284 LE as a Four Wheeler replacement...am I crazy

[jonrjen]

Tell me I don't need it. In truth I guess I know it.
But if you could pick up a new Jinma 284LE for less than $5,000 would it not be worth the money? I had a little 22HP Jinma and it was a good tractor, however I replaced it with a Mahindra 35HP with 2 wheel drive. I am very, very pleased with the Mahindra.
I now have a need for a second four-wheeler for checking things out on the ranch. Many times it is muddy, and the need for 4x4 is there. My thoughts are that for less than the price of a nice size 4x4 four-wheeler I could purchase a 284 LE Jinma, this would give me the needed 4x4 to get around in adverse conditions as well as a dependable diesel work plant that could handle some brush hog, post hole digging, light blade dirt work. If I keep the tire pressure low enough the ride shouldn't kill me while going through the rougher bottoms or uncleared land.
So the questions are:
1. Am I nuts for thinking this way?
2. Those of you who have or have had the 284 Jinma, did you find it to be dependable? Or what can I expect or should I look out for?
Thanks
Jon

 

[kyspartan]

i am new here but i am getting ready to purchase a new 284 but the cheapest that i have found is $5800 with the epa rated engine. where have you found them for under $5000

share the wealth /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[jonrjen]

Keep in mind that price is relative in relation as to what you may need in the line of dealer support, warranty, parts, and your personal ability to perform needed labor. Also distance from the dealer/point of sale to your place of use.
Where are you located? City, State?
I'll be happy to tell you where this is located, however this dealer/location is not a sponsor of this site. So in all fairness I would rather do so via private Email. You can Email me at jonrjen@aol.com
Not to say one of the sponsor dealer may not be willing to meet the price, or be slightly higher but in a position to meet the above needs. Some times it is worth a little extra for the service you can expect after the sale.
Hope I presented this in a tactful manner.

 

[kyspartan]

the prices that i quoted is for a crate tractor shipped from the factory i have been scouring the net for over a year just researching jinma tractors trying to find the best deal. again if you can get one that cheap let me know where. that would really help me out because of my tight budget

thanks email sent

 

[PBinWA]

Wouldn't the lack of suspension kind of limit the speed at which you can travel? Maybe your back is tougher than mine.

I know I can only get my tractor going so fast before I get tired of being bounced around.

It's a good idea. Maybe you could engineer some form of suspension setup for the tractor?

 

[RonMar]

I am sure you would find it usefull brushhogging and digging post holes and other odd jobs as it was designed. But using it to run errands might take a while as comfortable travel is definitely found at a slow speed. If you have much terrain, the high CG of the tractor might make it difficult to go directly from A to B like you could do on a 4wheeler. If you have a ways to go, you might be better off with a 4wheeler.

If it gets soft and muddy, those narrow AG tires are quickly going to lower the frame to the ground(great tractor but they sure don't float). I drove my 284 into a swampy spot last week while brushhogging. It was dry on top and I couldn't see any problem through the brush I was pushing over with the FEL. The first indication I had of trouble was water on the front tire. It sunk to the frame shortly after I got the tractor stopped and tried to back up. I couldn't push enough with the FEL to get the rear wheels to crawl back up onto solid ground with the mower atached. I was lucky and had trees close beind me. Once I got the mower off, I was able to get a chain through one of the rear wheels and back to a tree. Doing this, I was able to "winch" her back to solid ground using the rear wheel as a winch capstan(drove back up over the chain) and pushing with the FEL bucket. I have had 4wheelers stuck before(4WD models) and it was as simple as getting off the machine in a low gear and standing near enough to reach the throttle. Without the weight of the rider, they would usually crawl out on their own.

 

[greg_g]

Well, your profile offers no meaningful information relative to the questions, so the best I can come up with is to use the right tool for the job.

1. you're not nuts for wanting to save money. ATVs are ridiculously overpriced for the amount of REAL work that they can do. You're correct in assuming the 284 is considerably more versatile.
2. the 200 series Jinma - purchased from a reputable dealer that competently and capably assembles/warrantees/repairs his merchandise - is almost bulletproof. Put yourself in the position of a buyer who is also the dealer, before you consider falling into the crate tractor trap.

And if you didn't catch it, that $5000 is FOB China - not delivered to your door

//greg//

 

[jonrjen]

This is a new tractor with in three hours of where I am located. Downside, it is also located in a city with Casino's, by the time the spouse has a little fun, the end price of the tractor will greatly increase ... LOL.
It is new,assembaled and ready to work. However a little after I posted the original question I made a deal to purchase some Longhorn to add to the herd. So the tractor/4 wheeler will have to be put on hold again for awhile. So I will make good use of my Yamaha Grizzley and other tractors in the mean time.

 

[jonrjen]

Here is a link that could be part of my profile:
http://community.webshots.com/user/jonrjen

Now admitt it, them Longhorns are nice to look at..........sometimes

 

[tat2z1969]

Jinma America another name for Emery Built,(same comapny).
A running jinma 254 is $4995.00 and a 354 is $5995.00
and for the sum of $50.00 they will check and make sure all fluids are topped off.
http://www.jinma-america.com/

looks like they are going the Wal-Mart route, slap them together and push them out, but not under the Emery name, hope they don't confuse a slap together with a full price one, boy that would tick someone off.
Under terms, the AS-IS from China makes me want to run not walk to the nearest exit.
Jim