Buying Advice Buy new Branson, LS, or Massey VERSUS used Case55, NH-TN65, or Kubota M5700

[ericm979]

Bransons use traditional mechanical fuel injection along with a DPF. There's no discrete regen, it's continual. The only computer is a data logger and it'll run with that unplugged. All other CUTS use electronic injection and most also have a DPF. Regen periods vary from every four hours to every 30-40 or more. Some regens are more noticeable or distruptive than others. Generally the larger the engine the less noticeable or disruptive it is. It's usually not a problem. Once you have it down to a few models check here to see what the regen is like.

You can get mechanical injection worked on lots of places. Electronic injection has fewer moving parts to go wrong and since all new trucks use it people will know how to work on it.

I'd want to have a dealer who has a history with the brand and works on tractors. But if you do your own regular maintenance and can do simple mechanical work there's a good chance your tractor won't ever have to go to the dealer. In which case they don't need to be close by.

 

[Grandad4]

Just my opinion, but I would be worrying a whole lot less about computer stuff on the new equipment than i would be about going to all this trouble to get a used cab tractor with heat and A/C that may not be reliable. You're shopping for equipment of an age and price range where much of what's for sale can be past its prime. If your A/C goes out down there next summer, you'll be doing your chores in an oven. If you've gotta go used for budget reasons, the condition of what you buy probably means more than what brand it is. Keep looking until you find a really good, clean one that has been well cared for.

 

[Kentuckyfarmer]

Why I bought Branson it is mechanical. I do my own work on and maintenance. All though I have a orange and green dealer just a rocks throw from the house the cost of the same size tractor was way to high and they wouldn't talk price at all. I do have two kubota's, a bx23 and a bx2200. Both were used when I bought them and I can work on booth of them. No computers, no dpf' and both are tuff little machines. So far I am happy and have had no problems with the Branson other than the fan hitting the shroud but called the dealer in Texas, I'm in Kentucky and they sent updated fan with a different hub and a new shroud at no cost. Warranty. I have had no problems getting any needed maintenance parts and the dealer has said doesn't matter what I need they can get it. May take a week or so but at my age the sun won't quit shining because I need a part for the tractor because it will take a week to get here. The savings of almost and over 10 thousand for the same horse power at local dealers was my deciding factor. I'm not brand loyal and I like my money just as much as the dealers do.

 

[jeff9366]

My dad died of cancer a couple of years ago and my mom so far survived four rounds of cancer treatment but still ticking away so my girlfriend is worried that the Texas sun is going to give me skin cancer. I know that when I go out there even with a white long sleeve shirt and a big hat I still come in black after a long summer day on the tractor, plus all the flying sand and grass sticks to the sunblock lotion she makes me apply, LOL.

So she has me looking for a cab tractor

Have you purchased clothing produced specifically for its sun blocking effect, or do you just put on an old white shirt from the closet, despite your very high risk cancer profile?

Are you wearing long pants?

I am 70 years old. I wear long sleeves, long pants and a big straw hat operating my tractor all year long. Florida summer temps are 95-97 degrees with high humidity.

Have you considered installing $500 worth of LED lights on your current tractor, then doing most of your tractor work before sunup, all of it before 10:00 AM?

$500 of LED lights will light up all Texas.

Do you schedule a dermatological exam every six months? With your risk profile and sun exposure annual exams are too long apart.

Melanoma kills.

 

[bspeedy]

I believe the CASE 55 is a Shibaura built tractor. They are nice tractors. My 2005 New Holland is Shibaura built and has been a real good tractor to me. Have you test drove any of these tractors yet? I would definitely test drive all of them and see which one fits the best.

There are a couple of different versions of the CASE 55. Some Shibaura built (good), some not built by Shibaura and with the CVT transmission (bad). If this particular tractor is a Shibaura machine with hst or shuttle shift, that would be my pick. Kind of a mid-size cabbed tractor. Good hp.

 

[FMFProperties]

....So far I am happy and have had no problems with the Branson other than the fan hitting the shroud but called the dealer in Texas, I'm in Kentucky and they sent updated fan with a different hub and a new shroud at no cost. Warranty. I have had no problems getting any needed maintenance parts and the dealer has said doesn't matter what I need they can get it. May take a week or so but at my age the sun won't quit shining because I need a part for the tractor because it will take a week to get here. The savings of almost and over 10 thousand for the same horse power at local dealers was my deciding factor. I'm not brand loyal and I like my money just as much as the dealers do.

I'm in Texas and looking at a dealer 2-1/2 hours away but I can still get a better price in Arkansas including free delivery. Which dealer in Texas did you buy it from if it's ok to say? That dealer sounds like a keeper and if the difference is a few dollars I might go with them.

 

[FMFProperties]

Bransons use traditional mechanical fuel injection along with a DPF. There's no discrete regen, it's continual. The only computer is a data logger and it'll run with that unplugged. I'd want to have a dealer who has a history with the brand and works on tractors. But if you do your own regular maintenance and can do simple mechanical work there's a good chance your tractor won't ever have to go to the dealer. In which case they don't need to be close by.

I read this thread http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/century-branson/348538-2015-branson-3520h-dpf-issue.html about Branson and replacing the DPF and it was very informative, even if it went off topic a few times. Anyway my main concern with buying new was that and after reading that thread and what you guys have been saying now I'm trying to decide between the Branson 4750C and the 5220CH both under $30k and with 4 year warranties. Waiting to see which one gives me the best return on my trade in.

Just my opinion, but I would be worrying a whole lot less about computer stuff on the new equipment than i would be about going to all this trouble to get a used cab tractor with heat and A/C that may not be reliable. You're shopping for equipment of an age and price range where much of what's for sale can be past its prime. If your A/C goes out down there next summer, you'll be doing your chores in an oven. If you've gotta go used for budget reasons, the condition of what you buy probably means more than what brand it is. Keep looking until you find a really good, clean one that has been well cared for.

Correct and since everything I find locally modern and used and in good condition is the $25k range I've decided that for $5k more I might as well go new. What the heck I can't take it with me so I might as well enjoy it and let Uncle Sam pay for most of it when I fill out my tax returns.

Have you purchased clothing produced specifically for its sun blocking effect, or do you just put on an old white shirt from the closet, despite your very high risk cancer profile?

Have you considered installing $500 worth of LED lights on your current tractor, then doing most of your tractor work before sunup, all of it before 10:00 AM?

Melanoma kills.

I actually wear long pants and white custom tailored shirts (not that I would pay for something tailored) because they were my uniform shirts when I worked for the government of Abu Dhabi a few years ago flying humanitarian helicopter operations over the deserts of Saudi Arabia. Those people know how to dress to avoid the sun !!

Regarding working before sun up, I'm retired and love to watch the TV comedies at night. When I flew for a living I had all kinds of night shifts but since I now get to chose the hours I'm not in my bed sleeping, I don't like waking up early to do anything but go to the bathroom and go back to bed, lol. Also the kind of work I do on my property isn't something you can do at night, you really have to see down the runway to compare and make sure contours are correct almost every day and also look for gophers and deer and hog damage. Yes some of those things can probably be done with bright lights at night but it's not as easy and with my old tired eyes I can't afford to miss anything or it could mean a damaged airplane during landing.

Of course if I didn't have the budget for a new tractor I'd probably be just working a lot harder in the early mornings but like I said earlier, since I can't take it with me I might as well spend it on making those hours siting on the tractor a little more comfortable. I don't drink and I don't smoke so I guess I can say the cab with A/C and heat are an expense I might be able to live without but I have to enjoy life so it might as well be with a new comfortable tractor.

 

[Kentuckyfarmer]

I'm in Texas and looking at a dealer 2-1/2 hours away but I can still get a better price in Arkansas including free delivery. Which dealer in Texas did you buy it from if it's ok to say? That dealer sounds like a keeper and if the difference is a few dollars I might go with them.

Big Reds.

 

[FMFProperties]

Big Reds.

Cool, you might want to find out if they have some kind of program where you get something for referring a new client. I spoke with one of the owners today for about 1/2 an hour and I think I'm going to drive over there tomorrow to test drive a couple of their tractors and decide which one to buy. I'm sure they'll ask and I can tell them you referred me to them.

 

[Kentuckyfarmer]

Cool, you might want to find out if they have some kind of program where you get something for referring a new client. I spoke with one of the owners today for about 1/2 an hour and I think I'm going to drive over there tomorrow to test drive a couple of their tractors and decide which one to buy. I'm sure they'll ask and I can tell them you referred me to them.

Thanks man. I shopped around for the most bang for my buck. I didn't care about color I just wanted a tractor I could work on and Branson was only one that was still mechanical enough for me to understand that was new. I have a whole tool box full of tools and still am able body enough to work on things like I do with everything I own. The price and what I stated was my deciding factor for my purchase. So far it's been a good one and growing up on a dairy farm in Minnesota and owning my own little piece of the world I have drove lots and worked on all we have owned. Not saying it's the best or the worst but I have no complaints. It's your decision, good luck in what ever color or make you get. I said in another post only regret I have I wish I bought the biggest one Branson made so I could use bigger equipment so I had more time to sit on my lazy butt and drink coffee on the front porch. Let's us know what you decided on and your experience. It always makes an interesting read. Thanks again