Branson 2810/3510

Anonymous Poster · May 14, 2003

Hiya guys,

My first post here! Just wanted a little info to help me clear some things up... I'm looking at purchasing a Branson 2810/3510 w/ FEL, 5' BB, & 5' BH. I can get the 2810 with everything for $13,790 or the 3510 for $15,590. The catch is, I have about 1.8 acres that I will be mainly mowing (85% of the time) but I do help out the friends and family when needed (moving brush, digging ditches etc) so I want something strong enough to help but not so big I look stupid mowing a yard with a $13k lawn mower! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

I live in a pretty rural section of North Carolina with the nearest Branson dealer about 7 miles away. I like the Branson's look and stance. I have did my homework (for about 2 months now) and found that the Branson has the best bang for the buck. I have other dealers close to me also (Kioti, NH, MF etc.) They are all in-line but usually $500 to $2500 higher and most of the units don't look as sturdy as the Branson does.
The only other question I have is: Is hydrostatic better than Synchromesh in terms of reliability or does it even matter?

Thanks guys! I enjoy reading the forums here, they help me tremendously.
PS. Give Branson/Century their own thread!!

19th_VA · May 14, 2003

Welcome, Dave. You may start WWIII again with the hydro vs. gear debate. Personally, I prefer the simplicity and the power you get from a gear driven tractor. Can't speak much to reliability but it certainly would cost more to fix a hydro. I presume you know that Branson does not make a hydrostatic transmission at this time.

I do have a question for you. The prices you gave include everything (backhoe, fel, and bb? Seems impossible. And I wouldn't worry about looking stupid--assuming you do any work around the house at all, the tractor will make everything easier, and you'll make more friends who won't want to say you look stupid because they'll want to use the tractor! The Bransons are big and heavy no doubt about it.

Pacesetter300 · May 14, 2003

I echo the welcome. As for the gear/hydro, I don't think there's much difference in reliability. You will have to replace the clutch at some point on the gear. The hydro might need a rebuild if you keep it long enough, that would be expensive.
Seems to me like the 2810 would be fine for what you have in mind. I would go for the R3, turf tires as the others might do a number on the lawn. I would start with a 60" RFM and adjust up or down depending on your conditions. I would be surprised if the Back Hoe were included in that price. Seems like you have an excellent deal - Enjoy!
Pacesetter

Chipperman · May 14, 2003

Hello Guys
Since the post says " 5' BH." And I have yet to see a 5' backhoe I think he ment "brush hog"
Chipperman

Chipperman · May 14, 2003

Dave71
On closer inspection even assuming you mean "brush hog" if you think he is a good honest dealer I wood stop what I am doing jump in your car, run down their and buy the 2810. I sounds to good to be true. Even with out the "5' BB, & 5' BH" it sounds like a very good deal.
Chipperman

markie61 · May 14, 2003

( I am doing jump in your car, run down their and buy the 2810)

A bid red AMEN!!!! to that!

Mark

Anonymous Poster · May 14, 2003

Haha, as you guys can see I'm a little green with the lingo but, here is exactly what I meant:

2810
5' Clipper Brush Cutter (AKA: BH)
5' Box Blade (AKA: BB)
Front End Loader (AKA: FEL)

I could get the 3510 for $800 more.

No Backhoe (I wished for $13k!! I would not have even posted! hehe).

I'm gonna probably swap the bush hog for a finishing mower with a few $$$ to boot i bet. Maybe $200 - $400 extra for 60".

I was looking at the R4 tires vs. the Turf tires but i fear that if i get the turf and i end up in a field I'll get stuck! But, i don't wanna destory the yard either :/

I have read multiple posts in here about R4 vs. Turf but I guess that I need a little reassurance /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Thanks for the welcome and thanks for the help!!

Anonymous Poster · May 14, 2003

Welcome Dave, sounds like you are making a good choice. For what you want to do, the 2810 should do fine. I have the R4s on my 3520. I agonized long and hard in deciding whether to go with R1s or R4s. In the end, I'm sure I made the right decision. I never entertained the idea of Turfs for the very reason you mentioned.

Regarding the hydro versus shuttle shift controversy, I would like to point out something that often gets left out of the arguments. Because of the hydro's losses, you need a bigger engine driving the hydro to get the same PTO HP as the shuttle shift. This means a hydro costs more twice over--extra $$$ for the hydro and extra $$$ for a bigger engine.

So, if you are considering getting a hydro versus a shuttle shift, make sure you compare the PTO horsepower of the candidates, not the engine horsepower. The 2810 has 24 PTO HP, according to the Branson service manual. Moving up to the 3510 should get you 33 PTO HP. BTW, that's a significant difference--percentagewise--for only $800.

You might also want to take a good look at that box blade the dealer is offering. There are some real light weight cheapies out there (check a few threads here). You will be much better off with a heavy substantial box, if that's not what he's offering you.

If you measure the thickness of the end plates, you can get an idea of its quality. Look for plates at least 3/8 of an inch thick. 1/2 inch is better. A lot of light weight boxes have only 1/4 inch plates. When I bought my tractor, I told the dealer I wanted a HD box blade, after looking at the one he proposed I get. Moving up to a heavier unit only cost an extra $15. I still got an off-brand, as many of them are, but at least it's a heavier off-brand.

Again, welcome and good luck with whatever you choose.

SnowRidge

19th_VA · May 14, 2003

Snowridge brings up a good point. Why do we spend so much time finding the perfect tractor and then just get whatever implements the dealer has? I know not everyone does this but from my experience it does happen a lot. The implement, it seems to me, does just as much work as the tractor and should be of sufficient quality to do what we want. I suspect people get caught up in the package deal mentality but implements are not all that expensive compared to the tractor.

Pacesetter300 · May 14, 2003

Thanks Chipperman, Sometimes I get the BH mixed up with some of the BS.
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Pacesetter

Pacesetter300 · May 14, 2003

You're right Jonathan! I think the reason is that implements are not thought of as a long term investment in the way a tractor is. If you buy a KK and don't like it or it doesn't stand up to your expectations, sell it and you're out a few hundred bucks. Buy a tractor that doesn't do the job for you and you're out a lot more.
From my personal experience, I know the implements I want, but can't afford right now. It's not going to bother me to go through a few used or cheapo ones until I do get what I do want.
Pacesetter

KHawk · May 14, 2003

I have had my Branson 3510 w/loader and oversized industrial tires. for 2 weeks. I couldn't be happier. It is a awesome machine.( Tires are loaded) I also got the Branson 64 inch tiller and a 6 ft bush mower. I think the Century/Branson line of tractors will continue to grow and become a real player in the future of compact tractors.

19th_VA · May 14, 2003

Congrats, Khawk! Keep those posts coming and will give those Mahindra and Kioti boys a run for their money. H*** (self censored), we'll even give the big three a run for their money in a decade or so!

Anonymous Poster · May 15, 2003

Ok, I understand better now about the quality of the Box Blade and I will be sure to check it's plate thickness because if I don't it sounds like I will be buying another soon there after.

Now, who makes a good finishing mower? I hear Woods® makes a good one but, are there any others that will do just as good a job or maybe better?

After looking on the Branson site, the BL10 loader fits the 10 series and the BL20 fits the 20 series. Now for quality's sake, is the BL20 so much better and heavier duty loader than the BL10 that I should consider getting a 3520 or just stick with a 3510 and get another brand of FEL?

Sorry for all the questions but you guys seem to know your stuff and it's helping me understand so much better!

Thanks again! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

19th_VA · May 15, 2003

Dave,

Look at Midwest for your finish mower. They make great products and are a great value, compared to woods or brush hog brand, though if you can afford it you won't go wrong with these. I'm sure others have their favorites too. As for the 3510 vs. 3520, I went through the same debate and went with the 3520--primarily because of its wider stance and longer wheelbase. I have very hilly ground--13 acres of it! With your size lot, it seems like sticking with the smaller tractor (it's actually the identical tractor, save for a few spacers and bigger tires). The bl20 loader seems to have a bit better specs but there has been some debate as to whether there is even a significant difference--other than one goes on the 10 series and the other goes on the 20 series? I would not get another brand of fel, given the potential problems fitting them on. The 3510, in my opinion is the best value Branson offers, and the next best is the 4020. By the way, Midwest makes real nice box blades too.

Chipperman · May 15, 2003

Dave
I think if you take a BL20 and BL10 (same as C-30 and C-40), removed them from the tractor and placed them next to each other they are the same loader. The difference being in the subframes that stay on the tractor. Any difference in the specs may be they were rated with diferrent size buckets (the large one for the larger tractor etc.) or because of different geometry in the way they mount. Or maybe a missprint.
Chipperman

Anonymous Poster · May 15, 2003

( After looking on the Branson site, the BL10 loader fits the 10 series and the BL20 fits the 20 series. Now for quality's sake, is the BL20 so much better and heavier duty loader than the BL10 that I should consider getting a 3520 or just stick with a 3510 and get another brand of FEL? )

Dave, the Branson loader is the way to go. It sounds like you already have the URL to the Branson loaders:

http://www.bransontractor.com/loader/loader.html

The BL20 is more powerful than the BL10, but they are of the same quality. The specs can be found at this link, which is at the bottom of the Branson loader page:

http://www.bransontractor.com/loader/specs.html

Note the differences, especially in breakout force. But unless you need that and the extra cubic foot of bucket capacity, the slightly higher lift, etc., there is no reason to go beyond the BL10 if the 10 series tractor will otherwise do want you want.

In most cases, it is not really a good idea to buy a loader that is not of the same brand as your tractor, unless you have no choice. Having the same brand loader eliminates the finger pointing that can happen with mixed brands if the combination just doesn't work well. If you search TBN, you will find a thread or two describing painful experiences and unmet expectations due to mixing tractor and loader brands.

BTW, some dealers simply will not sell a new tractor and aftermarket loader combination.

For finishing mowers, you might want to consider Caroni. Agri-Supply handles them, and they have some locations in NC. The mowers are made in Italy. I looked at some at a Georgia Agri-Supply a few days ago. They appeared to be very well made. Every one they had in stock had a buyers name on it. It looks like they are pretty popular--at least down there--and they seem reasonably priced. Plus they are RED .

Agri-Supply has a web site:

http://www.agri-supply.com/

That's a Caroni shown on the cover of their 2003 catalog. I don't think they have any other pictures on the web site, but they will send you a catalog on request. Mine came in about two days.

Good luck deciding. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

SnowRidge

19th_VA · May 15, 2003

Midwest will powder paint in red , green , orange or blue . Don't know too much about their finish mowers (they are brand new) but the rest of their stuff is first class, and very reasonably priced (o.k., o.k., I admit it--I'm cheap.) But not at the expense of quality!

Anonymous Poster · May 15, 2003

( Midwest will powder paint in blue, green, orange or red . )

Dunno, Jonathan, something seems to be wrong with the quoting software.

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Nothing wrong with Midwest, I guess. Just trying to present the man with another option.

SnowRidge

Anonymous Poster · May 17, 2003

Well, it turns out that a distributor of turf, and light industrial equipment is just right down the street from where I work so, I called them and it turns out our company has helped them in the past with certain things so he has offered to sale items to me for just over cost (I know the guy too) which is nice!

One question I have is, they have a 3-point hitch backhoe they sale. It supposably works on all 3-point tractors. I have did a little research on this and found that the 3-point hitch backhoes are very hard on the tractors mid-section (right between the engine and transmission) and he was telling me some tractors actually break in half while using these things if special care isn't taken. I see the Branson backhoes are sub-frame mounted so I am pressuming this aliviates pressure from the tractors mid-section. However, I can get this backhoe for about $3000 but it can only dig 6' deep to where the branson BH is about $4500 but can dig 7' deep (on the 3510). Now, I will not save $1500 if it destroys my tractor a couple of uses down the road.

Any comments on weather I should even consider the 3-point hitch vs. the sub-frame mount?

And what is meant by the bucket sizes?

As in:

9" Bucket to 25" bucket, does this indicate the width of the bucket or length? I can't seem to find any pictures of buckets so thats why i'm asking.

Thanks SnowRidge for the link, it looks like my kinda place. I have requested a catalog and will be looking for it soon.

The place where I can these goodies is called "Tri-State Distributors" but they only sell wholesale, not to the public. So i consider myself lucky to be able to buy from them. Thier web site is: www.tristatedistributors.net.

Thanks again for all the feedback!

PS. I found the site that carries the backhoe I was referring to: www.attachment.com/. It's the 3265 Backhoe under the 3-point hitch category.