yes, 2 cylinders and 3 cylinders are both available. the 2 cyl will have a little more torque, but the 3 is a whole lot better sounding, smoother running engine. you won't see enough difference in the torque to even worry about between the two and the 3. just a few (FEW) bucks mor for the 3, but well worth it, i think
I believe the two cyl is a 200/204 and the 3 cyl is a 224/220.
The motor is a Y380, 3 cyl, 80mm bore. The bigger 254/284, use a Y385 motor, 3 cyl, 85mm bore. The differences between the 254 and 284 are negligable. If you get the motor designation, you can compute displacement for a reasonable apples to apples comparison.
I have a 224 and have 30 hrs on it, chipper, RFM, BoxBlade, Johnny Bucket, Boom pole. Snowblower on the way.
its a bit confusing. Many of the Jinma models are really the same (same parts) and only have different HP/rpm specification:
184-204 two cylinders are same TY 290
204-224 three cylinders are same Y380
204 and 224 two cylinders are different (ty290 or ty295)
254 and 284 three cylinders are the same (Y385)
The184-224 share a chassis, the 254/284 has a different chassis (different driveline parts and tire size).
There are similar differences (I guess "similar differences" is an oxymoron, like another of my favorites:"standard options" /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif ,in the 300 series with 395 engines and Y485 engines available in the same horsepower class.
RK 55HC,ym1700, NH7610S, Ford 8N, 2N, NAA, 660, 850 x2, 541, 950, 941D, 951, 2000, 3000, 4000, 4600, 5000, 740, IH 'C' 'H', CUB, John Deere 'B', allis 'G', case VAC
It is not at all uncommon for a tractor manufacturer to essentially use the same block / engine, but use different rpm specs, or fuel usage specs on the injector to arive at a 'different' rpm. Same with frames clases... for instance.. Nh has a few tractors in each category that ar ethe same frame size.. just different engines / options.. I generally like to get the largest engine on the smallest frame available on the compacts.. gives you more hp to 'waste' on the implement.. rather than toting the tractor around...