Foton 254 3.80 star(s) (15)

Breaks!
Model Year: 2007

Things break...ie: 3rd gear, both front drive axles, brakes, shift fork, front drive spline shaft, and the starter. The clutch also needs adjustment every 100 hours. Overall, it is a very lightweight use tractor. The bolts come loose and the welds are not great. A good price would be $5000 Canadian.

Pros: Easy enough to work on
Cons: Always needs to be fixed

Foton 254 4 X 4
Model Year: 2007

I was looking for a small tractor to work in between crops without damaging plants. I bought this tractor second hand with only a few hours on it, maybe about 60 if I can recall. The tractor is doing exactly what I was hoping to achieve and more. The only issue is the small fuel tank. It’s a wonderful little tractor which is very handy and saves a lot of time on the farm. This little giant is so versatile. I use it for weed control and also spraying crops.

Pros: 4 x 4
Cons: Small fuel tank

Long Term Test Report
Model Year: 2009

So, it’s been a few years now, and my 254 now has 653 hours on it. I just completed the fall servicing and set the valves. Two were loose. No biggie. So far, the Foton has been a great tractor. I have a small business in which I hire myself out with my tractor and 5 attachments. As already mentioned, I have a Frey ML165 front-end loader and a CE 58-inch Rotovator. I also have a CE 60-inch box blade (with 5 retractable ripper shanks), A 7-foot Backhoe attachment (with 10" and 18-inch buckets), and a 3-point hitch receiver for spotting trailers, etc. Other than regular maintenance and using good North American oils and lubes, nothing has... oh actually the hand throttle cable seized up, so I replaced that. Other than that, nothing major has gone wrong. I have made a few minor adjustments and many new friends and happy Customers. This tractor is one of the most reliable, well-built machine in this size. I would absolutely buy another Foton-Lovol, if I could find another one.

Pros: Excellent power, the weight ratio, dual hydraulic outs, rear wheel weights, soild canopy, two speed power take-off, good headlights, manual locking rear differential brakes
Cons: No creeper gear, hard to find in Canada, no tier-4 engine

Best bid price/features
Model Year: 2014

Basically a simple, neat little tractor with no newfangled features, but all that you need. Mine has over 180 hours on the clock now, and runs without problems. The gear linkage could have been better (sloppy), and the shuttle didn't always engage properly. But not a major problem, just annoying. The reservoir for hydraulic oil could vent a bit better as it will overflow if the FEL is lowered quickly, and especially so if the engine isn't running. One thing that really impressed me is that the engine oil remained pretty clean, even after over 170 hrs running same oil. Would I buy it again? Definitely!

Pros: Generally well built tractor with a practical cabin.
Cons: Gear and shuttle linkages a bit sloppy.

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Foton 25 HP Tractor
Model Year: 2013

Have had this tractor for 17 months. I live on 5 acres, which suits this size tractor. I am happy with the overall work load that the tractor performs for a small hobby property, tractor runs well, and have had no brake down problems with the drive line components. I however have had problems with the hydraulic components stated below: - Control Lever mechanism has fallen apart. - Control valves for rear remotes have failed twice - Hydraulic pump had to be replaced due to a broken shaft. - Seals in the hydraulic pump have failed & needed to be replaced.

Pros: Good for small / light work.
Cons: Not for commercial use.

254 Lemon
Model Year: 2012

Supposed to have a 3-year warranty. Told today a part i.e. front axle because has now broken twice. Won't be covered under warranty if happens again. Yet product has a 3 year parts and labor warranty so I guess warranty to Foton dealers means nothing. Tractor only 18 months old and has not done any heavy lifting and tires are correct size.

Pros: Cost to buy.
Cons: Look at review.

254 Lemon
Model Year: 2011

If asked to recommend a Foton I could not, although the mechanics at the dealer do try to help problems exist. Like faulty brakes, i.e. have not worked properly from day one. Mechanic even put upgraded or later model brakes in worked for nearly one week then injector pump died. Dealer fixed. Next, front axle breaks dealer fixes. Then the other side front axle breaks. Again fixed under warranty. Now another axle beaks 12 months later. Thank God for 3 year warranty. Shame about all the down time.

Pros: Cost to buy.
Cons: Everything listed above or maybe I just got the lemon.

Where Is The Oil?
Model Year: 2012

After 30 operating hours all the oil had gone. The hydraulic oil pump was of such poor casting quality that all bolts were torn out of the casing. Ever tried to steer a tractor w/o oil? Great. Anyhow, there must be an Explanation for the price... Next Problem: all O-rings are made of normal rubber, which means, all of them leak oil. My conclusion: for me (15-20 hours usage per year) it is almost acceptable. The repair costs are more or less to be added to the sales price. So for me it makes sense. For a user that uses it on professional duty, the thing is nothing but Chinese trash.

Pros: Price.
Cons: Everything else.

Foton 254
Model Year: 2005

I bought this tractor used with a shredder for $5,000. No doubt I overpaid but saw it at a dealer and it was one of those impulse buys. I use it mainly with a Wallenstein BX chipper as I have a lot of dead cedar trees to get rid of. Don't like to burn as I am afraid that the fire could get easily out of control. Plus I like the mulch that the Wallenstein creates. Tractor does everything I want it too. Since it is a diesel and I am not a mechanic it is a challenge sometimes. The tractor was purchased without a manual but I was able to find one for a similar type of tractor that has been very useful. When I changed the fuel filter, I followed the steps in the manual to bleed the air out of the fuel lines and it worked. If you are a mechanical person, a used Foton is really a good value. If not, probably best to stick with one of the more popular brands and most of all, make sure you get a manual. Still learning about the tractor. Build quality is 3 stars. Although the basic body of the tractor is sound, the bolts used to attach such items as the suitcase are substandard. I have 2 or 3 that are sheared off and will have to try to tap them out at some point. The tractor is also 4 wheel drive but have never used that feature. I will update this as I learn more about the tractor.

Pros: Sturdy body, 4 wheel drive, diesel.
Cons: Substandard bolts, hard to find documentation and parts.

Foton FT254
Model Year: 0

Good little machine.

Pros: Easy maneuverability.
Cons: Cheap wiring.

The Foreign Tractor That Could!
Model Year: 2009

For over a year now I have owned this tractor. I bought it with 226 hours on the clock. I has a Frey ML 65 FEL, with a buckets that's a bit too small, and a 3 point 48" Rotovator. I had to replace a hydraulic hose last winter and replaced it with a REAL HD hydraulic 4 wire hose. The stock hoses are single wire copper braided (wow). I've changed all the fluids, greased all the fittings, and replaced a leaking hydraulic quick disconnect fitting at the same time. I've used this tractor day and night and It always works flawlessly. The work lights and head lights are excellent, and the dashboard layout is good too. My only complaint would have to be when I'm using the rotovator. The tractor could use a lower gear in my opinion. I was breaking old ground at the deepest setting however. Being new to tractors I would chalk this up to a learning experience. Next time I'll try a shallower pass the fist time over.

Pros: Cheap, good power, 8X8 transmission (no hydro-stat), has a canopy, simple to work on, not much for electronics.
Cons: Could use a set of deeper gears.

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Model Year: 2011

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Pros: .
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The Little Tractor That Could
Model Year: 2009

So I drove past this tractor for the last 7 months. It was sitting in a repo yard her in town. I finally worked up the nerve to actually go and look at it, while I was in my coveralls (I'm a heavy duty mechanic). Upon closer inspection I noticed the low hours and barely a mark on it. So I placed a bid and consequently got the Foton! The first think i noticed was the sloppy directional shifter. I can fix this.The next minor issue is the lack of hazard lights. I'm in the middle of fixing this. Looks like I'll have to clean and grease all the plugs and connections on the tractor as whoever prepped it did a shitty job. After rebuilding the joystick controls for the Frey ML165 loader, I have managed to put 6 hours on the hour meter popping stumps and clearing snow. I am very happy with my Foton. It has nice smooth power and so far no major problems.

Pros: Got it for a good price, perfect size.
Cons: Hood opens the wrong way, can't service the engine easily.

New Experience
Model Year: 2011

At this date, I have no problem and it work very well. It is my first tractor and I have only 70 hrs almost in winter.

Pros: Do the job I ask for (snowblow).
Cons: Nothing yet.

Foton 254 4WD
Model Year: 2011

Well presented good finish and it seems relatively straight forward having worked on larger earth moving equipment as a serviceman the work on this unit could have been a little better in the final inspection with loose adjustment nuts but overall it seems quite solid and pre-serviced up to 50 hrs.

Pros: Good finish and a selection of attachments from dealer in the package.
Cons: Haven't struck any yet.