Willy Tbird
New member
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- Aug 16, 2011
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- 18
- Tractor
- Long 2460
The price of the JINMA 304 seems very good. Anyone have experience with a Jinma 304 and/or JOSEF tractor?
JINMA 304 from JESEF
- Thread starter Willy Tbird
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Rich Waugh
Platinum Member
I have a 304 and like it fine, I just wish it had more power, shuttle shift, air conditioning, power brakes, cruise control, and a driver...:laughing::laughing:
All the Jinmas of the 300 series are very sturdy tractors - the whole thing is much heavier than the 200 series. That translates to tougher and more traction. They're not bulldozers, however! The loader is for loading and moving, not earthmoving. Too many new owners don't realize that and break things because they treat it like a dozer.
As with ALL Chiness tractors, the single biggest factor in owner satisfaction is realistic expectations. Next biggest factor is how well the tractor was assembled when it arrived in the US in a crate - some dealers do it right, changing all the fluids and setting the clutch, tightening everything, dyno check, etc. Most dealers don't do that and often end up with unhappy customers.
I strongly suggest you check out the dealer at least as well as you check out the tractor itself. Or just buy from Ronald at RanchHand Supply or Tommy at Affordable Tractor Sales, or one of the other dealers who advertise on this and other Chinese tractor forums. I can vouch for both Ronald and Tommy, but haven't really dealt with the others.
I don't know anything about Josef Tractor - never heard of them until now. A quick Google search seems to indicate that they're in the Dallas area. Given that, if I was in that area I'd check out Affordable Tractor Sales, as Tommy (the owner) frequents this and other Chinese tractor boards and devotes a lot of time and energy to answering questions and helping owners. He's also dead honest, based on my dealings with him. Never seen anyone from Josef Tractor here or the other boards, and that means something to me. Your call, however.
I bought my 304 as a "crate tractor" and assembled it myself with guidance from the folks here. I have some fair mechanical ability and the tools. I still made some mistakes that cost me a bit later. Live and learn, and I did want to learn, as well as save some money. If I were to do it again, I'd just buy an assembled one from either Tommy or Ronald, depending on which one could ship it to me the cheapest.
Hope this helps.
Rich
All the Jinmas of the 300 series are very sturdy tractors - the whole thing is much heavier than the 200 series. That translates to tougher and more traction. They're not bulldozers, however! The loader is for loading and moving, not earthmoving. Too many new owners don't realize that and break things because they treat it like a dozer.
As with ALL Chiness tractors, the single biggest factor in owner satisfaction is realistic expectations. Next biggest factor is how well the tractor was assembled when it arrived in the US in a crate - some dealers do it right, changing all the fluids and setting the clutch, tightening everything, dyno check, etc. Most dealers don't do that and often end up with unhappy customers.
I strongly suggest you check out the dealer at least as well as you check out the tractor itself. Or just buy from Ronald at RanchHand Supply or Tommy at Affordable Tractor Sales, or one of the other dealers who advertise on this and other Chinese tractor forums. I can vouch for both Ronald and Tommy, but haven't really dealt with the others.
I don't know anything about Josef Tractor - never heard of them until now. A quick Google search seems to indicate that they're in the Dallas area. Given that, if I was in that area I'd check out Affordable Tractor Sales, as Tommy (the owner) frequents this and other Chinese tractor boards and devotes a lot of time and energy to answering questions and helping owners. He's also dead honest, based on my dealings with him. Never seen anyone from Josef Tractor here or the other boards, and that means something to me. Your call, however.
I bought my 304 as a "crate tractor" and assembled it myself with guidance from the folks here. I have some fair mechanical ability and the tools. I still made some mistakes that cost me a bit later. Live and learn, and I did want to learn, as well as save some money. If I were to do it again, I'd just buy an assembled one from either Tommy or Ronald, depending on which one could ship it to me the cheapest.
Hope this helps.
Rich
Last edited:
OP
Willy Tbird
New member
- Joined
- Aug 16, 2011
- Messages
- 18
- Tractor
- Long 2460
Thanks.
Diamondpilot
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2007
- Messages
- 16,316
- Location
- Daleville, IN
- Tractor
- Jinma 254/284 Ford 861 Powermaster at work
I will second the Affordable Tractors recommendation. I have had my 284 since 2003 and love it.
Chris
Chris
g0rd0
Gold Member
Hi,
I have a 2008 jinma 284 that I got as a crate tractor from http://chinabestproducts.com/ I have a few tools and a LITTLE mechanical knowlage. It took me 10&1/2 hours to assemble and have only a few small problems that my local mecahnic was able to set right. All of the proplems where due to chinlish not the machine. I use it for mowing, gradeing the driveway and bringing in the fire wood. It is only a small machine and I feel that one should remeber that a small tractor is just that and not to make it do more than it is designed for.
I like it and am very happy with it. Would I reccomend jinma YOU BET:licking:
I have a 2008 jinma 284 that I got as a crate tractor from http://chinabestproducts.com/ I have a few tools and a LITTLE mechanical knowlage. It took me 10&1/2 hours to assemble and have only a few small problems that my local mecahnic was able to set right. All of the proplems where due to chinlish not the machine. I use it for mowing, gradeing the driveway and bringing in the fire wood. It is only a small machine and I feel that one should remeber that a small tractor is just that and not to make it do more than it is designed for.
I like it and am very happy with it. Would I reccomend jinma YOU BET:licking:
happyj
New member
I have a 304 as well and it is perfect for my 5 acres. I have the normal issues with leaks but, nothing horrible to deal with. I got it in 04 or 05 so have run it for a while. The biggest issue I have is I keep losing the spreadsheets I create after researching filters, and lubricant types so I end up redoing them every stinking time.
Rich Waugh
Platinum Member
Next time you do the research and make up a list of filters, I suggest you laminate it and then put a couple of grommets in it so you can tie-wire it to the tractor. Or just stick it to the underside of the bonnet.
happyj
New member
Great idea, I can not even keep the file around and you think I could / would laminate it and put it somewhere I could find it.
I would probably laminate it and put it in that spot I put all the other stuff I can not find.
:laughing:
I would probably laminate it and put it in that spot I put all the other stuff I can not find.
:laughing:
