Cabela's vs Branson

[Texasmark]

TYM is far more established than Branson. I would say the Branson has a higher likelihood of becoming an orphan than the Cabela's.

The only branson dealer I know of here sells forklifts. Think they're gonna stick with them long term if sales aren't brisk enough? I don't.

I just bought a new "around the property" helper. Dealer sold TYM and Branson. Had both sitting side by side. Took me all of about two minutes to decide. My 8 year old 65 now has a little brother, a 2400.

 

[Texasmark]

The issue with Kukje in the US isn't if they're a good tractor, it's if it's a supported product or not. They've been marketing here for 13 years and have collapsed one brand already (Montana). TYM and Kukje are both South Korean companies, so the product lines aren't entirely different from the import/quality/value perspective, but one has done a better job of gaining market presence than the other in roughly the exact same length of time in our market. Branson, for whatever reason doesn't look to be taking flight. TYM isn't doing a bang up job either, but they've managed to attract vendors like Cabela's to partner with, and I don't think Cabela's would've chosen a product line they felt would cause them adverse exposure putting their name on it. Say what you will about them entering the tractor biz, but they've got a history of picking some pretty good lines to attach their brand to.

Dollar for dollar, I got my Deere for less money than the next size down in a Branson. That point about value just doesn't hold water.

Well when I bought my 6500c back in 2007 I shopped all the favorite colors and gave up. Six months later I saw the Branson lineup and bought my 6530c. I'm so disgusted with the badge that I just bought a little 2400 for around the house chores. One reason is they both have Cummins (licensed) diesels and I know what their reputation is.

 

[arrow]

I think Branson builds one of the most solid tractors I've ever looked at and preferred them over much of what I looked at including what I own now. I think much of what has been said about their future is indeed speculation but the fact that there is speculation may be enough to thwart the op as he did ask for opinions. Depending on how the op is wired will depend which advice holds the most water for him.


As far as a "working" tractor, you cannot go wrong with either. The other stuff is ancillary but priorities held by the op will help flesh out the decision.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

One reason is they both have Cummins (licensed) diesels and I know what their reputation is.

Nothing against Branson, but the only thing "their" Cummins diesel has in common with a REAL "Cummins" diesel is, the name!

SR

 

[Jim Timber]

Branson has 2 dealers in the state of MN, and one of them makes no mention of it on their website and has a MG car listed in their used equipment along with 4 old tractors looking hard on their luck.

The other has 1 tractor in their showroom and will order them if you buy.

I don't know about other areas in the country, but when your dealer isn't even invested enough to carry inventory, it sends a clear message to me about their intent to maintain the line. But that's speculation too.

 

[TSO]

For anyone looking to compare in the S/E Michigan area, Hodges Equipment carries both TYM and Branson.

Hodges Farm Equipment

 

[coolnick73]

The dealer in Plainview, MN has a 3520c and the one in Burnsville, MN had 2 4520c's and a 3520c along with a few open station models. The Burnsville dealer said he was going to order 12 more, but that could have just been talk to calm me.

I have an old Bolens 274g (Iseki I believe) and I know I have troubles with parts that's one of the reasons I prefer a more secure brand. I'm also a bit hesitant about computer controlled engine management as I am unsure if there is some sort of industry standard like they have in cars (OBDII).

 

[coolnick73]

I think Branson builds one of the most solid tractors I've ever looked at and preferred them over much of what I looked at including what I own now. I think much of what has been said about their future is indeed speculation but the fact that there is speculation may be enough to thwart the op as he did ask for opinions. Depending on how the op is wired will depend which advice holds the most water for him.


As far as a "working" tractor, you cannot go wrong with either. The other stuff is ancillary but priorities held by the op will help flesh out the decision.

I can tell you the op is got some faulty wiring! I'm just scared of limited parts availability in the future but don't want to pay a $10k+ premium to get a John Deere. That being said, if I can find my winning Power Ball ticket, I would get the Deere.

 

[coolnick73]

The 45 and the 55 hp tractors are different "use" classes of tractors. Don't judge a brand unless you are comparing apples to apples.

The size specs on both of these are comparable. I think they both are only cat I 3 point hitches. The LM55 is the top end size of that size chassis while the Branson's 4520c is the middle, I may be wrong.

 

[Pierrepont]

Would you consider a Kioti or perhaps a Mahindra?

I think they are here for the long haul and the pricing reflects a solid value.

 

[bobmisi]

Nothing against Branson, but the only thing "their" Cummins diesel has in common with a REAL "Cummins" diesel is, the name!

SR

I don't know where you are getting your information, but I called Cummins for glow plugs and a block heater, because they are much cheaper than the dealer. I was told all parts are interchangeable. Only reason it is not advertised a a Cummins is that would cost Branson much more in licensing fees. Why is it all the non Branson owners are all experts on Branson tractors. Bash, bash, bash.........................

 

[coolnick73]

Would you consider a Kioti or perhaps a Mahindra?

I think they are here for the long haul and the pricing reflects a solid value.

My closest Mahindra had what I was looking for but it was about $6k higher and I am slightly concerned about the new CRFI they have and if there will be serviceability problems way in the future due to a one-off computer system.

I don't have a Kioti dealer near me. Maybe because I am a simpleton, but Kioti's (and Kubota's) product lines are too big. I like the number system like the current JD's chassis size and HP. When you start throwing all these letters in I am afraid I will pick the wrong tractor. It would be nice if there was some sort of chart with the different ranges and sizes of all the different manufactures on a spreadsheet or something.

 

[Pierrepont]

Is the Cabela LM55 less money than the same TYM version right from a TYM dealer?

 

[Texasmark]

Nothing against Branson, but the only thing "their" Cummins diesel has in common with a REAL "Cummins" diesel is, the name!

SR

Based upon what information source? If you are really interested in the engine mfgr. that has over a Billion $ in annual world wide sales you can google their www and read FACTS for yourself. Licensing manufacturing processes in other countries is not new business and to license a mfgr. you are putting your badge at risk.

My 6530's B3.3NA is licensed to Komatsu in Japan....you know, the "other guy" you see in heavy equipment at construction sites......yeah they build junk and their equipment falls apart.....that's why they are in most every large scale construction site down here.................My current engine A1100N2 is licensed to Kukje, which is also a heavy equipment mfgr. in Korea. Yeah they build junk too........Oh yeah and just happen to be the mfgr of my 6530 among other colors. An if you are interested in the "junk" they build, just www their side and view the rainbow......including the beloved green!

 

[Texasmark]

Branson has 2 dealers in the state of MN, and one of them makes no mention of it on their website and has a MG car listed in their used equipment along with 4 old tractors looking hard on their luck.

The other has 1 tractor in their showroom and will order them if you buy.

I don't know about other areas in the country, but when your dealer isn't even invested enough to carry inventory, it sends a clear message to me about their intent to maintain the line. But that's speculation too.

I went to the nearest of 3 local Branson-TYM dealers who had about 20 tractors on display. He only had one 2400 and it was loader/backhoe and was sold. This was on a Friday and on Monday he said he would have a new shipment.

On Monday I arrive with my trailer and he has a lot full of fresh Bransons that just arrived from the port of Los Angeles. Mine still had protective foam wrapping on it. Oh the comparison I said elsewhere between Branson and TYM in the 20-25 hp class , where I chose Branson in 2 minutes, was the only one on the lot that was sold.......aka he was sold out!

 

[Texasmark]

I don't know where you are getting your information, but I called Cummins for glow plugs and a block heater, because they are much cheaper than the dealer. I was told all parts are interchangeable. Only reason it is not advertised a a Cummins is that would cost Branson much more in licensing fees. Why is it all the non Branson owners are all experts on Branson tractors. Bash, bash, bash.........................

Yeah I get tired of the back seat bashing too. Lots of educated (uneducated) mouthpieces flopping around here. Course you have to ask yourself what's their motivation? Not hard to put them into one of about 4 categories of lip flappers.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Do you two guys get any sleep at night?? OR do you toss and turn all night long thinking of words to put in peoples mouths???

I never said they were junk, I said they were only Cummins in name, and I stand by that.

NOW, how about all the broken Branson bell housings?? (read broken in half) In the past, i've personally seen two and now I see there's another guy with one on this site right now, that he's fixing.

SR

 

[Streetcar]

I would worry with either brand. Neither brand has been successful in building a dealer network. They could follow the path of Suzuki in the car market and just pull up stakes in the US.
In my area when the ls, kioti mahindra dealer close another one will open. The same can not be said with Tym or Branson

 

[AxleHub]

I've read all the posts in this thread up to this point . . yet a significant advantage has not been mentioned. If you get a Cabelas unit . . obviously TYM dealers are mentioned. However . . Cabelas Land Management service departments are not closing. My point is that Cabelas is pledged and committed to support its customers at the locations where product is purchased. This means parts and servuce personnel too.

Lets remember that Cabelas service business and personnel are trained in multiple areas including boat and tractor and atv. As a result Cabelas tractor SALES people may leave or transfer . . but service personnel are not. And Cabelas reputation to customers is far more important to their future . . so supporting the Land Management product is in their best interests for all their other efforts and sales areas. Point is a dealership is not closing . . just a department.

Whether a Cabelas or Branson is "the best choice" I can't say. What I do know is that on addons and implements . . I've heard a couple stunning discounts happening.

Whether or not the OP gets a tractor or not . . Don't be afraid to keep checking on opportunities . . ESPECIALLY because if a store loses its salesperson before it is out of inventory . . then things will discount a bunch faster.

 

[Handloader109]

Well, Axlehub, I'm not sure that cabelas will be retaining the service personnel. A lot would depend on the number of tractors that a particular location has sold. And how many service /repairs that have been done over the past few years. I questioned my local sales person and he was pretty confident that the repairs would likely be farmed out to the Tym dealer. He didn't expect that there would be enough work to keep a tractor service person. Which is fine by me. But in all honesty, I'm not worried about it now. And there are going to be some good discounts going on. And they are good tractors.