Any thing on Branson Tractors?

[DavesTractor]

That's correct. My Branson tractor has "Kukje" all over it. The key has a big "K" on it, the grille has a big "Kukje" logo on it.

Kukje though is the Korean manufacturer of Dodge Cummins Diesel engines. So if you like Cummins, you like Kukje.

They do not make the B series Cummins like in our trucks, but they do make the small A series Cummins for industrial applications. It is a feather in their cap that they could pass the test with Cummins to build engines for them.

 

[DavesTractor]

It gets complicated. To make matters worse, "made" in USA is different legally than "assembled" in USA. Mahindra has some marketing where they proclaim "assembled in the USA". Technically correct, but I don't really care for it. I think it sort of implies "made in the USA" which is actually a pretty high standard to meet.

I'm quoting myself which is weird I know, but I re-read this and I think it is negative against Mahindra. I do not mean it that way, I am more critical of the rules in place where a manufacturer of about anything can say it is "assembled" in the USA even if all the pieces are from China/India or whatever. JD and Kubota both have some "assembled" in the USA units that are made elsewhere and they use this to their advantage also, so MUSA is not breaking new ground or doing anything wrong. Just for me personally, I like to be really clear and have no hint of slick marketing. But that is not the world we live in.

 

[Reg]

There is a thread somewhere with a very pedantic quote saying that Kukje build (make, manufacture, pick a synonym) the Cummins "DESIGNED" A series engines.
They insist that it is NOT a Cummins engine, but is an engine DESIGNED BY Cummins.
It is NOT "built under contract" as a Cummins engine.
According to how you read it that could mean a lot or very little.

Yeah, I know; Picky, picky

 

[Garandman]

To be "Made in USA" according to the FTC, "All or virtually all significant parts or processing" must be of US origin.

To be "Assembled in USA" the product's "principal assembly" must be here, the assembly must be "substantial," and the product's "Last substantial transformation" must be here. "Screwdriver assembly" does not qualify, but there is no limitation on imported parts.

https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guidance/complying-made-usa-standard

There are ways around this. Harley Davidson says their brakes are made by Findley Brakes in Findley, OH. They don't mention that Findley is 100% owned by Nissin Koygo and many of the parts are imported. The Showa forks and shocks they use are made by "American Showa." Showa started providing forks and shocks to HD in the 70's. The main difference between them and the shocks on other bikes (my Triumph came with a Showa rear shock, for example) is that HD uses the absolute cheapest, smallest suspension components they can, which would not be tolerated outside the cruiser market. But "USA."

 

[Reg]

I never quite understand why H-D can't be PROUD that they have switched over to superior modern components from quality manufacturers overseas.
Not that I follow them, but somewhen in the 80s they switched to Mikuni carbs and the things would actually START and RUN below 40 degrees F.

Of course they're still stuck with the V-twin layout - but I think that is about appealing to people who just want to make retro noise and get their guts shaken.

 

[pblanton]

BTW, Big Red's in Granbury Tx. has a good deal on a 2015 Branson 3520H with a backhoe. That's what I got back in early spring, and mine was about $1000 more than Big Red's is asking now, which is $24,995

2015 Branson 3520H Tractors Under 40 HP - Granbury, TX | Machinery Pete

 

[pblanton]

Branson builds a great tractor and have very good prices at the moment. No argument on that. But your geographic descriptions of where tractors are made are incomplete enough that it might unintentionally mislead folks. Like your comment on Mahindra; yes a ton of the Mahindra models are built in India, but the eMax is made in Korea, the Max is made in Japan, the 1500 series (and previous 15/16 series) are made in Japan, etc. And I agree that Yanmar built tens of thousands of JD compacts, but some are made in the USA. What you mentioned is not untrue, but I think this may help clarify. Enjoy the Branson!

I agree. Mahindra is an Indian company, but nobody makes everything in one place anymore. We live in a global economy and it is getting harder and harder to "buy American", or Indian, or Korean, or Japanese.

For instance I have a Triumph Bonneville America that was assembled in the UK, has a UK originally designed engine that had its design updated by Kawasaki in Japan when Triumph was acquired by Hinckley.

So yeah... nothing is simple anymore.

 

[pblanton]

They do not make the B series Cummins like in our trucks, but they do make the small A series Cummins for industrial applications. It is a feather in their cap that they could pass the test with Cummins to build engines for them.

Thanks for the clarification Dave. I do tend to shoot from the hip.

 

[burzynsr]

Wow, just pointing out that this conversation was started in March of 2012, I guess some things never get old!!!

 

[pblanton]

Wow, just pointing out that this conversation was started in March of 2012, I guess some things never get old!!!

LOL! Well, we do get notified whenever someone replies... and it just keeps going.