Branson 4220 - strongly considering one.

[Tornado]

Hi, folks.

Please forgive the newbie questions. I have been lurking for a while on the various forums while shopping for a tractor.

I liked the Century, but the nearest dealer is about 140 miles away. I understand that Branson and Century are essentially the same, so I found a Branson dealer 77 miles away. I have talked to them and got the following quote. Please tell me if I am close to the mark or off and why. Thanks very much for your consideration.

Branson 4220 with Series 2 (BL2010) loader and a United 6 foot box blade, delivered for 17,500.

I am considering adding a double spool remote at $625.

Oh, the 4220 has the 4 cylinder engine @ 42 HP - 39 PTO

Please let me know what you think.
Thanks!
David

 

[Tornado]

Sorry, to answer myself.
I forgot to mention that R4 tires are included.

Thanks,
David

 

[BillG_in_TX]

David,

That sounds like a pretty good price. I guess the 4220 has the new Kukje/Cummins engine. A dealer in another thread indicated that it would be about $1000 more than a comparable 4020, which this dealer in Oregon is offering for $16,850 with R4's & FEL but no box blade.

 

[Chipperman]

Tornado
Thought you might want to know the 4220 is 42 gross hp, 40 net hp and 36 pto hp. I am assuming it is the same as the Zetor C42L. Good luck
Happy tractoring
Chipperman /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Tornado]

Thanks, Chipperman.

That doesn't surprise me - typical sales speak. I am okay with the HP.

If the machine is not a good one, please speak up.

Thanks,
David

 

[BillG_in_TX]

Tornado,

I don't know if you're up to speed on the Century/Branson/Kukje relationship. Here's my short version:

Both Century and Branson offer an identical line-up of Kukje manufactured tractors. Kukje's web site is somewhat dated, but it has some good information on it. They also manufacture (or did manufacture) a line for John Deere that is marketed outside the US.

The Century is distributed by American JAWA, which also sells the Zetor line. American JAWA is changing the name of the Century to "Zetor by Century", and probably eventually will drop the Century name, as indicated by Chipperman's post. By the way, Chipperman is a rep for American JAWA- see his profile - and very knowledgable about the product line.

Branson tractors are distributed by Branson Tractor Co. and the Kukje is their sole (or primary) line. It is rumored that Kukje has invested in Branson recently, perhaps to insure that their distribution network in the US is not solely American JAWA. They could eventually buy Branson??

Both distribution networks appear to be strong and the prospects look good for continued support and a growing dealer network. However, they will NOT do warranty work for each other.

The Century tractor uses the C-50 loader, and the Branson uses the BL-20, and I think they are fairly similar in specs. Chipperman and many Century owners seem to think the C-50 is better. However, see my thread about dump and rollback angles, where the BL-20 has the edge. It's probably a toss-up.

With either one, I think you will be getting a strong, full-featured tractor with the fit and finish and technology of the Big 3 (JD, Kubota, New Holland). What they don't have is a hydrostatic transmission, but if you don't need or want that - why pay 20% more?

Just my .02 worth. If I'm incorrect on any of the above, please feel free to correct me. I'm not buying yet, but when I do, I think it will be a Kukje. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Tornado]

Thanks Bill.

I appreciate the detailed breakdown. I think I will have to stick with the Branson, the nearest Century dealer is 77 miles away in another state and looks to be a mower shop. There are 5 Branson dealers in Alabama.

I wanted the C50 loader as well, but truth be known, I doubt I would ever notice the difference. Typically, I get to play with a tractor TLB, mostly yellow, infrequently. The last time was to dig a big hole to burn tree tops in. 11 feet deep by roughly 11 wide. I hate to admit it, but it took me almost three hours. While I will eventually get somewhat proficient with the loader, I doubt I would notice anything other than serious deficiencies I can get by on a backhoe, but just.

I like gears, so I don't think I will miss the hydrostatic. Besides, the reverser will take care of the real irritant. The last 4WD truck I bought couldn't be had with a decent size engine and gears. Looks like my next purchase truck wise will be a Dodge, even though I hear they are still having drive train problems. Personally, I have always felt like I had more control over a vehicle with gears. Maybe it is just my imagination...

One last question for everyone. Will I need the remote eventually? I would like to have it, but only if I can justify it.

Thanks for the original suggestion to check out the Century, Bill. That put me on a good track.

David

 

[Woodbeef]

Sooner or later you will find a need for remote hydraulics. So why not get them now?

 

[Tornado]

I just bit the bullet and placed my order. I should have it the first of next week.

I will take pictures!

Thanks to everyone for your help and input.
David

 

[sassafraspete]

I would ditto the comment on rear remotes. If one plans to add equipment in the future...there will be a likely need for remotes. I have a hydraulic front blade which I operate by using my bucket curl hoses....but I'd rather have additional remotes. If you are thinking about top and tilt in the future, also would need the remotes. I don't have the remotes now, but plan to sometime in the future.

pete

 

[BillG_in_TX]

David,

I think we set a record! Moved you from thinking about a 25hp Nortrac to buying a 42hp Branson in 2 days. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif It's sure fun to spend other people's money. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Good luck, and let us know how you like it.

 

[Tornado]

Hey, Bill.

I will tell you what I tell my employees. "I don't mind spending money. I DO mind wasting it."

I don't think I wasted my money. The reason I came here was to avoid a costly mistake by hearing what others more knowledgeable than myself had to say.

So, even though I spent about 5 grand more than I budgeted, I saved a bundle by not buying something that wouldn't work or would only barely work.

I appreciate the fact that I spent more in this case!



David

 

[yooperdave]

Hi Dave,

Have you looked at the Long Agribusiness (FARMTRAC) tractors?

I test drove a Branson, and I really like the Farmtracs a whole lot more. Lots of features and more room.

My $.02

Yooper Dave

 

[BillG_in_TX]

C'mon Dave,

We're glad that you like your new tractor, but if you read Tornado's posts, you'll see that he has already made his decision and placed his order.

By the way, this is the Zetor/Century/Branson forum. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[yooperdave]

So Sorry /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif!

I'll be more observant in the future and do more reading before I chime in /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif.

Yooper Dave

 

[Tornado]

Hi everyone.

I received the new Branson 4220 with a BL20A FEL and a United HD672 box blade on Thursday of last week. I would have posted earlier, but life has a way of upsetting the best plans.

I am a tractor novice, but I know something about machines, and I like this machine.

I purchased a King Kutter 6' rough mower and a no-name post hole digger. It took a while to get the mower setup. It also took me a while to realize that I needed to reduce the dampening effect of the hydraulic return valve, else the mower tends to be either buried or in the air on rough ground...

This afternoon was the first time I have had time to work (read play) with my new machine(toy). Running up and down hills while trying to control the mower position, shove small stumps out of the way, use the shuttle shift a lot, and occasionally having to step on the differential lock made for a fairly steep learning curve

Regardless, I managed to de-stump and hog about 1/3 acre in a couple of hours. My wife was watching from a distance. I told her that I must have looked like an octopus doing ninety while riding the back of a turtle - she cracked up

I will get some pictures tomorrow, but I will have to warn that the tractor is already dirty and dusty - just like it should be.

Thanks again for all the help.
David

 

[johntab]

David,

Congratulations on your new tractor!

I test drove a Century and got to mow a little bit around the dealers lot. For that limited trial I found using a gear tractor easier than HST since you don't need to keep your foot on the pedal. It was the first geared tractor I ever drove and could not have been easier.

Since the terrain I drove on was flat I'm curious about your experience on the hills. Are you supposed to pick the gear you anticipate using before your ascent/descent or can you shift on the go?

Thanks,

John

 

[Tornado]

Hi, John.

My policy with any type of transmission and hills is the same. I never change gears or speed unless my foot is firmly on the brake. I think doing anything with a transmission on a steep grade is an inviation to lose traction.

If I am in the wrong gear, then I wait to change it until I am on more solid footing.

There are a lot of people on this forum with a whole lot more experience than me that can probably answer your question better, but I hope that helped a little anyway

David

 

[carluman]

Since they are synco trans you can shift on the fly but I'd recommend picking the gear you want first (at least until you have some hours under your belt and you are use to shifting).

Have fun on that new tractor. I'm picking mine up this weekend /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[MinnesotaMan]

David,

I am new as well...thanks for the great questions...I followed with deep interest as I am looking at the same package...However, the nearest dealer is 400 miles away in Iowa. Behold, I discover from following your string that Century is pretty much the same and a dealer is only 30 miles away.

Does anyone know if the Century also has the Cummins motor and what their similar package would be to the NB4220 with BL20 Loader?

If I am breaking with some etiquette by jumping on this string...I apologize as I am new...I will post separate as well...

thanks,

Patrick