Buying fOTON 404

[drdage]

Anyone have experience with the Foton 40 hp or 25 hp units? How about spirit loaders? I am thinking about purchasing. I was loooking at Kioti as well but would like to spend less $. How much mechanical ability should a chinese tractor owner have?

Paul

[bluechip]

Because we sell both, Farmpro (foton) 40HP and Kioti, I feel qualified to tell you that there is no comparison, either in price or features/fit/finish and overall quality of the tractor. If you will use your tractor 100 hours or more per year and can afford the extra money for a Kioti, I would suggest that you go that way, but if you need to save some money and only use a tractor 50 or 60hours a year or less, a Chinese tractor will be fine. The amount of mechanical ability a chinese tractor owner needs is directly related to the distance and qualification of the dealer(if any) involved. We have many successful non-mechanical owners of Farm PRo tractors in our area because we do the maintenance and repairs in our shop as needed, but I talk to owners on the phone of many brands that have frustration at being in over their head with no local support. These boards (this and CTOA board especially) are invaluable to some of these owners. Farm PRo tried the 25HP foton and I saw a lot of them in the boneyard when I was there. could be problem tractors or problem getting parts, but it made me wonder...It is a good looking tractor, a little lighter than the Jinma, like a JM204 only with the 25HP engine. I like the FT404 but am undecided about the FT254, I think there are better tractors out there personally (like a KAMA TS254C! which by the way is the brand I am selling :-)

[Affordable]

We sell the Jinmas and Fotons ,I agree with Chip on the smaller Fotons.We bring in the 40 hp and up on the Fotons,they are alot better quality,fit and finish.If you are wanting to save some money and have a little mechanical ability look hard at the Fotons.We have alot of Foton parts and bring in more monthly.We stock the FT404 with a shuttle shift,2-valved remotes,I'm not sure if Farmpros version has the shuttle or valves maybe Chip can answer that.We are putting Koyker loaders on them,nice looking tractor,great value

Tommy
Affordable Tractor Sales

[bluechip]

The Farmpro version has what I beleive some Kubota dealers refer to as a "semi shuttle" on lever is 4 speeds, another is H-L-R, it is not a straigt line shift form F to R and you may change ranges as R is clsoer to L than H. Tommy, Do yours have the shuttle lever up by the steering wheel? I have been curious about this since I have seen some fotons, even the 824 advertised with shuttle.

[Affordable]

Chip ours have a shift lever and handle coming thru the right floor board with in a comfortable arm length to shuttle with. It's very nice and easy to operate
it has F -N -R .The customers love it.You can do the shuttle .throttle,loader control all with your right hand and drive with the left.

Tommy
Affordable Tractor Sales

[rdbigfarmboy]

I have about 320 hours on a rural King foton 404. It is a great little tractor.

[drdage]

Thanks for the info. Anyone know much about the Spirit loaders? I understand that they are from Spain.

Paul

[Affordable]

Spirit loaders are made in Wi.,I have seen several,worked on a few.I think Koyker makes alot better product for about the same money.

Tommy
Affordable Tractor Sales

[drdage]

Thanks for the info. Rdbigfarmboy, what if any problems have you had and did you change fluids immeadiately after delivery? How is the warranty support and how was your experience purchasing from Rural King?

Paul

[crazymike]

The FT404 is a fantastic tractor.

We had a demo model in that we used to bring in hay wagons, rake and scatter hay, shuffle grain wagons, pull a 10' cultivator, harrow, loader work, bush hog, etc...

The only glitch we had with the tractor was one starter wire routed too close to the exhaust.

If you are looking for one in Ontario, Canada, I might still have a static display demo left over from a farm show. 40hp w/ cab

I can't say enough good about the Foton tractors. I highly reccomend them.