Dong Feng- Kama

zekeman · Apr 12, 2004

What is the minimium Horse Power to cut and bale hay, DF has a 38hp, Kama has a 45 hp- both in my price range. If these are too small maybe I should start looking at "bigger," used, US made tractors.
P.S. My last post about About the DF-Bulldog had more replies about a pay chinese tractor web site than it did have about the DF-
does that mean I should avoid this Tractor-" too new" to the US market

JohnS · Apr 12, 2004

Ron,

I have heard of people using a baler on the DF354, but I don't know if was a square or round baler. How much pto hp does the baler recommend? The physical size of a tractor, especially if you have hills, probably comes into play. I don't know what a good tractor weight to towing weight ratio should be, implement dealer might. Good brakes would be necc for hill work, as well.

Finding user input on the Kama 400 series, is going to be hard. It is relatively new. I haven't seen many DF owners, posting, on any of the tractor boards I frequent.

A used utility tractor is a good option. Sometimes, depending on the area, there is allot less demand than compacts. Pricing might be in your favor.

Bird · Apr 12, 2004

What kind and size of baler?

greg_g · Apr 13, 2004

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Finding user input on the Kama 400 series, is going to be hard. It is relatively new. )</font>
I'm anticipating my new KM454 to be delivered on or before the 26th of this month. I expect it to be capable of handling all aspects of (small) square bale processing. You can find the basic specs here: KM454 specs .

To be honest with you, I didn't even know that DF was selling any tractors bigger than 25hp in the US. Assuming I'm behind the information curve here, I found 354 specs to which you might want to compare the 454: DF354

If you're not in a hurry to buy, I'll be able to give you KM454 first impressions (hopefully) by the end of the month.

//greg//

zekeman · Apr 13, 2004

Greg
I'm not in a rush for a tractor- its too large of an investment to make a mistake. I almost bought the DF but the feedback on this
Tractor was limited on this website and others. If you remember
let me know how the Kama works for you- my planned use for this
machine was to work around my small horse boarding farm-but recently 27 acres of Hay fields became availiable ( Vac home owner needs his grass cut? ) would be nice to not buy hay for the horses this year
Thanks
Ron NY

bluechip · Apr 13, 2004

Greg,
Your tractor arrives our place tomorrow. Im going to the Dodge dealer soon to get a Cummins. dont want to haul that beast to Kentucky with my Ram 1500!
Ron,
For haying, the KM454 will do, the KM554 will give you a little more weight and PTO HP.

greg_g · Apr 13, 2004

I sympathize. Since the KAMA weighs a good 1000# more than my Jinma, I got a K2500 to haul it around if/when necessary. Now all I gotta do is get rid of the K1500 !

//greg//

goatman · Apr 17, 2004

Before you buy your cummins dodge, Ought to give the the GM Duramax a test ride.. I traded my dodge cummins for the chevy duramax and am very satisfied.. Much more power and accelleration and get same MPG in my 03 2500 4wd that I got in the 95 3500 dodge 2wd : Both good trucks so good luck with your decision.. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

RobertN · Apr 18, 2004

If you're gonna do that, than might as well give the Ford a drive too. Comparing the power and tranny from that '95 aint fair. Even the difference between my '01 Ram2500 Cummins and the new ones is amazingly different. Like all 5spd auto's availble now, and jumping from 235hp to 320+hp.

The best thing that happened was all of them getting 5spd auto's built to really handle the torque these motors can put
out.

The newest Cummins HO might be hard to beat... Giving credit, the Duramx and Powerstrokes are pretty nice too. But, that Cummins is hard to beat.

bluechip · Apr 18, 2004

I drove the Dodge Cummins HO 600, amazingly quiet and smooth. I liked the auto trans but am afraid of long term maintenance, something about $7 qt fluid,etc.

Goin to look at the Duramax Monday. I did drive a 2001 Powerstroke and was very impressed with it also.

Thanks for all the comments!