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

[prometheus303]

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.

I'm glad for this point of view. Thanks

 

[Username Taken]

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.

I have a Kioti CX2510 and the longer I have it, the better I like it. Comfortable, value-added + features. Is it something you want to do a Banzai charge into everything you see? No. It's a compromise. As everything is.

And yes, absolutely, positively, there is such a thing as too big a tractor. When you can't get into places you need to go, when you can't park it, when climbing on and off of it gets old, when you to feed the beast, when you service it, when you have to buy tires for it, when the EPA garbage starts to break down (it almost always does).

 

[Torvy]

The root issue here, if I understand correctly, is that you have a lot of maybe issues. I would hold off until you know for certain how many acres you will have and what work needs to be done on them.

Branson and TYM both seem to give you more for your money than other options. Keep us posted on what you decide.

 

[paulfun9]

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

With this self description, I recomend highly you wait and find the machine that fits what you want the most. Simplicity, less electronics, able to easily fix yourself when the warrantee is over. From everything I have read so far about today’s choices the Branson tractors fit you best.

HSt or shuttle? I prefer shuttle!

 

[prometheus303]

With this self description, I recomend highly you wait and find the machine that fits what you want the most. Simplicity, less electronics, able to easily fix yourself when the warrantee is over. From everything I have read so far about today’s choices the Branson tractors fit you best.

HSt or shuttle? I prefer shuttle!

I'm not sure on HST or shuttle. Why do you prefer shuttle? Like to get more insight

 

[dodge man]

I would say most new tractor buyers would be better of with HST. It’s so much better for loader work.

I was in your same shoes about 13 years ago. I live on 3 acres, am 59 years old now. I was using a riding mower, a shovel, and breaking my back. The reality is you don’t need a tractor, you can get by without, but you probably have learned you do kind of need one.

Size? That’s a tough one. I’d say 25hp range is great for what you have now. I’d say go for a compact, not a subcompact. I’d say what you initially listed for size is too big, but if you buy more property, maybe not. I can’t imagine using a 40 or 50 hp tractor on my 3 acres. I also realize it can take years to acquire more property so how long will you wait to buy? Good luck.

 

[DGZRT]

I guess I will show you a few things the 2515h can do and you can decide if it’s enough. It certainly is not a compact Tractor. This is how I use to get things done . 3- four wheelers and a wagon . Now that the kids are all gone an have there own projects I needed more help .

 

[DGZRT]

The next pictures are what the Loggers left us . It’s so hard to tell how bad it was with 3’ of snow! Sorry if there sideways . I can’t figure that out . The 85 year old neighbor helped us with his Ford . This convinced the wife immediately that we need more .

 

[DGZRT]

Now a few of what I’ve done .

 

[jeff9366]

1. I have 3 acres
2. We may buy 3.75 more acres.
3. During the summer of 2022 we may buy 5 to 20 acres.


Settle on your land first.

Until you settle on your land your financial situation is unclear.

Until you settle on your land how capable/heavy a tractor is appropriate is unclear.


Selling a used tractor is easy. Selling multiple light implements in order to buy heavier, wider implements for a new, heavier tractor requires a lot of time. Depreciation on implements is worse than depreciation on a tractor.


I'm 53 now.

Are your family finances such that you can afford more land, a move, a recreational tractor AND DEPOSIT MAX CONTRIBUTIONS IN YOUR RETIREMENT ACCOUNT?