Are the REALLY OK or are they crap?

[joerocker]

I just bought 7 acres to put a house on, build a pond, raise some goats... It's all slightly rolling and pasture with some bushes, nothing thicker than 1/2 inch. I'd use it just to cut the pasture ocassionally.

So, tell me truthfully, are these Chinese tractors OK or am I going to regret spending $6-8,000 instead of more for a "real" brand?

Where would you buy one if there were no dealers close?

I live in SE Alabama if it matters and could probably trailer it (4x8, 1000lb capacity trailer) if I HAD to.

Thanks...

 

[kenmac]

Read the pm I sent you.

 

[Tractors4u]

You would be hard pressed to find a 1000lb tractor, Chinese or other wise. Add about 2500lbs to that 1000lbs and you will be in the ball park.

 

[JINMA224XR]

<font color="blue">So, tell me truthfully, are these Chinese tractors OK or am I going to regret spending $6-8,000 instead of more for a "real" brand?
Where would you buy one if there were no dealers close?
I live in SE Alabama if it matters and could probably trailer it (4x8, 1000lb capacity trailer) if I HAD to.
</font>

Hey Joe,

I can't say if if you will regret it or not, but I've had good luck with my little Jinma 224 so far, with about 135 hours. If you have the extra money, then, I would get one of the well known brands, but in my case, I needed to save money, and after a lot of studying, decided that the Chinese Tractors were the way to go for me. But most of the Guy's that go Chinese, do their own routine maintenance and do quiet a bit of studying about which lubricants to use and are prepared to use their tools to do minor adjustments and minor electrical repairs/troubleshooting.

The little 224 is about as small as I have seen in a Jinma, and it will just barely fit on my 5' X 10' trailer, with only about an inch or 2 to spare on each side. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

My little 224 weighs in at about, 2500-3000 lbs and they only get heavier, as you go bigger. You could rent a Car Hauler from UHaul to transport your new tractor.

I got mine in Pensacola, Florida, so that might be an option for you as well.

My suggestion, is that you read a lot of the older posts, in the Chinese Section. Go look at the Tractors and drive them. If you Go Chinese, make sure that you get it set up exactly the way that you want, from the Get Go, (4wd,canopy, PS, Suspension Seat, wheel and front end weights, etc), and get the 2 year warranty if you have the option.

Good luck with your tractor purchase, whichever brand that you decide to go with.

Get your tractors running &
Have a nice day,
Joe /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[BruceR]

You could get a nice Yanmar ( japanese ) in that price range. I believe there is a lot of support in your area. Just stay away fron the "zero" hour reconditioned units. The YM1300 weighs in under 1000 lbs. but you would probably want something larger.
Bruce

 

[Ranch_Hand_Supp]

Hi joerocker, I think most Jinma tractor owners think they are better than Ok if you purchase from a dealer that offers Sales, Service and Parts. They are easy to service and part replacements are affordable and available.

I am a Jinma dealer in Virginia and there is Tommy at Affordable Tractor Sales Co in Texas.

I think you are going to need a larger trailer.

Good luck on your new tractor search !

Pm me if you have any questions

Ronald
Ranch Hand Supply

 

[TruChaos]

I also think you're going to need a bigger trailer.

If you're going to dig a pond, I'm thinking you're going to need a backhoe and a FEL. If this is true, the weight of the tractor will be in 6000+ pound range.

A tandem axle trailer (3500lbs per axle) sounds like a minimum requirement.

Crap? It's my observation that the reliability of the tractor is usually directly related to the user. If the user uses a ham handed "if it doesn't work, use more force" approach to a problem, Chinese tractors aren't the answer. If the user isn't interested in maintaining his equipment, then perhaps a Chinese tractor isn't the right choice. If the user doesn't know the difference between a screwdriver and a box wrench then perhaps Chinese tractors aren't the answer.

Remember, the Chinese compact tractors are light duty tractors, if you abuse them, they will break. But, properly used and maintained, you can save a box full of money over the other brands.

I own a Jinma 284 with backhoe and FEL. If I had to purchase a name brand unit, I would be without a tractor at this point. I simply could not afford to own a red or green tractor similarly equipped. I also believe many Chinese tractor owners are in the same boat.


Good Luck

 

[cmperry]

I'm not going to comment if they are crap or not but I would highly recommend checking the weld on the plate where the steering cylinder mounts. Mine broke traveling down the road to a piece of land I own and it is not a situation I ever want to repeat. The tractor was never abused just a terrible weld that never caught my eye and almost ended in tragedy..It is no longer a member of my family and I don't think the cost savings is worth it after owning a Jinma and now a big three. Just my opinion but I have reason not to be happy with the Jinma.

 

[n4807g]

Just a simple question....what "real" tractors are you looking at? There are 1.3 billion Chinese, they all eat and use tractors while farming.

 

[joerocker]

I've been looking around a bit and I've found this:

Locally a dealer wants $5000 for a MF-135 without power steering.

A place in GA has a package deal of a Mitsubishi with trailer and cutter and some other stuff for $5000.

Another place in AL has a Zen-Noh for $4000. Supposedly a Kubota?

So many to choose from. Any suggestions for me?