Hi all,
Jinma 284 owner!
Unfortunately I don't have a ton of knowledge of the history of this tractor, as I just purchased it a couple months ago. I also don't have a ton of mechanical knowledge or understanding, so bear that in mind as well. To start, the tractor was running fine upon purchase - though there was no air filter at all, and I'm concerned that might be contributing to what's now happening. I was gone for a month and upon return, I went to fire things up. The tractor turned over and emitted a good amount of black smoke, but didn't engage. I attempted to turn it over again and it struggled on the second try. Attempted again and it just made a "clunk" sound, which I assume is the starter hitting the flywheel and struggling to move it. I took the starter off and tested it in isolation. It ran fine. I tried to move the flywheel through the gap where the starter normally seats, and was unable to budge it with a crowbar in the teeth. The fan up front moves but won't move the timing belt. The generator fan moves but won't move the timing belt. The timing belt is seized up and I can't move it at all with all my strength. I've read about people using something to try to move the crankshaft but I'm not sure where people are tying onto that - all I can see is it connects up to the hydraulic pump up front, and can't see anywhere that I'd be able to get anything onto it for leverage.
Honestly, I don't understand how the engine seized up when it's been running as recently as a month ago. I pulled the oil dipstick and there's nothing out of the ordinary - no signs of water, etc. Two out of three glow plugs show resistance. Could the third one not firing up be enough to keep things from turning over? It was quite warm - in the 70s - when I made these attempts.
I had just purchased an air breather assembly and was about to install it, but now I can't even get the tractor to start, and I have no idea where to go from here.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Jinma 284 owner!
Unfortunately I don't have a ton of knowledge of the history of this tractor, as I just purchased it a couple months ago. I also don't have a ton of mechanical knowledge or understanding, so bear that in mind as well. To start, the tractor was running fine upon purchase - though there was no air filter at all, and I'm concerned that might be contributing to what's now happening. I was gone for a month and upon return, I went to fire things up. The tractor turned over and emitted a good amount of black smoke, but didn't engage. I attempted to turn it over again and it struggled on the second try. Attempted again and it just made a "clunk" sound, which I assume is the starter hitting the flywheel and struggling to move it. I took the starter off and tested it in isolation. It ran fine. I tried to move the flywheel through the gap where the starter normally seats, and was unable to budge it with a crowbar in the teeth. The fan up front moves but won't move the timing belt. The generator fan moves but won't move the timing belt. The timing belt is seized up and I can't move it at all with all my strength. I've read about people using something to try to move the crankshaft but I'm not sure where people are tying onto that - all I can see is it connects up to the hydraulic pump up front, and can't see anywhere that I'd be able to get anything onto it for leverage.
Honestly, I don't understand how the engine seized up when it's been running as recently as a month ago. I pulled the oil dipstick and there's nothing out of the ordinary - no signs of water, etc. Two out of three glow plugs show resistance. Could the third one not firing up be enough to keep things from turning over? It was quite warm - in the 70s - when I made these attempts.
I had just purchased an air breather assembly and was about to install it, but now I can't even get the tractor to start, and I have no idea where to go from here.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
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Leaving the intake open to critters is a bad idea. Sounds like it was about to start until it sucked something into a cylinder or two. I would unbolt everything up to the intake manifold and see if there's any nesting material evident. If there is, the head will most likely need to come off so you can clean out the cylinders. And be prepared for the worst smell ever. 
