Better Chinese Tractors
- Thread starter MikeyG
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joerocker
Silver Member
I like mine...it's a FarmPro which is really a Jinma. Remember...it's less than half the price of a "real" tractor so it's VERY basic.
Where are you located in AL?
Where are you located in AL?
Ranch_Hand_Supp
Advertiser
MikeyG said:
Being a Jinma Dealer/Importer I am going to say yes... Jinma is one of the better ones.
I think you will find more parts in The USA for the Jinma.
I think most will agree what makes a good Jinma is the service/prep that is done to the tractor prior to it being put to work.
All sellers/dealers/prep are not the same and you have many to choose from.
Shop/compare wise.
Ronald
Ranch Hand Supply
JINMA224XR
Gold Member
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2005
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- 464
- Location
- Alabama Gulf Coast
- Tractor
- 2004 JINMA 224XR, (1990 SHINNIU 254/sold)
MikeyG said:
Hey Mikey,,
Check this Chinese Tractor Out:
CHINESE TRACTOR OWNERS CLUB FORUM - DF-354 Blog?
Happy Holidays & New Year to all,
Joe
greg_g
Super Member
- Joined
- Dec 18, 2003
- Messages
- 6,126
- Location
- Western Kentucky
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- JD3720 Cab, 300X loader with 4-in-1 bucket
Having previously owned two Jinmas - and now a KAMA - I'd personally rank them in this order;MikeyG said:
KAMA
Foton
Jinma (sold under about a dozen different decals)
DongFeng, Lenar, and TaiShan belong in that list somewhere. But I don't have enough experience with them to feel competent to say where. To see what a hodge-podge of names you're getting into here, see Chinese Tractor Owners Association - Tractor Manual - Chinese Tractor Names
But in the long run, I think the dealer is in some cases more important than what name is on your Chinese tractor. If you're a decent mechanic with a good shop and a reasonable amount of tools, then go for name brand recognition. If you're a weekend warrior who must rely on someone else to keep your machinery running, put your emphasis on the dealer; specifically a good warranty and an established reputation for service after sale.
//greg//
Last edited:
Greg,how many hours you got on that karma now? Any problems?
I got 560 on my jinma now,no problems,[knock on my head again].
As far as which make might be better than another,,I don't think the other brands[other than jinma] have been around long enough to really make that determination yet,,and don't think hardly anybody,other than greg has owned two different brands of chinese tractors,sure there has to be a few more though.
I believe after my 4 1/2 year experience so far,would buy another nortrac 254,before any other,,,others may have not have as favorable time with their jinmas? One thing,,they cost the same as they did 4 1/2 years ago,nortrac jinmas that is.
But will of course agree,you need to buy one from somebody/place that has been selling them for a few years,,,somebody who offers at least a 6 months free warrenty,[parts and labor],,and somebody who sells parts,,,and if your close enough to a dealer who also can fix anything that may break,that would be a big plus too,but generally that ain't possible.
Jinmas have been around awhile,finding parts ain't a problem,,,but,,you gotta remember you are comparing probably two or three of the cheapest tractors made,,,so,,,,,thingy
I got 560 on my jinma now,no problems,[knock on my head again].
As far as which make might be better than another,,I don't think the other brands[other than jinma] have been around long enough to really make that determination yet,,and don't think hardly anybody,other than greg has owned two different brands of chinese tractors,sure there has to be a few more though.
I believe after my 4 1/2 year experience so far,would buy another nortrac 254,before any other,,,others may have not have as favorable time with their jinmas? One thing,,they cost the same as they did 4 1/2 years ago,nortrac jinmas that is.
But will of course agree,you need to buy one from somebody/place that has been selling them for a few years,,,somebody who offers at least a 6 months free warrenty,[parts and labor],,and somebody who sells parts,,,and if your close enough to a dealer who also can fix anything that may break,that would be a big plus too,but generally that ain't possible.
Jinmas have been around awhile,finding parts ain't a problem,,,but,,you gotta remember you are comparing probably two or three of the cheapest tractors made,,,so,,,,,thingy
Captinjack
Silver Member
Hi to the thingMeister,
I'm in WV now near Morgantown deer hunting and the weather has been super.
I was a new tractor buyer a year or so ago and I bought a "pig in a poke" which is a Kama 554 55 HP. I trusted my luck and went for the biggest tractor I could get for my $ and am very happy so far with my purchase.
The Kama I bought was not properly setup by the dealer (I bought over the internet) and since he was 1000 miles away, he was no help whatsoever. Definitely buy from one of the dealers that participate on these forums.
Wow! Gonna buy 2 tractors? Go for the biggest one you can afford and then buy a smaller one. Each has it's advantages and disadvantages.
Since I could only afford one, I went with a bigger tractor as I need the heavy weight. I never have had the wheels get light on me yet.
Yes, we all have problems with the poor quality and caveman design of these Chinese tractors, but the bottom line is that they are simple and get the job done. You must have mechanical knowledge to own these tractors. If you don't....save youself a lot of grief and buy a name brand from your nearest tractor dealer and pay the bucks.
I don't have the opportunity or need to operate my tractor hundreds of hours each year and my use is not commercial so the Chinese tractors are just fine for me. In a year and a half, I only have 92 hours on the clock.
I have most of the bugs sorted out with the Kama and am pleased as can be with it.
I'm in WV now near Morgantown deer hunting and the weather has been super.
I was a new tractor buyer a year or so ago and I bought a "pig in a poke" which is a Kama 554 55 HP. I trusted my luck and went for the biggest tractor I could get for my $ and am very happy so far with my purchase.
The Kama I bought was not properly setup by the dealer (I bought over the internet) and since he was 1000 miles away, he was no help whatsoever. Definitely buy from one of the dealers that participate on these forums.
Wow! Gonna buy 2 tractors? Go for the biggest one you can afford and then buy a smaller one. Each has it's advantages and disadvantages.
Since I could only afford one, I went with a bigger tractor as I need the heavy weight. I never have had the wheels get light on me yet.
Yes, we all have problems with the poor quality and caveman design of these Chinese tractors, but the bottom line is that they are simple and get the job done. You must have mechanical knowledge to own these tractors. If you don't....save youself a lot of grief and buy a name brand from your nearest tractor dealer and pay the bucks.
I don't have the opportunity or need to operate my tractor hundreds of hours each year and my use is not commercial so the Chinese tractors are just fine for me. In a year and a half, I only have 92 hours on the clock.
I have most of the bugs sorted out with the Kama and am pleased as can be with it.
bluechip
Veteran Member
there is no doubt that Jinma is the most popular...in the USA, but the Taishan tractors and Dong Feng tractors have been in production since the 50s. Taishan (Shandong Tractor Factory) still has a major share of the domestic market. There are many Shandong (Taishan/KAMA) tractors that were sold in the US during the 90s and we have been able to get several owners parts because the tractor is still in production in China.
In a sense, your quesiton is like "I'm going to buy a truck (no 2 trucks!), should I buy Ford Dodge or Chevy. I have sold Jinmas and Farmpros (renamed Jinmas) a few Foton, and also have imported KAMA/Taishan tractors (Same factory) for 4 years. The reason I went with KAMA at that time is the heavier chassis, availability of 8x8 shuttle OR creeper transmission (JInmas shuttle is limited to 200 series and only 6x6..and it is cable operated, not knocking it, just pointing to differenced) and they don't yet offer (AFAIK) a shuttle on the 30/35 HP models. The front differential is quite a bit larger on the KAMA TS254C model compared to 200 series Jinma This is because the TS chassis was originally designed as a 30HP tractor (the 200 series jinma was 18) this is important if you want loaders and plan to use them and 4wd at the same time. Although the KAMA plant makes their own engines, they are not used in US models due to EPA, so we use the same Yangdong engines as Jinma and others so engine parts are widely available. These are good engines with the biggest complaint being hard to start in cold without some type of heater added. They are swirl chamber engines with glow plugs. We have invested heavily in parts to support these tractors and although I don't formally track it would estimate my fill rate on orders at close to 90 percent.
Foton assembles a nice tractor, I toured their new plant and it was amazing. They subcontract the components however and that may be what has contributed to parts availability issues in the past. There are now some good importers that will likely buid parts inventories so that may not be a problem going forward. They are a more expensive tractor made by a large automotive/truck manufacturer with the experience to do nice sheet metal work. There are some other factories buying the same components and producing very similar tractors. Foton, (formerly Futian) which have recently changed names again to LOVOL, have real potential to be a major player worldwide but have made some marketing (product positioning) errors in the USA that will take some time to work past. They currently make the only EPA approved 60-82HP class tractors to the best of my knowledge.
I also toured DF and was very impressed. Fully equipped machine shop with several modern CNC machines, mostly from Japan and even a couple US made HAAS machines. I noticed several little details, like the clutch fork bolted and saftey wired to the actuating shaft, Jinma uses one doubled roll pin, KAMA uses 2 roll pins, DF uses bolts. When I drove one of the new models I was so impressed that we have agreed to market these tractors and parts in the USA starting in 2007. We will maintain our ties with the Shandong (KAMA) factory as well and will continue to import some tractors, including a KM554 with a new EPA engine, and of course parts. We will introduce a new model with fully synchromesh transmission and shuttle shift, open floor design, available industrial tires, a great running direct injection engine and even has a pressure relief valve built into the hydraulics so if you disconnect a loader hose, you pump does not self destruct. The fit and finish is very nice. This company has sold about 1000 units per year in the USA under the past distribution arrangment (Taskmaster and others) and you see very few issues concerning these brands on any of these boards.
BAck to the OP question, should he buy a ford or chevy... Shop around, All chinese tractors need service and repair from time to time. If you will need local dealer support to accomplish this, you choice should be limited to brands serviced locally. If you are capable of doing your own, then you have many choices. If you have any questions on any of the brands I have mentioned here, please feel free to PM or call me at the shop at 479-705-2200. I have helped people decide if they should or shouldn't own a Chinese tractor and would be happy to talk to you candidly if you would like.
In a sense, your quesiton is like "I'm going to buy a truck (no 2 trucks!), should I buy Ford Dodge or Chevy. I have sold Jinmas and Farmpros (renamed Jinmas) a few Foton, and also have imported KAMA/Taishan tractors (Same factory) for 4 years. The reason I went with KAMA at that time is the heavier chassis, availability of 8x8 shuttle OR creeper transmission (JInmas shuttle is limited to 200 series and only 6x6..and it is cable operated, not knocking it, just pointing to differenced) and they don't yet offer (AFAIK) a shuttle on the 30/35 HP models. The front differential is quite a bit larger on the KAMA TS254C model compared to 200 series Jinma This is because the TS chassis was originally designed as a 30HP tractor (the 200 series jinma was 18) this is important if you want loaders and plan to use them and 4wd at the same time. Although the KAMA plant makes their own engines, they are not used in US models due to EPA, so we use the same Yangdong engines as Jinma and others so engine parts are widely available. These are good engines with the biggest complaint being hard to start in cold without some type of heater added. They are swirl chamber engines with glow plugs. We have invested heavily in parts to support these tractors and although I don't formally track it would estimate my fill rate on orders at close to 90 percent.
Foton assembles a nice tractor, I toured their new plant and it was amazing. They subcontract the components however and that may be what has contributed to parts availability issues in the past. There are now some good importers that will likely buid parts inventories so that may not be a problem going forward. They are a more expensive tractor made by a large automotive/truck manufacturer with the experience to do nice sheet metal work. There are some other factories buying the same components and producing very similar tractors. Foton, (formerly Futian) which have recently changed names again to LOVOL, have real potential to be a major player worldwide but have made some marketing (product positioning) errors in the USA that will take some time to work past. They currently make the only EPA approved 60-82HP class tractors to the best of my knowledge.
I also toured DF and was very impressed. Fully equipped machine shop with several modern CNC machines, mostly from Japan and even a couple US made HAAS machines. I noticed several little details, like the clutch fork bolted and saftey wired to the actuating shaft, Jinma uses one doubled roll pin, KAMA uses 2 roll pins, DF uses bolts. When I drove one of the new models I was so impressed that we have agreed to market these tractors and parts in the USA starting in 2007. We will maintain our ties with the Shandong (KAMA) factory as well and will continue to import some tractors, including a KM554 with a new EPA engine, and of course parts. We will introduce a new model with fully synchromesh transmission and shuttle shift, open floor design, available industrial tires, a great running direct injection engine and even has a pressure relief valve built into the hydraulics so if you disconnect a loader hose, you pump does not self destruct. The fit and finish is very nice. This company has sold about 1000 units per year in the USA under the past distribution arrangment (Taskmaster and others) and you see very few issues concerning these brands on any of these boards.
BAck to the OP question, should he buy a ford or chevy... Shop around, All chinese tractors need service and repair from time to time. If you will need local dealer support to accomplish this, you choice should be limited to brands serviced locally. If you are capable of doing your own, then you have many choices. If you have any questions on any of the brands I have mentioned here, please feel free to PM or call me at the shop at 479-705-2200. I have helped people decide if they should or shouldn't own a Chinese tractor and would be happy to talk to you candidly if you would like.