I actually had 4 Chinese tractors, the first two were JM254s. I originally bought one to replace a YM240 because the 2wd was not up to some of the terrain I needed to work. First JM254 had significant electrical problems, the dealer replaced it. Second JM254 developed major clutch problems. Dispute with the dealer resulted in the regional manager intervention. He was so embarrassed by the dealers actions, that he not only took back the 2nd Jimna - but he told me to pick out any Chinese tractor from any dealer that I wanted - and he'd buy it for me. That's how I got my KM454 (45hp KAMA). I liked that one so much, I jumped on a used TS354C (TaiShan 35hp) with loader. It's a little brother to the KAMA.
By 2010, I got old enough to draw on all those Social Security dollars I'd paid in over the years. The resultant monthly check was such that it would pay for a new tractor. So I traded both the KAMA and the TaiShan in on a John Deere 3720 cab with 4-in-1 loader. Got $10k trade-in, and John Deere is carrying the balance at 0%. Social Security check more than covers the payments. Couldn't hardly pass it up.
FYI, problem with the 4wd 200 Series w/loader usually happened when operator would slam into pile. That often takes weight off the rear tires, which in turn is transferred to the fronts. With no center differential, the larger mass of the spinning rear tires gets transferred through the drivetrain forward to the stationary front drive. Usually something in the front differential broke. Conversely, if conditions are such that the fronts spin faster than the rears, damage is usually in the front outboard drive units. The 200 Series front drive system is simply not robust enough to deal with the kind of aggressive loader activity that is considered normal for other 4wd tractors. Hence, the 2wd Jinma 200 series - to me - makes a better loader tractor.
//greg//
