Buying a Branson

[ljjhouser]

Are there other dealers around you - maybe within 50-60miles. Any Kioti, New Holland, Ls or Deere. I have not had luck with Deere, but you may. I might be tempted to return to Kubota - did he talk about interest free financing and Kubota ins. Also, when you buy a tractor, that is really the best time to add implements you need. Whoever the dealer, don't talk to him about that he has, but the entire tractor line. Look at the size you want. Then look at one larger than you want. It is hard to know what features are offered if you don't see them.
For me, I looked at tractor ads and websites. Those companies make a riding lawn mower look like a 80 hp tractor. Until you see them. So look at them. Start it up. Ask questions like - how much will that FEL lift. How much does fluid in the tires cost for ballast? Am I going to have to pay sales tax? Do you want HST. I know that inventory is down at this time. But I would not want to be pushed to a tractor, then see a lot full that you like better when stock Is filled.

You might also want to ask about Tier 4 compliance. How to you feel about regeneration to burn particulates. I think Branson may be one of the only tractors that do not use a particulate filter to comply. Unless you are staying under the 25 hp (it think 25) requirement. Best wishes. Larry

 

[fried1765]

I know very little about the Branson line, but as a guess I would think the -20 series might be the best size for you.
Has it ever been said: "I wish I had bought a smaller tractor"?

Branson, Deutz Fahr and Scag mowers. Being too new is the red flag?

That is an EXCELLENT product line!

 

[fried1765]

I am more worried about:

1. Dealer jumping to the most profitable brand too often (ie they will stop selling Branson soon)
2. Dealer not having adequate parts inventory on hand (because they support so many brands)
3. Dealer not having adequately trained service staff (because they support so many brands).

Sure every dealer is going to have some variability but keep this in mind. Some on the forums could care less about the dealer support, and that is respectable. For me it is important.

Yup.......I am one of those who could not care less about dealer support.
Nearest dealer for any brand is 1-1/2 hours away from me.

 

[BenjiMac]

I like the gear transmission on my tractor and would not want a hydraulic transmission. Mostly because I can set an engine speed and the tractor speed remains constant. Mine has 4 speeds plus reverse, and high/low range selector. Much better would be some number of forward speeds (my 8 speeds are good) and a synchro shuttle shift, so that backing up would automatically be the same gear as forward, and reverse can be accomplished instantly when needed. I test drove a John Deere with this arrangement and it was good, however I have not bought a new tractor (ever). Mine is an old MF 165 which has about 50 PTO HP and Cat2 hitch which is way more than I need. If I were buying something new it would probably be more like 40 engine HP and Cat1 hitch. My riding mower has 24 engine HP which is great for that but it is no farm tractor!

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

I like the gear transmission on my tractor and would not want a hydraulic transmission. Mostly because I can set an engine speed and the tractor speed remains constant. Mine has 4 speeds plus reverse, and high/low range selector. Much better would be some number of forward speeds (my 8 speeds are good) and a synchro shuttle shift, so that backing up would automatically be the same gear as forward, and reverse can be accomplished instantly when needed. I test drove a John Deere with this arrangement and it was good, however I have not bought a new tractor (ever). Mine is an old MF 165 which has about 50 PTO HP and Cat2 hitch which is way more than I need. If I were buying something new it would probably be more like 40 engine HP and Cat1 hitch. My riding mower has 24 engine HP which is great for that but it is no farm tractor!

Just so you know, the Branson's come with "cruise control" as standard. At least mine did. So you can select your HST range, either use the hand throttle, or push down the pedal (the throttle is linked to the motion pedals as standard feature on the HST), and once you reach the ground speed you want, press the cruise control button and it will hold that speed for as long as the cruise control is on. Just make sure your foot is on the motion pedal when you take the cruise control off, or the tractor will come to a sudden stop.

I use the hand throttle when I'm mowing (pto speed), and just use the linked pedal when doing most anything else.

To reverse, just move your foot to the "R" pedal, and you're backing up. Same "gear" as when you were going forwards.

 

[DGZRT]

I did a lot of research and the Branson seems to be on top for the money . I have the 2515H and do I wish I had more power maybe sometimes. You have to learn how to use the implements and what gear works best for the job . I have the loader with bucket. A Grapple and a box blade . The amount of work I have got done this year is uncanny and Tractor time is good therapy! I’ll post a few more pics

 

[DGZRT]

The grapple sure makes short work of trees

 

[fried1765]

Are there other dealers around you - maybe within 50-60miles. Any Kioti, New Holland, Ls or Deere. I have not had luck with Deere, but you may. I might be tempted to return to Kubota - did he talk about interest free financing and Kubota ins. Also, when you buy a tractor, that is really the best time to add implements you need. Whoever the dealer, don't talk to him about that he has, but the entire tractor line. Look at the size you want. Then look at one larger than you want. It is hard to know what features are offered if you don't see them.
For me, I looked at tractor ads and websites. Those companies make a riding lawn mower look like a 80 hp tractor. Until you see them. So look at them. Start it up. Ask questions like - how much will that FEL lift. How much does fluid in the tires cost for ballast? Am I going to have to pay sales tax? Do you want HST. I know that inventory is down at this time. But I would not want to be pushed to a tractor, then see a lot full that you like better when stock Is filled.

You might also want to ask about Tier 4 compliance. How to you feel about regeneration to burn particulates. I think Branson may be one of the only tractors that do not use a particulate filter to comply. Unless you are staying under the 25 hp (it think 25) requirement. Best wishes. Larry

I bought a nearly pristine used Kubota L48 TLB, because it was exactly the BH size I was looking for (11' reach).
That said; it was a compromise for me.

I would have preferred shuttle shift, but it came with HST.
That is sorta OK, but what I do hate is...... the treadle pedal!

The Japanese engineer who ever came up with that idea should be banished to Siberia!
The machine is nice!
The treadle pedal stinks!

 

[Bowmbd]

I did a lot of research and the Branson seems to be on top for the money . I have the 2515H and do I wish I had more power maybe sometimes. You have to learn how to use the implements and what gear works best for the job . I have the loader with bucket. A Grapple and a box blade . The amount of work I have got done this year is uncanny and Tractor time is good therapy! I’ll post a few more pics

Thanks for the input, that’s a nice setup you got! When do you feel the power lacking? I’m concerned about pto hp to handle attachments which is why I was looking at either the 3015 or 3515. Honestly for the price difference might even go with a 4215 haha I don’t know!

 

[Bowmbd]

I have a 2020 Branson 3515R it's a great little tractor I'm running a 7 ft Bush hog on the back log splitter cordwood saw 7 ft wide 12 ft long grader blade and other implements on 40 acres it does everything I ask of it Plus check out keno tractors for the price that's where I bought mine from and a much better price than the local dealer and they shipped it to me fabulous dealer. no problems ask for Eric or George they can point you in the right direction tell you what size tractor you need and which implements would be best for you. All it takes is a phone call and they are online also they hide nothing I am very very satisfied with the dealer and the tractor they can even work you a package deal you may even get a price before you can compare with the other dealers they have the best lifting capacity of any tractor good luck

Thanks for your help, sounds like the 3515 can handle a lot of stuff, is there any times you wish you would have bumped up to the 4215? Also thanks for the tip about Keno, I’m checking out their site right now.