Is this tractor trashed or am I being too picky?

[BlaisePascal]

It looks rough to me. With that much abuse to the outside, I have to wonder how it was used/abused internally and if it had regular maintenance. The price would have to be very low for me to consider it.

Yeah, I hear you. But... how low is very low? $13k? $10k?

 

[BlaisePascal]

My 3725 stalls if you try to take off in high range at idle. The simple mechanical linkage Branson uses between the HST and throttle works well in low and medium but needs added throttle in high range.

Eric, are you saying that the stalling is a problem, or that's just they way the Bransons operate?

The cut and welded torque tube on the loader would concern me. If someone used the loader improperly and twisted the torque tube you fix it by cutting the tube, syncning the loader arms and welding the tube back together.

That makes sense, because I couldn't see any damage around the weld, and the tube wasn't bent. Thanks!

My other concern given the general damage and neglect is if the oil's been changed before the dealer got it. The maintenance schedule calls for a change at 50 hours of engine oil, HST fluid and front axle oil. They may have skipped all those and the dealer changed the engine oil. After the first change it's 300 hours for engine oil.

The oil filter has "156" written on it. The optimist in me says, "Good. The owner cared about maintenance." But the pessimist in me says, "That must have been the first oil change."

 

[BlaisePascal]

PASS Too many issues that are easily visible. What faults are there to make someone trade in a low hr machine?

The dealer said that it was traded in on a Bobcat. Maybe the owner was trying to use it like a Bobcat.

 

[BlaisePascal]

OP -
A LOT depends on price, there are a couple of listings on Tractorhouse.com

Yeah, price. My budget is limited, so I wonder if it would be worth buying at... what? $10,000? $12,000?

But where in heck near Birmingham, Al did it get down to 40ｰ? I'm in Fulton and the lowest we've seen is 47ｰ.

[/QUOTE]

I drove to Illinois yesterday to look at it this morning.

 

[BlaisePascal]

the welded front SSQA tube is a very common repair usually caused by using the loader with one lockdown arm not latched. The rest looks like minor stuff if the price was really low. Branson resale is usually pretty low as a percent of new price anyway. But buying used is always a risk

Does it indicate abuse or warn or ongoing issues? Or is it just, "Oh, somebody screwed up once, but now it's good."?

 

[BlaisePascal]

There's no way in h*** that I'd drive 10 hours to look at a tractor unless it was VERY special.
Forgive my ignorance, but why are you looking at this thing when you currently have a JD-5105? :confused3:

Well, it seemed pretty special before I got there. It has way more power and weight for the price than anything else I've seen nearby. And we're turning it into the first leg of a road trip.

I'd like to get a tractor with a FEL, HST, and 4WD to make life easier on my aching knee and back as i get older.

 

[BlaisePascal]

there's a much better deal here. https://www.tractorhouse.com/listings/farm-equipment/for-sale/28182407/2014-branson-4720h

Winner winner chicken dinner! :laughing:

That's the one we're discussing, and the seller came down from that price before I drove up.

 

[BlaisePascal]

Thanks, everyone for your input. I suspected that "Overworked!" is what the hive mind would tell me. I especially appreciate the detailed comments, such as on the torque bar and possible flooding.

I know that everyone's situation is different, but if your budget was very limited, what would you be happy to pay for this tractor? Give me some ideas of what it's worth, please.

I'm 95% sure that I'll walk away, but I could take the chance if the price was really right.

(Of course the seller may not agree.)

Thanks!

 

[AchingBack]

Thanks, everyone for your input. I suspected that "Overworked!" is what the hive mind would tell me. I especially appreciate the detailed comments, such as on the torque bar and possible flooding.

I know that everyone's situation is different, but if your budget was very limited, what would you be happy to pay for this tractor? Give me some ideas of what it's worth, please.

I'm 95% sure that I'll walk away, but I could take the chance if the price was really right.

(Of course the seller may not agree.)
Thanks!

Most of the time the worth of an item is a price both seller and buyer agree to. If you are comfortable with controls, and if dealer will give a reasonable warranty, as suggested, you might use the seven golden words to work a lower price: Is that the best you can do?

 

[searcyfarms]

id run like forest gump - if it sounds to good to be true it usually is, in this case I personally wouldn't want the tractor as I don't have time to deal with a list of items that would quickly turn into a project from the looks/sounds of everyones assessment here, but its not my decision, if you can live with it and don't mind fixing the things you find that need replace/fixing/$$$/time, that's your deal - no one know that part better than you