Buying Advice Buying Advice - DongFeng 254, 254G2 or 224G3

[Neandertaler]

Hi everyone,

I am a new member and currently in the process of buying a tractor. I have about 2 Acres of lawn in a forest glade. I am currently using a 24 " walk behind mower and that is killing me ;-) From my reading I think that a SCUT like a small Kubota would be perfect for me, but these small tractors are extremely expensive. Also they are more expensive here in Germany than in the states. Thats how I found out about the chinese tractors. I am now thinking about self-importing a DongFeng, but I am not shure what model:

Standard non EPA/EC DF-254 (Generation 1)

Although that would be the cheapest, it does not have the synchro and shuttle shift. Parts availability here would be no Problem.

DF-254G2 (Generation 2)

more modern design and more expensive

DF-224G3 (Generation 3)

This is the new G3 SCUT Series. It is more compact, weighs only 1 ton, has a mid-PTO and costs the same as the G2 model. I really think that this is the more suitable maschine for me as the 254 models are a little bit too much tractor for my small garden. But I have some concerns:

It only has a 1.1 Liter 3M78 engine wich is advertised between 20 and 22 hp, depending on where the info is posted. I was astouned to find out that this engine is used in the Jinma 164Y with only 16hp. Also it is only swirl chamber and not direct injection. I now have some doubts that this engine is a little small for my use. I want to use a finish mower and would like to switch to the belly mower when it is available (currently still under development by the chinese). Furthermore I need to use a land grader for my 150 Yards gravel driveway. Beeing able to use a wood chipper and a log splitter would also be nice.

As this model seems to be very new, I was not able to find any info from somebody who has experience with that model in regards of performance, quality and so on....I found that it is sold under the Name of "East Wind G20 Compact Tractor" in Australia. Also this model is sometimes listed as a DF-204Y on Alibaba.com, but the DF-204Y is listed on the DF Website as not in production anymore.

So what i am looking for is an advice from this community regarding which of the three models would suit my needs best, what your experiences are regarding the differences and advantages and disadvantages between the models. I really would like to have the option to go belly mower instead of 3-point finish mower for better maneuverbility, which will only be possible with the G3 model. But I do not want to be a "Beta Tester" for a new chinese development with a tractor which has not yet been sold very often.......

THX in advance for any advice in this matter

Neandertaler

 

[Neandertaler]

Hmmm,

obviously there also was a 25hp Version, which was called DF-254Y. But that model went out of production:

http://www.chinafarmtractor.com/1a-DF-254y-tractors-8.html

It is really tricky to understand the product structure and strategy of DongFeng ... ;-) That model should now be a DF-254G3, but that does not exist. The main question is why did they discontinue the 204Y and the 254Y? Dis they have Problems with this new development? I start getting more and more cold feet with the G3 series........

 

[cleat]

I own a 254G2 and live on a 2 acre lot. The tractor is a little large but that comes in handy for snow removal in the winter. Also it easily pulls my 72" box scraper.

 

[Neandertaler]

The size, thats what I am concerned about. I have a couple of trees on my lawn and it is L-shaped, so there are one or two tight spots. Therefore I would love to have the option of buying a belly mower in the future, although I would start with a simple finish mower. I do not intend to buy a FL, a plain box for the rear hitch will probably be just fine for my purposes.

 

[RonMar]

A loader or box scraper and 3PH option is nice, but unless you plan on moving a larger volume of earth, or dragging trees or have the need to run a brushhog to clear/rough cut brush, this type tractor might be overkill. If you have a nicer area(my definition of lawn), unless you get turf tires ordered with it, Ag tires are going to be hard on the lawn surface. If you are just mowing lawn, with the occasional need to pull a garden cart or some other such, I would suggest a larger riding lawnmower/garden tractor with integral mower deck. Most any modern one will be hydrostatic drive or even zero turn, so will be real smooth and easier to operate than a gear driven tractor. The integral mid mount deck will also give a far superior cut. And if you have any tight areas, it will maneuver far easier than one of the tractors you are looking at with a rear mounted mower deck. I have a 48" 27HP riding lawnmower and a 28HP diesel tractor. I can get a rear finish mower for the diesel, but will never mow the grass with it as it just wouldn't be able to do it as fast. The 48" mower has done it's share of brush busting(why I got the tractor with brushhog) and has had a hard life. But it still mows way nicer(and faster)than I could with the other tractor. When it finally wears out(or maybe even sooner) I will replace it with a 60" cut zero turn which will still allow the high maneuver but increase my mowing speed.

My .02

Good luck.

 

[Neandertaler]

Well, I have tested for example the John Deere x300 and x500 series models with 122cm and 137cm cut (I think this is 48 and 52 inches). My "Lawn" is a bit rough and has a slight slope. Both models did not feel like up to the Task. With the grass a Little bit higher, going up the slope, the engine revs dropped down. Furthermore the small wheelbase, narrow track and low weight made it a somewhat uncomfortable ride. So my conclusion was to get something a Little bigger. But when looking for 25HP garden tractors above the x500 line, i was quickly in the 10K$ (and above) range. I completly agree that I Need a SCUT more than a real tractor, but taking the small market and the high Prices in Germany into account, I think that this is crazy pricewise. Now i have the following Options:

small X500 range garden tractor: 7000$ new and still on the small side
X7XX range: probably perfect, but that costs 15K and up :O
Kubota/Iseki or whatever SCUT: >15K
even a 50 Inch walk behind of good quality will be >7K here!

so that leaves me with either my old 28 inches walk behind or a chinese tractor......But as I agree with you, I took that new G3 series into account. I just think that the 22hp are not enough for such a 1 ton compact tractor.

.......hmmm...again: new Food for thought. It is really hard to make a decision, but I have a somewhat limited Budget......

P.S. the tractors would be fitted with Turf tires

 

[DFAM]

Hi,
I prefer to answer your question under this thread since mine went down. Please note i am only focused on USA market, so my reply might be biased (Model varies a little bit across different market), for official reply, please contact our subsidiary in Germany. Here is the link: The Tractor People - DONG FENG EUROPE GROUP GmbH.

A. G3 is our whole new series ranging in HP from 20.7 to 55 hp, which is special for USA, EU, etc. Currently, only DF2243 GEAR is available in EU; HST is coming on its way; 30-40 HP is still under development; 45-55 hp is only available in other markets like austrilia, china for testing and will be launched in EU after reliability is approved.

B.As regards 204Y, it's another name for this model, but after figure out g3 is a better choice, we soon abandon the title of DF204Y. The reason why we've not yet slashed it from alibaba is due to its popularity in searching tractors on this B2B platform.

C. Then we come to the mmm, actually we have made some belly mowers last year but our dealers in EU are not satisfied with the design, consequently we have to redesign it. Estimated releasing time I was told would be in late 2013.

D. As for HP, it should be 20.7HP

Meanwhile, as far as i know, none of "known" Chinese tractors are still directly available with the factory, which means you can only buy them from your local dealer. But you still might procure a good one at a lower cost. You know we attend Hannover Exhibition every year, usually demo units are for sales.

hope my reply could help you get to know our tractors. Once again, contact dongfeng europe for details.

Thanks,

Sean in Changzhou, China

 

[Neandertaler]

Hi,
first of all thanks for the detailed information. I appreciate a Feedback from somebody from DFAM directly as official info is hard to get. I came to the conclusion (and I agree with the post from RonMar), that the 254 models are too big for my Tasks. On the other hand I do have some concerns regarding the 224-G3. It is 55" wide (with AG tires, it will be wider with Turfs)) and therefore it does only makes sense to install a mid mounted mowing deck of at least that witdth, preferably a 60" deck. Extrapolating from my experience with the John Deere Garden tractors, I do not think that 20.7HP will be sufficient to handle such a deck. So I think that this is a design flaw. Always give a maschine that much power that it can handle a mower comfortably that is slightly wider than the maschine! Either make the tractor narrower or install a bigger engine.....Just my 2 Cents...

I guess I will reconsider my position and start thinking in other directions. I will look into buying a used X540 or the like. Unfortunately I would loose the option to use 3P implements and I will have to mow quite regulary so that the grass won`t get too high. I guess a Kubota BX2350 would be perfect, but that one has a list Price of 20K$ without the mowing deck!! Perhaps I will still use my old 28" mower and wait for a DF-254G3 and the belly mower in the next 2 years. I will see if I can self-import from a chinese trade agent for a better Price then.....

 

[Neandertaler]

Hhm, now I am kinda hijacking my thread myself...;-) Just searched a little and found a used 2006 John Deere X495 with a 62" deck for 8000$ with 1200 hours on it about 200 miles away. The usually start used at 12-13K here in germany. What do you guys think? Will that be a good choice, is 1200 hours OK for that kind of maschine? I know that professional farm equipment schould last 5000 to 8000 hours, but how does a big JD lawn mower compare to that?

 

[Neandertaler]

OK....just for info: I have settled for the X495 and am very happy with it. I think the 24hp diesel is perfect for the 62 inch deck. In the long run I would like to upgrade to a SCUT because of the 3pt hitch and the rear PTO and a possible future DF-254G3 HST would perfectly fit my bill. So I will rethink this issue when that model is widely available and tractor and mowing deck are tried and tested......

and if DF tractors are not available from the factory anymore and I have to buy from DF europe for the higher prices...then i expect a full guarantee like from competitors.