Are the REALLY OK or are they crap?

Soundguy · Nov 1, 2005

( For the price I paid for my tractor I look at it as a throw away after so many years or hours or whatever )

Even if it is a chinees 'cheapy'.. I'd have a hard time treating something like it is 'throw away'.

I bought an el-cheapo riding lawnmower.. a murray. Got it at wallmart 10? years ago as a closeout for winter.. paid? 700$ for it. Unit, for all intents and purposes.. is still 'like new'.

It's been threw a few sets of blades.. and oil changes and air filters.. and a couple plugs. Has oem belts, headlamps and tires on it. I have also changed out the no-skid running board 'tape' once. And it has had a new battery. Starts on first crank.. and was a 'throw-away' priced unit.. probably not expected to make it 10 years... Maybee I'm a packrat.. but i just can't get into the 'disposable mentality' like many people have.... too much stuff in our landfills.. etc.. ( that last line was not directed at you.. just a general rant.. )

Soundguy

cmperry · Nov 1, 2005

Some smart person suggested that in his opinion most problems with tractors are operator errors. It's a machine, you treat it well it'll treat you well.

I think value for your dollar comes into effect at some point. You could have bought a Yugo cheaper than a Honda Civic but 10 years down the road the Honda buyer would feel they got more value for there money..Same goes for me, I spent $4500 more dollars on a orange machine but so far I truely feel i have got more value out of my dollars in refinement and reliability. I have owned a chinese tractor (JInma 224) so I am not a big three owner just putting down chinese...I just think long term there is more value in quality, and there is a definite quality difference.

JINMA224XR · Nov 1, 2005

I think value for your dollar comes into effect at some point. I spent $4500 more dollars on a orange machine but so far I truely feel i have got more value out of my dollars in refinement and reliability. I have owned a chinese tractor (JInma 224) so I am not a big three owner just putting down chinese...I just think long term there is more value in quality, and there is a definite quality difference. 

Hey CMPerry,

I don't think that there is a Chinese Owner that will disagree with you that the Kabota is a better machine.

However, in my case, If I had the extra $4500, when I made my purchase, I would have opted for a bigger Chinese Tractor and More Equipment to go along with it.

You see, there are different ways to look at value for the Dollar, and trying to stretch those Valuable Dollars. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Get your tractors running &
Have a nice day,
Joe /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

johnk · Nov 1, 2005

I guess I used the term throw away loosely. What I meant was when I bought a cheaper tractor or any item for that matter I know I am taking a certain risk. Once it has paid me back with work that was worth what I paid for it then I guess I got my moneys worth. Hopefully it will last many more years and hours of work. If it doesn't, either repair it or buy something else...Same goes for any brand except the more you pay the more it hurts when out of warranty and a major dilemma occurs. Life is full of choices and hopefully the right ones are made...

n4807g · Nov 2, 2005

Thanks for the clarification. The term "cheaper" imparts an impression of lesser quality. As opposed to the phrase "less expensive". It's not worth arguing over which is better or "cheaper". Everyone buys a tractor for a different reason. One thing is for sure; because they are "less expensive", many people will buy them and if they are satisfied will buy again. It even benefits the other brand buyers. It's much harder to gouge the customer when there are "less expensive" alternatives.

Soundguy · Nov 2, 2005

I agree.. .. clarification did make more sense. Not a throw away tractor.. just one that reaches a break even point ( cost vs work accomplished ) way faster than a more expensive unit. And yes.. I do agree on that point.

Not to open a can of worms.. but does anyone have comment on trade value / resale? I know a big 3 scut / cut holds resale / trade value well... and Util/AG tractors.. even big3 units.. don't hold the trade / resale as well. As evidence to this.. i bought a Nh 1920 and traded it back to the same dealer a few years later for a couple year old NH 7610s.. Got 93% of what i paid for it back in trade. And the Ag tractor i bought was in great shape, minus some sheet metal damage that did not effect performance, and got about 23% depreciation on it.. both units had similar hours.. etc. So.. the cut held value better than the AG.. even on the big 3.

Any idea of what the chinese marked is doing for depreciation / trade value?

Soundguy

JINMA224XR · Nov 2, 2005

but does anyone have comment on trade value / resale? 

Hey Chris,

I bought a Brand New Shinniu 254, 4wd, 2 cyl, 25hp, no PS, No Canopy, No Wheel or Front Weights, no Suspension Seat, for $5000 in 1990. I sold the tractor in 1997, I threw the tractor away, but they gave me $4000 to part company, and promised to give it a good home. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Get your tractors running &
Have a nice day,
Joe /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

billbill1 · Nov 2, 2005

Chris, I feel that this issue is why alot of us have bought and will continue to by Chinese tractors. No way is my tractor anywhere close to the big three units in comforts, features, or resale. I knew that going in. I was afraid (probably unjustly) of grey market of any kind because I may not be able to get parts. I use my tractor for lots of stuff, mainly mowing-but I bought a Koyker loader, box blade, grader blade, 6' RFM, and several small carry-alls and such. $12,000 for everything brand new. The tractor alone was $6750. I am completely satisfied with my choice knowing going in that it wouldn't be worth much if I wanted to get rid of it. It did however put me on the seat of a tractor that I otherwise wouldn't have been able to own. Mine has been bullet proof so far and I truly hope it continues to be so. I am and have been a maintenance supervisor for many years and can fix most anything on machinery so I feel that I can fix any issues with my machine-myself. This very issue could be a good reason for most to avoid something they can't fix themselves. I plan on never getting rid of this tractor and I feel it will last a very long time. If not, I will mark it off as a mistake and move on. I can tell you that I am on that little sucker every second that I can be and so far I like it alot. I envy you with all of the tractors that you have and maybe someday I will start collecting old iron as well. This got me tractoring for the time being.

minidozer · Nov 2, 2005

I have a Kubota L245DT. The final drive housing was cracked and leaking oil. I believe the cause was a missing internal weld that allowed the housing to flex. I have also broken the steering shaft which I understand is a common problem. My point is, all tractors will have problems. Even with a dealer close by, I do most of the work myself to save money.

billbill1 · Nov 2, 2005

One other very important thing my 284LE has done for me is bring me to TBN where I have spent countless enjoyable hours with all of you guys. Whether we agree or don't agree on issues, it's still a good place to get information and meet new friends. I'm sorry I left that out!!! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif