Branson Tractors

[quailman115]

I know this forum is focused primarily on Yanmar tractors, but I am just wondering if anyone has any experience or thoughts you would be willing to share about Branson Tractors. I have been a satisfied Yannie owner, but I am considering a new tractor and have been looking at Branson. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

William

 

[DavesTractor]

I sell Yanmars and Bransons, I state that just so you know where I'm coming from. The quality on the Bransons is very high. Nice fit and finish, quality mechanicals. They are built a little heavier as well. Definitely worth looking into. You get a new tractor with ROPS, PS, shuttle-shift, 3 years waranty, etc. It seems if you are looking at a 28HP and up Yanmar, it would pay to look at the Branson. They do not yet make anything smaller, so it may not fit the need for everybody.

 

[normde2001]

I'm with you, William. I have been a very happy owner of a YM2000B for about 2 years and, if and when I upgrade or add to my fleet, I will be looking at Bransons. I believe S. Korea is the next Japan, tech. speaking. They are producing a lot of electronic gear that seems to be of the highest quality for, (for now), very modest prices.

 

[dkb1215]

Buy the Branson, as a former yanmar owner it's like the diffence of a KIA vs a HONDA vechicle. I have a 3510 Branson 35 hp and love it. No parts to replace for 3 years, no rice tires to trear up your grass, etc, no minor annoyances of little things that go wrong on old tractors and a ton of space for your legs it's just plain better, and only about $3000.00 more than a similar size used japanese tractor and its real pretty. It's more money but more satisfaction!!!!!!!!!!!

Regards,
David Blankenship, Gainesville, Fl

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Anyone here that owns a Branson care to give us a figure so we can see where they fit in the financial spectrum? Only $3000 more than a yannie seems pretty reasonable.
A Yanmar at ~28 HP is hard to find around here but I would think they would be priced at around no more than$5000 without implements. I think most Bransons are above $10,000. But I may be wrong/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

Gary

 

[quailman115]

I received one quote from a Georgia Branson dealer for $10,500 for the Branson 2810.

William

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Thats about what I paid delivered for my FX28D, except that I got a loader, box blade, tiller, and finish mower. If they are well made, then they will do well compared to the JD models.

 

[dkb1215]

A 35hp yanmar that has most of the features of the Branson 3510 35hp with low hours and excellent shape will set you back about 7000.00 to 9000.00 grand. I am not talking about 70's 80's models but a F series 1992 or newer yanmar. They are the only yanmar tractors that come close to the feel and quaility of the Branson. I got a better deal on my Branson because Lazenby Equipment was out of stock on the 2810 28 hp model. My father-in- law own's a Yanmar 224 and Massey Furgerson 135 tractor he brought them new and has given them TLC over the years but they pale in comparsion to the Branson with all the creature features and just better layout of controls, design, etc, etc. I drove, tested and rented a lot of tractors before I made my purchase decision and the Branson gives the most bang for the buck in my opinion.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Maybe the Branson people will give the JD and the others a run for the money. Or maybe the prices will slowly rise to the levels of the others.

 

[DavesTractor]

Right now in stock I have both an FX28D, FX42D, and both Branson 10 series, the 2810 and the 3510, among others. The FX28D/42D are awesome tractors and compare well with the Bransons. They do lack ROPS and stateside parts support, and are still a little tight around the operators area, but otherwise you can't fault them. We also have a YM2610D and a YM3110D in stock. I really like these older YM's, but they lack features compared to the newer F-series. (but are simpler and easy to work on).

Just my two-cents worth, and maybe I'll get change back at that....

 

[dkb1215]

Dave, I agreed with you on the F-series and the older ones are mechanically easiler to repair. My older brother said I was born with ten thumbs when it came to mechanial matters and I have to agreed with him. A older tractor and some older cars I owned would nickel and dime me to death. Most tractor dealers make more money on used tractors than new tractors and the price will rise as there reputation increases. From a resell point it would have been better to buy a new JD, NH or Kubota. But I plan on handing down this tractor to my son, who will be soon big enough to mow the neighbors five acres lots for his college fund. He and my 3 year old daughter like to ride on it as much as I do.

Cheers,

db

 

[pruntyc]

I don't believe you can really say a Yanmar will nickel and dime you to death. It's true it may have some small things, that will need repair, but not that much, or that often. If that had have been a fact, I would never have bought one, as I'm getting too old to want to repair them a lot. I don't have anyone to help me do it, so I have to do all it by myself or hire it done. So I bought Yanmar, because it don't need that much done to it. Let's be fair about it, if you want a higher priced tractor, or a new one, fine, but it dont' mean the other ones are less of a buy.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Yanmar tractors represent a good buy for the person who doesn't want to spend 20-25,000 for a tractor with loader and implements. Because of the high prices of the new American models, the used ones stay higher in price. Because there is less support, and an abundant supply, the grey market tractors fill the gap. If Bransons are good tractors and last, then used ones will clearly compete with the grey market tractors. If they don't last, or prices rise, then the yanmars and other gray's will stay around.

 

[LMTC]

Of course used tractors are less than new ones, and the Yanmars are probably THE "Best Buy" category for used compacts. With that said, when you start spending 10k for a 30+ HP unit with a new Koyker loader...and I'm talking about an exceptionally nice machine...some folks think a new unit with full warranty and current features is worth an additional $4-5k. How much you can afford is certainly a major factor. My personal opinion (possibly worth less than the $.02 offered above by Dave is that the under-25HP Yanmars (yes, 25 is a completely arbitrary number) can't be touched for value (cost/usefulness ratio). When you get bigger, they do have some competition for value. The Branson is a very nice machine. A Branson 3510 can be had with front loader (and there is NO comparison between this loader and the Koyker 160 used on 28+ hp Yanmars by many dealers--the BL10 is vastly superior), 5' rotary cutter, 5' box blade, PH digger w/9" auger for $16,140 at a not-to-be-mentioned dealer in the midwest, 45 miles NE of Cincinnati. That's not a bad package, nor a bad price. (OK...I apologize for the obviously gratuitous advertising). But the gray market, and particularly the Yanmars, will be around as long as there is supply. The Kubota import ban of some years ago may be the best thing to happen to this market.

 

[lmorris2002]

Do you have any tie rods for these tractors? We have a Century 3045. Thanks.

 

[clemsonfor]

WHAT!! This post is 9 years old!! i hope you find it, but you would have better luck in the branson model forum, or either starting a new thread in repair forum. Your new here so you may not realize that its been something like 2 years at least a year and a half since that member has posted in this forum (LMTC) he may still visit the site as a whole just does NOT post in the yanmar forum!!

Plus i think he is out of the parts business as a whole, i know hes out of the tractor selling end of it.

 

[lmorris2002]

Thanks. Never know unless you ask.

 

[clemsonfor]

I actually dont know if your talking about LMTC or the second guy to respond to the thread that said something about Bransons?

 

[lmorris2002]

At this point I'll take anyone who wants to respond. Just trying to figure out what the Branson tractor # would be equivalent to my 3045.

 

[California]

I was going to suggest the Branson forum but I see you already posted there. If you don't get a answer then reading old posts in that forum might suggest a knowledgeable dealer.

If all you need is a tie rod, could another off a truck etc be used in place of the original one? That doesn't seem like a complex part.