Chinese Tractors Aren't Worth the Risk

[Tractor_Barn]

Re: this subject

Thank you for your encouragement.

So, fit and finish is synonymous to quality and reliability? Not trying to argue, just getting the perspective of the tractor buying public.

Vince

 

[Golfgar4]

Re: this subject

<font color=blue>"So, fit and finish is synonymous to quality and reliability?"</font color=blue>

I don't think that's what Banjobj is saying at all. (I apologize Banjobj, I don't want to be putting words in your mouth!)

I think what he means, and I would agree with, is that many people DO include fit and finish in the overall perception of a machine, whether it's a tractor or a car. If, mechanically speaking, two identical machines were completely equal in performance, then many people would make their choice by the better fit and finish of the two.

On the other hand, if one of the machines performed much better than the other, then many people would accept the poorer fit and finish machine in order to have better performance - but not everyone would do that.

Just like everything else, it boils down to personal preference. Given a choice, yes, I would choose the more attractive machine, as long as the performance was not compromised. But I will always (at least almost always! /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif) choose performance over appearance when I have to make that choice.

 

[SHIFTY]

Re: this subject

As far as fit and finish I attatched a photo of the new style US hood that has just been made available,not as good as one of the big three but they are improving the fit and finish.

 

[TBone]

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I hesitate to say this lest someone thinks I am knocking their brand, but when I see exceptionally poor fit and finish on the parts you can see it makes me wonder what the parts you can't see look like.

Of course a pretty paint job and good fit and finish on exterior parts doesn't necessarily mean that the hidden parts are good quality but it kinda makes me feel better.

TBone

 

[kbarrett]

Re: this subject

Emotions play a big part in purchases. It doesn't surprise me when folks get into fit and finish discussions.

Case in point: I bought a $400 Sony Clie PDA instead of $100 Palm or Visor. Why would I spend $300 more over something that will do 80 - 90 percent of what I need a PDA for? The Clie looks "better" and makes me feel good when I use it. Has a few more bells, whistles, and memory but that is about it. Not very logical now, but at the time I seemed to able to come up with all kinds of reasons to buy if over something more reasonable.

Not a perfect illustration, but I think it make my point.

 

[Redfisher]

Re: this subject

<font color=blue>Of course a pretty paint job and good fit and finish on exterior parts doesn't necessarily mean that the hidden parts are good quality but it kinda makes me feel better.</font color=blue>

And thats how most people see it,If the fit and finnish is good the product must be good as well.It would do the Chinese good to bring in some Canucks or Yanks for Q&A
It would'nt cost much more to improve the fit and finnish of these tractors. Anyways thats just my two cents Cnd.

 

[banjobj]

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I couldn't have said it any better than you have. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[DarrenP]

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I said earlier that I would not make any more comments on this thread, but here goes, take it for what it's worth...My boss's neighbor bought a new ArgraCat with loader for $11,900. Wants to sell it. There is nothing wrong with it - he wants a larger "major brand". Put it in the paper, got no calls. Took the "Agracat" name out of the add, got several calls. EACH caller, when told it was an AgraCat, either hung up or said they were not interested. While this is NOT a scientific survey, I think it gives a good picture of real world resale value of the Chinese tractors. Cheaper it not necessarily less expensive.
P.S. This is the truth and I am not posting it make anyone angry, especially fellow Texan Ranchman.

 

[JohnS]

Re: this subject

If you have contact with said person, have them post it on the CTOA "For Sale" board. Most people that frequent there, know what the tractor is, its capabilities, and are not scared away by the "made in China". Ebay is another alternative, that has worked.

If you are considering owning a tractor just for a short time, and resale value is a big concern, then it maybe best just to look at the big 3. If you can get them to come out and look at it, and get through the stigma, you can do much better.

I had a couple gentleman stop by the house to discuss the possibility of purchasing a diesel generator. They frequently went to ag auctions, almost every weekend. He owned a couple of JDs and a Bobcat. They knew I owned a Chinese Jinma tractor and wanted to take a look. I figured they wanted to have a little fun poking at my tractor. I showed them the tractor and discussed what I thought the pluses and minus of it was. Overall, they were quite impressed for what it cost. They had come thinking it was going to be complete junk. By the time they left, they were even discussing the possibility of buying one.

BTW, not knowing the particular model or what options were purchased, a 254/284 with GB or Koyker FEL for $11,900 would be on the high side of pricing (about $8,900 for tractor), which would make it even harder to recover.

 

[Redfisher]

Re: this subject

They must be zapping posts off this thread every day/w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif
I keep seeing new names in the last post,but they do not show up in here.One can tell from the names they were up to no good.