Chinese Tractors Aren't Worth the Risk

[Redfisher]

Re: this subject

<font color=blue>Redfisher...The Leafs gonna pull it out tonight? I'd love to see them make it to the finals along with the Wings. An original 6 final. </font color=blue>

I would have loved that too,But the Leafs choked just like 1993 /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif
Sorry to say but I have to cheer for Colorodo(being they were the Quebec Nordeqs(sp)
Anywho should be a good game tonight Eh? /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[Redfisher]

Re: this subject

<font color=blue>Yep,that would be a good one!! The "Deadthings" vs. The"Makebeleafs"!!! Too bad Strohs left Motown!! </font color=blue>

Good one /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

 

[Anonymous Poster]

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Let me start by thanking all of you for talking to me. Second I did as much research as I could in the last few days as I could not having a dealer close by. Now let me congradulate all of you that have these tractors. Its people like you that have lead to alot of new products, this in turn lowered the prices of Domestic and keeping them honest. And it is my true hope that they provide you with many many years of dependable service. I however have decided to pass for the following reasons: No service shop manuals i.e. torque specs and tolerances always come in handy. Poor components I went down to the bearing warehouse to find out if he had any experience with replacements for these tractors, according to him he could fit about 75% with quality bearings, the remainder of the time he was unable to procure the parts. Before everyone jumps on me I am aware you might be able to get the remaining 25% from a dealer or China and yes he was the only person that I checked with on this matter. I then went to the local Kioti dealer (they also handle alot of other off brands) and asked the service manager if he had any experience with Chinese Tractors. His answer was yes he had and one of the problems that he ran into that really caused him grief was that there are alot of subcontractors making the various parts and with labor being so cheap over there alot of the parts are hand fitted. According to him hand fitting was a real pain and added to the bill accordingly. I realize he might be blowing smoke up (you know where) but it really sounded logical to me. Now with him I decided to stir the pot a bit and said "ya sure" what about the Big 3 having parts made over there. His answer was yes they are made over there but to the specifications of the tractor maker. If they are not up to snuff back they go. I then went to the BBB (yes I know but I didn't know where else to go) and asked them about a repair parts plan for imported tractors something like cars had to have. Man did I ever get some dumb looks. Well I can get really ignorant and kept asking the same question and finally got the answer that the only requirements is that they have to pass the EPA Certification on certain models thats it. Again here this could or could not be correct. I then sent an email to a dealer and asked him why he did not carry the tractors considering the price a few dollars could be made here. His reply was that he talked to the service guy that did the repair work for the importer (he was a grey market dealer) that wanted to sell to him. According to him the new Chinese tractors required as much work as a used Yanmar. Again true or not I have no way of telling. Ok I know what your asking yourself right now, why didn't I go to a Jinma dealer and ask him? Well I went under the assumption that I already asked most of these questions here in this forum and if I was screwed up in my thinking I would be "straightened out and but fast" that did not happen.
Now why did I do this? Because from the inital posts it was advised that homework needs to be done by any prospective buyer, and not just from the web. I realize that I am lumping all Chinese tractors into one bunch but I will state again that I do not know how to sort them out if someone knows how to do this I would appreciate hearing from you, as my mind is always open to new ideas. I just can't for the life of me figure out how to rate and engine or gearbox without knowing who makes it.
These are some of my concerns and I am only posting this to maybe help dealers out. If you know what the concerns of the public are you can taylor yourself accordingly. Again my hat is off to all of you who bought them and got a good bargain. You may not think you are lowering the prices of the Big 3 but you are keeping them in check. And if you are mech inclined you got yourself a good bargin.
Oh I almost forgot you guys ticked me off. Any tractor can be modified. I can get a handicapped lift and hand controls for basically any tractor out there from compacts to combines and the other big boys toys. If you know of anyone that is handicapped have them check out the website www.life-essentials.net Just kidding about being ticked!!! The only reason I mentioned it is FYI you might know someone who would like to get out on a tractor but does not know how to get on and off much less operate the controls. Again thanks to all who took the time to answer me. Happy tractoring.

 

[Woodbeef]

Re: this subject

Hey Maker,

Give them HELL!!!

I have a friend over on @g-online called "Wheelchair" that was injured on his Harley. He still farms!! They modified the tractor for his use. I'll pass the url on to him if does not already know about it.

 

[Redfisher]

Re: this subject

Very well said Maker,

<font color=blue> No service shop manuals i.e. torque specs and tolerances always come in handy. </font color=blue>

The books that came with our Jinma has all the torques and tolerances.Anywho What you just said is how alot of us owners feel,Do your home work and if the tractor suits you(your needs and tool smarts etc.) then buy one,If not buy one of the big 3.I just get tired of people coming here and dumping on our tractors/w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif

Good luck on your tractor hunting /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: this subject

His whole problem in the first place was buying it from agracat for 11.9k , He could have got the exact same tractor and fel with different stickers for 9.9k if he researched it.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

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you guys sound like broken records. "i never seen a JD made in china!" well, go to here and see for yourself the proof and drop the subject..... would the great JD company invest anything in a country that makes nothing but crap? Look here and see for yourself what the future is. http://www.jdtt.com/em.htm
As far as nothing made in china is any good, they make it as good as the country thats importing it wants it. Yes they make cheap trinkets to , but then again, my work shoes I have are a pair of steel toe converse tennis shoe style. They are on my feet 14hrs a day 7 days a week. they are comfy and durable. I wonder what country can make such a product to withstand my stinking smelly feet that much?.....China.
And dont go saying"oh you cant compare shoes to tractors" I aint,Im just saying that China has the ability to make first rate products under proper management.
And by the way, I love my Jinma 284, it does everything i want it to , I pull a 2-14"plow, rototill, mow, grade, backhoe and FEL with it. And i have imported it myself and not ashamed to say that with the FEL i have less than 7k$ into it. Yes it was a headach to import it and get rid of the rest of the container but it beats spending as much for a JD loader for my whole tractor. And no, these are not for everyone. they are not hydro, not as pretty, but they are as or more powerfull. I am a professional mechanic who did not need a big warrenty or labor agreement. And as far as replacing aluminum washers and hoses and fluids goes, do you think your kubo or JD comes from the crate always ready for action befor your dealer preps it? besides, when has your JD or Kubo dealer ever shared service bullitins with you? you got to be crazy if you think they dont exist. But in the chinese tractor world just because the dealer network is limited and some of them post there bullitins or recommended fixes on the web they are just admitting they sell junk? get real.
I got over a year on my cheap chinese battery, and the guy i sold it to for more money than i bought it for still has the same battery. And yes it did have a few fluid leaks. I could care less, i use it as a farm tractor not a schoolbus. Sorry to sound gruff but there is a lot of opinions and generalisations flying around here and not enough facts . thats comeing from the guy who was used as an original source for this post as evidence not to buy a Chinise tractor. I will never import one again. but i would still buy one from someone else who would import one for me! I am happy for my cash

 

[JohnS]

Re: this subject

Maker,

Sorry, was busy picking-up my new Jinma 284, FEL, and BH, from Newark port. Its always fun to recieve new toys, regardless where they come from! /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

Appreciate that you went through the reasearch to determine if the tractor was right or wrong for you. Most wouldn't have took the time. I would recommend visiting a dealer and inspecting a tractor to be high in priority in this reseach, though. Rural King, which I believe is scattered around IL, sells a Jinma.

The Jinma tractors do not have a shop service manual per say, available from JM. Don't know if the larger dealers, Agracat, Northern, make there own manuals or not. They do come with an Illustrated Parts Break-Down manual and Operations manual. The Operations manual is more that tractor operations. It covers many adjustments and procedures. These procedures take up more than half the manual. I have the official 3" thick Ford service manual specificly for 1997 Taurus. It is difficult to use and requires numerous Ford special tools. There are no special tools required for these tractors.

The Jinma 204 through 284 are assembled on an assembly line. I hear the the larger series are hand assembled. I would guess that there are other Chinese brands could be hand assebled, as well. So, there is some basis of fact, that the dealer reported to you. Important to know what brands and what time frame. Four-five years ago, Jinma, was much different then it is today.

Not knowing what a used Yanmar requires to prep, can't compare the times. Assembly and check-out does take time, and is key question to ask a dealer. Experienced Chinese tractor dealers are highly recommended. If a dealer is just slapping them together, look elsewhere.

Hey, at least you gave us credit for help keeping the big 3 in check. Don't think they are concerned with the Chinese yet, but it will come. In my case, which is not typical, I saved at least 1/2 of the cost of a 28hp gear drive Big 3, FEL, and BH. For the less than 250hrs a year I will use it, I am willing to put up with any of the issues.

My 6', 250lb frame, requires careful getting on and off the tractor. It has many levers, the transmission between your legs, and smallish deck, require careful foot placement. Thought this would be something you needed to know.

Good luck in your tractor search. I would be interested in hearing on what you decide on for your "spare" or second tractor.

 

[Redfisher]

Re: this subject

<font color=blue>Sorry, was busy picking-up my new Jinma 284, FEL, and BH, from Newark port. Its always fun to recieve new toys, regardless where they come from! </font color=blue>


Glad to hear you got your new machine

Any pics on your site?

 

[JohnS]

Re: this subject

Only have the wheels on so far. Taking plenty of photos to be added to assembly gallery. Will add to site in a couple of weeks, have plenty of other updates that are ahead of them, in the queue.