Branson Alterative. and I'm I going over Board?

[prometheus303]

I have been looking for Branson 3515H or 4815H. The dealer here Ocala does both Branson & Kioti. The don't have 3515 or 4815 Right now, but they have 2022 Kioti dk4510m unit. Kioti website. I would have to deal with Regen and more electronic control engine. It is also shuttle shift. The plus for the Kioti the have 6 year warranty unlimited hours on power train. I also wonder if I'm Going overboard all together. So much of the maintenance I have done on my property I managed with a Residential 42" Zero turn Mower and good old physical labor. I'm 53 now and finding it harder to do the physical stuff.

the only implements I plan to get is a grapple, pallet forks, Box blade, maybe a finish mover when my Zero turn dies. (the grapple highest on the priority).

My situation.
1. I have only 3 acres but have 1000' unmaintained road going to my house. (So would better for me to get sub compact instead with 25hp)

2. We may be buying the property next to me it would be 3.75 more acres. (For the right price)

3. We maybe buying in the coming summer 5 to 20 acres further North, but If we can't find what we want then we will pass on it. (partial why I'm considering a larger than sub compact)

4. The Little Boy in me leans towards more like a Compact like a T494,T474, Branson 4815 or 3515. Tractor with more weight.

Also thinking about considering Synchro shuttle manual transmission instead of HST. While I never owned a tractor I have used forklift of all types. for example 6K 36' Shooting Boom Forklift. Transmission very similar . I'm thinking I would be fine with it even with loader work. (I never used HST).

I might be going overboard with me research and trying to get as much feedback as possible, but I want to make the right decision. This going to be expensive regardless in a sub-compact or compact. I don't buy the wrong tractor.

 

[Boss 302]

You would be absolutely correct in buying the larger Kioti, I have never known anyone to say they wish their tractor was smaller. Kioti makes an awesome tractor that will give you many years of service.

 

[pokey1416]

If you’re looking for a tractor that you want to feel comfortable in, consider a cab IMO.

Nice price and availability - no 4WD. Maybe manual transmission and no 4WD is why it’s available?

I have a big tractor and live in a subdivision. Do your research and when you get it nailed down - look at the tractors 1 size up.

 

[Have tractor did travel]

Prometheus - "good old physical labor". A lot of the clean up work I've done here, is the same way working along side the tractor's front end loader (FEL) "Boots on the ground" I call it. I'm onto and off of the tractor repeatedly during the day. That's part of the reason for not considering a cab tractor - too much temp change (if A/C on), and maybe a little more difficult to get onto or off.. Which leads to
Sub compact harder to position yourself behind the wheel. Even with the compact, I'm wishing for just 2 more inches of seat and floor space.
I've moved a lot of earth, asphalt millings, and pulled many a fence post. I absolutely applaud HST. My L2550 is shuttle shift and I can only imagine using that with a FEL
And finally, regarding the two brands of tractors you are considering. I'm a full advocate for the "big two". Unless you expect to do your own service and repairs, I think you want the dependability of known performers behind your labors. That means a manufacturer that has consistent parts, service (to their dealers), and staying power in the market place. And you want the type of dealer those two can demand because of their market strength. No under capitalized dealers, no credit holds, no vacillating over tractor brands to carry, no salesmen or service men, here today, and gone tomorrow, because they can't make a living
Good luck with your decision making. Half the fun of the purchase is the research.
Eric

 

[ericm979]

There are so many times that I inch the tractor. For example while curling the grapple forwards before closing the jaws. For pallet forks it's important to go really slow so you don't damage anything. The controls are limited compared to a fork lift and so is the visibility. I'm very glad I got an HST. I would not want to be slipping a clutch to do that.

I recommend getting test drives with an HST and shuttle tractor and pretending to do work. Drive up to a "log" and grab it, etc. Your imagination won't be accurate but it's better than nothing. (it'd be cool for dealers to have a demo area with stuff to do but I have not heard of one doing that).

I think the lower end tractors with "shuttles" basically have a forwards/reverse transmission but not the automatic clutch that bigger shuttle tractors and many industrial machines have. Be sure to test drive.

 

[Cougsfan]

The Kioti will work just fine. They make a good tractor, as good as any other brand. I think either kind of transmission will work fine too. There are differences in how they work, but as you grow accustomed to either, there isn't anything you can't do with one that you can do with the other.
I think a 40 to 50 hp tractor using a land plane or box blade is a much better choice than a 25 hp tractor for maintaining a fairly long road.
More weight is always better when it comes to tractors!
If I lived in Florida, a cab with AC would be a must. I can spend so many more hours in a comfortable environment. But that is just me.

 

[IH3444]

12 x 12 SS.

2021 KIOTI NS Series NS4710 | Connor Tractor

Connor Tractor is an Agricultural Equipment dealer in Ocala, FL. We provide sales, parts, service and financing near Zuber, Anthony, Silver Springs, and Martin.

www.connortractor.com

https://www.kioti.com/products/tractors/ns-series/ns4710/

 

[TractorTYMe]

A Kioti DK series is a solid choice of a tractor, no quarrels.

 

[prometheus303]

Prometheus - "good old physical labor". A lot of the clean up work I've done here, is the same way working along side the tractor's front end loader (FEL) "Boots on the ground" I call it. I'm onto and off of the tractor repeatedly during the day. That's part of the reason for not considering a cab tractor - too much temp change (if A/C on), and maybe a little more difficult to get onto or off.. Which leads to
Sub compact harder to position yourself behind the wheel. Even with the compact, I'm wishing for just 2 more inches of seat and floor space.
I've moved a lot of earth, asphalt millings, and pulled many a fence post. I absolutely applaud HST. My L2550 is shuttle shift and I can only imagine using that with a FEL
And finally, regarding the two brands of tractors you are considering. I'm a full advocate for the "big two". Unless you expect to do your own service and repairs, I think you want the dependability of known performers behind your labors. That means a manufacturer that has consistent parts, service (to their dealers), and staying power in the market place. And you want the type of dealer those two can demand because of their market strength. No under capitalized dealers, no credit holds, no vacillating over tractor brands to carry, no salesmen or service men, here today, and gone tomorrow, because they can't make a living
Good luck with your decision making. Half the fun of the purchase is the research.
Eric

It way been in the plan to do my own maintenance. I do all my own repairs on my zero turn, cars, ect. I try to be self reliant as possible. Of course some time what needs goes beyond my abilities or my equipment

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

My neighbor has 5 acres and horses. He went with the standard philosophy of "bigger will be better" and purchased a JD 55 hp cabbed tractor. He barely uses it because it is too big! All the neighbors laugh when watching him try to use it around his place, especially turning around.

I had a small little SCUT (LS MT125) that I used to level a new building site, install a full septic system, trenches for utilities, final grade, etc... Plus maintain a 2400' long gravel driveway. It did everything that I asked of it plus some! No problems with it whatsoever. SCUTS are real tractors, they are just slower.

Then I sold it after 2 years and 220 hours for $500 less than what I paid for it. I then purchased 2 sizes up (CUT size), but still just 25 hp. Does it do more.... not really.... can it do the work a little faster? Yes, definitely (the bucket alone is twice the size of the SCUT). Am I happy with it? Yes. Do I miss the little SCUT?, Yes. It could get into areas the CUT cannot. I wish I still had it for doing landscaping jobs.

You have a tough decision to make.