Jinma crate tractor against an older Kubota

[Diamondpilot]

I would go for the Jinma. I have a 2003 254 and use it hard. It has 425 hours and has held up great with normal preventive mait. 19 HP is not much especially if you are going to do loader work. Just remember a crate tractor will cost you about the same as a dealer setup tractor by the time you change the fluids and do all the stuff the good dealers do to prep the tractors.

Chris

 

[Charlevoixboy]

Great comments - I appreciate them all. As far as not getting a FEL, I am planning on doing a LOT of yard work (landscaping) and rebuilding a small bridge that crosses our creek. Maybe there is a way to do this conveniently without a FEL? I thought the FEL would be handy and most people I've talked to really thought it was a great option.

I haven't researched any issues that individuals have had with Jinma 284's and front end failure. Is that common?

Also, my local Kubota dealer suggested a Woods loader (about $3K before installation) and said the tractor was worth about $2-3K. When I asked about the exceptional condition he said, "depends". I thought it would be worth more like $5K. I'll see what my brother is thinking (and ALWAYS fault on the side of overpaying - just to be family-fair!)

 

[greg_g]

I haven't researched any issues that individuals have had with Jinma 284's and front end failure. Is that common?

Yes. You won't have to scratch very deep to uncover dozens of individuals describing Jinma 200 series front end failures, most of them associated with aggressive loader work. Matter of fact, it's somewhat of an unofficial credo among many of the the Jinma 200 series owners who've already been bit; don't use the loader with 4wd engaged.

//greg//

 

[California]

my local Kubota dealer suggested a Woods loader (about $3K before installation) and said the tractor was worth about $2-3K. When I asked about the exceptional condition he said, "depends".

2wd or 4wd?

B8200-D is 4WD, B8200-E is 2WD. I assume M means manual transmission.

In my opinion 4wd and power steering aren't essential for your intended use but the loader would be well worthwhile.

I think the dealer means it isn't worth $5,000 until it's on his sales lot.

 

[Charlevoixboy]

2wd or 4wd?

B8200-D is 4WD, B8200-E is 2WD. I assume M means manual transmission.

In my opinion 4wd and power steering aren't essential for your intended use but the loader would be well worthwhile.

I think the dealer means it isn't worth $5,000 until it's on his sales lot.

B8200D and yes, it is a manual transmission. Never thought about the dealer's interest in the tractor. Maybe he was setting up for a trade in!

 

[California]

Here's one on ebay with 7x as many hours. When the auction closed, the top bid of $3550 didn't meet that dealer's minimum.

search B8200D on ebay

Your Kubota is essentially new with only 192 hours. Somebody else can probably post a more precise price, but my best guess would be = to original sales price.

I would put it in service as-is, get a back platform or rear pallet forks if you don't already have some way to carry stuff, then after a little experience decide if you need the loader.

That Kubota is a classic. If you don't want it someone will pay a good price for it.

 

[CSH]

I currently own a Farmpro 2425 (which is a Jinma 254) with a Koyker 160 loader. I owned a Kubota L2201 previously, which is a 2WD 25hp tractor. As far as which one will do the most work in the least time, the Jinma wins hands down. The Kubota had over 600 hours on it when I sold it and I did nothing to it other than change the oil. The Jinma has about 350 hours on it and the only maintenance has been the fluid changes and a couple of small parts. I've moved a lot of dirt with the loader in 4WD and haven't destroyed my front end, but I always put a lot of weight on the 3pt and am conscious of how much run the bucket into the pile. I always try to minimize the downforce on the front axle and avoid hard turns with a lot of weight in the bucket.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I agree that there have been some broken front axles but there are 1000's of these tractors out there. I personally work the H___L out of mine and it has not missed a lick. I bought a 4 wheel drive because I wanted a 4 wheel drive to use. I had a 38 HP Ford 2 wheel drive tractor that could not do half of what this little 25 HP Jinma does, mainly because of the 4 wheel drive. Yes, it might break but that is part of tractor-n. I would not be worried about the front axle issue, just be aware of it. The good thing with a Chinese tractor is there are tons of parts and they are cheap plus there are lots of nice people to help steer you in the right direction.

I looked up some specs on the Kubota you have and it weighs less than half what the 254/284 Jinma does. With the limited HP and weight the loader will do just that, load. If you try to dig or do and hard work I think the tractor will lose. It just don't have the stuff to back up the loader very well for what you are wanting to do. It would make a great lawn mowing machine or even a nice loader tractor for moving lose rocks, dirt, and mulch. Thats about it.

Chris

 

[zogman]

I agree with DiamondPilot, I have an old Fergeson TO20 (24hp) that runs great but because of the 2wd and limited weight can't do nearly the work my Kama can and a front end loader is out of the question. Chip has a barely used Kama TS354C with a great Koyker loader for under 6K on ebay, that's a deal and he will take good care of you.

EC Rob

 

[Ranch_Hand_Supp]

.

I haven't researched any issues that individuals have had with Jinma 284's and front end failure. Is that common?

QUOTE]





Like Diamondpilot/Chris posted .... there are 1000's of the 200 series Jinma's that have been sold and are still selling. It is still the number one selling Jinma tractor.

Remember this is a opinion board. You have to research what you read to decide what and who to believe. Just like my post now.

Some have actual experience and some have never even owned a 200 series with a loader, have never broke a axle or have even replaced one but, advises against using 4X4 with loader work.

I owned a automobile & light truck repair shop in Virginia beach for 12 years. We had a Ford truck plant in Norfolk. I guess you could call this Ford truck country. Meaning ... we worked on our share of Ford trucks daily. More than any other brand truck. That did not mean that Ford trucks are junk/bad. It was Simply because there are/were more Fords trucks in this area.

I stock front axles for the 200 series Jinma's and they are not flying off my shelf. I am sure the larger part suppliers sell more than I do but, it is still a numbers thing.

If I had to tell a customer that was considering purchasing a 200 series Jinma with loader from me that he could not use 4X4 while doing loader work ......... I just simply would not sell them. Why buy a 4X4 ??

All tractors with loaders need/have to be set up for loader work. You have to keep the rear tires biting the ground. The front differentials/axles assemblies on all tractors were not designed to move/carry the tractor, loader & payload on the front wheels. A understanding of 4x4 operation goes along way. Tractors that have turf or R4's on the front will have less front axle problems. There are a lot of variables that go into why a axle broke on any make of tractor.

If you decide to go the Jinma crate route ???........ the set up, service and prep you do to it prior to putting it to work will have a big effect on how it hold up for you. Don't depend on the books that come with the tractor.

Good luck with your tractor search.

Ronald
Ranch Hand Supply