Branson BRANSON3520 4.30 star(s) (4)

Branson 3520
Model Year: 2003

I bought my Branson 3520 with a backhoe, loader and brush hog when I first moved onto my small farm. It was the best investment I could have made. Compared to John Deere and Kubota, it is a much better deal for your money. Since that time I have added a rock rake, back blade, post hole digger, spike drag, cultivator, two bottom plow, disc, bale spear, forks and wood chipper to my collection. I have used this tractor around my small farm using all of the above without fail. The only items I have replaced besides normal maintenance items were a headlamp, o-rings on some hose connections and two glow pugs. My dealer, Boulder Equipment in Shelton, WA, has been outstanding. Providing great service and excellent prices on various implements I have added. This is really a great tractor for the price.

Pros: Cost and Reliability.
Cons: Would like a bit more power on the bucket to lift larger round bales.

Excellent Machine: 2004 Branson 3520
Model Year: 2004

I did quite a bit of comparing before I bought this tractor. I shopped the green, blue, red, and orange, and when comparing price, HP, weight, lift capabilities and forces, I figure I saved $12K over a competitor. I chose this Branson 3520 non-turbo model because I wanted something a little larger than what I currently have. I opted for the non-turbo because the HP increase vs. cost and reliability concerns I had were not worth it to me since it was a first year turbo production. It has R4 tires, PS, tilt wheel, 2 speed PTO, 12 speed F&R, adjustable suspension seat, 4WD, diff. lock, horn, signals, H&L lights, and 2 stage clutch. The steel and finish is high quality. I like the easy access to the platform. I am about 6' and the shifter did not interfere with my knee or leg, as some of the other brands did. The parking brake latch is easy to use with my foot. The seat is very comfortable. It has started flawlessly in extreme cold. The 35HP Kukje engine has plenty of power and a fuel sipping 1 gallon per hour @ 1800rpms. The gas pedal and throttle operate flawlessly. The loader and backhoe is stout and fast, very stable on slopes, and it lifts heavy loads. There are Zerk fittings at most wear points; some had to be changed out to an angle fitting due to accessibility problems. This is my first 4wd tractor and I will say that I do not know how I have lived without 4wd in the past. I will never buy another 2wd tractor again. The 4wd has pulled me frame high through mud and even deeper snow. I did get the unit stuck on a creek bank but I was able to use the backhoe boom dipper to lift the tractor up and on to firmer ground. If I keep my tire pressures correct, the 4wd disengages without problems. The access to the light and signals could be more accessible. The exposed fittings in the undercarriage could be better protected or engineered, since they are vulnerable to damage from the debris below; a skid plate should be standard equipment to protect the plastic fittings, rubber hoses, and or the linkages below. The rubber quick-connect plugs and caps for the loader are cheap and deteriorated within months of my purchase. The loader operates almost flawlessly; I am told there is a restrictor in one of the ports to prevent the loader from speeding down under a heavy load (this causes the engine to labor somewhat while slowly lowering the loader, even when empty. I am told this can be corrected by drilling the restrictor hole and making it larger. The OE fuel pump appears weak and does not tolerate any debris and the filter is located downstream from the pump; I went with an aftermarket pump with a pre-filter. After 4 years, the OE fuel filter assembly was replaced with an aftermarket unit due to, in my opinion, the poorly pressed-in hose fitting design that came loose. The fuel sender was replaced on my property, without cost during the warranty period. The fuel gauge has stopped working properly again and does not work at all times below half tank. The dealer and the manufacture replaced the defective tie rod ends and upgraded the plates at no cost even though I was out of warranty. I consider my issues to be minimal. I have approximately 325 hours on this unit and I have been very satisfied with my investment, my Charlottesville Virginia dealer, and the manufacturer. I would recommend this product to anyone looking to buy a tractor in this price range.

Pros: Price, quality, low maintenance, & the cost to operate.
Cons: Vulnerable fittings underneath where damage is likely to occur.

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3520 Front Axle Leak
Model Year: 2014

I bought a new 3520 with loader. After 35 hours, the front axle seal started leaking. I called the dealer and branson, and neither would call me back for two weeks. I took it in for repair. It took four weeks to repair it. They blamed it on a strike at the docks and they couldn't get parts. The spindle nuts where cross threaded on from the factory, causing the bearing to not seat in the race properly. It had very poor warranty service, meaning while I still had to make the payments, but it was in pieces on the shop floor. Won't buy again.

Pros: Good heavy tractor
Cons: Very poor warranty service

3520
Model Year: 2004

The parts vibrate off. If you cant find them, you have to purchase more. The bucket is not as strong as it should be. The front wheel 4-wheel drive started coming apart at 25 hours.

Pros: Powerful pulling tractor
Cons: Not dependable,.computer will keep it from starting over the smallest thing