Price Check Used Branson?

[mocofarmhouse]

I am new and have been a voyeur of the TBN forum for about a year. I have an opportunity to pick up a 2011 Branson 4520r shuttle w/ FEL for $13000. I am concerned about parts availability and longevity. It has 700 hours. It is the most tractor I have seen for the money in my area. Looking for feedback.

 

[LouNY]

Is there a decent Branson dealer in your area?
Are you going to do any needed maintenance or repairs yourself?
That sounds like a decent price depending on it's condition especially the clutch.

 

[fried1765]

I am new and have been a voyeur of the TBN forum for about a year. I have an opportunity to pick up a 2011 Branson 4520r shuttle w/ FEL for $13000. I am concerned about parts availability and longevity. It has 700 hours. It is the most tractor I have seen for the money in my area. Looking for feedback.

I think that is one he11 of a deal at $13,000,...... for a 47HP tractor with FEL.

I do not own a Branson, but if I were looking for another tractor I would be looking at Branson as a likely first choice.
I am sure Branson owners will come along here soon, to give you personal experience advice.

On second thought:
Tell me where it is!
I'll go get it!

 

[EddieWalker]

I have a Century, which was the clone of Branson for awhile, then they eliminated the Century line and just made Branson. Same tractors, same parts. I've found parts to be a challenge, and often way over priced. My local dealer no longer sells them because he said that they allowed anybody and everybody to sell them without regard to their ability to service them or supply parts. He was having to do all the warrantee work for a dozen mom and pop dealers in the area that where only open a few years before closing down. The money wasn't there for him to keep doing this, so he switched to Mahindra and TYM. When I need something, like a fuel pump, he tells me what the cost is for a Branson part, and then showed me a Mr Gasket pump for a quarter of the price. I've been able to keep mine running by cutting out a lot of the electrical issues that I was having. I've completely rewired my tractor so there are no more gremlins to hunt down and try to find parts for.

The price is pretty good, but you will have to realize that in five years or so, you may or may not be able to find parts for it. I say five years because that's far enough in the future to not really know what to expect. Mine is over 10 years old and I'll keep using it as long as I can get it to start, but I have no expectations of being able to use it for the rest of my life. I will eventually have to replace it and more then likely, sell it for scrap because there is no way to find parts to get it to run any longer.

 

[fried1765]

I have a Century, which was the clone of Branson for awhile, then they eliminated the Century line and just made Branson. Same tractors, same parts. I've found parts to be a challenge, and often way over priced. My local dealer no longer sells them because he said that they allowed anybody and everybody to sell them without regard to their ability to service them or supply parts. He was having to do all the warrantee work for a dozen mom and pop dealers in the area that where only open a few years before closing down. The money wasn't there for him to keep doing this, so he switched to Mahindra and TYM. When I need something, like a fuel pump, he tells me what the cost is for a Branson part, and then showed me a Mr Gasket pump for a quarter of the price. I've been able to keep mine running by cutting out a lot of the electrical issues that I was having. I've completely rewired my tractor so there are no more gremlins to hunt down and try to find parts for.

The price is pretty good, but you will have to realize that in five years or so, you may or may not be able to find parts for it. I say five years because that's far enough in the future to not really know what to expect. Mine is over 10 years old and I'll keep using it as long as I can get it to start, but I have no expectations of being able to use it for the rest of my life. I will eventually have to replace it and more then likely, sell it for scrap because there is no way to find parts to get it to run any longer.

I wonder what more recent Branson buyers/owners have to say about this?
Hopefully RK tractors will not eventually suffer a similar fate?

 

[LouNY]

So far it hasn't been an issue,
do I wonder about it, certainly at times.
Does it keep me awake at night worrying about it, nope.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

I guess it depends on how many years down the road, and what exact part you may need. Bear in mind, that model Branson is still being made today. That's a lot of years of production out there in the wild. And they are being distributed world wide, not just in the US.

I don't stay up at night worrying about it either (same as Lou).

If you look over the tractor carefully, and it looks well maintained, I say go for it. 700 hours in 8 years is diddly squat, as long as it's been maintained, and operated by a sane adult.

 

[mocofarmhouse]

Thanks everyone. Good feedback. LouNY, I can get to a Branson dealer in an hour or so. I understand these are pretty simple machines and I would do most reasonable work myself. I have an appointment to check it out Sunday, next time he is available.

 

[ericm979]

There are Branson dealers who will ship parts.

 

[mocofarmhouse]

Good point, ericm979.

 

[mocofarmhouse]

I checked out the Branson. Overall it is good. My only concerns are some hydraulic creep in the loader and there is a small oil leak, I can smell the burning oil. It may be leaking from the front seal and from the pan by the oil filter. Told him my concerns and that I would call this evening. No one else is looking today. He has had others look but limited interest because of the lack of dealers in the area. I really appreciate any feedback.

 

[fried1765]

I checked out the Branson. Overall it is good. My only concerns are some hydraulic creep in the loader and there is a small oil leak, I can smell the burning oil. It may be leaking from the front seal and from the pan by the oil filter. Told him my concerns and that I would call this evening. No one else is looking today. He has had others look but limited interest because of the lack of dealers in the area. I really appreciate any feedback.

Maybe shoot him an $11,000 or $11,500 offer?

 

[mocofarmhouse]

I like that idea.

 

[johncanfield]

.......He has had others look but limited interest because of the lack of dealers in the area. I really appreciate any feedback.

Dealer support is a critical factor in a purchase decision, no support equals big hassles in the future.

 

[mocofarmhouse]

The guy could not come off the price but is throwing in a 6 cutter, that I need to buy anyway. My local Massey dealer services all brands and I have a friend in the business that can get the parts I need if it becomes a problem. For the value I plan to move cautiously forward. Thanks for all the help and advice.

 

[ptsg]

There are several members here very happy with their 20 series tractor.

With a bit of research, you can get any part you need or a good dealer that will ship whatever you need to you.

That doesn't look too bad of a price, specially with the mower included.

It's a very robust and solid machine.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

Well post pictures when you get it home.

We like tractor pictures.

 

[nards444]

Getting parts is is important dont matter how you get it fixed. I am kind of a DIY mechanic and thats kind of why I steered away from the off brands per say, not to say they arent good machines. Just if I need to get parts, i want to be able to get them. Nice thing though is the internet is a great tool to find just about anything and its unlikely brands closer over night. I dont really purchase things in my mind to last me a life time dont matter what it is. Sure that 12 year old hammer might last me till I die, but anything machinery based, I just dont see it.

 

[Tennsawdust]

If you have a dealer within an hour that is about as close as most of us are to a dealer. Branson builds a good tractor.