8 Years with a Jinma 254
Model Year: 2006
I have desert acreage that only occasionally needs a tractor, such as during and after the rainy season, to knock down weeds and fill erosion channels. My tractor has only 500 hours or so of operation but has filled my needs well. That said, if I was to begin some regular farming or ranching output I would probably go with a more expensive machine with better features such as a true shuttle shift. In the relatively short time I have operated this tractor the clutch cable has had to be readjusted several times, the clutch pedal broke in half and had to be rebuilt/replaced with a more substantial assembly, there have been numerous electrical issues such as gauges not working, lights, key switch and so on. The primary functions such as the engine (followed the initial full fluid changes, 50 and 100 hour recommendations for tightening head bolts and so on) the four wheel drive system, hydraulics have functioned well and continue to do so. The primary pieces of equipment that I use are a Jinma FEL, Jinma 60 in. rototiller, box blade and cement mixer. Future additions will include a Top N Tilt for the box blade (which will also give me down pressure on a post hole digger, for instance)and possibly a backhoe kit.
Pros: Very economically priced.
Cons: Cheaply built, component quality, particularly rubber parts is not good.