Buying Advice Advice & Opinions Needed, Buying Chinese Tractor

[todrut]

I am in the market for a new tractor, till recently I had no idea of the chinese tractors. I've looked and read all I can find but still am pretty ignorant to them. I've read that they are all made by same manufacture (Titan, Jinma, Foton, ect.) I've also read that they are not. What is true???

I need a minimun 60-70hp with a loader and a cab with a/c I will also be buying bush hog, mower, baler, tiller, and box scraper. So I'll be investing alot of money and don't want to buy wrong. What suggestions, comments, opinion do you all have?

Who are reputable dealers? There are so many out there but none seem to have any tractors and say they must be ordered 90days to get it.

Any and all info will be greatly appreciated...

 

[greg_g]

There may be a dealer or two that has more current info about that size range than do I. But for the moment I believe your choices above 60hp is limited to a pair of 4wd Fotons; a 70 hp FT704 and an 82hp FT824, both available with cab/heat/air

The dealer question sorta depends upon where you live.

//greg//

 

[bluechip]

We have some FT824 82HP and FT604 (60HP) arriving this week. the loaders are coming from Koyker and will be in a couple weeks. I visited the factory in December and they have a state of the art assembly plant. I believe FOTON/LOVOL will become well known world wide. Parts support is increasing rapidly in the USA as dealers with a history of importing parts as well as tractors take on this line. You may be able to save some money waiting 90 days by ordering through a broker, My guess is that a dealer who doesnt stock tractors, probably does not stock parts. With Chinese tractors in general, your warranty is only as good as your dealer. Something to consider. So far, we have had very good luck with the Foton tractors that we have sold. We are located in the NW/central part of Arkansas on I-40 if you want to see one of these in person.

 

[Soundguy]

Just wondering.. what are your intended uses.. commercial or private use.

Also.. Just curious.. why buy brand name implements like bush hog.. but then a 2nd brand tractor.

If you are saving money ont he tractor.. might as well save the money on some implements too.. Howse makes some good mowers in the 10' range. and now they have a 15' mower as well..

Soundguy

 

[todrut]

I'll be using for partial commercial I guess. My intentions are to use on my farm and also do some work for others. I didn't mean to say bush hog as a brand name, meant it a rotary cutter. I have heard howse is a good brand.

I definately don't want a throw away tractor after 5 years. Want a good dependable strong tractor at a great price.

 

[texasjohn]

Welcome to TBN

Suggest you fill out your profile so we know more about what kind of work you are seeking to do... it helps when we answer your questions.

Suggest you analyze the posts here on TBN by manufacturer. I mean you should build a table with categories in it that indicate the tone of each post.. such as:

Whee! having fun with my XXXX tractor!
how do I do maintence/normal repair on my xxxx tractor?
my dealer did right for me
my dealer messed with me
my xxxx tractor, under warranty, busted something and it shouldn't have
I got parts/service and they were reasonably priced, timely
Parts/service were unavailable or unreasonably priced or extreme delay
Number of posts for xxxx tractor
etc.

now, count the number of posts, by category, for these tractors
John Deere
Kubota
New Holland
Chineese tractors
other brands/categories you find intersting

The point is that only you can determine what the trade off FOR YOU is between $$, proximity of dealer, quality of dealer, stability/longevity of dealer, percieved tractor quality, experienced tractor quality.

Just assume, for a moment, that you had purchased an XXXX tractor...and after looking thru the TBN posts for that tractor, does the xxxx tractor seem to provide the kind of experience to users just like you that you are willing to pay for?

You will determine that there is no risk FREE tractor choice... but some choices are more painful, or fun, or expensive than others.

I know of no place other than TBN, anywhere, that a prospective purchaser planning to spend a HUGE amount of money can get so much real, long term, experienced, unbiased user feedback on both quality and dealer performance. You should benefit from this treasure trove which is ripe for data mining

 

[Affordable]

I agree with Chip on the Fotons,we stock the 40 hp thru the 82 hp with cab,air/heat ,Perkins engine ,dana drives,we also stock parts for them.They are a great value.

Tommy
Affordable Tractor Sales
Bellville,Texas

 

[bjr]

On small acreage, I can't see having a cab w/ac. I'm just up and down off my tractor way too much to be climbing out thru doors of a cab and I don't want any obstructions viewing what the implement is doing from the tractor seat and I surely don't need the extra congestion of a cab settining of top of some component that needs servicing. KIS, that means Keep It Simple, good advice when it comes to tractor agriculture equipment. For ME, I don't want to be isolated from the natural elements, that's the reason for being on the tractor to begin with. This what I wanted and what I got. I bought Jinma JM 354 crate tractor. What I didn't get: cab; long warranty; fancy dealer/big parts inventory; glossy covered parts books; payments to a bank for forever. What I did get: inexpensive/cheap/something I can afford; economical on fuel; fairly durable but not indestructable; easy to maintain w/ some mechanical appitude; good traction w/ four wheel drive; basic tractor. YOU get what YOU want. bjr

 

[hbaird]

I bought a 200LE from a container load importer, NO DEALER no setup. I have had some small problems all of which I have fixed my self. I'm barely shade tree grade mech. If I could do it over I would get a 284LE. A new Jinma, 2007, is far better finished than mine and looks better built to me. The hydraulic filter alone shows more concern for reliability. Good dealer setup will prevent a lot of problems. Mine is basic and easy to maintain. I don't want any computer controls, electric lock outs or most other modern improvements. I am willing to put up with a little hassle to be able to fix it my self. Just one man's opinion.
Harold

 

[hill]

Mine is basic and easy to maintain. I don't want any computer controls, electric lock outs or most other modern improvements. I am willing to put up with a little hassle to be able to fix it my self. Just one man's opinion.
Harold

Just curious as to what compact tractor you think has computer controls, electric lockouts, most modern improvements, and is NOT easy to repair and/or maintain.