Branson/Century/Kukje

[CowlitzTractor]

Ok,, As a Branson Dealer this is what I know.
Branson and Kukje are now one in the same. Branson was growing faster then they could afford so Kukje came in as a partner so they would have the capital it takes to sooth such huge growing pains. Now, since Kukje makes Century tractors for American Jawa and they make Branson Tractors for Branson (now Kukje/Branson), can you guess who will be going bye-bye? It won't happen suddenly, Just like the whole thing with the Yanmar built john Deeres, nice thing is, I guess there isn't any argument over the quality of either name brand so it should be easy for repeat buyers to gain quick approval of the Branson just as they did the Century.

Now here's some speculation,,,
Yanmar has let us grey dealers rebuild their product recognition, and in the same stroke they have lost the strength of their relationship with Deere, so odds are this whole big stinky Yanmar legal bull means they are going to spring a whole new Yanmar line on America.... just wait and watch,, I give it 5 years and Yanmar will be importing new Yanmar tractors into the USA themselves! I say screw them! If that's acceptable here, /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif They keep trying to tell American consumers the tractors are dangerous when they only want the market for themselves since the sale of a new tractor is the only time a manufacturer gets to make the big money! (especially when they do their own financing scams like jd & bota have been). It's all about money, not consumer safety. Just like Kubotas big stink...... their tractors are crappier quality then ever! (but they do look pretty & are loaded with convenience items) and lets face it,,, people are for the most part cheap. That's the only reason those China tractors are still even being sold. Most consumers are entirely ignorant... they walk on my lot and where I see rows of really nice small tractors, they see rows of small bulldozers and stump bashing excavators. But hey, what can you do! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[DK35vince]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Just like Kubotas big stink...... their tractors are crappier quality then ever! )</font>

I disagree.
I think the new L-30 series are some of the nicest, beefiest looking units I've seen in Kubota compacts.(my opinion)

 

[sassafraspete]

Cowlitz, did you just unload one barrel, or was that both barrels? I say I really do find the commentary from both dealers and customers on this forum very interesting. As I am a customer, and Branson owner....I can say that I have bashed a couple of stumps myself, and looking forward to doing more this summer. I am pretty sure my tractor thinks it's a small bulldozer. As for all the mktg hub-bub....between branson and century...to me I prefer to think that I bought a Kukje tractor...after all branson didn't make it. I do look to Branson to make sure I am a satisfied customer though, and to supply me parts/repairs when I need them . Whether you buy one of the big 3, or others....they all pretty much come from over seas somewhere. What you buy when you get a yanmar tractor called a deere is a yanmar tractor backed by the huge deere dealer/repair network. Oh the green paint also.

sassafras

 

[MikePA]

<font color="blue"> If that's acceptable here </font>
This is a Family Friendly Site visit this link to see what that means.

<font color="blue"> their own financing scams like jd & bota have been </font>
Please define 'scam' and your proof of same.

<font color="blue"> their tractors are crappier quality then ever! </font>
Do you have proof of this? As a Branson dealer, you will hardly be viewed as unbiased.

<font color="blue">...people are for the most part cheap </font>
<font color="blue"> Most consumers are entirely ignorant... </font>
Interesting attitude for a business owner to have. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

<font color="blue"> But hey, what can you do! </font>
Ignorant is defined as lacking education or knowledge therefore they need educated.

 

[virgil]

cowlitz
Its been my understanding for quite some time that someone is to go by-by after their contract ends with Kukje. Still wating for the "official announcement". I guess we'll see after the smoke clears. Branson has been growing at an amazing rate.
As far as Kubota producing junk, I disagree sir. Believe me, it is a good product and stiff competition. Kubota has my Branson and Kioti line beat all over the place as far as the wide varity of Kubota products offered.
I know my machines are superior in quality and price, with an easy to understand, no smoke and mirrors, tricks or gimmicks financing. All my coustomers are pretty smart cookies, and they reconize value when they see it. It is not rocket science to figure out what zero down and zero% financing for many years does to the bottom line purchase price.
I got the better deal for my coustomers hard earned dollar, and thats a fact.
Yes I have lost some sales to the "gray market" machines. Down here there is little or no "support" for this line of equipment. I find it strange that a FEW people will purchase a gray market tractor at the bail bondsman, or flower shop, or cigar store, etc, then attempt to bring it to me when its broke. I haven't seen a gray market operation survive for more than a year down here. I have a good friend who thought I was really cutting a fat hog, so he went and bought a contaner load of grays, boy, is he singing the blues now. People do "shop price". He bought a cheep product at a cheep price, and it is now bitting him on the rear. If he survives this without a law suit, he will stick to building fine barns. (best builder in 7 counties)
Have a good day sir.

 

[dbear]

"Just like Kubotas big stink...... their tractors are crappier quality then ever!"

Cowlitz, I agree that the quality of 'Bota, as well as many other premium brand tractors, is not what it once was. You probably could have worded it differently.

My experience with Kubota is mostly with their engines (2 Bobcat 743s). They were allright as long as you kept the RPMs up, but once they started to bog down, they kept on going down until they stalled! Now if this only one unit, I'd be willing to say that there was something wrong with it, but with both machines behaving the same, it had to be something more. They just didn't have the cubes to back up the hp. Both machines were purchased new approx 6 months apart, used by a landscaping company doing similar jobs, and operated by the same 4 individuals with similar results. One positive thing tho', we never had an engine problem.

With regard to some other major brands, JD, NH, & Bota all have lightened up (read decreased manufacturing costs) their models in a blatant attempt to maximize profit as they certainly haven't decreased any costs to the consumer. Unfortunately, it's just the way companies do business today; putting the major shareholders desires above their customers needs. Yeah, the machines still do what we ask of them, but not like tractors 10 years ago could do it and at what cost to the machine! That's why I think it's great that companies like Kukje and Daedong are making great progress in this highly competitive market.

Only wish I could talk the CFO into letting me get a tractor. I wouldn't hesitate to give my hard-earned dollars to Branson, Kioti or Long.

 

[DavesTractor]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Ok,, As a Branson Dealer this is what I know.)</font>

Cowlitz,
As you know, I am a Branson dealer as well, and I think what you "know" is really what you "speculate". I'm not saying you don't have some things right, but a lot of what you have said is just opinion and rumor. I just spent a few days with the VP of Branson at the World Ag Expo, and I don't see Century going away. We didn't discuss it directly, so I have no specifics. Might there be some name changes and some other changes? I think so, and Chipperman has mentioned this on this board already.

I spoke to Yanmar at the show (they had a nice display) and they hinted that they would come back into the US market but they would not answer directly nor give a time line. They had a very cool 80HP track-laying farm tractor on display.

Our customers are well informed. They will often go between us (I sell both Branson and Mahindra) and the big three, and we often win. I admire the big three, they have a broad product line and a great dealer network. Generally they hold a high standard for their dealers. These are all things to strive for in a lesser known brand. I could give you a sales pitch right now as to why we offer a better value, or tell you how a particular model we sell has better specs than a JD or whatever, but that really isn't the point of this thread.

Finally Cowlitz, this board is made for opinions, and speculating about things makes it interesting. No hard feelings, but you and I do not see things the same way on these issues.

 

[Woodbeef]

From what I understand Century as a brand name might fade away,but HTC has a world-wide deal in the works with Kukje for CUTs wearing the Zetor name.

 

[Zork]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( </font><font color="blueclass=small">( Finally Cowlitz, this board is made for opinions, and speculating about things makes it interesting. No hard feelings, but you and I do not see things the same way on these issues.)</font>


Cookaracha's......... by the looks of this thread, I thought this board was made for tag team boxing.........lol........
From: the peanut gallery

 

[Inspector507]

Century may not be going away, but if both tractors are made be Kukje, what line is going to get the best engineering and newest improvements?
Just my thoughts.......