Buying Advice Look at new tractor. Between LS and Branson

[mred2]

I am in west Alabama. Looking at new tractor in the 40 to 50 hp range. I am impressed with LS and Branson. Both dealers are over 100 miles away. My biggest concern is parts and dealer support 5 and 10 years from now. I currently own an Iseki TL3200 , gray market tractor, no FEL. It has been and still is a great tractor. But I had to put a clutch in it last year and it took 2 months to get all of the parts. Part of the reason to really look hard at the Branson is the engine and no electronics.

 

[oldnslo]

I believe Branson was purchased or merged with LS in some way. I don't know if anyone can say for sure who will be around in 10 years. My 2400H had a couple of issues fixed under warranty and the response was good so my experience with Branson parts has been good. I have read some posts were people have had problems with sourcing parts for their Branson.

I have no knowledge of the LS product.

 

[TomIre]

My best suggestion is to list all specs for both models side by side. Got a lot clearer for me when I did that and ended up Branson. I'm not so concerned about the dealer as some are.

 

[mred2]

Listing the LS XR4046 to the Branson 4520R, they are close to the same. Branson weights in a little heavier and the gpm on the pump is almost 3 gallons more. I can not find anything on the Branson rear remote hyd. I see that 2 ports on the LS are standard. Looking at both sets of dealers and throwing out the lawnmower people, there is about the same number and about the same distance apart.

 

[mred2]

is draft control on the 4520R?

 

[ericm979]

The 20 series does not usually come with rear remotes. I think they're a dealer-added item. The Branson factory remote kit is very reasonably priced compared to Kubota and integrates into the tractor nicely. However the valves do not have float or detents.

TYM bought Branson's parent company Kukje a few years ago. So far the only external result is new 19hp SCUT models from both TYM and Branson that appear to be very similar. When TYM bought Kukje they said that they wanted Kukje's engines (formerly Cummins A series and formerly Onan before that).

If you haven't yet, test drive both and see if one appeals to you more.

 

[Stimw]

I bought my 3510 in 2005 and am still happy with it.
I recently looked at 2 tractors both 30's hp, RK on display and Mahindra that a friend bought.
I looked at the rear axles and axle housing. They looked less than heavy duty.
Probably 6" from housing to axle flange.
Then I looked at my Branson (had not really looked lately) and the Branson looks like industrial grade!
Very beefy and the housings come all the way out to the wheel mounting flange.
Some of the things I have done with my Branson I would be afraid to do with those tractors.
Like dragging this 10,000 lb container 75' and turning it 90*.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

I believe Branson was purchased or merged with LS in some way. I don't know if anyone can say for sure who will be around in 10 years. My 2400H had a couple of issues fixed under warranty and the response was good so my experience with Branson parts has been good. I have read some posts were people have had problems with sourcing parts for their Branson.

I have no knowledge of the LS product.

Branson has no affiliation with LS whatsoever. TYM has purchased the Branson line. LS tractor has been around for quite a while. LS has a greater dealer /parts support than Branson, but IMHO, Branson is going to get bigger now that TYM is in the picture.

Both Brands are excellent tractors, I don't think you would go wrong with either one. Go to the dealers, see where they "treat you right", compare specs, price, deal.

 

[oldnslo]

Branson has no affiliation with LS whatsoever. TYM has purchased the Branson line.

My bad on the LS Vs TYM affiliation. Darned old age and senility...

 

[PapeCAT]

I looked at both LS and Branson but the VE pumped mechanical engine with passive DPF/emissions won me over in the end. LS seemed to have some issues with weak steering hydro rams, and FEL hydraulic issues, that may or may not have been resolved by now. There have been a handful of youtube videos documenting the issues and with demonstrations etc. I think for the steering, they upgraded the XR cylinder to the larger XU style one

 

[WillBuc59]

Not sure how north you are in west Alabama but I bought my 4225CH from Sids. Couldnt be happier. The 4225 has two rear remotes standard, not sure about the one you are looking at. I also checked out the ls4140 and the Branson just seemed heavier duty. It was an easy choice for me. Like I said very happy so far.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

I could be mistaken, but I believe it's up to the Branson dealer to order the tractor with the rear remotes. I think mine told me that he usually just orders his (at least the 25 series) with the 2 rear remotes for his dealer stock, sitting on his lot. So you may want to ask your individual dealer if he's ordering his inventory with them. Mine was sitting on the lot with 2 rear remotes on it already, so I think he just mentioned it in passing to me.

As I said, I could be wrong. Maybe a dealer will chime in here to confirm?

 

[Texasmark]

If enough people buy Bransons there WILL be parts available no doubt.....where there is consumption there is supply....OEM or after market and don't put after market down, lots and lots of tractors running around with quality after market parts.

Branson is a licensed manufacturer of Cummins engines and is the main reason I bought my 6530. Second reason I wanted a fully decked out tractor and they had it. I bought the 2400 because I liked the 6530, without shopping brands....just called the dealer and said I wanted one, but this time I wanted the low ball, entrance level for little chores around the place.....with the Cummins engine. I totally agree on the simplest form of engine controls and emission control methods.

 

[Cougsfan]

My dealer carries both brands. I looked both rather closely. In the end I went with Branson because of the exhaust system and the heavier weight. I am sure I would have been happy with either though.

 

[Texasmark]

My dealer carries both brands. I looked both rather closely. In the end I went with Branson because of the exhaust system and the heavier weight. I am sure I would have been happy with either though.

Thank you sir. Just one more reason I'll have parts available over the years. Wink!

 

[scatterlandsfarms]

Bought a LS xg3025 last year after 51 hrs engine front seal blew found out a common problem with that specific model , warranty fixed lasted 4 hrs it was bought back by my dealer and I now have a branson 3015 love it

 

[mred2]

Went with LS XR4150, I think the closer dealer is the biggest reason.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

That is a good reason. Now go out and get some work done with your new tool.

(aka, Go have some fun!)

Enjoy.

 

[Hombre]

Buying a tractor, any brand, because the dealer is closer may make sense to a lot of folks but doesn't compute to me. Maybe that's because NOTHING is close to me where I live :laughing: . But If that were the case I'd be using a Mahindra because that dealer is about only about 40 miles away. I looked at them, neighbor has one, doesn't compare to my Branson, even he admits that. Now, I do have the means to haul my tractor with a 21ft. tilt trailer and a diesel pickup as I haul hay and other things as well. Living where I live it's just a part of what we do, so to me the difference in hauling my tractor 40 miles (Mahindra) 50 miles (Massey) 65 miles (Kubota) or 130 miles (Branson) doesn't matter but for a bit more time and 10 bucks more of fuel. I understand of course that this may not be an option for some but what's the difference in cost for having a "dealer" come get your tractor if it's an added 50 miles or so? I will add that the only time my tractor will go back to the dealer is for warranty work, other than that if I can't "fix" the issue it'll go to the (only) local equipment shop for repairs. I know him (and his son who also works there) pretty well and there probably ain't much they haven't worked on, this is farming country. So far in my 18yrs living here I've only had him work on one of the dump trucks I've owned, never one of the tractors I've owned, they haven't needed it. He's about 7 miles away. Still have to haul it there.