Opinions please..

brianb88 · August 17, 2014, 10:29:52 PM

Ok, I am considering buying a new Branson 4020r or 4520r tractor. Both come with a FEL, are 4WD and have the option of the grapple that I intend to add. A good friend happens to be a dealer and I would like to do business locally if it is a good deal. I am wondering if any of you have any experience with this brand and if so what do you think of it? I am leaning toward the 4520 because it's around 47HP. I am open to any and all suggestions. I am not opposed to used tractors but I am leaning heavily towards one with a FEL because I think it would be an asset for my (soon to be) sawmill operation.

drobertson · August 17, 2014, 10:35:07 PM

There are so many like makes and manufacturers, I would check the history. I have heard of these, and will say, an ole timer years ago mentioned to my when I started to get a similar unit for around the mill. They are not a one pony show. This said, it has often happened that I needed a 6k load ability, so, keep all things in mind.

StimW · August 18, 2014, 12:09:04 AM

I have had a 3510 Branson since 2005 and am very happy with it!
I bought the tractor and then later bought the FEL and after buying the FEL I realized I had only half a tractor before!! That thing is so useful for many things.
What sold me was mine came with a Cummins engine. Not sure if they still do.
I could see good quality with a lot of features. I worked on Semi tractors and trailers for over 30 years so I know a thing or two about machinery.
A good website to check out is tractorbynet.com they have a Branson forum and you can find much info there.

Hookpilot · August 18, 2014, 04:11:43 AM

Don't know the tractor but if you are getting a grapple may want to consider 8ply tires on the front. I had an M7040 with a grapple and went through two sets of tires before I changed to 8 ply and didn't have any more trouble.

StimW · August 18, 2014, 08:12:37 AM

Here is pic using FEL to lift my boat when swapping trailers

Here is a bucket extension I made for leaves and pine needles

And tractor with backhoe attached, I was removing tree and digging stump

I bought tractor with the R-4 tires (Industrial), they make it much more stable and don't hurt my lawn.

ladylake · August 18, 2014, 08:20:43 AM

While grapples are real nice and I'd get that first, forks will lift quite a bit more due to the lighter weight and also get a log a little closer to the tractor. Steve

jmouton · August 18, 2014, 09:06:00 PM

we have a 4520 , an older one maybe 2006 or so and we love it , everything is great on it until it breaks , the loader lever kinda sucks , thank goodness i am a welder too , i had to fabricate a new piece cuz the old one was made like crap , and get extra banjo bolts for the hyd lines you will eventually need them and they are hard to find , , but other than that it is a good little machine , dont expect to pick up bigger logs though it not rated for much on the loader , at least for me anyways , weight wise , ,, dealers are hard to find though, at least here in mich ,

thats my 2 cents worth

jim

brianb88 · August 19, 2014, 05:59:42 PM

Thanks all for the replies. I still haven't made up my mind but if I get it I will probably hold off on the grapple and look for fork attachment with grapple capability. They are about 400 lbs. lighter and the FEL only has 2100 lb. lift.

Nice looking tractor StimW 8)

bandmiller2 · August 19, 2014, 08:20:31 PM

I'am with Steve on the forks, I have both, the grapple is somewhere in the yard covered up with roof rubber. Grapple is good to pluck logs out of a trailer with sides. Frank C.

brianb88 · August 19, 2014, 10:33:48 PM

Again, I really appreciate all the info. I have spent many hours on the information highway looking for any and everything to do with this tractor and most of it is brand/dealer related sunshine and rainbows.

I want to know what happens when the tractor/ bushog meets 1-2" sweet gum/thick briar patch/tall thick grass or muddy/flooded bottom land? How does it perform in less than ideal conditions and just how rugged is it?

I have yet to find many bad reviews on this tractor and I wonder if that is because it is a relatively newer model. I am looking for any/all opinions. I have heard many of the good ones and I want to hear how it performs when it has to get down and dirty. thanks

Magicman · August 19, 2014, 10:39:45 PM

A reliable dealer with the appropriate service and parts availability would be a top priority.

brianb88 · August 19, 2014, 11:05:45 PM

Magicman, that is one of the main "pros" to me. The dealer is well known for his reliability and I trust him. I just can't help but look for the negative/cons in things, especially when they are relatively new/untested.

Magicman · August 20, 2014, 09:03:47 AM

I had never heard of the brand before you mentioned it, so I had to Google. A reliable/trustworthy dealer is essential.

Joe Hillmann · August 20, 2014, 11:34:04 AM

Quote from: brianb88 on August 19, 2014, 05:59:42 PM
Thanks all for the replies. I still haven't made up my mind but if I get it I will probably hold off on the grapple and look for fork attachment with grapple capability. They are about 400 lbs. lighter and the FEL only has 2100 lb. lift.

Nice looking tractor StimW 8)

I just want to point out that that 2100 lbs of lift is probably unrealistic. That is probably what it can lift if the load is hanging from the back of the bucket. As the load moves forward (away from the pivot point on the bucket) the amount it can lift goes down fast.

Hilltop366 · August 20, 2014, 12:05:12 PM

I have a 2000 f3550 with a Mitsubishi engine and Frey loader that I bought second hand in 2003 with 300 hours on it now it has 1000 hours on it. My location is 4 miles from the ocean (the first 3 years it was 300 feet from the ocean) I used it for snow removal the first few years I owned it so with the ocean spray and road salt it is very rusty the steel body parts are shot and some steel hydraulic lines under the tractor are quite rusty. Rubber parts don't seem to last long in the sun.

(for comparison cars that are not undercoated only last about 8 years here)

Mechanically it has been very reliable with no failures and seems heavy built.

Electrically there has been a few issues mostly caused by my salty environment, although the ignition switch did fail and was told by the parts guy that it was not uncommon.

I have had no problem getting the few parts I did order.

Can't say for sure if I would buy another to replace this one but I would give it a chance.

StimW · August 20, 2014, 10:37:28 PM

Quote from: brianb88 on August 19, 2014, 10:33:48 PM
Again, I really appreciate all the info. I have spent many hours on the information highway looking for any and everything to do with this tractor and most of it is brand/dealer related sunshine and rainbows.

I want to know what happens when the tractor/ bushog meets 1-2" sweet gum/thick briar patch/tall thick grass or muddy/flooded bottom land? How does it perform in less than ideal conditions and just how rugged is it?

I have yet to find many bad reviews on this tractor and I wonder if that is because it is a relatively newer model. I am looking for any/all opinions. I have heard many of the good ones and I want to hear how it performs when it has to get down and dirty. thanks

I have a Woods 5' Brush Cutter (Bushhog) and I use it on my 3510.
You want MEAN? I back up over Palmettos and lower the cutter and mulch them up!! That is serious clearing!
While I have a dual PTO, 540-1000 I have been told that the 1000 is only to be used on lighter accessories like generators.

brianb88 · October 30, 2015, 09:30:51 PM

Well, I ended up buying the 5220R with FEL and I am very pleased. I called the dealer to let him know I was coming to buy the 4520R and he said he said he had one on the lot but when I got there he didn't have it. He sold me the 5220R for the 4520 price. I bought it back in February and have put about 65 hours on it mostly bush hogging. Hopefully pictures will be with this post.

Magicman · October 30, 2015, 09:46:05 PM

Well, congrats on your shiny new Branson. 8)

Banjo picker · October 30, 2015, 09:55:24 PM

That is a nice looking machine. Ole Sid sure sells a lot of them. Banjo

brianb88 · October 30, 2015, 10:14:47 PM

Thanks MM and Banjo picker. I finally figured out how to attach a picture. Hopefully soon I will have a sawmill to add to the picture album.

beenthere · October 30, 2015, 10:55:30 PM

Note Brian, that you just need to upload the pic to your gallery once. ;)
After it is there, click on it and you see how to put it in your post (easier now with the additional effort of Jeff). 8)

Can always check on what is in your gallery by clicking your forum name, and there will be "My Gallery" to click to see all the pics.

brianb88 · October 30, 2015, 11:25:47 PM

beenthere, I kinda noticed that after my second third attempt.

I'm kinda of a slow learner afflicted with hard-headedness. ;D

Banjo picker · October 31, 2015, 09:33:38 AM

Hey Brian, not saying its the best way to do things, but I have found its easier for me to download the picture straight from my phone into my gallery. Then you can post from either the phone or your home computer... laptop or what ever you use. Come by and look at my mill one of these days...I bet we don't live 2 miles apart at least the way the crow flies. Banjo

Chuck White · October 31, 2015, 09:59:12 AM

Congratulations on the new tractor brianb88, looks great.

StimW; I like that bucket extension for leaves and pine needles. I may have to make one of those for my little Deere!