JD 4052R HST vs Branson 4820/5520CH (I chose a MF 2850M)

[InstallExpress]

We’ve looked into larger tractors and cost/lack of HST rules them out for us as a single machine solution. We can’t really afford 2-3 machines either and still get the features/functionality we want. Comfort is especially important to my wife who hurt her back in the Army. That’s how a zero turn got ruled out even after trying a few commercial/luxury versions. The poor ride quality of SCUTs and in ability to run things like a full size lane shark also ruled those out as a mower/landscaper.

The best we can do/been able to find is a 4500lb bare weight CUT like the Branson or MF. The sacks would only need moved 50-100ft from the fill point and either into the barn, or onto the trailer. We have conceded the point that we may have to leave the bags lighter.

The extra power leaves us open to options like larger mowers or using other implements in the future as we may move one day and need the capabilities.

As to the weight and size on the lawn we had been mowing with a 1975 JD 1120 (5500lbs, I suspect filled tires on top of that weight)with rear AG tires and skinny fronts and rarely marked the lawn. That tractor was also notably longer.

Go check out a Gravely proturn 460 for a comfortable seat and ride on a zero turn. It has an air ride seat and is the smoothest zero turn I have ever drove.
I am looking at the 2800 series too and one big thing that jumped out at me is their 12 gpm implement pump plus a 7 gpm steering pump for a 19 gpm total flow. Nobody else comes close to that that I have seen anyway. The 3 point can lift more to than the Branson and has the ability for cat 2 implements. Lots of nice features on that massey.

 

[Williy]

Thanks for the feedback!

So in another thread I already mentioned this but the idea of the JD is dead.

They lost me whe both 4052Rs on the lot had the door seals falling off. To me that didn’t bode well for the long term longevity of the very expensive cab, so I passed.

That brings me back to the Branson. It became my primary choice but was out of stock.

So as a result of that, now I’m actually looking at the Massey 2850M . It has a few features the Branson lacks and does a few things in a way that makes more sense(tap the cruise to engage instead of press and hold etc) Small things like that add up when you have an 8 hr day in the tractor atleast every two weeks.


The Branson remains my number 2 choice over all of the other brands for many of the reasons you all mentioned.

Have you seen this tractor ?

willy

 

[espacef1fan]

Have you seen this tractor ?

willy

Yes.

No Yanmar dealers nearby.

 

[Jchonline]

Yes.

No Yanmar dealers nearby.

What dealers are close enough that you would consider them, and which are not? It might be good for us to understand what you have access to.

1. Deere - yes
2. Massey - Yes
3. Branson - Yes
4. Yanmar - No
5. LS
6. TYM
7. New Holland
8. Kubota
9. Kioti
10. Mahindra
11. RK

Also if you can change the name of the Thread Title (I don't recall if you can or not) you should make it more generic as you are no longer considering Deere.

 

[espacef1fan]

What dealers are close enough that you would consider them, and which are not? It might be good for us to understand what you have access to.

1. Deere - yes
2. Massey - Yes
3. Branson - Yes
4. Yanmar - No
5. LS
6. TYM
7. New Holland
8. Kubota
9. Kioti
10. Mahindra
11. RK

Also if you can change the name of the Thread Title (I don't recall if you can or not) you should make it more generic as you are no longer considering Deere.

The dealers I had local to me were:

Massey Ferguson, John Deere, Kubota, New Holland, Rural King, Bobcat. All about 5-8 miles away.

Next closest was Branson at 12 miles.

Then about 30 miles away I had Kioti and Mahindra.


Other brands were 60-plus miles or more.

I ended up choosing a MF 2850m hst cab deluxe.

It arrives next week.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

Looking forward to seeing it in action when you get it home.

 

[espacef1fan]

Looking forward to seeing it in action when you get it home.

It’ll have 2.5 weeks with rain seemingly everyday of lawn/orchard grass growth to catch-up on with on 10 acres.

It’ll get action with the finish mower I repainted/rebuilt to match it.

I refuse to mow 10acres with my 46” lawn tractor again.

 

[Number15]

The dealers I had local to me were:

Massey Ferguson, John Deere, Kubota, New Holland, Rural King, Bobcat. All about 5-8 miles away.

Next closest was Branson at 12 miles.

Then about 30 miles away I had Kioti and Mahindra.


Other brands were 60-plus miles or more.

I ended up choosing a MF 2850m hst cab deluxe.

It arrives next week.

Congrats. Pics when you get it