Buying Advice Buying a Foton 25hp in the next month: Advice appreciated.

[SensibleNick]

Yeah, except they wear in the opposite direction. When otherwise correctly set, valve lash clearances typically get tighter with wear (related to valve seat wear I believe). So the closer you set them to the bottom of the spec window (smaller number), the sooner you'll have to do it again. May or may not be accepted practice, but I set mine at the top of the spec window (larger number).

//greg//

From what I know Greg, I'm with you on that one. The higher compression of the Diesels leads to valve seats wearing faster than the tappets. Petrols tend to wear tappets faster than the seats...

Found a farm shop that sells fluids in 20L containers... A good start, but they're not a true Agricultural machine place.. I need bucket teeth too :licking:

 

[tulenutn2o]

I'm still on the fence about chinese tractors only because as a CADD designer, I have come to realize that some chinese engineering is up to par, and in some cases , even a little superior.....BUT>>>>> They still have quality of material issues. Best engineering in the world does nothing if your material is not top notch. Help me pull the trigger. I am looking at a Foton 404,Westendorf loader. Any guesses on what the price in iowa should be? Thanks

 

[Diamondpilot]

I'm still on the fence about chinese tractors only because as a CADD designer, I have come to realize that some chinese engineering is up to par, and in some cases , even a little superior.....BUT>>>>> They still have quality of material issues. Best engineering in the world does nothing if your material is not top notch. Help me pull the trigger. I am looking at a Foton 404,Westendorf loader. Any guesses on what the price in iowa should be? Thanks

Never heard of that loader???? Koyker is the most common good loader put on Chinese Tractors. There are other good ones out there but Koyker is by far the most popular. Spirit is also a good brand.

As for price do not let the be the driving factor. Good prep is the most important. I have seen guys save a $1000 on a particular tractor to only have major issues due to poor prep in the first 50 hours. Its all over this site.


My local Jinma Dealer has 454's assembled for $7499 The loader is $3799 more.

Chris

 

[greg_g]

Any guesses on what the price in iowa should be?

Never heard of that brand either. As an Iowan, I think you would be better served by Koyker (South Dakota) or Spirit (Wisconsin). Both have been custom fitting American made loaders to Chinese tractors for several years now. Given the front wheel width, I'm thinking 5 footer with 2" cylinders for a FT404. Haven't been following loaders for a while, but I'm guessing you won't get much change back from $4000 (unless it's part of a larger package purchase). For comparison purposes, the 5 foot Koyker 160 (1.75" cylinders) is listed as a $3500 item on my 2006 TS354 invoice.

//greg//

 

[Diamondpilot]

I should state the $3800 price is for a Spirit Loader. Nice piece with Power Beyond Port, Float, 5' bucket, and I believe 2" cylinders but would have to look again.

Here is there site. http://www.spiritmfg.com/

Here is Koykers. Koyker Manufacturing

Chris

 

[tulenutn2o]

I have been talking to Mayer Imp.. Looking on the net. Westerndorf? comes up and appears to be a good piece.I may have spelled it wrong though. They quoted 16800. Should I get R4s? I do use in for some construction. Do R4s run more $>Thanks

 

[Diamondpilot]

$16,800 seems high to me. You should be able to get a 45 HP Chinese tractor in that class with a loader for under $13,000.

I am not a fan of R4's and yes, they are slightly higher. R4's may be the right choice for you and a construction site though. Just make sure you know what you want because R4's require special wheels so other tires will not fit on them. If you decide to change you will need wheels and tires at about $2000.

Chris

 

[thenorth]

hi there:
i have a Foton 404..............
685 hrs on it now......... all is working fine, it does all i want it to......

john

 

[tulenutn2o]

Diamond, I thought the price was high.Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Diamondpilot]

If you can not find any better deal than that on a Chinese Tractor in your area go look a Kioti or BobCat. The BobCat tractors are Kioti re-badged. Kioti was offering a great financing package and I believe a free FEL. It may be about the same money in the long run and a little better quality tractor.

I think a Kioti DK40 SE can be had for under $18,000. In the BobCat its a CT440. I think its the same machine. I know BobCat has a 0% for 60 months or free FEL going on right now.

Chris