Kama/TaiShan

sjb · May 10, 2005

Hi all,
I've been lurking here for a while. I'm in the market for a new tractor, and had pretty much decided on buying a 300 series Jinma in a crate.

Recently, I've read some pretty good things about the Kama/TaiShan TS254C, and TS354C, and have decided to try to find out more about them.

Does anyone know of a dealer in New England, or NY?. I'm in Western Mass. Additionally, are these tractors available in crate form?

Does anyone know the ground speed in each gear on these tractors with the creeper option. I have not been able to find this info any the web.

Any other comments on the Kama's are welcome. My reason for originally choosing the 300 series Jinma over the 284 was concern over the strength of the front axle. From what I have read the Kama is a stronger design, and the TS254C will probably meet my needs.

bluechip · May 10, 2005

I have the speed specs at the shop, I will try and get them posted for you. I can tell you that the TS254C with creeper offers 16 forward ratios and several of them are below 1mph the best I can recall. You are right about the heavier front axle, also the steering cylinder is mounted above the axle out of the way. PM me if you would like a quote, may have a truck headed up that way in a few weeks.

JINMA224XR · May 11, 2005

Does anyone know of a dealer in New England, or NY?. I'm in Western Mass. Additionally, are these tractors available in crate form? 

Hey SJB,

Maybe EastWinds in NY, still has one of the 354's for 6K!!!!!!!

Or maybe BlueChip will sell you one for that. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Have a nice day,
Joe /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

bluechip · May 11, 2005

[
Or maybe BlueChip will sell you one for that. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

)

Don't hold your breath on that one! I am guessing that dealer was clearing out some old inventory, for whatever reason...
We have had no problem getting a fair market price for these tractors. they guy who bought it got a "once in a lifetime" deal.

I just sold a good ford 960 with loader on ebay, worth $3000 but only one bidder, no reserve ,so it goes for $1850, sometimes these things happen, but you gotta be in the right place at the right time... and be ready to pull the trigger when you see the right deal, not wake up the next day and say "I shoudda done it!".

For example we sold a KM450 2wd on ebay last fall real cheap, guy in texas got a bargain. Happy shopping! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

AR15MIKE · May 11, 2005

I am extremely happy with the TCS354C that I bought from Eastwind in NY, and yes it was 6K, I was very pleased. He selld them for 7500 normally though, 6k is on e-bay and nobody bid on the no reserve auction.

JINMA224XR · May 11, 2005

Don't hold your breath on that one! 

Hey BlueChip,

Come on BlueChip, You ought to cut us Poor Boys From Arkansas, some slack, every once in a while. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Maybe if I wore my old worn out work boots in to your dealership? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Thanks for your input &
Have a nice day,
Joe /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

tnfarmer · May 11, 2005

Comments:

Well I bought a KAMA 554 about 6 months ago. I will include the good and the bad. Starting with the bad:

Electronics - The elecronics are very simple, however thay have already failed. I am going to have to replace both headlights already and the rear light rivots popped out the first day due to vibration. The instrument panel stopped working, but I was able to remove the panel and fix the short. Also, the fuel float got stuck, but that was an easy fix. Also, the self-repair fuses constantly blow, not sure why.

Oil - Oil replace the oil ASAP, the thick stuff in there could be run-in oil or just some Chniese oil, not sure.

Hydraulic Connections - Well I leaked hydraulic fluid everyhwere for a week. I finally bought some sealant for the steering connections, seems to have resolved the problem.

Manual - Good luck, some English, but very poor. I hope they produce a newer version.

Pins, Linkages, Levers - Poor quality and metal, but can be replaced, except the levers.

Good Stuff:

Engine - Once you know how to start it, it purs like a kitten. No problems so far with the engine.

Price - Can't beat it.

My last concern is parts, gonna talk to "blue chip" and see if he can provide me with head lights on the KM554 and maybe get some advice on other small issues.

Hope that helps!

Todd

Scozz · May 11, 2005

sometimes these things happen, but you gotta be in the right place at the right time... and be ready to pull the trigger when you see the right deal, not wake up the next day and say "I shoudda done it!".

I hear you on that one Chip /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif ... Scozz

bluechip · May 12, 2005

Todd,
If your dealer cannot or will not help you with these issues, I will be happy to, just give me a call at ARTRAC or PM me.
If you are blowing fuses, you might have a fuse box wrapped with the wrong fuse wire, I can send you some 30, 10 and 5 amp wire to correc this. The KM does not normally blow fuses if wired correctly.

Any warranty issues MUST be handled through the dealer who sold you the tractor, we can only assist in warranty on what we import.

Just to clarify, the KM is a completely different design than the TS series being discussed here. non of the issues Todd is facing (with the exception of changing the oil. and they use the same instrument cluster and worklight) will apply to a TS series tractor. The headlights on the TS are the same wrap around style as LE series Jinma.

JohnS · May 12, 2005

The wiring, hyd leaks, and oil change are items that should have been handled by your dealer. If this was a crate purchase, it is part of the "fun" for saving additional $$$. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif