Jinma. Any good?

[biggerten]

Unless the 254/354 designs are totally different (and I don't think they are) you'll be removing the FEL to adjust the clutch.

It's also much easier to work in the engine compartment with the FEL removed. In fact, since she has 75 hours on it, you might want to be re-torquing the head bolts and adjusting valve lash soon. I'd remove the FEL and do all three procedures (clutch, head and valve lash) at once - saves removing the FEL a second time.

 

[Gronk]

Thanks for all the info guys, you are invaluable. I have negotiated what I think is a very good deal on a 284 with FEL and a crate backhoe and I am just waiting until I move on the 30th to have the money available for the purchase. I had a few things in my favor and I think that is why I was able to get such a good price.

First I was hoping to take advantage of crate pricing since I have a garage to assemble the tractor in over the winter. The dealer I talked to has two assembled tractors that he would like to move before the snow falls. Crate tractors are easy to store, assembled ones not so much for him.

Secondly, he has no tractors in my area therefore the deal includes me to be able to show the tractor to potential buyers in my area, at my convenience.

Thirdly, the BH in the deal is still in the crate. While the tractor itself and the FEL are assemebled, it would be up to me to assemble/attach the BH.

Although I am 99% certain to accept this deal, I have a few days left to think about it. The only question I have left really is this:

If I feel I am getting a good deal, (much better than the advertised price) is there any reason why I shouldn't take advantage of it? I understand the question is pretty vague and open to personal interpretation so let me elaborate. I realize Chinese tractors may not have the fit and finish or some creature comforts of name-brand tractors of the same category so I'm not too concerned if the hour meter stops working or that it doesn't have cup-holders. I am strictly thinking about issues that affect the usability of the machine as a multi-use tractor. In the future I plan to ad a rear finishing mower, a box blade and a post-hole digger.

It is my understanding that a 28hp tractor used on a 5 acre property will hardly break a sweat being used as an "estate" tractor. I want to install a fence, mow the lawn and grade my driveway in the summer as well as dig up stumps to clean up the property and move some dirt around. (three boys with dirtbikes, I'm sure you can imagine what they want ) I will have a plow truck for clearing snow in the winter but the FEL could be useful for moving snowbanks when the snow starts to pile up. Other than the fact that it comes with agricultural tires, can anybody see a flaw in my plan? I am thinking about purchasing another set of wheels with turf tires on them or just paying the extra cash for a set of R4 tires.

Also, the tractor has the creeper gear instead of the shuttle shift. Any concerns there as far as it pertains to what I want to do with it?

Thanks again guys. You've all been a great help. And I know everybody like pictures so here is a pic of the actual tractor I'm dealing for. (without the PTO generator)

Sean

 

[Jinma284]

I've had a Jinma 284 for 6 years now. I use it on my 10 acre peach farm. I cleared out all the fence around the farm and put in new woven wire. I use the bush hog to mow the whole place except a small area around the house. I mow it when it dosen't need mowing because I enjoy driving it. I also use it to pull a spray rig through the peach field to spray. The pump on the spray rig is powered with the pto. Mine also has turf tires which, based on your use for mowing with a finish mower, I would think you would also want. My turf tires grip well enough to pull a 5 ft. disc in 4 wheel drive and to bend up my box blade when I hit a stump going backwards. I though I could push it out. Not so much.

I believe you will love the tractor when you get it. I don't think you will miss shuttle shift that much if you don't use the front end loader except to move snow. You will be able to use the creeper gear to stretch fence with. Put it in the lowest gear and you can tighten the fence just like you want it. I'm very happy with my tractor.

Pat

 

[3RRL]

Do the 284's offer a shuttle shift?
Loretta's Honeybee has the creeper gear on it, but we have not used it yet, other than just trying it out. It lets you go sloooow. She has a 4' tiller for it but we haven't used that yet either. I imagine the two might be a good fit though. Low range is pretty low as it is.

Since you're planning to get the FEL, it is a small pain for a lot of loader bucket or grapple work just backing in and out of places. But you can always shift to "high" for more speed in reverse and lower the engine rpm a tad. If you plan on a lot of pulling, the shuttle shift is not really needed. In our case, we use the Kama for most of the heavy loader work. It has a shuttle shift, 8 forward and 8 reverse. So we can be a little more selective which tractor to use for certain operations. However, when we get the 284 to do some loader work, the shuttle shift would be nice on it too.
I can say having that super slow reverse is really nice for hooking up. It's also real handy when we used the Jinma to dig footings for the deck posts. It was much easier to position the Post hole digger going that slow in reverse. I guess you can't have your cake and eat it too?

 

[Diamondpilot]

I am a big fan of AG tires. Why get a tractor with other tires? If it is a matter of tearing up your yard then you don't need a tractor. My neighbor has a 35HP John Deere with R4's and it sucks in the snow. He has me plow his drive when we get more that 6" of snow. Also I like the creeper gear. I use mine probably 5 to 10 % of the time. Like Rob said it makes it very precise and is good for pulling stumps, logs out of the woods, ect.

Its a tractor, not a riding mower.

Chris

 

[hbaird]

I have R4's and am quite satisfied with them. AG tires are better on really soft ground but I don't want the ruts. I use my tractor all over my place but most of the time on grass. The R4's pull as good or better on firm ground for me with much less damage when they spin. Just one man's opinion. I have my 200LE loaded like a rented mule. Koyker 140 FEL on the front and RE 180 Italian Backhoe on the back. AG tires made marks on the yard even when dry. Last week I shoved a cut up 75ft tall tree remains about 75ft with theFEL down and left no wheel tracks. The loader did dig in from time to time.
hbaird

 

[Gronk]

I am a big fan of AG tires. Why get a tractor with other tires? If it is a matter of tearing up your yard then you don't need a tractor. My neighbor has a 35HP John Deere with R4's and it sucks in the snow. He has me plow his drive when we get more that 6" of snow. Also I like the creeper gear. I use mine probably 5 to 10 % of the time. Like Rob said it makes it very precise and is good for pulling stumps, logs out of the woods, ect.

Its a tractor, not a riding mower.

Chris

Here is a picture of my truck. (really )

I don't know why anybody would want tires any smaller or less aggressive that that. My buddies are always calling me to pull them out of the mud and snow. I'm a big fan of agressive tires but I can appreciate the fact that not everybody has a use for them. It is pretty narrow-minded to think that all tractors should only come with AG tires.


Sean

 

[Gronk]

Do the 284's offer a shuttle shift?
Loretta's Honeybee has the creeper gear on it, but we have not used it yet, other than just trying it out. It lets you go sloooow. She has a 4' tiller for it but we haven't used that yet either. I imagine the two might be a good fit though. Low range is pretty low as it is.

Yes they can come with it.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/chinese-tractors/78018-jinma-284-shuttle-shift-sequence.html

So how slow is it in the creeper at optimal engine RPM? Are we talking feet/min?


Sean

 

[3RRL]

It is so slow you don't need a speedometer, you need a calendar!

 

[Diamondpilot]

Yes they can come with it.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/chinese-tractors/78018-jinma-284-shuttle-shift-sequence.html

So how slow is it in the creeper at optimal engine RPM? Are we talking feet/min?


Sean

I believe it is 60 feet per hour in first gear. About double that in 2nd and about triple that in 3rd.

Chris