Farm Pro Tractors

[777777]

Hi,
Can anyone tell me if there is anything really wrong with Farm Pro tractors ? The 20 HP, 2 wd models are certainly inexpensive enough for most basic uses of cutting, mowing and light loader work. They come assembled with a warranty.
Basically you can pick up a 20 HP tractor for no more than $4000 ( before adding tools ). Certainly seems more inexpensive that anything else available.
Am I missing something here ?

Any advise or opinions would be appreciated.
Thanks

 

[TSMART]

Recently I bought a jinma 224 4WD, thats the same as a farm pro. The price certainly was right, I also got a 2 year parts and labor waranty included. Got a finish mower and a Koyker front end loader and a box blade too.

Like you, I have a lot to learn,,, I have NO experience at all...but so far so good. Really saves time. I checked into Kubotas, etc, but for my small needs, I could not justify the high cost. This little tractor will do more than I know how to do with it and it is very interesting to learn just how to use it. One thing for sure, mine cuts grass way faster (6 foo t swaths) than my old home depot Murray riding mower. This thing is like a caddillac compared to that.

Theres so much infor about these tractors on the net. You may want to check out www.johnstractor.com. They have a lot of info about Jinmas.....jinmas go by several different names, farm pro just one of them. If you are going to get a front end loader, get the Koyker for sure. Big differences in this implement from the stock chinese loader. Most important thinng I can tell you is really check out your dealer. If he is a good one, great. But bad can be really bad so do whatever you can to check him out first.

 

[777777]

Hi,

Well, must admit I sure don't know alot about tractors. Had something going to get a Jinma ( a container ) but fell apart when one of the party bailed.
Anyways, while I would like a 4 wd, it is pretty hard to resist something that you can pick up for as low as $3700 when it is assembled and ready to go. To get PS, you have to get turf tires ( doesn't make sense to me ) but even at that, you are only looking at around $4500 for a 20HP tractor, 2wd, PS and turf tires. Me, I could probably get away with no PS so the price is really attractive when I see it at $3700. Actually less than you can get most used tractors for. I find that as the price of fuel goes up, my expectations in what I can afford in a tractor go down.
So, keep looking to see why a " New Tractor with Warranty " is so inexpensive and if there is something wrong with the picture.
Is a Farm Pro a Jinma or what is it ?

So, for basic tractor needs with grass, snow, post holes, light loader duty, is there anything not right here ?

Thanks

 

[jonrjen]

MY word of advice would be if you are thinking loader at some point, don't go with out power steering. Once that weight is on the front tires you will be hard pressed to steer with out a fight. Another thing to consider is with these little tractors, the cost to upgrade to a little more power and 4 wheel drive in minimal. It cost less to do it the first time rather than find out you don't have what you need and have to purchase more power later. While the tractors are relitivly cheap, they do depreciate and resell can leave a big hickie.

 

[bruce1966us]

There should be no relation with getting turf tires and PS. Most all units come with PS.

 

[Soundguy]

I'd have to second that ps/2wd remark.

If you want to do anything other than incedental loader work.. get ps as a minimum.. and 4wd if you can afford it. I collect old tractors.. no ps.. no 4wd.. one has a loader... uses 'armstrong' steering.. that is.. yer arms get stronger over time from steering it... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Soundguy

 

[RonMar]

No you are not missing anything. The fit and finish is not as fine as some of the more refined machines but for basic work, I think they are an excellent value. (love my 284, it is a real brute). Most warranties I have read about for these machines are typically parts only and from what I have seen so far, the 2 year warranties are only for the engine as required by the EPA. Different dealers provide different deals and levels of service And since I got mine, I have not been researching it anymore.

Even the best maintained machines break and unless you have a dedicated dealer close by, you should be prepared to do your own wrench work. I have been working on engines of all types since I was a kid and for me I had absolutly no hesitation taking on this type machine under those circumstances. If the thought of re-torquing the cylinder head at 50 hours, or removing it to replace a leaky headgasket sounds like it would be beyond your abilities, this may not be the machine for you without a solid local dealer to provide these services. You will probably need to provide transport for the tractor to the dealer(or pay to have it done) if they need to work on it. Again, different dealers provide different levels of service. While I was shopping for my tractor, I came across one dealer down in East Bremerton WA that said he made housecalls within a certain radius. Of course I lived outside that area...

If you have any kind of terrain on your property, especially if you are considering turf tires, you should really look at 4WD. It will really help keep you from tearing up the ground with wheel spin going up hill or doing any loader or ground engagement work, especially if things are soft/wet/damp. It is also a lot more sure footed comming down hill at any time having more than just the rear wheels holding the ground. There are no front brakes on these things and something with that much weight and that high a Center of Gravity is not good to get sliding EVER.

As for power steering, it sure is nice driving my 3500LB 284 around with just 2 fingers or the palm of my hand on the wheel, even with the bucket loaded down. I could do it all day long(and have

 

[JINMA224XR]

<font color="blue">Well, must admit I sure don't know alot about tractors.
Anyways, while I would like a 4 wd, it is pretty hard to resist something that you can pick up for as low as $3700 when it is assembled and ready to go. To get PS, you have to get turf tires ( doesn't make sense to me ) but even at that, you are only looking at around $4500 for a 20HP tractor, 2wd, PS and turf tires. Me, I could probably get away with no PS </font>

Hey 77,

Make sure that you get PS, Canopy, 4WD, and a Sprang Suspension Seat. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I got my 224 with all of those features, assembled/Out the Door for 4850.

Get your tractors Running & Don't Mess with Females by the name of Katrina. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Have a nice day,
Joe

 

[Matt_A]

I have the basic Farm Pro which actually sold for $2999.95 when Homier first started selling tractors years ago. It is a great little tractor for mowing, box blade, scraping. If you want to add a loader I recommend at least getting a Jinma 224. I don't think Farm Pro sells them. Homier distributes the Farm Pro line which is Jinma but they limit options that are available.

 

[bluechip]

Farm Pro new warranty is 2 years 2000 hours and is administerd by Fail Safe, the cost of the tractors has been adjusted. Some tractors shipped to dealers before the change still have 6 month warranties unless upgraded by the dealer at extra cost. Farm Pro only offers turf tires on one model that has power steering, the offer a loader on that model but it is a bad mix. the turf tires do not have wheel weights. If you just want ot mow, the 2420 or is it 2010 now, base model is fine, I have sold dozens of them just for brush mowing, they steer pretty easy. the price is going up a bunch so if you want one get it now.

If you go with a Jinma you can get a 204 or 224 with turf tires and power steering and can add a loader later if you want. and a spring seat.

Joe,

good to see you post, been a bit worried about ya! How bad is it where you are?