Branson or Kubota???

ChadDunbar1 · Dec 25, 2004

I am a general contractor in Florida and am in the market for a 4x4 compact tractor with a FEL. I will use this tractor for loader and box blade work on the job site and for brush hogging, moving trailers around and other misc. chores around my personal property. Realistically, I may put 80 - 120 hours on this unit per year. It will be stored inside our shop and will be well maintained. That being said, I have narrowed my selection down to the Kubota L3430 GST and the Branson 3510. All things equal, I would select the Kubota because it is a proven brand with good dealer support and parts availability. The only thing is that the Kubota is approx. $5000 more than the Branson. Both tractors have similar features and capabilites; however the Kubota GST model does have a better shuttle shift tranny. I have test driven both tractors and am impressed with both. Fit and finish is nice on both units as well. The nearest Branson dealer is about 80 miles away, but seems like he would be very good to work with on the sale, warranty and service issues. In fact, he sold Kubota for several years and he feels that Branson tractor is of equal quality and performance. As a side note, if I select the Branson brand, I could upgrade to the 4220 (a 42hp unit) for $2,500 less than the Kubota L3430. Any comments would be greatly appreciated. Happy Holidays!

sassafraspete · Dec 25, 2004

Both good choices....don't think you'd go wrong. If you are a gear jammer and don't need HST, Branson might be your tractor. I had a neighbor (contractor) look mine over yesteday while we were both out plowing snow. They have a bigger JD and were looking for a good smaller tractor, to do the yard grading, etc. Sounds about the same as your situation.

A couple of things.... you can use that extra 5000 to buy a good top and tilt system for the back to run your box blade. It will be a big help, in addition to upgrading to more HP. The 4220 is a bigger frame and has more lifting capability on the fel. The 3510, is smaller and maybe less of a footprint....smaller fel lifting capabilities.

You mentioned the shuttle shift....these typically tend to be stiff on new Bransons, but over time work quite easily...or with some lubrication work under the steering column, will work better.

This will obviously bring some bota people over to posting to the Branson site and make our post numbers go up!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Evasive1 · Dec 25, 2004

When looking I was in the exact same situation you are in. I had it narrowed down to the Century (Now called Zetor and Branson's twin brother) and the Kioti. I liked both of them but as in your case the Century was about $4,200 cheaper. Building a new house that $4,200 would pay for almost a 1/3 of the cabinets. I did not see anything I could do with the other brand that the Century could not do just as well.

I really liked Century's open and wide platform and massive loader. Throw a toothbar on her and it is a serious digging machine. I bought from a dealer that was 90 miles away and has not been a problem at all. When it came to the 50 hour service I just placed a call to him and he shipped all the parts to me and I had them in the mail the next day without having to take any of my own time up besides the 2 minute phone call. As stated my shuttle shift was also a little stiff at first too but after about 15 hours on the tractor it really loosened up and is now smooth as butter.

$5,000 is a substantial amount in a small business. Saving that much is like getting a couple extra jobs in a year for free and no time spent.

Century 3045 (48 gross hp)

Bob_Skurka · Dec 25, 2004

Chad, go with your gut on which one you simply like better. Both brands will do the job, one has a long standing reputation, the other doesn't. One is priced at a premium, the other is not. But again, most any brand of tractor now is similar in what it can do. All that said, I'm a Kubota and a New Holland owner, and I am that because the local dealerships for those two brands are fantastic. The Kubota dealer also sells Case & Cub. The N.H. dealer also sells Branson. I get treated well, have follow up calls and service, and no complaints and in my case I found the prices of the tractors I purchased to be very competitive to the minor brands . . . but I've also seen that pricing is regional and what I get in Indiana you may not be able to get in Florida.

My one thought is that IF you have multiple operators using the tractor, you might want to consider getting a hydrostatic transmission instead of a glide shift.

leaddog · Dec 25, 2004

It is very hard to add much more than has already been said except that I have a Century 3045 and have had it almost two years now and It has been solid. I two looked at other tractors and could not justify spending that much more for less tractor. I didn't want hst as I do alot of field work and don't use it for mowing so I wanted the shuttle trans. I have only had one sevice call and that was the bolts loosening up on the front axle ( was a problem on early units). It was taken care of right away. Parts do not seem to be a problem as kukje is an estabilished co. with a long track record.
Plus RED looks better /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Leaddog

GEB · Dec 25, 2004

Buy the Branson give me the 5g's, you'll never know the difference /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
Really though, I had issues with my 1st Branson 3820
my dealer is about 100 miles away also.
They did their best to make things right, and now I have a
4720.
Even after the issues with the 3820 I still think the Bransons
are well built tractors, that work and look as good as the big names.
Good luck with your chioce!
Gene

ChadDunbar1 · Dec 25, 2004

Gene, thanks for your reply. I see you have an 8n. I too have an 8n. It's a 1952 that we've restored. Check it out at www.dunbar-construction.com. Look under the "tractors" section. Thanks, Chad /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

ChadDunbar1 · Dec 25, 2004

Bob, I will be in southern Indiana in late January with my truck and trailer helping my grandmother move. Do you think I can get better pricing up there? Thanks, Chad

Bob_Skurka · Dec 25, 2004

I'm at the extreme north edge of Indiana just south of Chicago so I don't have first hand knowledge of southern Indiana pricing. However, some other posters, such as Dargo, who are in southern Indiana have posted that prices on JD and Kubota equipment are competitive with Kioti in southern Indiana. I don't know about Branson, but as Kioti is often considered a lower priced brand, and as Dargo recently chose Kubota based on many factors with price only being one of those, then perhaps you might find better pricing in Indiana. Certainly it is worth checking.

However, I think either brand will suit you, so perhaps you can also look up a Branson dealer and see if the pricing is any better?

GEB · Dec 28, 2004

Chad, nice web site, I really enjoy my 8N also.
I use it for finish cutting, man I'm king of the hill when I'm
on that thang /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I to was lookin for one to restore, I ran across one that was
like new, was way to pertty to not buy.
Anyway I also picked up a couple of Jubilees to restore.
Being a Ford worker it's nice having some of the past
to look and work at.
If you'll check your PM I have some info for ya, that may not
be right to post here, so check it, if you care.
Gene