jbs -
<font color=blue>I was told by a dealer that Bransons have Cummins diesels not Yanmars?????</font color=blue>
Well, currently all the manufacture's web sites list Kukje engines being used in their tractors (e.g. Kukje, Am Jawa, etc.)
Perhaps the dealer is referencing the <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.kukje21.co.kr/english/Notice/NoticeView.php?no=11>announcement in March</A> about a strategic alliance between Kukje and Cummins. Since the announcement only came around in March, I'd find it hard to believe an entirely new batch of diesel engines has been designed/tested/produced as of September, much less actually installed in the various tractors (Branson/Century). Can't promise this of course, but just doesn't seem likely to me (along with a lack of evidence - e.g. "Cummins" is not listed on any of the manufactures web sites yet.)
My suspicion is that the "Cummins" (really a joint venture - not sure "who" is really producing those engines - Kukje for Cummins, Cummins for Kukje, Cummins design/Kukje mfg, etc....) diesels wouldn't find their way in to any equipment for a year or so, but that's just speculation on my behalf. Based on the press release, it sounds like the most likely scenario is that Kukje would handle the mfg. part of the “joint venture” where Cummins would handle most of the design aspects, which begs the question again “who” is really “making” the engine? - Kindof similar, but not exactly like, Ford making cars in Mexico - U.S. Design, Mexican production - Is it a "U.S." vehicle or a "Mexican" vehicle? /w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif Course since Ford owns the Mexican production facility, whereas Cummins and Kukje are separate entities, it isn't exactly a perfect comparison, but you can see my point.
Regardless, it sounds like the dealer you speak of is probably “Jumping the Gun” in regards to claiming the engines in Bransons are “Cummins” (again, all the engine #’s correspond to Kukje (or Yanmar) engines, not to any current Cummins engine #’s.) Of course, just because there is a joint venture, it doesn't mean that the current Kukje engines would be "thrown out" and replaced by the new "Cummins" engines in Branson/Century tractors, although it could certainly happen based on the HP specs (18-60) listed in the press release. (I'm not sure what the plans for these engines really are - e.g. they might be used in other equipment manufactured by Kukje or be for a market other than the U.S.) - Time will tell I suppose.
Hope this clarifies things a bit.