Why Branson over Others ?

[bigcut]

Branson Owners,
As I read over some of your posts, I noticed various comments about the quality of build and material in Branson Tractors, which peaked my interest. I had never heard of Branson before. My thinking was that Kioti and some others made some quality tractors. I asked myself how much of that is pure marketing. So I went to the Branson web site and looked over some of their units. In particular the 4225HC which is 42hp hydo, with cab. Very nice looking unit and as I read about the construction using cast iron and some of the other facets, I was impressed. Granted their marketing material isn't the slickest. However, going on data rather than glossies, I found it attractive.

So, I have a request to you Branson owners and I ask for your thoughts and comments regarding the strengths as well as potential weaknesses of the 4225HC compared to say a Kioti DKSE or NX4510. Or for that matter, JD or some of the other well known brands. How does their pricing compare ? Service ?

I'd like your insights as Branson owners about features, construction quality of materials, engineering aspects, capabilities, and options offered on the Branson product line. There's a dealer about 45 miles from me who looks like he has a 3 bay garage and lists his new inventory as 2017. So the dealer network maybe a little shakey, but, you tell me as Branson owners. I hold your opinion in higher regard than that of a salesman.

Thank you for reading the post and please provide both positive and negative input.
John

 

[LouNY]

less expensive, heavier, more features, less expensive.
I've had some problems with mine, but it's been a decent tractor.

 

[travlitt]

I have 2 Bransons, 8050 and 2400 that I run in my business. If I needed another tractor, it would be a Branson.

 

[ptsg]

If you have time, go to the Branson dealer, look at some of the tractors and I think you will quickly realize why us, Branson owners, keep saying that the tractors are really stronger and heavier. You will realize the castings are huge for such size of tractor. The axles, again, are huge and go all the way to the wheel. The build quality is really nice. You get a simple tractor without all the electronic stuff to give problems and even the DPF is really simple to remove if it will ever give problems.

Also sit in the tractor and maybe see if the dealer let you drive it for a bit to get a feel for it.

 

[ericm979]

The 3725 I bought cost less than the Kubota L3301 I was comparing it to and has many more features, such as independent PTO and linked throttle and HST. It's significantly quieter and smoother.

My Branson dealer ls a large one but they're 250 miles away. I do my own maintenance- it's no more difficult than doing it on a car or truck. My dealer's used to customers who are far away. They ship parts to me- so far just filters.

Negatives? The front axle filler/vent is on the right side by the wheel. If you stop on a side slope it'll leak oil. My land is all slope. My dealer sent me an extension tube which lessens the problem but does not completely fix it. Shifting transmission ranges can be a bit fiddly but it's easier than on the Kubotas I test drove. The diff lock pedal is on the wrong side on the open station 20/25 HST models. All of those are small things.

A tiny dealer would be a bit concerning though. Is there a larger one that's farther away?

 

[Texasmark]

Back in 2007 I decided it was time to downsize and retire. Sold off my green and was looking for a smaller tractor with cab and all the amenities. I work alone and mounting and dismounting implements were at the top of the list. Shopped all spring and really didn't see anything that rang my chimes. Fast forward....September and I'm driving down the road and see this line of red tractors at a trailer dealer. Takes me a couple of miles to decide to check it out. I did and the rest is history.

Besides having everything I could think of and more, Having had a Cummins 800 cu in. 400 hp Big Cam OTR truck engine I was impressed with Cummins engines of which Branson is a licensed international supplier.....that was another key ingredient.

The only reason I need a dealer is to purchase the tractor. After that it's the internet and UPS for support. I had a couple of minor issues initially with the AC pulley while in warranty. I contacted the Plainview site and wound up talking to the field rep, described my problem and in a few days I had not only the pulley, but a redesigned one, bracket and new V belt, free of charge no questions asked. Out of warranty anything I need I just call and in a few days UPS delivers.

One thing that impressed me was that I was mowing with my drum mower which rides out to the right side of the tractor. A rock hit my right door glass and it shattered. I contacted Plainview and within the week I had a new door via UPS.......they had 7 in stock there in Plainview. Not a warranty item since it was operator damage so I did pay for that.

In another instance I was working over some hard clay and was in a hurry. I had the FEL full of gravel since the plow I was using was heavy and front ballast kept the tractor level when the plow was in the transport mode. In all the bouncing around, and I mean I couldn't stay in the seat (air compressor operated deluxe seat with high back and armrests at that....standard), I messed up some bearings and spacers in the front drive assembly. Got out the service manual, identified the parts, called Plainview and was back up in a week with me working alone, doing all the work, on both sides of the front end.

 

[bigcut]

less expensive, heavier, more features, less expensive.
I've had some problems with mine, but it's been a decent tractor.

Lou, Can you share more specifically what kind of probems ? If you had to do over, would you have bought Branson?

 

[bigcut]

Tex, Thanks for the interesting response....not all of us have the mechanical talents that you have. I would especially want to rely on the Dealer thru the warranty period.

Glad to hear you can get parts so quickly.
John

 

[LouNY]

The main problem that I had was getting the tractor started the first winter,
the 8050 doesn't have a conventional clutch, it is a power shuttle with forward and reverse wet multi-disk clutches,
in low teens to sub zero the starter would only turn the tractor over about two revolutions and then stop,
it did not matter what battery was in it, booster packs, jumper cables it would not turn over.
My dealer was more then willing to take it to his shop to work on it but I needed the loader whenever it stormed
for loading the sander as well as moving the snow. I used to have to tarpit over and run a salamander heater on it to start.
I changed out the hydraulic fluid to Cen-Pe-Co multi-purpose which has a much better multi viscosity rating then convention
hytrans. The starter is just not strong enough for the drag from the hydraulic pumps, transmission I presume.
Problem solved, one other issue was the dealer had put in a lower radiator hose heater which didn't work very well,
I installed a block heater which works very well, but also shuts off the manifold heater to soon when the air is cold, so it requires several
key cycles to get the manifold to temp in zero or below, it will start now in well below zero. I do need to get another temp sensor and mount it away from the warm engine for cold starts.
I got quite disgusted with Branson USA as they couldn't be bothered to reply to questions from an individual and they were not real good answering the dealer.
That said I would quite likely buy again except for the fact that now there are quite a few 90-125 hp 4wds coming up because of the farm economy,
so yes if buying new I would because of the almost $20,000 difference.

 

[52wej]

Bigcut, I have had one for >14 years, simple, very strongly made, other than replacing a fuel pump and some glow plugs along with the regular filter and fluid changes, I have had few problems which I have discussed elsewhere in this forum. Best thing to do is what you have already been told, go to a dealer and test drive one. For what it is worth, I have the shuttle transmission in mine. W Jones