Buying Advice First tractor at my new place

GuiltySpark · May 26, 2017

jeff9366 said:
"The Branson's look well built, but I've no exposure to them. We have a good dealer (so I read) that's sold them for a while, so that's a plus. For not a bunch more money, I can step up into a 47hp package deal with practically every implement I need. It's very tempting.

Yes, I'd consider most all of them too small for round bales on the FEL. The Bransons are the only ones on paper that show the lift capacity with any wiggle room, and they are over a foot wider too.

I circled back to the JD 4044M and Kubota MX4800HST and they sit nicely against the Branson 4520R, and the quote was comparable IF you throw out the TILLER, AUGER, BOX BLADE AND 20' TRAILER in Branson package deal. (!?!?!?)
At that point, I'm buying the dealer. I'm not saying that's a bad idea. That's what I'm wrestling with."

Texas is probably Branson's largest market. You have enumerated plenty of good reasons to go with Branson.

Precisely what Branson model or models are you considering?
LINK: Branson Tractors - Home

I've been considering a 3015R, 3520H, and a 4520R. Just trying to balance HP and capacity against my budget. When you look at the totals, it still feels like a big difference price wise. But payment wise, we are talking $75-$100 per month between the 3. Anything bigger, and I've spent more than I care to. For reference, here are the quoted prices:

$22,395 - 3015R w/ BL15 FEL, 60" rotary cutter, 60" tiller, 60" box blade, auger and 20' trailer
$26,995 - 3520H w/ BL25R FEL, 72" rotary cutter, 72" tiller, 72" box blade, auger and 20' trailer
$28,195 - 4520R w/ BL25R FEL, 72" rotary cutter, 72" tiller, 72" box blade, auger and 20' trailer

ericm979 · May 26, 2017

Unless you're going to regularly be hauling the tractor to another location it may be better to rent the trailer when you need it. Trailer rental is cheap even here in California. Check out the package deal implements- often they're the light weight light duty ones, and that's not always appropriate.

Slowpoke Slim · May 26, 2017

Those are really good prices there Guilty.

When I was tractor shopping early this year, I was completely brand neutral. I was frankly appalled at the total lack of customer service from most of the dealers here. That was the deciding factor for me to go with the Branson. I picked the dealer more than I picked the tractor. I couldn't FORCE the local Kubota, Kioti, Case/Massey or New Holland dealers to even speak to me, let alone wait on me. The John Deere dealer actually SPOKE to me (I was in rapture), but didn't have a single model close to what I wanted on hand for me to even climb on, and made no effort of any kind to get one in for me, wanted me to travel 200 miles to look at a JD model in a neighboring state.

The Branson dealer had several different model sizes on hand, bracketing the size I was thinking of, asked me which one(s) I was interested in, tossed me the keys and said "go play, and come see me afterwards if you have any questions".

I'm happy with mine so far, it's my only experience with the brand, and I'm glad I went with a bigger size chassis than I was originally looking at. The 3725 is the same tractor as the 4225, same weight, capacities, etc. Only 37 hp instead of 42 hp. I like the extra stability of the heavier chassis, and I'm glad I went with filled rear tires. I think I'm sporting just over 6K pounds with FEL and box blade, which is a nice all around weight I think for this size.

I say pick your dealer before you pick your tractor.

jeff9366 · May 27, 2017

ericm979 said:
Check out the package deal implements- often they're the light weight light duty ones, and that's not always appropriate.

Yes, research carefully. Will your existing vehicle tow loads under consideration?

I would go with one of the 72" rotary cutter packages.

GuiltySpark · May 30, 2017

Slowpoke Slim said:
Those are really good prices there Guilty.

When I was tractor shopping early this year, I was completely brand neutral. I was frankly appalled at the total lack of customer service from most of the dealers here. That was the deciding factor for me to go with the Branson. I picked the dealer more than I picked the tractor. I couldn't FORCE the local Kubota, Kioti, Case/Massey or New Holland dealers to even speak to me, let alone wait on me. The John Deere dealer actually SPOKE to me (I was in rapture), but didn't have a single model close to what I wanted on hand for me to even climb on, and made no effort of any kind to get one in for me, wanted me to travel 200 miles to look at a JD model in a neighboring state.

The Branson dealer had several different model sizes on hand, bracketing the size I was thinking of, asked me which one(s) I was interested in, tossed me the keys and said "go play, and come see me afterwards if you have any questions".

I'm happy with mine so far, it's my only experience with the brand, and I'm glad I went with a bigger size chassis than I was originally looking at. The 3725 is the same tractor as the 4225, same weight, capacities, etc. Only 37 hp instead of 42 hp. I like the extra stability of the heavier chassis, and I'm glad I went with filled rear tires. I think I'm sporting just over 6K pounds with FEL and box blade, which is a nice all around weight I think for this size.

I say pick your dealer before you pick your tractor.

Yes, that's good advice. Dealer wise, I've had mixed experience. I've gotten really great sales service from both the Yanmar and Massey dealers. But they are both small and new, so I'm worried about them being there through the full term of the warranty and after. New Holland, I couldn't even get on the phone or to return an email. Kubota and Deere dealers have been great. The Deere dealer is part of a chain and their "smaller" locations are great to deal with, while their larger one is certainly aiming for $500k sales at a time and doesn't have much time for a little guy like me. So far, only Yanmar and Kubota have offered to toss me keys and turn me loose on their demo tractors.

The Branson dealer is the furthest away, and while I read good things online, I don't know anyone who has actually purchased there. I'm smack in the middle of orange and green country, with a few antique Fords rolling around. No one wants to admit to buying anything else. And while I am intending on purchasing a very long term tractor, I still feel that thought creeping in the back of my mind about resale value. Pretty much, it's Deere, Kubota, and trailing in a distant 3rd, New Holland around here for used. Anything else is few and far between, and they don't seem to have as much used value.

jeff9366 said:
Yes, research carefully. Will your existing vehicle tow loads under consideration?

I would go with one of the 72" rotary cutter packages.

No. This summer is a tractor purchase and next summer is 3/4 ton truck upgrade. For now, I have quick access to borrow either a F250 or F450 and trailers, so I'm not too worried.

WVH1977 · May 30, 2017

When I purchased my tractor I drove 6 hours away to get it because of the price. The New Holland dealer that was 15 minutes from me was thousands more than what I paid for the same tractor new with two attachments and a 20 ft trailer. Back then I did not care less or think about the dealer. I was looking for the cheapest new tractor price for the tractor I wanted. Actually the dealer I bought the tractor from has been out of business for quite a while. They were a small dealership trying to move tractors, and that is how I got the good deal. I knew I could get parts where I live and there are plenty of tractor dealers and mechanics around my area. The local dealer was a little mad I did not purchase from him but he could not compete with the price at all. I still go to the local dealer and buy all filters and parts I need and get along with them just fine. I have been fortunate and never needed to have the tractor worked on. The manufacturers warranty is good anywhere a certified dealer for your brand tractor is located. Just another option to consider and think about, especially when spending thousands of your hard earned dollars.

airbiscuit · May 30, 2017

I would add Kioti to that list.

madpuma13 · May 30, 2017

Not sure if you purchased yet. I live in central Texas and had a similar dilemma when choosing my tractor.

I ended up going with Branson for various reasons. One of which, price.

The major Branson dealer in our area I found was quite pushy when it came to sales. I went out and found a smaller dealer and got an incredible price on mine.

They weren't pushy at all. Shoot me a pm if you're interested in the name of the dealer. Might be a little further away but it may be worth it to give them a call.

GuiltySpark · May 31, 2017

airbiscuit said:
I would add Kioti to that list.

I have reviewed them online, and the Massey dealer is also the Kioti dealer in my area. I'll be sure to check them out when I get there. FWIW, I couldn't find anything online about pricing.