Jinma JM-354 3.70 star(s) (18)

Jinma 354
Model Year: 2008

The Jinma has never let me down, although at 50 hours or so I did have to re-tighten an axle nut that should have been done at the factory. It has an American Koyker FEL attached, Koyker was supposed to make a direct bolt on unit for the Jinma, but I had to do a lot of machining to make it fit properly. When I purchased the Jinma, I was moving from Maryland to Florida. I had plenty of muscle to help me load my trailer in Maryland, but the Jinma was my muscle to unload it in Florida. I have since begun planting pecan trees, I have about 150 planted so far and another 25 ordered for this year. In between the trees is a lot of grass, the 5 foot Bush Hog is kept busy during the summer cutting the grass in the field.

Pros: Dependable.
Cons: If I were doing serious farming, I'd have bought a John Deere.

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Jinma 354
Model Year: 2010

Actually New Zealand. Bought as cheap alternative (exactly half price) to preferred Kubota. In first 50 hours the agent replaced a spraying steering hydraulic release valve and fixed a bell housing oil leak which was causing clutch to slip. Steering arm nut disconnected in motion, potentially fatal. Poorly machined, clunky gears, little things keep falling off, poor driver comfort, awkward to get on and off. Cheap, clunky, so far cost effective, machine that does 200 hours per year for us. Mutter a prayer every time I get on but so far so good. Wouldn't buy for commercial use.

Pros: Cheap.
Cons: As above.

Jinma 354
Model Year: 2006

Bought the tractor new from dealer In China. This is not a tractor to be owned by someone who is not able to do their own repairs. Entire tractor wired with approx 20 gauge wire including glow plugs. Anything rubber is going to rot or leak. Bolt threads are very poor requiring tons of locktite. Having said all of that the tractor has been mechanically sound. For $6,000 New I didn't mind putting in the elbow grease.

Pros: Cheap.
Cons: Labor intensive.

Jinma 354 Improvements
Model Year: 2008

Good hobby tractor. If you need a hobby this tractor will keep you busy. I bought the Jinma in a crate from a warehouse supplier. The wheels, fenders, seat, engine cowling, dash and bucket loader were installed by me. The Chinese loader was of inferior quality with no grease fittings or bearing surface bushings. The loader was returned for a American made Koyker 160 loader. The Koyker loader is the best working part of the tractor with a single double action controls. Received the wrong three cylinder engine manual, I have the four cylinder Yangdong 485. Electrical plastic switches were of inferior quality, they broke, and placed where knees turned them off and on. Recessed new steel toggles in switch area. Glow plugs control through starting switch was changed to a relay from battery starter terminal, a single wire to a new dash push button and a light was added from glow plug to dash for power confirmation. The tractor now starts in cold weather. Added an engine heater to radiator bottom hose KATS 14600. Lengthen the oil filter center thread pipe by heating and turning two threads out to accept Ford metric FL-400S oil filter. Changed out hydraulic filter to WIX 51551. Changed out fuel filter to WIX 33195. Changed out air filter to WIX 46279. Beefed up rear draw hitch by adding extra steel arms from rear castings for hauling one cord woods trailer. Rear wheels rim bolts loosen up periodically from wheel cast center hub because of quarter inch gap. Makes removal easier but allows rim to walk from center hub. Alternator belt guard broken off from vibration. Steering wheel horn inferior quality, never worked.

Pros: $12,000 for Jinma tractor and Koyker 160 loader. Heavy 4 x 4 castings make good hauling gear tractor. The Yangdong 485 engine good motor.
Cons: Poor electrical quality.

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My Tractor
Model Year: 0

Purchased when retired to use at new home site. Used to put in drive, level lot, landscaping. Added backhoe attachment and used to extend septic system. Put in 2 acre deer plot and cleared trails through wooded areas. Now primary use is snow removal with 3pt. snow blower, and bucket, maintain trails, stump removal, mowing with brush hog. While this tractor is not a Kubota, is old school. It has so far served me very well and I have prob. pushed it harder on some jobs more than I should have. For the price its been excellent and done what I have asked of it.

Pros: Price and quality for price.
Cons: Very cold blooded, added block heater for winter use.

Tractor
Model Year: 2006

Loving it.

Pros: Good tractor.
Cons: Hard cold starting.

Great Value for the Mechanically Inclined
Model Year: 2007

Bought new with a Koyker FEL and Chinese backhoe. From day 1 the backhoe was a major problem. It never worked right and after a few hydraulic oil soaked days trying to get it to work. I spent over $200 to plumb it through the FEL using the front pump instead of the PTO pump. The backhoe works great now. Never having owned a tractor before, I am always amazed at the raw power this little 4 cyl engine puts out. The backhoe could easily flip the tractor or destroy itself if you aren't careful. Plowing snow and moving dirt (I also have a box blade that can be used to bulldoze in reverse) is real easy. The 4wd is awesome in deep snow or deep wet clay. Like everything Chinese, anything rubber on this needs to be replaced---boots, air hoses, every single O-ring in the backhoe, seat covers, steering wheel, etc. I am guessing I only have 300 hours on it because the hour meter has been stuck on 8 since the first day. I have replaced a shift fork in the transmission. The 4wd / 2wd lever broke, the headlight plastic housing that the bulbs lock into crumbled so I have used silicone to glue the bulbs in. The hood shocks never worked. I have spent a lot of time pulling wrenches. I finally started replacing nuts and bolts wherever possible because it seems the Chinese nuts will not stay tight no matter how many times I tighten them. The electric wiring is Mickey-Mouse. There are many light gauge wires dangling in places where they get caught on things. This engine is miserable to get started when it is below -20C. Many times I have blown the main 30amp fuse trying to get the plugs hot (and yes the inline water heater works great but still not enough). The alternator works intermittently. I am surprised that the original battery is still going strong. When this works, it is an amazing value. In boom-town Alberta, nothing used is cheap and I'd rather work on little things around the periphery of the tractor than on motors and transmissions and things on old used equipment. Despite the troubles, it is still better value than old used equipment in my location.

Pros: Cheap, powerful, 4WD.
Cons: Electrics, plastics, rubber very poor quality, vibrates itself apart.

2009 Jinma 354 Bought New in 2012
Model Year: 2009

Bought 354 with FEL, backhoe, 6' Howse brush hog, 5' box blade, and Leinbach PHD. Tractor's charging circuit does not work properly. Just changed its alternator (7-30-12), not totally certain it's working yet. Two-stage clutch needs adjustment and lifters are tapping. From what I've read online, the clutch and lifters will likely need to be adjusted within the first 50 hours, and it holds true for this tractor. PHD sheared or has gearbox issue after just 5 holes. Not sure of the exact problem as I have not had time to diagnose the issue.

Pros: Good price on overall package.
Cons: Must buy from a local dealer, so the clutch and lifter issues can be resolved at dealer, rather than having to do it yourself.

Great Tractor if Your Brain and Workshop Are Well Stocked
Model Year: 2005

Jinma tractors vary quite a bit from model to model, almost as though different models are built in different factories with better production in some factories. I own a 224 Jinma and a 354 Jinma. The 224 is built quite differently and has required a lot less repair. Although I have used the 354 for commercial use and it has held up quite well for the most part, you learn to live with it's shortcomings.

Pros: Engine price.
Cons: Levers, electrics.

Jinma 354LE
Model Year: 2005

Tractor is deceptively powerful, and heavily built. The major problem is quality. I've had numerous problems resulting from poor manufacturing and poor quality control. I'm a long way from my dealer, but he's been very helpful in helping me with solving problems and supplying parts. Fortunately, I'm a fair mechanic, so I've been able to do the repairs. Given what I now know, I would have spent the extra money on a Kubota.

Pros: Strong, simple.
Cons: Poor build quality, old technology.

Jinma 354: A Reliable, 1950's Technology Workhorse
Model Year: 2006

We live in the very mountainous North Idaho Panhandle on varied yet steep timbered terrain, and a 4WD tractor is mandatory to be of any assistance here, especially in the winter. The Jinma 354 was purchased to fill many roles here, which it has done well. The Jinma was purchased after looking at price and features of other 30-40 hp tractors from Kioti, New Holland, John Deere, Case International, Kubota, Mahindra and the various grey-market tractors then available, we selected the Jinma for several reasons. 1. Price, we were on a tight budget at the time, and had to have a tractor for our home-based business needs, snow removal and timber management. The Jinma was the best buy available. 2. Front-end-loader capacity. The Jinma ZL-30 loader had a better usable payload rating than any of the other similar sized tractors. We needed all the FEL capacity we could squeeze out of a 30-40 hp tractor. 3. Overall tractor weight. The Jinma out-weighs any of similar offerings from other makers. The closest in the field was the Kioti. 4. Simplicity of design. The Jinma has a minimum of electronics, and is entirely mechanical with a traditional gearbox transmission. Essentially 1950's technology, which simplifies maintenance upkeep. 5. Availability and dealer access/support, the dealer was within 5 miles of our home at the time with full-service multi-bay service shop on-site. After over 500 hours of operation and our 7th winter with this tractor, here are some observations, and comments. The Downsides: 1. Transmission/Gearing has a 4 speed transmission with a 2 speed gearbox, the low range is excellent for most things and in low-first gear will just creep along. However the high range is just too high without something in between, especially with reverse gear. The new shuttle shift models should eliminate this downfall. It wasn't an option at our time of purchase. 2. Electrical system. While very simple, and indeed 1950's technology, the rocker switches in the control-panel are cheesy, and break readily. The glow-plugs for best efficiency need to be re-routed through a dedicated circuit with it's own fused system and switch. And the stock OEM alternator doesn't put out enough amperage to keep up with system demands when using the tractor at night with all the lights on. 3. Hydraulic system. The ZL-30 loader is a workhorse and tough-as-nails, but the worthless so-called joystick hydraulic valve is worthless, and will get someone seriously hurt or killed if used frequently in critical conditions. Replacing with a quality USA made spool valve cures the issue. 4. Cold weather starting. Our JM354 has the 4 cylinder Y485 engine, and even with glow-plugs is a cold-blooded rascal to start once it gets below about 25 degrees Fahrenheit. The simple addition of a lower-radiator hose heater, and it will start at -30 in dead of winter effortlessly. A small thing, but a consternation if you're off-grid, or using the equipment in winter and have to leave it on-site away from electrical service. The upside: 1. Reliability. Other than needing a lower-radiator-hose heater or block heater to assist with cold-weather winter starting, this tractor always fires right up. It's always ready to get the work done. Ours over 500+ hours, has been extremely reliable and durable. 2. Maneuverability. Being only 60" wide it fits in places where my larger JD 5065E won't come close to going. It's small enough to clean out horse and mule pens, clean out snow between buildings, fit through forest timber with minimal impact and minimal tree placement. Too in construction/landscaping applications this tractor is great for fitting into and working in tight places, even inside shops/garages. 3. Capability. We've never run out of power with this tractor... it has more power than it has weight to efficiently utilize! The FEL will out-work its paper statistics every day! A very capable pairing with this tractor. Too, the pulling power of this tractor is amazing, it will out-work many 50 hp two-wheel drive tractors. The PTO seemingly never lacks for power, for many, many applications. 4. Features. While not a creature-comfort machine, the controls are logically placed if you're used to American made 1950's tractors. The brakes work well, the PTO works off a two-stage clutch and is really nice for haying, using post-hole auger, brush-hogging or other applications where immediate and variable control of the PTO is desirable. The 4WD is positive and efficient. The differential lock works immediately and positively when needed. The necessities are all there, and easily employed, but no frills. 5. Maintenance. Upkeep and maintenance is intuitive and easy to execute due to the simple, old-school build of this tractor. Parts are readily available, and we've never waited longer than five days for parts for this tractor. Filters cross-reference to domestic Napa/Wix numbers available over the counter. Too, due to the simple build of this machine, repairs/upkeep don't require anything but basic metric hand tools and common sense. 6. Affordability. This tractor was less expensive new, than most comparable size class tractors used, even with 1000+ hours on them! Not only initial acquisition cost, but operational expense is negligible. Filters for routine maintenance are over-the-counter stocked numbers, and there are no proprietary scheduled maintenance items. Even a complete, new ready to run crate engine assembly, with starter, alternator, fuel-injector system, manifolds, EVERYTHING, is available, (and in stock stateside) for just over $2400 at the time of writing this review. Then there is this tractor's amazing fuel economy. We keep stringent records on all our equipment, from repairs, maintenance to fuel consumption... every gallon of it. Looking at hours between servicing, and fuel consumption between those service intervals, this little workhorse, on the average when worked pretty hard sips about a liter of diesel per hour! Yep, just over a quart of fuel per hour! I can't think of anything out there that can top that kind of horsepower/fuel return in the field. Imagine putting up your hay crop (sickle-bar, rake, square-baler) with a tractor that only uses a little over a quart of fuel per hour! Now, is this tractor perfect. No, it does have it's short-comings. Would I buy another? In this size class, most definitely, and immediately if this one were to croak today. Since having purchased this tractor, some of the parameters of our tractor needs have changed, and we needed a bigger, more capable unit (wider stance for stability on uneven terrain and higher FEL lift capacity) and we purchased a JD 5065E. It is a much more capable unit for bigger jobs, but the little Jinma 354 still gets used at least three to four times per week for the utilitarian type tasks it was originally purchased to fulfill. For the money, I doubt that we could find a more capable, reliable and economical alternative.

Pros: Price; Capability; Simplicity of Design; Ease of Maintenance; Maneuverability; Fuel Economy; Parts Availability; Self Servicability.
Cons: Transmission Gearing; Electrical System Deficits; Junk OEM Hydraulic Valve on FEL; Stubborn Cold-Weather Starting.

35 HP Chinese Tractor
Model Year: 2006

Bought the tractor in a crate; assembled it with the help of a paid mechanic on dealer's premises. First time owner of a tractor of any kind. Had a few problems with failed O-rings and subsequent fluid leaks. Somehow got (and failed to recognize) the "diesel bug" that disabled the tractor for nearly three years. Removed and cleaned the fuel injector assembly, removed and hot washed the fuel tank; replaced all filters, flushed the fuel lines. Use additive in fuel to prevent a recurrence of the diesel bug. Rebuilt starter; had two glow plugs fail; one maybe never was operational. Replaced a blown head gasket. Added lower radiator heater (from Tractor Supply). Very effective for cold weather starting. Equipment includes post hole digger; box grader, bush hog, wood chipper for three point hitch, front end loader, and frame mount back hoe.

Pros: Great price for tractor with front end loader, back hoe, and chipper. Has an excellent engine rated to last 10,000 hours. Parts readily available from several dealers.
Cons: Reliability having had to replace the head gasket; general overall quality lacking. Poor documentation with weak translation and outdated.

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Tinkerer's Workhorse
Model Year: 2006

We purchased our JM354 in September of 2006, it was manufactured July 2006. It has the 4 cylinder Y486 engine which has proven very cantankerous to start in cold weather, and installation of a lower radiator hose heater was mandatory for starts below freezing temperatures, even when using glow-plugs. The internal transmission shift-fork for 1st gear broke within the first 100 hours, upon examination if was a bad casting at the root of the problem. At just over 100 hours the entire instrument cluster had to be replaced due to hour-meter and tachometer failing to work, and no, it wasn't other extraneous wiring issues. Too, in regard to the electrical system the switches for the lights/turn signals are very fragile and break easily when bumped with one's knee when operating the tractor... replaced them at least twice to date. At around 300 hours we had to replace the clutch. Being new to these Chinese made tractors, I didn't realize exactly what to expect from them, and clutch adjustment was supposed to have been done by our dealer as part of the pre-delivery service. My suspicion is, that the clutch was never properly adjusted from the time we took delivery, as once I broke the tractor, installed the clutch and properly adjusted it, all the slippage and seeming lack of torque that I had experienced since day-one of ownership was gone. In fact, it was like having an entirely different machine! It was dead of January with a record snowfall winter for us, and with the chains on, after clutch replacement that little tractor behaved like a track-driven tractor! Wow, what a difference! The notorious Chinese so-called joystick control valve for the FEL is total piece of junk, and should be replaced immediately to keep someone from getting seriously hurt from the erratic, jerky and unpredictable valve performance. I replaced mine with a Brand-Hydraulics made three spool valve, and used the third circuit to power a grapple that I added to the bucket on the FEL. What a difference! The FEL is now very smooth and an excellent implement which will actually lift more than the front axle of the JM354 can handle. With backing the oil-filter screw-on stem out about three turns, then tightening the lock-nut, one can use oil filters that fit old-school Ford V-8 engines, and the hydraulic and fuel filters cross over to standard Wix or Napa part numbers as well. This gets you better quality filters with universal availability and avoids proprietary Chinese junk, and will extend the life of your equipment. The OEM alternator, while mine was trouble free, it didn't produce enough amperage to run the headlights and rear work light while plowing snow at night without running down the battery. With just a little fabrication on the mounting brackets I added a 75 amp AC Delco alternator... problem solved. The tractor merely sips fuel, and even when running it hard with the FEL and RPMs in the 1800 range when plowing winter snow, it only uses slightly over a liter of diesel fuel per hour! Pretty amazing to go through a winter of getting 212" of snow, and use less than 30 gallons of fuel keeping it cleared of snow, an breaking up the resulting ice as well! I've used the tractor well beyond the limits of what a tractor in this size class should be put to task, and with log-forks and the grapple on the FEL it's handled multiple logs continuously all day long in firewood cutting operations to small-scale logging with aplomb. Too, with the addition of add-on pallet forks it's handled amazing loads with great predictability. It has always had oil/all filters changed every 50 hours, and all zerks greased every 15-25 hours, and the engine has given absolutely no problems whatsoever. Overall it was a good purchase. Would I do it again? Considering the financial constraints we had at the time of making the decision, yes. The tractor has performed well, done a good job, and the mechanical failures experienced have not manifested themselves again, while the machine has proven quite reliable and durable with 1960's technology that is user-friendly and maintainable. This tractor was too small from the beginning for my operations and expectations, and it's been pushed beyond its limits since day one. I just purchased a JD 5065E to do the heavy work this tractor simply is simply not up to the task of completing. The JD is simply in a next-level of performance to meet our heavier needs. Am I getting rid of the Jinma 354? NOT AT ALL! It's simply too handy, too versatile, and too much a part of our everyday routine to get rid of it! It will continue being used for field mowing, light daily FEL work, post-hole digging, pasture grooming, stall cleaning, box-blade work on access roads and driveways. If buying a Jinma made tractor, regardless of the label-name on the machine, be prepared to do self-maintenance skin some knuckles, and bend a wrench. In the end it's really cheap, pretty darned reliable horsepower.

Pros: Affordability, fuel efficiency, simplicity, capability.
Cons: Electrical system, poor quality OEM hydraulic valves, poor and incomplete owner's manuals/repair guides, lack of local parts/service support.

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AgPro (Jinma) 354
Model Year: 2007

This tractor came along with my property, which I've owned for 3.5 years. The tractor was about 2 years old with < 50 hours when I purchased it. The tractor now has about 200 hours and has a list of things wrong with it. Pros: * Decent value. These tractors are about as inexpensive as they come. There's a reason for that. * Great entry-level machine. This is the perfect unit to learn to use a tractor with. It's fairly forgiving and built like a tank (with some exceptions). Breaking this tractor will hurt a lot less than breaking your $45,000 JD. Cons: * Like your Dad always said, "You get what you pay for." In this case, the engineering and construction are poor. Examples: * The housing covering the drive shaft to the front differential is the lowest point on the tractor, so engages high obstacles first. Thus it gets gouged and exposes the drive shaft (and loses the lubrication) soon. * The electrical system is under/poorly engineered. The glow plug circuit goes through fuses like candy; four of my dash switches are broken; all four headlights have broken (in a variety of ways) and had to be replaced; the hazard light flasher stopped working; the voltage regulator doesn't seat properly; the tach sensor wire connector broke off, etc... * Some components are cheaply made. E.g., the top link mount on the 3pt broke under load (using 6' bush hog); the 3pt position sensor broke, which means the lever doesn't set the position any longer -- it just raises or lowers the hitch; the hydro reservoir leaks from at least two points. * The hydro pump is under-powered. It's fine for the 3pt and power steering, but isn't large enough to operate an FEL with any speed.

Pros: A cheap entry-level tractor.
Cons: Poor reliability -- requires lots of upkeep.

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Tractor Great - Dealer?
Model Year: 2007

The tractor great value and I believe that if you bought this Make and Model from a reputable dealer you'd be very very happy.

Pros: Lots of features, fun and easy to operate
Cons: None that I can think of...

Jinma 354
Model Year: 2002

Purchased tractor as a demo. The clutch had to be replaced. Mechanically there is no problem so long as you are willing to make sure nuts are kept tight and greased. I change the engine oil regularly (every 50 hours) I have the ZL 30 loader and LiTW 7600 backhoe all connected to the pto hydraulic pump, (have replace the tractor hydraulic pump) leaving the tractor hydraulics for over uses i.e log splitter. The tractor has plenty of power, is easy to operate and maintain, the major draw back is the electrical wiring and lights, have replaced them with off the shelve items easily available at any farm supply store. The tractor is value for money, powerful, easy to start even in the cold (-30c) winters.Have had it stuck 3 feet deep in mud and walked it out with the bucket and backhoe. I would recommend it for anybody who is handy with a spanner and is mechanically inclined, if you want a shiny tractor with all the mod cons this is not for you. It is a solid, heavy tractor built with nineteen sixties technology and performs well.

Pros: Simple and powerful
Cons: Bad electrics

Jinma 354LE + Loader + Guilan Backhoe
Model Year: 2006

Did self assembly. Had some initial problem with 3PH that were fixed with new dealer provided valve. Had a gear failure due to loose bolt left in gear casing. Dealer provided repair parts, I did the repair (replaced two gears that lost teeth). After these initial problems tractor has been bullet proof and very powerful. Hydraulic loader valve is of poor quality ... upgraded to aftermarket valve from Ranch and Supply. BH valves very sloppy, almost unusable. Upgrade available for about $1300 ... to costly for my needs.

Pros: Good deal if you are mechanically inclined and willing to do own work.
Cons: Hydraulic valves are a weak point.

Jinma 354 Big bang for little bucks
Model Year: 2007

Purchased the Jinma 354 to use around the house and work in the woods on occasion. Could not find a local dealer that wanted to work with, so I ended up working with one from another state. Tractor came with a front end loader. One of the cylinders on the FEL has a leak through one of the welds, instead of using one solid piece of steel tube they welded two together, and the crap weld leaked. Great features include easy ability to take FEL off and on, with quick connections. 3PT lift, PTO with 2 speeds, locking rear differential when you step on a pedal. Unfortunately there is no way to lock the front when in 4WD, and they spin easily. 2 of my lights switches quick working in the first year, but the dealer said he would replace them for free. Had several fuel leaks which I attribute to low quality O rings, or at least ones that do not stand up to alcohol gas we have now. My tractor came assembled, and several electronic connections were not done right. (gas gauge, headlights) I have worked the tractor pretty hard and have had no real mechanical failures. The links that hold the 3PT arms in place snapped and had to be replaced with stronger ones. The PTO arms are kinda flimsy. Many bolts simply fell out after some use so I had to buy new ones or find them in the field, put them in with loctite and torque and they stay in place. Always starts right up, even in -20 degrees. High gear is too high, and low too low, there is no happy medium, becomes a real creeper in low and high 1st gear can run away. Have run a brush hog, 5' tiller, used the FEL a LOT. Can pick up logs in the 1000lb range easily. Overall, I would buy another, good price and value, a similar "JD Green" would have cost 175% as much if not 2x.

Pros: right price, sturdy frame, nicely laid out, good features, quick connect front and back
Cons: flimsy add ons, poor assembly, week switches,

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