Bye, Bye Branson???

[whizdbiz2]

Lastly, it is interesting how many of the more superficial items like knobs, switches and even steering wheels seem to be the exact same across multiple lines like LS/TYM/Kukje.

Interesting indeed, but I think that makes sense and cuts down on cost... why design and manufacture something like a loader control or steering wheel, or even an engine for that matter, when you can buy what you need and incorporate it into your tractor design. Maybe even an entire tractor built with your colors or sheet metal (plastic?) to fill out the holes in your line. Even in Asia it has to be horribly expensive to start a factory, design and test a part and source materials and hire labor, etc. vs. unloading a truck from a supplier.

 

[AxleHub]

Whether its TYM or Branson product . . the focus needs to be on improving and expanding the dealer sales/service network. The Branson side is in need of both impriving and expanding . . while the TYMM side needs expanding. Imo all the quality in the world doesn't help if prospects don't see your product or can't trust you'll have other locations I the area if a dealer fails or quits.

I continue to wonder how focused TYM can be when the Branson distractions are now part of the effort.

Does anyone know how many TYM dealers are in the US ? And how many Branson dealers in the US ? We've all read TBN posts where they describe a location that sells lawn miwers and then gas a single Branson tractor on the lot and its been there for awhile How many Branson "dealers" are lawn and garden shops with a single Branson product on their location ?

 

[Infinite Wisdom]

I suspect many Branson sales locations are primarily string trimmer / lawn mower repair shops.

I'm beginning to think there are too many CUT brands in the marketplace. Don't get me wrong, Branson builds a good tractor, they just don't seem to be able to get most of the buying public to actually buy one. A big part of that has to be the appearance of a weak dealer network. The TYM / Branson deal clouds Branson's viability further.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I could be wrong but Branson's 20 series and even smaller 15 series has an 8 lug rear axle flange, not 6, which tells me that there is some beef going on, which i like and is perhaps also tied in with the fact that branson in general is a heavy weight when compared to others.

I personally saw TWO Branson's with broken bell housings from doing loader work, and not long ago there was a third one on this site... I've not seen even one TYM broken in half, and my local TYM dealer hasn't seen one either...

Personally, I think the TYM is the better built tractor...

SR

 

[Btown]

I personally saw TWO Branson's with broken bell housings from doing loader work, and not long ago there was a third one on this site... I've not seen even one TYM broken in half, and my local TYM dealer hasn't seen one either... Personally, I think the TYM is the better built tractor... SR

Even with all the ones TYM make for mahindra they seem to only have minor problems. Not sure if they are dealer prep issues or manufacture issues. The only real problem ones were the smaller 25-30 hp ones which had frame and drive shaft problems. I think they made the frame a little weak for the tractor and would crack. Then the drive shaft was just a poor design and would strip the splines . The frame and drive shaft have been fixed so there should be less problems.

 

[DavesTractor]

Whether its TYM or Branson product . . the focus needs to be on improving and expanding the dealer sales/service network. The Branson side is in need of both impriving and expanding . . while the TYMM side needs expanding. Imo all the quality in the world doesn't help if prospects don't see your product or can't trust you'll have other locations I the area if a dealer fails or quits.

I continue to wonder how focused TYM can be when the Branson distractions are now part of the effort.

Does anyone know how many TYM dealers are in the US ? And how many Branson dealers in the US ? We've all read TBN posts where they describe a location that sells lawn miwers and then gas a single Branson tractor on the lot and its been there for awhile How many Branson "dealers" are lawn and garden shops with a single Branson product on their location ?

I think you are right, we need quality dealers that stock inventory. We keep about 40-50 Bransons on the lot, but we will sell 20-25 Bransons in a busy month (plus Mahindras) so we run out of models if we do not keep 2 months worth of units in stock. I just can't see how a guy can be a tractor business with just a handful of tractors.

TYM builds a good tractor, but has always done poorly at retailing them in the USA. The new guys at TYM for the USA are pretty top notch though, and they are quick to admit shortcomings in the past and are determined to not repeat. I like that, because if you cannot admit your past failures, you will repeat them. A little humility and determination are traits that I admire. I'm not a TYM dealer, but I suspect things are really looking up for them with the acquisition of Kukje, specifically because of the A-series Cummins engines.

 

[DavesTractor]

Even with all the ones TYM make for mahindra they seem to only have minor problems. Not sure if they are dealer prep issues or manufacture issues. The only real problem ones were the smaller 25-30 hp ones which had frame and drive shaft problems. I think they made the frame a little weak for the tractor and would crack. Then the drive shaft was just a poor design and would strip the splines . The frame and drive shaft have been fixed so there should be less problems.

I think you are referring to the ladder frame models. They are built like a subcut, similar to the BX Kubota, the GC Massey, etc., with frame rails that the engine mounts to with rubber mounts, then a transaxle that mounts to the rails in back and a driveshaft that connects them. That is all fine technology except IMHO they then added a loader with crazy lift capacity and it also had a lot of reach/height capabilities and that put a lot of strain on a design that does well with less strain. There is a reason that Kubota does not make the BX loader lift 1500 lbs. They could do that with a little hydraulic work, but then things would bust. The marketing guys that want to print big specs on the brochures need to not win over the engineering guys that want things to last. It's a balance.

 

[DavesTractor]

I personally saw TWO Branson's with broken bell housings from doing loader work, and not long ago there was a third one on this site... I've not seen even one TYM broken in half, and my local TYM dealer hasn't seen one either...

Personally, I think the TYM is the better built tractor...

SR

And we have seen numerous NH and JD with broken bell housings as well. Had a JD 110TLB come in all welded up at the bell housing. It's been several years since I have seen a broken Branson bell housing and it was on an earlier model. Often the issue, with any brand, is that the loader bolts get loose. Then things start working and it puts stresses where they should not be. When the rails that connect the bell housing area to the rear axle are nice and tight the load is spread out as designed. If you get a couple bolts loose, a third bolt broken and a 4th bolt missing, those rails are now doing more harm then good. I don't think I have seen a broken bell housing on a tractor where all the bolts were nice and tight, unless of course the operator was doing something really stupid.

 

[pete-mi]

The drive shaft problems were on the 273 and early 233's. When the T293 came out is when it was changed for that model and the T233. My T330 has the cast bell housing so I never had the smaller design to give any problems.

 

[Btown]

I think you are referring to the ladder frame models. They are built like a subcut, similar to the BX Kubota, the GC Massey, etc., with frame rails that the engine mounts to with rubber mounts, then a transaxle that mounts to the rails in back and a driveshaft that connects them. That is all fine technology except IMHO they then added a loader with crazy lift capacity and it also had a lot of reach/height capabilities and that put a lot of strain on a design that does well with less strain. There is a reason that Kubota does not make the BX loader lift 1500 lbs. They could do that with a little hydraulic work, but then things would bust. The marketing guys that want to print big specs on the brochures need to not win over the engineering guys that want things to last. It's a balance.

That's what I figured the loader was way to strong for the frame design.