Bye, Bye Branson???

[DavesTractor]

Axlehub, you bring up good points. No doubt JD has been building a dealer base for over a century and they market themselves well, and by and large sell a nice product. It takes time and determination. As I have mentioned before Yanmar is a great example of a superb tractor that has been on and off in the USA for decades and probably does not have 1% market share. Good company, great tractor...where is the dealer network?

But you misunderstand me if I have given the impression that TYM just needs an engine to be successful. Yanmar has a great engine they build themselves, and that has not launched them as a success in the USA. Other examples are available. Maybe I overstated the importance of the engine deal, but I do think it is important and certainly a need TYM had. These brands should complement one another at the manufacturing level.

 

[AxleHub]

The question of make it in house or outsource it isn't a no brainer. Companies keep going back and forth on this type of decision. I know the one I work with loses business on occasion because they make a component and not the entire solution unlike their competitors. On the other hand we look brilliant because we make the piece that has the highest profit margin where as the other components are commodity.

Deere could decide tomorrow to start making its own engines everyone would say how brilliant they are. Specifically when it comes to engines it may be an issue with availability. Maybe TYM didn't have too many options to buy engines that met their needs and standards.

Building a dealer network is a tough thing to do in any business. A lot of companies are ill prepared to do what it takes. They have a "build it and they will come" attitude. It is really a lack of the right type of people to tackle the problem. You don't send an engineer. You need some skilled marketing, sales, logistics and communications people and of course management that is willing to listen.

Exactlt correct . . developing a strong sales and dealership network is both a focus of vision and a skill and leadership direction. If it was easy . . then anyone could do it. Its hardwork . . but having the right people in leadership makes it look easy.

As I've said before . . if TYM already makes decent tractors at decrnt pricing (obviously the Cabelas tractors appeared to be well made) then what is their dealer development team size. Lets face it . . Look how well it works out for dealers who sell BOTH Kubota and Massey . . TYM could be a second choice for dealers too.

 

[murphy1244]

Kubota teams up with New Holland in these parts as Massey is giving up ground. Lost 2 dealers in 2 years. 1 was replaced by Mahindra and the other just closed. Now I have to travel to get parts or online.

 

[AxleHub]

Kubota teams up with New Holland in these parts as Massey is giving up ground. Lost 2 dealers in 2 years. 1 was replaced by Mahindra and the other just closed. Now I have to travel to get parts or online.

Regionally massey has jumped considerably in my area and dealerships that combine kubota and massey are numerous. Also some multi branch dealers have massey and case at one larger branch and kubota at 2 other branches. New holland or ls are not frequently located regionally here.

If you want to see a big big massey and kubota dealer . . Its in a very small community in southern central Wisconsin not far from wisconsin dells . . In sauk city. I don't know you would find a larger mf dealer and few kubota dealers wouls be larger in my opinion. They also happen to be my dealer.

 

[murphy1244]

Regionally massey has jumped considerably in my area and dealerships that combine kubota and massey are numerous. Also some multi branch dealers have massey and case at one larger branch and kubota at 2 other branches. New holland or ls are not frequently located regionally here.

If you want to see a big big massey and kubota dealer . . Its in a very small community in southern central Wisconsin not far from wisconsin dells . . In sauk city. I don't know you would find a larger mf dealer and few kubota dealers wouls be larger in my opinion. They also happen to be my dealer.

Biggest MF dealer around here is in Apple creek Ohio They also sell New Holland and Fendt.

 

[AxleHub]

Well I did a little research on branson and tym websites about dealer locator. Neither had a dealer in a 50 mile radius . . But on a 100 mile radius 3 dealers popped up for each brand. Surprisingly 2 of the 3 were the same for both tractor brands . . not surprising is all of them were in small towns and all on the outer edge of the 100 mile radius.

So apparently tym and branson are already prior to purchase sometimes competitors carried by some dealers. Interesting . . I wonder what those 2 brands offered to dealers motivation to have both?

 

[jmh1783]

My local dealer carries both. I asked. What he told me is the cab models are nicer on the TYM. I didn't look at them so I can't really say.

 

[Infinite Wisdom]

I've never looked at a TYM but I have examined the Bransons and to my untrained ignorant eyes they look very well put together.

I'd buy a little 2400H model if I had a local dealer of the caliber of Dave's Tractor. I just can't take the risk when the local dealer's primary business is lawn mowers and string trimmers. I also don't like the idea of having to order a tractor out of the catalog. I want to see, touch and operate the actual machine I would be buying.

 

[AxleHub]

I've never looked at a TYM but I have examined the Bransons and to my untrained ignorant eyes they look very well put together.

I'd buy a little 2400H model if I had a local dealer of the caliber of Dave's Tractor. I just can't take the risk when the local dealer's primary business is lawn mowers and string trimmers. I also don't like the idea of having to order a tractor out of the catalog. I want to see, touch and operate the actual machine I would be buying.

Exactly right. Talking product or product improvement isn't the issue from many tbn threads on TYM and Branson.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

And deere has been selling tractors here for how long? Now its mega dealers.

John Deere "credit" has carried them through some rough times...saving their bacon and giving them an edge to keep growing.

SR

 

[Btown]

I've never looked at a TYM but I have examined the Bransons and to my untrained ignorant eyes they look very well put together. I'd buy a little 2400H model if I had a local dealer of the caliber of Dave's Tractor. I just can't take the risk when the local dealer's primary business is lawn mowers and string trimmers. I also don't like the idea of having to order a tractor out of the catalog. I want to see, touch and operate the actual machine I would be buying.

I completely agree with you on this. The one good thing about TYM is if there is a mahindra dealer ( most seem large and stable) nearby the 2500 series besides motor and loader share most parts, so when warranty is gone parts are available if the smaller TYM dealer is slow or can't get parts.

 

[DavesTractor]

I completely agree with you on this. The one good thing about TYM is if there is a mahindra dealer ( most seem large and stable) nearby the 2500 series besides motor and loader share most parts, so when warranty is gone parts are available if the smaller TYM dealer is slow or can't get parts.

No doubt Mahindra stocks a ton of TYM parts, it is a great source for TYM parts. I've often said that if you want a TYM, the best place to buy one is via Mahindra. Mahindra being the #3 seller of <80 HP tractors in the USA, is ahead of a lot of the "minor" brands regarding it's dealer base, parts system, etc. That being said, I see TYM getting it's feet on the ground and they very well could be a major player in the future in the USA.

BTW, thanks for the kind words from several of you guys. The dealer does make a difference.

 

[Aquamoose]

I agree with Dave!

 

[Cougsfan]

What a tread! Plumb full of speculation, unsubstantiated opinion and fear. Branson makes a good product. Their dealer network may not be as strong as a lot of other brands, but that doesn't scare me much. I have owned a grey market Yanmar for over 10 years and have put over 700 hrs on it. Not a major brand dealer that would touch it. But have I had any problems where it needed touching? Not a one. If I needed a repair shop I know a trustworthy one who would take it on without hesitation. My old Ferguson T035 has had a few problems, but I sure don't take it to the Ferguson dealer to have it repaired. My Brother in Law has an old Oliver that he still uses regularly. I have never ever seen an Oliver dealer. Modern tractors use more electronics and are indeed harder to fix in the back yard than is my old TO 35, but they are a lot more reliable too. Chances are that in 10-15 years when something breaks, you can get your Branson fixed at a general tractor repair shop just as easily as you can your New Holland. Even if you fidgety speculators are right about them going under, it would make no difference in the ability to repair it. It is still an excellent choice to buy.

 

[Infinite Wisdom]

Any updates on the Branson and TYM marriage?

I wonder how it is going and what the future holds.

 

[DavesTractor]

Any updates on the Branson and TYM marriage?

I wonder how it is going and what the future holds.

As a volume Branson dealer I can say we are seeing no negative impacts, in fact no impacts at our level. Branson continues to upgrade models and even has come out with new models.

For example, the new Branson HST models in the 15 and 20 series have Hydro-Max HST, which is a new transmission that functions like a lot of the high end HST tractors. As you push down the HST pedal, it ramps up the throttle. Very smooth, and the HST is quiet. Branson has always had a good HST, but it is noisy in high range. This one is pretty quiet.

And they are soon to launch a 25 series, which is an upgraded 20 series. I just got a few in stock, and I don't think it has even hit their website yet.

I mention these things to make it clear that Branson is not in a slow down mode or pulling back. They are being creative, bringing new products to us and importantly, Branson USA is a profitable company. Many import arms of tractor companies in the USA struggle to make a profit, often being carried by the overseas parent company. But Branson USA is healthy and profitable.

 

[Aquamoose]

My 3520h is chugging along splendidly and it's a stout tractor. So far, so good after 170 hrs!

 

[arnoldziffel]

Hello All,

Well it has been quite awhile since I started this thread. Haven't thought about Branson in a long time.

This morning I saw an older Branson at the side of the road with a For Sale sign and it reminded me of this discussion.

Now that TYM has been in the driver's seat for a couple of years, how is Branson doing? Are things better, the same, or worse? (I'm hoping better).

Please share your experiences, observations, thoughts.

 

[sd455dan]

This was posted recently

Branson Tractors Aims to be Market Leader Within 5 Years | Rural Lifestyle Dealer

New Products
New Models
Expanded Dealer Network

and

Better parts support

something that will be important along with expanding availability of parts and service manuals, to anyone that may consider buying a used Branson at some point

 

[DavesTractor]

It's been totally positive from a dealer's experience.