Why is Kama not as popular as Jinma?

zogman · Apr 22, 2006

I bought a TS354C from Chip and I have been really pleased with the machine and the dealer. I did the research and it appeared to me that the Kama was at least as good or maybe better than the comparable Jinma for a better price. I'm not knocking Jinmas, I really am wondering why Kama's haven't been picked up by the TSC or Northern Tools to rebadge. I realize Jinma has caught up on the shuttle shift and spring seat issues but the Kama is still less expensive.

greg_g · Apr 22, 2006

I too have a KAMA that can do twice as much in half the time as the two Jinmas it replaced - oh, except for turn around in a smaller circle. I think the original reason was simply exposure, not enough potential dealers willing to gamble. But more recently it's EPA. Jinma beat KAMA to the punch in having US-spec EPA-compliant engines. Don't think it's any more complicated than that

//greg//

BIGDOGG · Apr 22, 2006

ZOG the Kama hasn't been out as long and the market for Chinese tractors isn't that big yet. I have had tractors for many years and bought the Kama because it had draft control.
Most of the guys who are buying Chinese tractors never farmed before. Most are use for loader or mower work.
When the Kama gets more popular the cost will go up pretty fast. The dealer sets the price and will sell them for as much as they can get. Northern is way over priced but make it easy to buy. Same with TSC way over priced .
Just be happy with what you saved by buying the Kama i know I am. BIGDOGG

DwayneB · Apr 22, 2006

I just got my 354C from Chip, so far i don't have a fuel problem. I have one issue with the lw-6 hoe and one with the tractor steering(solved today). Seems to be a good solid machine.

bluechip · Apr 22, 2006

dwayne, glad to hear you got the steering, was it low on fluid? did you find a leak? the small resevoir for the separate steering hyd. system doesn't have to leak much to get air mixing in...

MrFixit · Apr 22, 2006

On this site and a couple others I visited before making my tractor Purchase, the KAMAS didn't seem to have as many problems. There were far less KAMA posts

Does that make them less popular?

Keep in mind I don't know the ratio of KAMA/Jinma units in use.

DwayneB · Apr 22, 2006

level was fine, no foaming. I drained the fluid and refilled with 30wt hydraulic fluid. Works like a champ now. Fluid was very dirty. Swapped spools on hoe, a bit better but not solved. I'm thinking now that valve is poorly machined. Only swapping valve bodies will tell for sure and I'm going to wait till I'm done with it for a while then take it off the tractor. Then I'll remove the valve body and take it to the shop at work and disassemble it. I'm tickled I got the steering working. Send me an email and let me know if I can paypal you the money for the seal kit.

JohnS · Apr 22, 2006

It has not been around, nearly as long as Jinma. Only a matter of time, and someone will try to go larger scale with them.

3RRL · Apr 22, 2006

I'm glad to hear from other Kama owners.
I think they are a very good machine. I too am surprised at their lack of popularity. I'm hoping they become more popular. My thoughts are lack of familiarity with the name and lack of exposure to the tractor are the primary reasons.

When I was shopping for a tractor, I made a spread sheet comparing all features, weight hp etc and vs the cost. It seemed like a no brainer to choose the Kama. My only hesitation was no experience with them.

There were some minor problems with mine but this site soon pointed me in the right direction. Most of the problems, it appears, resulted from
1) dealer prep/set-up and not the machine itself.
2) being unfamiliar with tractors in the first place.

ejtaylor822 · Apr 22, 2006

I bought my Jinma last year. Researched for several months before deciding on a Jinma. I considered Kama and had read good things about them; actually liked the styling and features better than what was offered on the Jinma. One of my concerns with a Chineese tractor was parts and repairs - mainly finding parts. Going on the web I could find multiple suppliers for Jinma, Kama was somewhat limited. That pretty much sealed it for me. But, as it has been mentioned they are getting more popular and in time parts supply should not be that big of a factor - may not be a factor now.