Hopefully someday that happens again.

You just have to buy bigger ones:thumbsup:

 

[acrozier]

I know, right? It's funny what qualifies in people's minds these days as "American" ...

My 2004 Toyota Sequoia was built in Indiana and has around 80% domestic parts content... More than the vast majority of "American" cars, especially back in 2004. Yet I still hear "why don't you buy American vehicles?" from people.

Not that I wouldn't want to see my tractor built right here ... Hopefully someday that happens again.

How true! My Dodge Ram was built in Mexico City. My Toyota Tundra....San Antonio, TX.

 

[acrozier]

Since you're asking for opinions, I just thought you might be interested to hear from somebody with a Branson that's done a few hours and can say how they hold up.

Mine's a 6530R. I bought it when it was about 5 years old and had done 900 hours on a dairy farm where it was left out in all weathers and worked pretty hard.

I'm pleased to report that the Branson held up well even though the previous owner admitted that his farm hands had given it a tough time. Yes, I'm pleased with it. The Cummins engine is all you'd expect, the body is strong, the features good and the advice and parts easily available.

Certainly worth considering. But at the end of the day, it's what you're comfortable with,

cheers,

B35

Thanks B35. I FINALLY got to put my 4020R to work this past week. I'll have to say I was very satisfied with how it performed.

 

[backintheday]

I feel like I have to speak up in here. Some of you may have read my post in the Branson section, I had many issues with my back hoe, the dealer did the best they could to handle it but Bransons horrible customer service dropped the ball more than a few times. When the dealer was at his wits end with Branson I called the service rep, he had some not so nice words for me. Once the problem was solved 6 months later the VP of Branson called to appologize and reassure me that my new BH will solve my problems, he was not very happy when I called him back to say his BH showed up broken ( after 30 mins of running it would not swing to the left). The dealer came out (2.5 hour drive, he had to come out about 5 times during this ordeal) he found an issue with the hydraulic circuit, haven't had a problem since. I'm in the market for a more power full cabbed tractor. I really like my Branson but I don't think I'll be giving them anymore of my money. The dealer also sells Massey ferguson. He is such a good dealer I don't care what he sells I'll buy from him again.

This was a couple years ago, I hope they have fixed their customer service issues. Actually... the email link on their webpage was added when I told the VP there is no way to contact Branson if we have a problem, he said I was right and he would fix it. I have read a few other posts that say they've emailed them and never got a response.

I'm sure some of you don't believe me, trust me I wish it wasn't true. I also wish I could meet the little F#%* that called me some not so nice words. How are the new 1700 series Masseys working out?

 

[TomSeller]

I feel like I have to speak up in here. Some of you may have read my post in the Branson section, I had many issues with my back hoe, the dealer did the best they could to handle it but Bransons horrible customer service dropped the ball more than a few times. When the dealer was at his wits end with Branson I called the service rep, he had some not so nice words for me. Once the problem was solved 6 months later the VP of Branson called to appologize and reassure me that my new BH will solve my problems, he was not very happy when I called him back to say his BH showed up broken ( after 30 mins of running it would not swing to the left). The dealer came out (2.5 hour drive, he had to come out about 5 times during this ordeal) he found an issue with the hydraulic circuit, haven't had a problem since. I'm in the market for a more power full cabbed tractor. I really like my Branson but I don't think I'll be giving them anymore of my money. The dealer also sells Massey ferguson. He is such a good dealer I don't care what he sells I'll buy from him again.

This was a couple years ago, I hope they have fixed their customer service issues. Actually... the email link on their webpage was added when I told the VP there is no way to contact Branson if we have a problem, he said I was right and he would fix it. I have read a few other posts that say they've emailed them and never got a response.

I'm sure some of you don't believe me, trust me I wish it wasn't true. I also wish I could meet the little F#%* that called me some not so nice words. How are the new 1700 series Masseys working out?

WOW. Just WOW !

 

[TSO]

I feel like I have to speak up in here. Some of you may have read my post in the Branson section, I had many issues with my back hoe, the dealer did the best they could to handle it but Bransons horrible customer service dropped the ball more than a few times. When the dealer was at his wits end with Branson I called the service rep, he had some not so nice words for me. Once the problem was solved 6 months later the VP of Branson called to appologize and reassure me that my new BH will solve my problems, he was not very happy when I called him back to say his BH showed up broken ( after 30 mins of running it would not swing to the left). The dealer came out (2.5 hour drive, he had to come out about 5 times during this ordeal) he found an issue with the hydraulic circuit, haven't had a problem since. I'm in the market for a more power full cabbed tractor. I really like my Branson but I don't think I'll be giving them anymore of my money. The dealer also sells Massey ferguson. He is such a good dealer I don't care what he sells I'll buy from him again.

This was a couple years ago, I hope they have fixed their customer service issues. Actually... the email link on their webpage was added when I told the VP there is no way to contact Branson if we have a problem, he said I was right and he would fix it. I have read a few other posts that say they've emailed them and never got a response.

I'm sure some of you don't believe me, trust me I wish it wasn't true. I also wish I could meet the little F#%* that called me some not so nice words. How are the new 1700 series Masseys working out?

Sorry to hear about your issues.

Regarding the Massey CUT tractors, I'm a big fan. I'm up to around 405 flawless hours on mine. I know she's still young, but she's been great, not a single issue.

Not sure which model Branson you have, but depending on the transmission choice you fancy, I have a couple recommendations.

If you are happy with gear/shuttle... Try to find a low hour MF 1660. They are PowerShuttle with dynaQPS trans. Basically, with that trans, your speed changes within range (L,M,H - 12x12) are push button +/- on the joystick and it has a PowerShuttle for F-to-R.

If you want HST, MF has the 1758 (59 HP) but unfortunately it's tier 4. They switched from Iseki diesels to Mitsubishi diesels for the emissions change. Not to say anything bad about the Mitsu diesels, it's just that the Iseki motors were very highly regarded. However, in tier 4, the 17xx offered a revised cab (moved a couple things around), a couple new HST features (sensitivity control, push button cruise), and an exterior PTO button... Updates from the 16xx series. Also, the new seat on the 17xx cab tractors is ridiculously nice!

 

[acrozier]

I feel like I have to speak up in here. Some of you may have read my post in the Branson section, I had many issues with my back hoe, the dealer did the best they could to handle it but Bransons horrible customer service dropped the ball more than a few times. When the dealer was at his wits end with Branson I called the service rep, he had some not so nice words for me. Once the problem was solved 6 months later the VP of Branson called to appologize and reassure me that my new BH will solve my problems, he was not very happy when I called him back to say his BH showed up broken ( after 30 mins of running it would not swing to the left). The dealer came out (2.5 hour drive, he had to come out about 5 times during this ordeal) he found an issue with the hydraulic circuit, haven't had a problem since. I'm in the market for a more power full cabbed tractor. I really like my Branson but I don't think I'll be giving them anymore of my money. The dealer also sells Massey ferguson. He is such a good dealer I don't care what he sells I'll buy from him again.

This was a couple years ago, I hope they have fixed their customer service issues. Actually... the email link on their webpage was added when I told the VP there is no way to contact Branson if we have a problem, he said I was right and he would fix it. I have read a few other posts that say they've emailed them and never got a response.

I'm sure some of you don't believe me, trust me I wish it wasn't true. I also wish I could meet the little F#%* that called me some not so nice words. How are the new 1700 series Masseys working out?

That is bad. What year is your tractor? How long ago where your problems? I am curious why your local dealer had a problem fixing the issue. Could he not get the parts from Branson? Was it an issue diagnosing the problem? Just curious.