TYM 494 or Branson 4820

[CloverKnollFarms]

This sure hit the spot, I am in the same boat, 4820 or 494. They both have pros and cons but the pros seem to lean more to the 494.

They are both solid units. I drove both, and ended up with the 4820 obviously. The 494 does have a larger foot print, quite a bit longer actually. The 4820 is noticeably more compact

 

[Torvy]

Roughly 14" longer, but 1" narrower. The choice can really depend on how you plan to use it. My dealer priced them the same. The 494/574 was still a bit cheaper because the remotes are standard.

 

[fishbones]

Roughly 14" longer, but 1" narrower. The choice can really depend on how you plan to use it. My dealer priced them the same. The 494/574 was still a bit cheaper because the remotes are standard.

28,900 for the 4820 and 30k for the 494 but like you said, it has the rear remotes and a much cleaner / easier 3rd function kit which are big plus to me.

 

[Torvy]

28,900 for the 4820 and 30k for the 494 but like you said, it has the rear remotes and a much cleaner / easier 3rd function kit which are big plus to me.

Interesting. Initially, the 20 series was more expensive by about 3k. My dealer was a Branson dealer and preferred those models (had them in stock). High volume dealer.

Only mistake I made was not paying the little extra for the OEM 3rd function kit. They used the WR Long kit. (Uses less metal tubing). Dealer preferred the Long kit.

 

[Bob Gibson]

Parts availability could be a issue with a lot of brands. A lot of parts are no longer available for my Kioti Lk2554. I still can get things like filters and such but I had to modify the dash when the instrument panel was no longer available. Also had to find a different way when my sector shaft broke and was no longer available.

Manufactures will support models until it is no longer profitable to do so. Branson has some models they already have quit supporting. I chose Branson because of the mechanical injection and overall quality of the tractor. I am also aware that a time may come that I will have to be creative to keep it going. If I was buying today I still would choose a Branson for the same reasons.

I bought a Century 2635 about 20 years ago which became equivalent to a Branson 3625R and can still buy any part I need. As a result, I recently bought a TYM/Branson 4820R as part of a California environmental program to replace older diesel engines. I looked at John Deere and Kubota, but for a tractor with less Hp, the price was going to be about $20,000 more, and I was told that I wouldn't be able to easily get a gear drive machine I would have to live with hydrostatic, so I went back to Branson! Also, the Kukje/Cummins engine was simpler, no computer. The rear axle on the Branson has the planetary gears in the transmission/differential housing instead of outboard at the ends of the axles, I like that because the housing and axles are much more robust/heavy, and weight is more important than Hp when doing tractor work. I couldn't be happier and am glad I didn't change from Branson. By the way, even though TYM/Branson dealers are not close to me in the San Joaquin Valley, I have never had to wait more than 4 days for any part to be delivered to my door! I am not a hydrostatic fan because I usually do my own mechanical work and gear drives are simpler and transmit power with less loss in my opinion and I stay away from computer run engines for mostly the same reason!