25 HP, TYM/Cabela vs Branson

[barko1]

Edit, I added a Kioti CK2510 to the list of possibilities. Brand new to tractoring so have been lurking and researching but still with much ignorance but I do know I need some muscle to get work do on my 10+ acres. What I imagine I will be doing is maintaining my 1/3 mile driveway that has some hills, infrequent cutting of grass/weeds that covers a couple acres, helping me haul wood from the few trees I will cut back to the barn for splitting and burning, and general miscellaneous work/a bit of trail mowing.

So far what I have computed that I need is something around 25 HP with a loaded and a rotary cutter and scrape box. I realize I can add attachments anytime so my focus is on buying the tractor with a loader. I would like to find a nice clean used one but haven't seen much and of course new has its advantages. Looked at several dealers and have figures out that subcompacts with the smaller wheels and ground clearance probably won't work for me. I have to get the machine in and out of the small fields and may need to get through a ditch or over a lip to get there plus I think some of what I will need to mow (property is new to me) is a bit rough under what is growing there now and the trails have roots and bumps. So seems like Kubota BX machine with around 7" of clearance wouldn't do. I have looked at the Cabelas 25 hp which has 9.5" of clearance and that is better but the similarly priced Branson 25H has 13" of clearance. The Branson also weighs a couple hundred #s more.

So tell me about ground clearance, how big an issue, and weight, is more better? I also looked at the 30+ hp models, quite a bit more $$ of course and close to a foot wider so getting into tight spots would be more of a challenge. Of course I don't want to get more tractor than my limited use will demand but I don't want to come up way short. I'm just too old to be doing some of this work with my limited muscle power alone so help me buy a tractor!

 

[antlers125]

None of the above. Take a look a LS XJ2025. LS makes tractors for New Holland boomer series. Started selling under their own name in 2009. The 2025 has capabilities close to the 30hp category compared to the competition but, in a smaller frame. Also has a lot more features at significantly cheaper.

 

[joeyd]

TYM makes a fine tractor and the make tractors for many other makers too. I would go as heavy as you can afford taking the size of the tractor into consideration if the width is going to be an issue. Dealer access and support is also a big consideration, you will have to visit them and get a feel for that. There is a TYM section in this forum and many comments on the size range you are looking at. Read up on them and you can always post your questions there. Good luck :thumbsup:

 

[barko1]

Thanks for the quick feedback. I did look at the LS today and the price was higher and I wasn't real impressed with the dealer. The Kioti is the heaviest and has the highest capacity hydraulics. Appreciate any feedback.

 

[varmint]

With the give-a-way deals we're reading about here for Cabela's tractors, I am surprised one of their smaller machines isn't high on your list? Too low? Whatever, you likely will want filled rears, R-4 tires, and hopefully a SSQA loader bucket. A BX would be too small, I'd think, but a used Kubota L2800 or L3400 should be a perfect tool. Have you contacted Barlow's in KY? I know they have a fine reputation, and delivery to GA should be simple. Kioti's get good press here, as well.

 

[barko1]

I've been talking with and looking at Cabelas and price wise they are just a bit less but the axle clearance is about 5" less and the service department is quite a bit further away. I've been listening to some comments on the forum about selecting the dealer as much as the brand and so far Kioti is doing well on that account, Cabela less, Branson not sure I trust them. The 1st thing I looked at was a BX and the salesperson seemed to want to sell me that but the more I've researched it the more I realize that a BX wouldn't do, too low and light. The L looks good but I can buy a new 25 hp for they cost of a 10 year old L. I wish there was a nice one nearby, I'll look at the place in KY. Thanks

 

[Texasmark]

"25 HP, TYM/Cabela vs Branson?"

I just commented on this a few days ago. I went to one of 4 Branson dealers about a month ago to buy a Branson 2400 (24hp). When I got there and started looking around I realized that I was standing behind a 2400 Branson with FEL and BH and a TYM adjacent to it (dealer sold both), in the same hp range...I forget the model #. I got on the Branson and had started it up when the salesman came up to me. I told him I wanted one of these without the BH. He said that it was sold and was the only one he had and more would arrive in a couple of days. I said ok and decided to go and get on the TYM and check it out. It took all of 2 minutes for me to tell him forget the TYM. Call me when the Branson arrives.

You get a lot of flappers on here flapping about something they know not about nor own. Branson gets a lot of whacks. Be of your own mind. Test them for yourself. Just because somebody raves or poo poos something doesn't mean that the person is correct in his assessment as far as you are concerned. Different folks have different situations and have different reasons for their reply......just like me.

So for me, my money is where my mouth is. I bought my 6530C new in Sept. of 2007. That spring I shopped all the colors in the N. Dallas area and didn't find what I wanted so I quit looking. By accident I passed a Branson dealer one day and as a result I bought. Last month I wanted a small tractor for odd jobs around the place and the first place I went to look was Branson and I bought. So apparently I am happy with the badge and I am an owner/operator. So you can put my comments on the other side of the scale from the boo birds.

Good hunting,
Mark

 

[airbiscuit]

I think a 25hp small frame CUT would work for you, but a 30hp medium frame would work even better. More weight and taller tires make a very big difference in traction. That said, it's easier to spend other people's money, and you would still have a big smile using a 25hp small frame CUT. Of everything discussed above, I like the Kioti option the best. They seem to give the most bang for the buck, and are likely to still be around in 10 years.

I think a sub-compact would just be too small, and you would be disappointed. On the other hand, even they can get a lot of work done:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzD4XQAPECs

 

[Sawyer Rob]

"25 HP, TYM/Cabela vs Branson?"

You get a lot of flappers on here flapping about something they know not about nor own.

Mark

So, are you saying the Branson owners on here with all the broken spindles and the owners with broken bell housings are all liars?? Must be a conspiracy!

SR

 

[oldpilgrim]

Check out the Mahindras max28 or the 1526. The 1526 is more of a compact tractor, wider, higher and with larger tires.