Has anyone heard of a Farm Pro tractor?

bluechip · Mar 3, 2004

Jerry,
I have been a Farm Pro dealer now for almost a year and am now working on our 5th truckload. We have had a few minor problems, and only one "major" front diff failure, easily fixed under warranty (loader tractor could have been abuse, imporoper oil, or a bad day at the factory) If you buy a JINMA or FARM PRO with a FEL (loader) be sure the front oil has been changed to 80w90 gear oil.

DIYguy's description of the shortcomings is pretty much on the money, a little oil seepage, poor paint quality, etc.

The big savings is in the basic tractor, which is often about half the price of a major brand. when you add loader and hoe, you dilute the percentage (but still save the dollars). If you use Koyker loader and Hoe, you further dilute the percentage (but get a much better product, in my opinion) at which time you may be tempted to spend "only a few thousand" more to buy a better fit and finished tractor. The decision gets a little further complicated if you are going to finance. We also sell KIOTI and LONG at our dealership and both have great financing now that is not available with Farm Pro. We try to help our customers make this decision every day.

The best advise I can offer is to look at and drive both types, look at your budget and see what is the best fit both physically and financially!

Soundguy · Mar 3, 2004

Nicely stated! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Soundguy

SPIKER · Mar 3, 2004

agreed nicely stated above L

Mark M

/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

JADAVID · Mar 7, 2004

Thanks for your response, the more I hear about farmpro the more nervous I'm getting. I have about 5 or 6 months before I will actually need the tractor. I think I will look at other tractors as an alternative. If you have any suggestions I would greatly appreciate them.
Thanks, Jerry David /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

SPIKER · Mar 7, 2004

jadavid:

well best thing we can do is give you the info we have, there are lots of homier tractor owners that probably never come here but are happy as clams... anyhwo I love my JINMA 284 and wish I had a 2nd one to make my like so much easier! lol

mark /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

SteveM · Mar 8, 2004

I will just respectfully throw out one comment - I dont think a Jinma is a good tractor for a first time buyer:

1) You have to take repairs on yourself, which few people have the skills and experience (and time?) to do easily
2) New tractor buyers often end up trading up/down etc after a few years of use, and the Jinma's take a hit on resale.

I think they can be an excellent choice for the guy (or gal) who is handy and enjoys doing his (or her) own work.

bluechip · Mar 8, 2004

Jerry,
I hope my comments didn't add to your anxiety toward Farm Pro! As I said we have sold a couple of dozen Farm Pro tractors and to the best of my knowledge, all of my customers are satisfied, even those who have had warranty issues.

The key is not to expect more than what the tractor is. We are finding that very often what it is is suffiecient to meet the needs of the customer.

I need to stress that most of the Farm Pro tractors we have sold have had no warranty work at all.

On the other hand, if you buy any Chinese tractor, and are expecting a bad experience, every minor item will only serve to fullfil your expectaion of dissapointment.

Some people drive BMWs and some drive Neons, to expect the same quality from both is unrealistic, but many people get great service out of the less expensive car and the same is true about these tractors.

You might consider using part of your savings on the tractor to buy an extended warranty, Invest the rest wisely and you may end up earning more than what the name brand tractor is worth in a few years, that solves the resale value issue! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Have fun tractor shopping, don't get to do it often, they last so long!

Soundguy · Mar 8, 2004

( I dont think a Jinma is a good tractor for a first time buyer: )

Maybee.. maybee not. Is any tractor other than a 'big three' with a full warranty and dealer support a 'good tractor'?

( 1) You have to take repairs on yourself, which few people have the skills and experience (and time?) to do easily
)

You mak ethe assumption that because a person does not own a tractor they have no mechanical aptitude. The mechanic in the motor pool at the co where I work doesn't own a tractor.. yet when the company owners farm tractor broke down, this 23 your old mechainc went out there.. split it.. and had it back together the next day. JD quoted a week on the repair. I asked him where he learned to work on tractors, and he grinned and said this was his first.. and just picked up the manual and said that that was all he needed.. etc.

Also.. Nortrac tractors can be purchased with a parts and labor warranty.. which i would guess means that you can take it to an 'authorized' repair facility instead of turning the wrench yourself. I don't see where time is an issue specifically with a first time buyer. If a first time buyer doesn't have the time to make a repair.. then it is doubtful that a veteran tractor owner would have any more spair time either.

Not much different than a new owner looking to buy an antique or early model domestic tractor... less dealer support... less parts support.... less cost up front..

( 2) New tractor buyers often end up trading up/down etc after a few years of use, and the Jinma's take a hit on resale. )

Not sure where you get your data on the tractor trades or sales.. but I've seen the opposite.. I'm a buy and keep.. not a buy and sell person...
As for the hit on sale price. I'll agree with you there.. but then.. thats the trade off.. If you buy a 3400$ tractor and can only get 2000-2500 out of it after a bit of use.. where is the complaint.. we are talking about less money than a big riding lawnmower. Less money up front and less resale... Would be cheaper to purchase.. use for a job and resale.. than to rent a piece of equipment for those months.. etc.

Not being obtuse.. just offering a flip side.

Not everyone is cut out for a hands on tractor.. be it jinma or 50 year old domestic...

Soundguy