Branson

Inspector507 · Jul 22, 2002

Some questions have been posted recently about Branson Tractors. I happened to look at them at the Power Equipment EXPO in KY this past weekend and got a couple of pics for you guys that are interested. They looked solidly built from what I saw.

Inspector507 · Jul 22, 2002

One more

rotr · Jul 24, 2002

I have seen them before and was impressed. Know that the Korean firm that builds them also build the JD 5000 and 6000 series as shown on their web site. (http://www.kukje21.co.kr/english/)

Ron

Woodbeef · Jul 24, 2002

Kukje also has a deal with Cummins to manufacture engines.

Anonymous Poster · Jul 30, 2002

Here's a picture of my Branson 2810. It's the smallest one they make. Weights 3,640 lbs. 28HP.

rotr · Aug 1, 2002

Like I said, I really liked the Branson. Was looking close at the 4020 but the dealer would'nt deal. He was asking 16,900 for the unit w/ an ALK35 loade.

Ron

Soundguy · Aug 8, 2002

Nice looking machine, who makes it for branson?

Soundguy

markie61 · Nov 20, 2002

I drove the 4020 today and was impressed enough to call long distance to Georgia with some questions not answered by the dealer (he's only had them a few weeks.)

Positives - VERY impressive tractors - full-featured, good fit/finish, handle well, 12/12 synchro shuttle tranny, tilt steering, 3cyl turbo engine, 540/1000 rear pto, draft control, rear work light, canopy are all standard. Loader quick-tach bucket standard.

Negatives - The loader joystick hits the throttle control when moved left. I wear pants with a 33" in-seam, so my legs aren't THAT long, but my knees were even with the steering wheel tilted all the way up. The ROPS is not supposed to be folding, but has a hinge-type joint that looks like it could - but it had two anti-vibration bolts through it. Had horn button but heard nary a beep.

I called Branson and spoke with the service manager and here is what he said: Joystick - He was aware of the problem and they are working on a better loader arm design. He also said they working on a heavier loader. Steering wheel: He said they were so aware of it that he was expecting extenders to arrive tomorrw (11/21/2002)! All newer ones have the longer steering column. ROPS: He said the ROPS wasn't certified by the Feds with a quick-release pin, so they were bolted up. They are working on folding ROPS certification.

Here a prices initially quoted (I haven't negotiated heavily yet):
3520 - 3cyl Kukje, 35hp, 3762lbs, BL20 loader (2094lbs cap.) $16K
4020 - 3cyl turbo Kukje, 40hp, 3795lbs, BL20 loader $16.7
4520 - 4cyl Yanmar, 45hp, 3883lbs, BL20 loader $18.5

I dig 'em! Drove Kioti, Kubota and New Holland today, too. Gonna see Mahindra Friday!

Gosh, this is fun! /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif
Mark

LMTC · Nov 21, 2002

Honestly, those prices are pretty decent. A dealer is always faced with the dilemma of pricing with enough margin to allow the "negotiation" most people anticipate and enjoy versus pricing rock bottom to attract as much potential customer base as possible. It is something we wrestle with constantly. With the advent of the internet, wherein customers price shop across states and regions, this is even more of an issue. Costs and overhead vary dramatically from place to place, and these affect pricing.
I certainly understand a buyer negotiating for the very lowest price he can get---I do so with my suppliers too. I am just saying please recognize that a dealer does not always have margin to go lower. You reach a certain point where you truly are better of not making the sale (with the premise that you will eventually make the sale at the necessary price--if your product is overpriced in the market to begin with, well...you're cooked) ....you have to have a certain margin per sale to operate the business. The only time that rule evaporates is in a cash flow crunch.
I would expect to sell the 3520/ldr for 15,900, the 4020/ldr for 16,400, and the 4520/ldr for 18,250, and that would be the rock bottom thingee mentioned above. I am most impressed by the package of the 3510/loader which we expect would sell for 14,750. Also a canopy would add app. $350. I don't believe a canopy is standard equipment, but perhaps it was at some point when that dealer bought units. They are very nice tractors. Kukje has shown serious intent to adapt to our market and put forth a quality product...witness the adaptations re: the steering column. In fact, they have a tech who spends part of the year here working with the importer on just such issues/revisions, and then goes back to Korea to carry those ideas to the factory.
We are impressed enough that we anticipate becoming a Branson dealer in the very near future.

markie61 · Nov 21, 2002

I appreciate your comments. I recognize that a dealer has to make a profit - I had a retail store for a lot of years. I never begrudge someone for making some bucks off of me/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif.

You seem to have a good attitude. Where are you located? - I'm trying to stay within a couple hour's drive of DC. In addition to other brands, I put out a Request for Proposal to all the Century and Branson dealers within 125 miles - all 4 of them....

Mark

Inspector507 · Nov 21, 2002

Mark,
Wayne(LMTC) is not going to be within 125 miles of you.......but I would trust him.

Jerry

DavesTractor · Nov 22, 2002

I'll add my two-cents worth from northern California. I am so impressed with the Bransons that I now have 6 new ones setting beside all my used Yanmars and Iseki's. Our prices, which include tractor and loader, with R1's is as follows: 2810 $13,950, 3510 $14,950, and 4020 $15,950. There is a little wiggle room in there, but not a lot.

Great company, very responsive and friendly management, and a real nice product.

Enough sales pitch...go take a look at one if you have a dealer nearby.

markie61 · Nov 22, 2002

I emailed Branson and Mark Eubanks, VP, replied very quickly to my concerns. Here's what he had to say:

<font color=red>Dear Mark:

Thank You for your interest in Branson.

The answer to your first question on the Steering Wheel we have an extension that can be added to the tractor which will raise the steering wheel.

Second the jovstick has been changed and we should have the new model out very soon. We will be happy to exchange to the new lever as soon as we receive from our Korean company. This should be soon after the first of the year.

Third, I do not understand this problem since all our unit for over one year have been shipped with a folding ROPS. Please let me know the dealer where you test drove this unit and I will find out the problem.

Fourth, the horn is an option. The unit comes pre wired and the horn can be added by the dealer for a small charge.

Please give me a call if you have any other questions. My cell phone number is 706-346-**** or I can be reached at nights at 706-235-****. You can also call our warehouse office at 877-734-2022 between 8:30AM and 4:30 PM Monday thru Friday eastern time.

Again thank you for your interest and we look forward to you becoming part of the Branson Family.

Regards,

Mark Eubanks
Branson Tractor Co.
</font color=red>

I'm really glad he replied. I wouldn't have bothered with them except that their products have suddenly become a serious contender in my tractor search.

Mark

PS I edited out his home and cell numbers for his privacy.

Chipperman · Nov 22, 2002

Hello LMTC
I am thinking of getting involved with Century (Am. JAWA) Since they appear to be the same tractor (different importer) have you spoken with them? If so what did you think? They also have the Zetors. I have herd they have excellent service and are good to work with.
Good Luck,
Chipperman

btractco · Nov 25, 2002

The Century is basically the same tractor but their 50 series loader has a better subframe and remote joystick on the fender. Completely out of the way. We also sell the 30 model Korean loader. It has been improved on but the joystick is still somewhat in the way. The ROP folds. There is a smaller model coming in the spring but there are 5 models available now. Glenn

fran · Dec 20, 2002

I was suprised to see the differences in regional pricing on the Bransons. In Michigan I was quoted $13750 for a F4350 Branson with loader, it has the Yanmar engine. That seems a lot less then the prices you received, but the model numbers don't match?