Yanmar YM3810D VS. Jinma 354

[paulray]

Hi there folks, I'm thinking about buying one of the above mentioned tractors and was hoping that those familiar with them could shed some light and some opinions on it. I know it is from 1979-1981, 45 HP, 4WD. The one I'm looking at has just over 2000 hours and will put a FEL loader on it. Total cost will be $11,400.

The Jinma is the Chinese tractor 35HP, 4WD, Power stearing, With a FEL, ROPS, canopy, no hours it will be $13,000. Comes from a very reputible man near me in TN.

So...any opinions?

Thanks.

PR

 

[Kernopelli]

Honestly, if you are able to spend $13,000 I would pass on both of them. The Chinese tractors just don't hold up as well and the old Yanmars are great tractors but some parts for some models are getting harder to find. That same money will buy a newer 35 hp 4x4 with FEl from one of the larger manufacturers. For instance, in my area, you could easily pick up a lower hr. Ford 1920 with 4x4 and FEL or similar Kubota, etc. for this price range.
You can do far better than the Yanmar or Jinma with a little patience.

 

[kenmac]

Just my opinion but I'll take my Japan built Yanmar over a Chinese Jinma anyday. Read about all the problems with the brand new jinma's vs a 30+ year old yanmar. Just buy your yanmar from someone that doesn't sell V.N. "rebuilds" ( as they call them)

 

[kenmac]

Actually,Some of the yanmar models have better as good or better parts support than some of the newer name brands

 

[California]

Ok, this is the Yanmar forum so I'll say what I think.

I bought a neglected Yanmar in 2003 and soon had it running like new after doing all the 100 hour, 500 hour etc maintenance as one project. This brought it right up to good as new. (Operationally, not appearance!)

Meanwhile I was reading posts over in the Chinese tractor forum and realized those new owners were putting more work into, and finding more problems on, their NEW tractors than I encountered on mine - which apparently was in occasional use with no maintenance for 10-20 years. All the lugnuts were sloppy loose, one brake was stuck disengaged, headlights were bashed in, etc. After I got the proper parts on it and got it set up it hasn't needed a thing since. All the problems were user neglect, not design or early-wearout problems.

The owners of NEW Chinese tractors were fighting all sorts of design and quality problems. An o-ring in the power steering was designed wrong and soon got pinched, and crushed. Replacements failed likewise. Forever.

Instrument panels were flaky. Dead fuel gauges, tachs, grounded printed circuit boards, etc.

Bad quick disconnects causing blown hydraulic pumps. Or sheared hydraulic pump gears, or keys, for no clear reason. Repeatedly.

One ethical dealer reported he had 65 hours setup time in his Chinese tractors. Then eventually he quit selling them - the warranty work was killing him.

An owner of one of the larger Chinese tractors recently reported he chewed up the front end gears in under 400 hours, apparently due to bogus quality steel in the gears. (He saw excessive wear in the remaining gears). I've never heard of a Yanmar doing this.

I'll bet on the Yanmar to be more trouble free. I think it is a day/night quality comparison.

 

[John47]

I think you only have to look at quality on household electronic goods made in China. Out of ten pieces I'll bet at least seven are returned under warranty. I've heard of folks returning a replacement VCR.
A friend of mine who is retired used to work on and install British made coal mining equipment. The Chinese started making them under license from his company for their coal mines. The guy used to go out to China as part of their contract to sort problems out, his gripes were the quality of the steel they used over there and their none existant quality control at the factory.
Says it all about "Made In China".
I don't know how old my Yanmar FX235 is, but it performs flawlessly, I service it on or before the 100 hr mark, plus more regular greasings and filter changes. But I know what I prefer, Japanese over Chinese every time.

 

[paulray]

Thanks for so many quick replies. I'll tell you, though, down here in TN you can't get a 35-45hp tractor for what I have available to spend unless you go real old or Chinese. I look on craigslist everyday, shop all the online stores within 200 miles or so and I am just shocked at the sticker value of tractors. Anything in my price range that is blue, green or orange either doesn't have a FEL or 4wd or has a ton of hours and is pretty beat up.

Anyway, any expereinced folks out there with a 3810D? It has the power I need but over 2000 hours is a lot, is it not???

PR

 

[1danny]

Thanks for so many quick replies. I'll tell you, though, down here in TN you can't get a 35-45hp tractor for what I have available to spend unless you go real old or Chinese. I look on craigslist everyday, shop all the online stores within 200 miles or so and I am just shocked at the sticker value of tractors. Anything in my price range that is blue, green or orange either doesn't have a FEL or 4wd or has a ton of hours and is pretty beat up.

Anyway, any expereinced folks out there with a 3810D? It has the power I need but over 2000 hours is a lot, is it not???

PR

I have sold Jinma and Yanmar, I no longer sell Jinma.

Danny

 

[MDM]

You should be able to by a new Kubota L3400 34HP, 4wd, loader, HST for $16,500-$17,000. Or the geared version for about $1,000 less. You will have a new machine and a 3 yr warranty. That said, I would take the 30 yr old Yanmar over a new Jinma any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

 

[John47]

I believe, but I'd have to check it out again, Northern Tool sells Jinma under their own name, BUT, only warrants parts for three months. In other words if the pump fails, they send you one and you fit it. What sort of warranty is that??

Most of the time the Orange and Reds come with FEL's as part of the deal.