TYM Acquisition of Kukje: Any Speculation On Branson Future

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

This subject comes up over and over. Nobody wants to buy a tractor unless there is an absolute guarantee that the brand will be around for the next 100 years. This security blanket isn't as important or even as valid as most people think. Get a book like "The Ultimate Guide to Tractors" and to a glimpse of the history of how the business has evolved. The tractor business is an incredibly inbred with constant mergers, acquisitions, takeovers, re-badging of tractors, farming out the construction of a model to a competitor to fill a perceived gap in their line-up and so-on. As mentioned, John Deere and Kabota are the only brands that have kept their identity, and even their linage isn't nearly as pure as they would like you to believe. They both brands have certain models that didn't sell well and are quite hard to get parts for.

The bottom line is that if a tractor is selling, they will keep selling it, weather it be TYM, Branson, or LS or whomever. And if the tractor sells in sufficient quantities parts will be available for longer than you will probably own the tractor. Branson falls into that category. If it is a model that doesn't sell, parts will be harder to find, regardless of which manufacturer badged it. I have owned various tractors of various brands for the last 40 years. The truth of it is, if my tractor needs worked on, I have never gone back to the original dealer. I either do it myself, or if I can't, I go to an independent tractor repair shop. I have generally found independent shops to be less costly and more competent that the dealers. Good shops are also very good at tracking down the weirdest parts for the weirdest tractors. My brother-in-law can still find parts for his 1950's Oliver.

I have no fears whatsoever about Branson coming under TYM's control. We don't even know what that means. If both models are selling well, why would they quit making either? It has doubled their dealer network. They have been maintaining both for a couple of years now. Heck, they could decide Branson is better that TYM and rebadge Bransons as TYM. Or maybe Mahindra will merge with Kioti and buy TYM, who knows?

The bottom line is that I would buy another Branson without reservation. It is a good tractor. I don't think I will have any trouble getting what I need to keep it running for years to come.

A lot of common sense in this post.

 

[Industrial Toys]

One thing for certain. The plight of the little guy or previous customer (that constituted corporate success) will mean absolutely nothing in the ways these things work. As they say, moving forward!

 

[Btown]

Good friend of mine bought a Bobcat tractor a few years back, good looking tractor, he only uses it around his Vet business, cleaning the shavings from the horse runs then loading it and hauling it away. He mentioned to me the other day about having bought a "pig in a poke" as it's parts are unobtainium.....I recall when he first bought it I was pretty impressed by it's looks and features. I have no idea where he bought it as I've not only never seen a dealer anywhere around advertising them I had never even heard of them before he bought his. His is, I believe, the only one I've ever seen. I say I "believe" because a fella that lives a couple miles down the road may have one as well, never seen it up close but the color is white as is my friends.

Your friends tractor is a white Kioti. He will have no problems getting parts for it. The loader is different along with some options. But it is a white Kioti.

 

[Hombre]

Your friends tractor is a white Kioti. He will have no problems getting parts for it. The loader is different along with some options. But it is a white Kioti.

That's good information. Actually I looked it up after I wrote my first response and "discovered" that information. I'm not sure if my friend knows this or not. I will be sure to pass that info along to him just in case.

 

[Btown]

That's good information. Actually I looked it up after I wrote my first response and "discovered" that information. I'm not sure if my friend knows this or not. I will be sure to pass that info along to him just in case.

That’s good. If you like red tractors, McCormick sold a red version back then, they have now switched to a Branson built tractor. But there was a time you could get a Kioti in white, orange and red. They just had different stickers on them. Those tractors I think are great, strong, easy to work on. Not like most new ones.

 

[DK35vince]

That’s good. If you like red tractors, McCormick sold a red version back then, they have now switched to a Branson built tractor. But there was a time you could get a Kioti in white, orange and red. They just had different stickers on them. Those tractors I think are great, strong, easy to work on. Not like most new ones.

Yes, Kioti made the Bobcat tractors.
I believe they made the McCormick X10 series for a couple years(X10.25, X10.30, X10.40,X10.50, X10.55, X10.75, X10.90) 2011- ?
They also made a few Cub Cadet models for a short time (8354, 8404, 8454) 2004-2007 according to TractorData.

 

[Texasmark]

There's a lot of speculation on this site but not a lot of information. I don't think much gets out of the executive suites of TYM and Branson. The facts that Branson's still around as a brand, selling their own tractors and coming out with new models all indicate that TYM intends for them to stay around as a distinct brand.

The situation with Cabellas was not the same- they were not a tractor dealer or manufacturer, just a network of dealers big enough to put stickers and paint on the tractors.

Any manufacturer you buy a tractor from could get bought the next week and shut down the week after, or go bankrupt. It's not likely to happen with Kubota or Deere but there's no way to know for sure.

"The situation with Cabellas was not the same- they were not a tractor dealer or manufacturer, just a network of dealers big enough to put stickers and paint on the tractors.".........and a sports store, not a farm related entity. Apples and oranges.....another opinion on here.

 

[Texasmark]

So far the only thing that we can say that came up from this Branson and Tym group, was the small 19HP Branson tractor that I believe is made by TYM.

Here in Europe, Branson seems to have nothing to do with TYM. They are quite active in visiting the dealers to check out if they have what it takes to keep Branson owners happy. I follow some Facebook pages from dealers in Portugal and Spain and they quite often post pictures with Branson executives visiting dealers and importers.

IMHO and having checked Branson and TYM tractors side by side, I say that Branson builds an heavier and stronger tractor than TYM. Same applies for the fit and finish of the tractors. Not saying that TYM builds bad tractors, but I would say the TYM has more to learn with Branson than the other way around.

When I was ready for a little around the farm workhorse I chose the 2400 and called the dealer to see if he had one. He said next week another truck will be in on Wednesday, currently sold out. Wed. I was there with my money and a trailer. While he was getting the price for that and some implements I also bought, a TYM of comparable hp (25 hp as I recall) was sitting adjacent to the one I was buying (dual dealer B and TYM). Yepper, not equal critters. I left with the tractor for which I came.

 

[Texasmark]

Yes, Kioti made the Bobcat tractors.
I believe they made the McCormick X10 series for a couple years(X10.25, X10.30, X10.40,X10.50, X10.55, X10.75, X10.90) 2011- ?
They also made a few Cub Cadet models for a short time (8354, 8404, 8454) 2004-2007 according to TractorData.

Bobcat was out on the interstate for a lot of years. A few years before they moved to a new location I saw some of the white and orange Kioti tractors there; apparently started selling tractors too. Never checked them out as I was ok for equipment at the time.

 

[bigcut]

I was looking at an old thread with posts from 2016 that was titled: "Bye, Bye Branson". I actually read every post. Since that time we've seen Branson come out with the 25 series and smaller tractors, which appears to have been well received. Indicating that the prophecies of some posters have been accurate. Branson is still there but, not without their issues pertaining to their dealer network expansion.

Does anyone know if TYM has integrated the Cummins designed engines into their line. Any changes to mfg. Many felt that was a key reason for the acquisition ? Some have stated that the 20 series is being discontinued in the European market, with the inventory being pushed thru the US market. Anticipation is that the 25 series will be the way of the future with an expansion of the line with varied HP offerings.

Dave of Dave's Tractors seemed to be closest to things. I was wondering if Dave cared to update us on what he sees happening in the marketplace. What things have come true, and if there are any new projections he could offer.