Dealer Are there any Jinma/Kama dealers in South Carolina

n4807g · Oct 13, 2005

Have you decided whether the bigger HP tractors are for you?

bluechip · Oct 13, 2005

Getting into the bigger HP tractors is really a different business all together. Handling this size tractor makes you a "Farm Equipment" dealer as opposed to an "outdoor equipment" dealer and there are insurace concerns. Also I can find no legal way to import these engines. ( I guess I am not as well lawyered as those that have imported them. I'm sure they have found a way, but my understanding is that the TPEM for over 50HP has long expired and based on the labels on these, that is what they are using.

Also, customers of this size tractor usually need field service, it is hard to load a non-runner and cab tractors are difficult for owners to service themselves (no picnic for the dealer either). For these reasons, we have only had 1 Kioti cab in stock these last 2.5 years.

All that said, I am really tempted to see about ordering one like yours through Farm Pro, if it will not cause me problems with my insurance that is...

n4807g · Oct 15, 2005

I'm just curious. You mentioned insurance issues. Is the cost of insuring yourself $ for $ 25% more for the big tractors versus the small tractors? Do you have an idea of what it is?

bluechip · Oct 15, 2005

I don't know, there are few markets for Farm equipment dealers according to my independent insurance rep. I talked to one of the leaders in the industry, and they said don't call them untill my total premium is over $10,000 per year...we are not a LOT less than that but we are less, so I think I will stay an "outdoor equipement" dealer.

n4807g · Oct 15, 2005

Thanks for the info..!

c141ip · Oct 15, 2005

zogman,

I just bought a KM 554 from Chip. Perfect opportunity to half the shipping cost to SC. My tractor will be in Lancaster SC, about 60 miles north of Columbia. Should be ready to ship by end of November according to Chip. Go ahead, order that tractor.

zogman · Oct 16, 2005

I'm going to St Louis Oct 24-28, I'm going to stop by Triple T tractor (I believe that's the name) in Richmond MO while I'm there. I will decide what I want after that, so sharing may be a real possibility. I would like to do business w/ Chip but we haven't discussed numbers yet. I'm sure we could work something out knowing his reputation. I would like to know your story about why you bought what you did. Have you laid your hands on one yet? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

PS are you Air Force? I noticed your sceen name C141

c141ip · Oct 16, 2005

Yep, just over 20 years in AF. Retiring next summer and moving back close to our hometown.

Always wanted a tractor, as long as I can remember, but wasn't practical moving every 3 years or so. Now we have 40 acres to keep up, and will likely do some hobby farming, but definitely lots of time pulling a rotary cutter. I kid around with my wife saying I'll be happy even if I only ride it to the mailbox to get the mail. I sort of applied some advice I got some time ago about a gun safe choice, get the next larger size than the one you need.....you know the rest.

Never met Chip, but lots of research through forum readings made me decide to go through a dealer (him), instead of trying the crate tractor. The Kama just seemed to fit the bill the best for me.

I'll stay in touch through this forum, maybe the double delivery will work out.

zogman · Oct 17, 2005

I'm a E-8/ Technican with 19 yrs in the Air guard at McEntire, are you in SC or NC?

c141ip · Oct 17, 2005

Active duty (one of very few) at Dobbins ARB in Marietta GA. My wife and I are originally from SC. You may know a good friend of mine that runs an airport and seaplane base near Lancaster SC. He taught me to fly about 24 years ago. He retired from the SCANG at McEntire in 96, I think it was.