Looking at Used Nortrac/Jinma 304

[quicksandfarmer]

It looks like it has been stored indoors, which is a good start. Overall looks cleaner than my tractor. The only thing that jumps out at me from the pictures is that the 3-point lift arms are all the way up, some owners have reported that the arms can get stuck in the up position. Make sure they go up and down when you operate the lever (you don't even need the engine on to get them to go down).

 

[Millhouse]

Most contemporary tractors have HST transmissions coupled with independent PTOs.

Gotcha.

It looks like it has been stored indoors, which is a good start. Overall looks cleaner than my tractor. The only thing that jumps out at me from the pictures is that the 3-point lift arms are all the way up, some owners have reported that the arms can get stuck in the up position. Make sure they go up and down when you operate the lever (you don't even need the engine on to get them to go down).

Good to know. Should those typically bleed down after being parked like a FEL?

 

[quicksandfarmer]

Good to know. Should those typically bleed down after being parked like a FEL?

They shouldn't bleed down, that's an indication of a leaking cylinder, although if it's slow leak it's no big deal. What I meant is that if you operate the lever with the power off the arms will drop because dropping takes no power. I just think it's strange to have the lift arms up in the air like that. Normally, I use an attachment, and when I go to take it off I lower the lift arms and leave them down until the next time I need to use an attachment, at which point I want them down to hook up the new attachment. So I'd never drive around with my arms up like that. It could be perfectly innocent, but it's something to check since others have reported getting the arms stuck in the raised position.

 

[sd455dan]

Concerning the Live PTO - Nothing to really worry about , As an example running a brush cutter

Push the clutch half way in while tractor is in gear and PTO is running tractor comes to a stop but the mower keeps spinning
Push the clutch all the way in and the also pto quits spinning.

Much preferable to a transmission driven (Non Live) pto like some grey market Japanese tractors...

 

[Millhouse]

They shouldn't bleed down, that's an indication of a leaking cylinder, although if it's slow leak it's no big deal. What I meant is that if you operate the lever with the power off the arms will drop because dropping takes no power. I just think it's strange to have the lift arms up in the air like that. Normally, I use an attachment, and when I go to take it off I lower the lift arms and leave them down until the next time I need to use an attachment, at which point I want them down to hook up the new attachment. So I'd never drive around with my arms up like that. It could be perfectly innocent, but it's something to check since others have reported getting the arms stuck in the raised position.

10-4

Concerning the Live PTO - Nothing to really worry about , As an example running a brush cutter

Push the clutch half way in while tractor is in gear and PTO is running tractor comes to a stop but the mower keeps spinning
Push the clutch all the way in and the also pto quits spinning.

Much preferable to a transmission driven (Non Live) pto like some grey market Japanese tractors...

Gotcha, that's what I was thinking. Thanks.

 

[newbury]

Looking for a first tractor and stumbled across a 1996 Nortrac 304 with 579 hours and a Great Bend 240 FL for $6500. What's the consensus on these? I'll be using this for a 12 acre homestead doing mowing/plowing etc. I have no problem turning wrenches when needed, but it would be nice if it wasn't required on a weekly basis. What other tractors does this compare to for size and power?

Most contemporary tractors have HST transmissions coupled with independent PTOs.

Depends on how you define contemporary -
contemporary - living or occurring at the same time

This tractor was built before HST became as common as it is today in stripped down basic tractors. This tractor is selling for $6.5K. For example my M4700 built until 1998 wasn't even offered in HST.

OP - since you can wrench it looks like a viable first choice. Check all the hoses!

 

[Millhouse]

So what really will I be sacrificing by going with a Chinese tractor over...maybe a Deere similar to this one: 2 John Deere 43 Tractor - Mershon, GA | Machinery Pete

 

[Millhouse]

Of course, this Foton TB504 seems like a **** of a price too for a 2012 model....

212 FOTON TB54 For Sale In Flint, Texas | TractorHouse.com

What's the deal with them? They appear to be sold as Nortrac as well.

 

[newbury]

Since you don't put in your location it's almost useless discussing price on low price tractors. Those last two are almost 900 miles apart. Do you drive by either on your commute? It's not Amazon prime with free delivery and easy return if your not satisfied.

Are you willing to pay $7K for a tractor and take a day or two to pick it up? And get there and find "runs great" is correct, but "hydraulics leaking like a sieve" wasn't mentioned. Or do you need to trust it being delivered in perfect condition? Not every tractor seller discloses the bad info.

What goes for $5K in rural Mississippi can easily go for $7K in the Washington DC area.

 

[quicksandfarmer]

Concerning the Live PTO - Nothing to really worry about , As an example running a brush cutter

Push the clutch half way in while tractor is in gear and PTO is running tractor comes to a stop but the mower keeps spinning
Push the clutch all the way in and the also pto quits spinning.

Much preferable to a transmission driven (Non Live) pto like some grey market Japanese tractors...

Jinmas have live PTO and a two-stage clutch.