Jinma tractors are not for the mechanicly feeble. If you trade your car is off before the warranty is out, because you are afraid of the blinker bulbs burning out, do not even look at these tractors. CTOA.net is a site specifically for Asian tractors. Lots of good info on there. Do your homework, make your own decision. Lots of people have put thousands of hours on them, and love them. I do not know about Northern and how they treat their customers, but there are several dealers in the United States that treat graymarket Tractor owners very well. I can have my parts in my mailbox in less than three days when needed. Mine is 10 years old with over 750 hours and I would buy it again in a heartbeat. Rock solid little tractors, little glitzy things that you need to live with. No major failures of any type.
Agree ^^^
Mine is not a Jinma- but has been a very good machine to- for what it cost, going on 1300 hours. hour meter is mechanical and most of the time runs well below rated pto speed , which is how it counts hours If it had an electric hour meter I think it would be close to 3000 hours.
now going on year 23 of use.
Farm Boys has had any parts I have needed and generally for a very reasonable price.
There was a guy on CTOA that bought a 70 hp YTO ( troysie) and last I saw he was very happy with it. here is the thread after he posted
Edit:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/buying-pricing-comparisons/234777-chinese-tractors-4.html plenty more china tractor bashing in that thread to.
The tier 4 pretty much killed the chinese tractors being imported. He got his before it happened.
Maybe if he see's this thread he will give us an update on the now almost 10 year old machine if he still has it, also how Robs 80 HP Duetz copy has held up.
Good or Bad I would still like to know.
One of the draws of these chinese tractors especially when you get above about 50 HP is a Whole lot more machine ( literally) for the same money.
but just like the big name tractors there are differences in quality in chinese machines. also believe that the quality does improve when moving up in size but that is jmo
I am at times surprised at just how little activity-( as far as problems) being posted on that site there are, concerning the owners tractors ( I am also a member) sometimes it is weeks without much activity.
Sold my Ford 3000 - and it was a really good tractor.
but
did keep the more capable, comfortable 4x4 tractor
with suspension seat, full lighting package, canopy, 55 hp heavy built (5400lb. without loader) and easier starting ( in the winter) QUIET running machine.
If you are going to have a local name brand dealer wrench on the tractor you buy- I would not suggest a chinese tractor.
if you do not have basic mechanical skills i would also recommend against it.
as far as parts go I have seen a lot of posts on this site where a much newer Name brand machine than my Rhino, had a whole lot more trouble sourcing a part they needed than I have had.
That being said there are also some chinese tractor orphans that have very poor parts availability.
Before considering buying, check out their availability for sure. The sponsored chinese parts suppliers have a really good idea as to which tractors are well supported.
Would I buy a Rhino 554 again, without a doubt. I have a friend who has tried to buy mine on a couple of occasions- but it is not for sale.
