Bought Another Tractor

[yooperdave]

I got so fed up with my 6 year old LS to replace a what should be a simple battery, along with being fed up with the LS dealer, I decided to put my LS XJ 2025H on the market and buy a gently used Branson 2515H with a bigger bucket, better forks, 6' box blade, and 6' rear mower. The tractor has 68 hours and 4 years old. It looks showroom new and sounds great. The LS has a custom foot hold, receiver hitch welded to the bucket, extra hydraulics in the back with a detent valve & turf tires. The 2515H joins my 4215HC - very similar straight forward engineering. It is being delivered from nearly 90 miles away. Will be a full load.

Yooper Dave

 

[tacticalturnip]

The 2515H is a great machine, congratulations on the new arrival!

 

[Cycledude]

What was the battery replacement issue with the LS ?
My LS is about 5 years old with 500 trouble free hours but I suppose battery replacement time isn’t to far away.

 

[yooperdave]

What was the battery replacement issue with the LS ?
My LS is about 5 years old with 500 trouble free hours but I suppose battery replacement time isn’t to far away.

Open the hood and sift thru the secondary steel framing to even get a good look at the battery. How do you apply a tender, or charger? A 1/2 hour usually simple job turned into a full day job (off/on/off/on). Bring a strong flashlight as the pit is dark. This is simply lousy engineering. Also had a CAN-AM side by side that was more than similar, and my body was unable to flex enough to access the battery. I learned over several years to check out the locations of critical parts prior. BTW my LS also works well. I wanted to just swap out the battery to be proactive before winter comes. 6 years on a battery up north makes me nervous.

Yooper Dave

 

[bsekf]

I can't keep track of the small tractor makers. I though LS tractors were a spin off from LG. and Branson was in there along with Montana too? Wish somebody would put together a history of the small tractor makers. Doesn't LS build some of the New Holland's and JD's? And maybe Massey too?

 

[scootr]

I can't keep track of the small tractor makers. I though LS tractors were a spin off from LG. and Branson was in there along with Montana too? Wish somebody would put together a history of the small tractor makers. Doesn't LS build some of the New Holland's and JD's? And maybe Massey too?

This is going to take a minute
Here are the major players

North America / Japan

• John Deere (1–4 Series range includes 25–50 hp). Solis World Wide
• Kubota (Compact series includes 25–50 hp). Zetor Tractors
• New Holland (Boomer 25–50). New Holland
• Case IH (Farmall Compact A/C series 35–55 hp). Case IH
• Massey Ferguson (1800E/1800M series 25–60 hp). John Deere+1
• Yanmar (SA/YT compact lineup in 20–50 hp bracket). YANMAR Tractor
• KIOTI/Daedong (CK/DK compact series 24–50 hp). KIOTI+2KIOTI+2
• LS Tractor (MT2/MT3 models span 25–50 hp). Massey Ferguson+2Massey Ferguson+2
• TYM (Series 3 compacts T394/T474, ~37–48 hp). Tym
• Bobcat (compact tractors 25–58 hp; e.g., CT4050). Bobcat+1
• Mahindra (1600/2600 series 25.9–45 hp within range). Mahindra USA+1

Europe

• Landini (Serie 2, 44–51 hp). Landini+1
• McCormick (X2 series ~43–47 hp). YANMAR Tractor
• Zetor (Compax 25–40 hp).
• Antonio Carraro (Vivid/Valiant 35–56 hp; compact specialty). Antonio Carraro
• BCS Group—Ferrari (Cobram 60 ~49 hp; compact specialty). Ferrari+1
• Goldoni (C-50/C-60 ~48–55 hp; compact specialty). Goldoni+1
• Belarus/MTZ (small series incl. 311/320 ~36 hp). Belarus Tractor

Asia (outside Japan)

• Iseki (TLE/TJ compact models up to ~46–50 hp). ISEKI UK & Ireland
• Solis / Sonalika (models at 26 hp and 50 hp).

 

[shooterdon]

Yooper, I looked at trading my LS on a 2515 this year to get something a bit smaller with an open station. Nothing currently wrong with the LS (525 hrs) but worried about the emission system down the road.

But the 2515 did not "fit" me. I do a lot of loader work with a grapple and the joy stick is not at the right spot for me. Other that that, it seems like a great machine at a decent price point. I think you will be happy with it.

I really liked the TYM 25T but it could not safely move the firewood totes and bags I use. One third of a cord of wood was too much for it. The local TYM dealer was great. Brought the 25T down to my place to test it at no charge.

 

[scootr]

Brands from the list with lineages rooted in other tractor manufacturers:

• Case IH → merger of J.I. Case and International Harvester (1985). Wikipedia+1
• New Holland → evolved from Ford New Holland; Fiat bought 80% in 1991, later CNH. Wikipedia
• Massey Ferguson → merger of Massey-Harris and Ferguson (1953). Wikipedia+2Wessels Living History Farm+2
• McCormick → brand created when ARGO acquired divested Case IH assets after the CNH merger. Wikipedia+1
• Landini → owned by Massey Ferguson from 1959; later sold to ARGO (full control by 2000). Wikipedia+2Landini+2
• Ferrari (BCS Group) → Ferrari tractor brand acquired by BCS in 1988. BCS Group+2Earth Tools+2
• TYM → integrated Branson/Kukje Machinery; brands consolidated under TYM (2022–2023). TYM+2Morning Ag Clips+2
• Bobcat (compact tractors) → OEM supply and development with Daedong/KIOTI since 2018. Doosan Bobcat+1
• Mahindra → entered tractors via joint venture with International Harvester (1963).

 

[scootr]

Here are the additional OEM/supply ties among the brands listed:

• John Deere ↔ Yanmar: Yanmar-built JD compacts historically (e.g., JD 750) and Yanmar engines in current JD 1–4 Series. TractorData+1
• Massey Ferguson ↔ Iseki (AGCO): Iseki manufactures MF compact/utility tractors for AGCO under an OEM agreement. 農業機械専業メーカー｜井関農機株式会社
• New Holland / Case IH ↔ LS (LS Mtron): CNH compacts sourced from LS; partnership expanded in 2023. LS Tractor USA+2lstractor.com+2
• Bobcat ↔ Daedong (KIOTI): Bobcat compact tractors produced via Daedong partnership; Bobcat re-entered with Daedong-built models in 2019. TractorData+1
• TYM ↔ Branson/Kukje: Brands integrated; shared platforms and support. TYM
• John Deere ↔ Carraro Agritalia: Carraro develops/supplies JD 5G specialty tractors. Carraro
• Solis/Sonalika ↔ Yanmar: JV and co-development/manufacturing in India; Solis-Yanmar branded tractors. solis-yanmar.com
• Mahindra ↔ Mitsubishi Agricultural Machinery: Mitsubishi-built compacts sold under Mahindra in some markets; strategic equity partnership. Mahindra Farm Equipment+1
• Landini & McCormick ↔ LS (historical): Select compact models sourced from LS/LG.

 

[bsekf]

Thank for the work! Where is Land Trac by LG/Mitsubishi engine and trans marketed by Long, I thought LS acquired them and built the Montana? Some LS and Montana parts interchange with some Land Trac models. Lg is also the Japanese appliance Co. Just bought a Mahindra 5155 and understand Mahindra/Mitsubishi formed a partnership and is now the worlds largest tractor Company and will be building several different brand small tractors. Maybe JD and Massey? Isn't the JD's built in Inda just a green Mahindra?

Stiger lime green articulated tractors built in Fargo, ND also painted them Red, Green and Blue. IH and JD furnished some of their own parts, Ford was a Blue Stiger according to our tour guide.

 

[Michael_J]

Yeah, LS used to be part of LG, same folks behind the electronics company. Back then they built tractors under the LG name and sold some here as Montana and Landtrac. Later LS split off and started LS Tractor USA, so a lot of Montana/Landtrac parts still match up. Branson was from Kukje in Korea, now owned by TYM. Kinda funny how it all circles back, not that many actual factories behind all these brands...

 

[JTKub]

2515's are nice machines. I looked at a TYM 2515H when I bought my T224. These were the only two machines he had in stock at the time. I shopped Mahindra, TYM, LS and Kioti as well. They're all different parent companies of course, but all basically the same scope of machine and all real close in price new/used. Most of the dealers were OK from a sales standpoint, but you never know what you're going to encounter during a real issue.

In terms of batteries, on my little TYM T224, you have to take the lower dash kick panel screen off. Three 10mm bolts and it pulls off to access the battery, fuel/water separator and some other stuff. The battery is a standard group 51 automotive battery which is nice.

 

[tacticalturnip]

Just remember that the 2515H is a very capable tractor, but it does everything a little slower. Don't expect things to be done fast and you'll always appreciate the capabilities!

I purchased a Kioti CK2610, but it was between that and the Branson- I really like both.

 

[ptsg]

Just remember that the 2515H is a very capable tractor, but it does everything a little slower. Don't expect things to be done fast and you'll always appreciate the capabilities!

I purchased a Kioti CK2610, but it was between that and the Branson- I really like both.

Good points. I see the OP has or had a 4815H. Same tractor, more HP. It would be indeed interesting to hear about some comparisons about both tractors regarding the power difference.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

My Massey Ferguson was built in Indonesia, I'm not positive if it was a Massey Ferguson factory, or an Iseki factory ... They are both owned by AGCO ... It definitely has an Iseki engine in it!

The only relationship between Massey Ferguson and Mahindra that I'm aware of, is my local deal just happens to sell both brands ... Marshfield Machinery Inc. - New & Used Tractors, Parts, Service, and Financing in Marshfield, MO, near Dermott and Niangua

 

[blehmann]

I can't keep track of the small tractor makers. I though LS tractors were a spin off from LG. and Branson was in there along with Montana too? Wish somebody would put together a history of the small tractor makers. Doesn't LS build some of the New Holland's and JD's? And maybe Massey too?

There is a video out there. Watched it a week ago. Switching from a LS to a Branson may not be much of a switch at all.

 

[ptsg]

There is a video out there. Watched it a week ago. Switching from a LS to a Branson may not be much of a switch at all.

About the only similarity between both brands is the country of origin.

Yes, both Branson and LG made tractors for Montana way back in the day, possibly even LS since it was about that time they were transitioning from LG to LS.

 

[walnutman]

Open the hood and sift thru the secondary steel framing to even get a good look at the battery. How do you apply a tender, or charger? A 1/2 hour usually simple job turned into a full day job (off/on/off/on). Bring a strong flashlight as the pit is dark. This is simply lousy engineering. Also had a CAN-AM side by side that was more than similar, and my body was unable to flex enough to access the battery. I learned over several years to check out the locations of critical parts prior. BTW my LS also works well. I wanted to just swap out the battery to be proactive before winter comes. 6 years on a battery up north makes me nervous.

Yooper Dave

Just put some access jumpers on it for charging or larger ones for jumpstarting.

 

[Texasmark]

What was the battery replacement issue with the LS ?
My LS is about 5 years old with 500 trouble free hours but I suppose battery replacement time isn’t to far away.

My MT2-25s hydro. has 400 hrs. Battery is right up front of the engine compartment....will be a piece of cake to replace it when the time comes. I can't think of anything I don't like about that tractor. I replaced a near new other brand that was manual shift and didn't have the operator's station consideration for a large owner plus things like a tilt wheel.

The dealer was 250 miles away and took 2 tractors in trade...the small one I mentioned and a nice Ford 2000 D....with free shipping.

 

[HFK Farms]

This is going to take a minute
Here are the major players

North America / Japan

• John Deere (1–4 Series range includes 25–50 hp). Solis World Wide
• Kubota (Compact series includes 25–50 hp). Zetor Tractors
• New Holland (Boomer 25–50). New Holland
• Case IH (Farmall Compact A/C series 35–55 hp). Case IH
• Massey Ferguson (1800E/1800M series 25–60 hp). John Deere+1
• Yanmar (SA/YT compact lineup in 20–50 hp bracket). YANMAR Tractor
• KIOTI/Daedong (CK/DK compact series 24–50 hp). KIOTI+2KIOTI+2
• LS Tractor (MT2/MT3 models span 25–50 hp). Massey Ferguson+2Massey Ferguson+2
• TYM (Series 3 compacts T394/T474, ~37–48 hp). Tym
• Bobcat (compact tractors 25–58 hp; e.g., CT4050). Bobcat+1
• Mahindra (1600/2600 series 25.9–45 hp within range). Mahindra USA+1

Europe

• Landini (Serie 2, 44–51 hp). Landini+1
• McCormick (X2 series ~43–47 hp). YANMAR Tractor
• Zetor (Compax 25–40 hp).
• Antonio Carraro (Vivid/Valiant 35–56 hp; compact specialty). Antonio Carraro
• BCS Group—Ferrari (Cobram 60 ~49 hp; compact specialty). Ferrari+1
• Goldoni (C-50/C-60 ~48–55 hp; compact specialty). Goldoni+1
• Belarus/MTZ (small series incl. 311/320 ~36 hp). Belarus Tractor

Asia (outside Japan)

• Iseki (TLE/TJ compact models up to ~46–50 hp). ISEKI UK & Ireland
• Solis / Sonalika (models at 26 hp and 50 hp).

You can correct he Kubota compact line, Zetor has only been in the compact tractor market for bit over 5 years, their compact tractors are made by TYM, use Yanmar motors. Only the Major 80 and bigger are made by Zetor.The New Holland compact tractor are made by LS,