Jinma how reliable

Soundguy · Jan 28, 2004

( Sometimes the truth hurts! I may not have been very complimentary, but I didn't lie about it! )

Truth? your comments about that non-tractor don't hurt me in the least...

( if you want a very compact tractor that can economically make every job you do faster, easier )

Lets see... ~every job~ I do.. Hmm... how about plowing? I'm trying to visualize it making my plowing easier and faster... but the image isn't coming thru clear.. why? Cause it's not a tractor... closer to a tool carrier/skid steer/bobcat.. etc.

I agree.. this probably isn't the sub suited for pushing an american made um..off-road non-tractor-tool carrier- landscaping vehicle. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Soundguy

Soundguy · Jan 28, 2004

At this point.. I think I find it offensive the way you are attacking jinma's.. and tractors in general here...

How many jobs will a tractor do? thousands more than you just mentioned. There are over 400 3pt mounted implements just for cat 1 tractors alone. Lots of the food we eat still is produced on big agg equipment.. here or overseas.

Bold statements for you to assume that a jinma ( or any other tractor ) will sit in a garage and not be usefull...

Soundguy

( How many jobs will Jinma do for you?? PT-425 will: use FEL Buckets, Forks, Snow Plow, & Grapple Bucket; PLUS mount Snow Blower, Mowing Decks, Brush Cutter, Boom Mower, Rake, Fertilizer/Salt Spreader, Wheel Trencher, Chain Trencher, Ditch Filler, Post Hole Digger, Backhoe, Box Blade, Stump Grinder, Disc Edger, Concrete Mixer, Sump Pump, Rotary Tiller, Power Rake Aerators, Power Sweeper, Potato Digger, Lift Boom, Tree Hugger, and 5 Ton Winch! Change attachments in seconds with a Dash Pushbutton (plus quick-connect hoses, if hydraulic). The Jinma will spend most of it's time in the garage, while the PT-425 is out there helping you with any job you tackle!!
)

Inspector507 · Jan 28, 2004

FOURTEEN,
Both units have their good/bad points. I think the original poster is asking about Jinma, not PT. You've said how happy you are with your choice, I'd say just leave it there.

Bob_Skurka · Jan 28, 2004

The PT machines look like they might be great lawn mowers, and even mulch movers, but with their lack of ground clearance I'd hate to try to clean out a ditch or do any heavy landscape construction. I am not a fan of gas engines and love the longevity and ease of diesels.

On the other hand, while I generally dislike the Chinese tractors because they are very basic and have a low level of fit and finish, I would have to argue that a Jinma/FarmTrac/etc is probably a better choice for many than a grey market tractor because at least the Jinma's have safety features like ROPS and are getting a developed parts network. I would rather spend more money and get more features, but for those who are looking for a basic workhorse, even I would have to admit that a Chinese tractor will fit the bill and as long as you are vigilent with keeping the bolts tight, it should be reliable.

Soundguy · Jan 28, 2004

You said it much beter than I did... I think my soap-box was a little too tall..
/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Soundguy

Inspector507 · Jan 28, 2004

Chris............after soon to be 48 years.........I'm quickly learning there just may be a tactful way to say something thats on my mind /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

FOURTEEN · Jan 28, 2004

greg,

I am not advertising, because I am not selling anything! I simply found a tractor that potential Jinma buyers should check out before getting a Jinma! If, after doing the research, they conclude that one, or the other, is better for their needs - great!! I won't make or lose a penny either way!! Obviously, if you think that the Power Trac is "sorta like a mutated golf cart", you did NOT do the research!! Check out this $20,000 60hp "mutated golf cart" built in America with 3/8" to 1" steel plate: http://www.power-trac.com/t24class.htm plus attachments: http://www.power-trac.com/t24attachments.htm !!

So you want to put up a virtual Great Wall around your Chinese tractor forum to keep fresh ideas out!!??!! Why are you afraid that someone may find a product that works better for them, and is built in America??

It always scares me when someone says, in effect: "This is the best! I know that it is the best because that is the only kind I ever buy, or use, and I have never even considered anything else!!!"

Apparently you are happy with your Jinma. Good for you! But a Jinma, or a Power Trac, is NOT the best choice for everyone! Next time you are at church, or Wal-Mart, look in the parking lot. There are hundreds of answers to the question: "What is the best car for me?". Do you still own your first car? The one that at one time you thought was "the best", or have you moved on to a better one?? People happily used axes for thousands of years, then someone invented the chainsaw!! You may enjoy chopping, but not everyone does!!

I love my Power King (see Attachment) and will keep it forever, but there are too many jobs that it can't do. I have discovered that my new PT-425 will do jobs impossible for the Power King. But I still love it, and use it often.

Just remember that I am just suggesting an alternative to the Jinma and other small compact tractors. I never said that all other tractors are useless and should be junked, and replaced with Power Trac!! But for some people, in some situations, the Power Trac is a better solution! As I have said, repeatedly, no tractor is best for everyone, but with knowledge and an open mind perhaps we all can avoid the dreaded "buyer's remorse"!!

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Soundguy · Jan 28, 2004

<ohohohohuuhhhhhh> That was me supressing the urge to reply to that message.... whew! I feel beter now....
/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Soundguy

DIYGuy · Jan 28, 2004

I left off Tommy @ Affordable Tractor as part of the established parts network. He's in TX I think, a quick trip to the CTOA will display them all.

Not only are parts becoming more and more available, the dealer support for those who don't want to go the DIY route is getting pretty darn close to national coverage.

Within a 4 hour drive of central MA I have 5 dealers.

shoppintractors · Jan 28, 2004

A 'Bull in a China shop' comes to mind.... /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Don

MikePA · Jan 29, 2004

fourteen, you have made your point, multiple times, about Power Trac. If you have experience with Jinma reliability, please share that as well.

DavesTractor · Jan 29, 2004

One of the neat things about this board is that there are "communities" of people on it. Some love their Chinese models, some are died in the wool Green and Yellow, some pitch the Korean labels, and some even are quite enamored with their Power Trac. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif What works well is that we all have a section where we can extol the virtues (or lack thereof) of our brand or brands to a friendly audience.

On some other boards the mention of a Yanmar or Iseki (or Jinma) will immediately get scornful comments from a diehard Kubota fan or the like. That is really not productive. I rarely see that sort of attitude on this board.

Jinma owners need to be able to exchange ideas and data with other interested parties. Guys like Fourteen are sure welcome to throw in their two cents worth, but they need to know when they are no longer needed in the conversation. His point is made, now he is just stirring the pot.

Moderators, you do a great job on this site! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

DavesTractor · Jan 29, 2004

Back to the point...I had a Jinma. It ran strong and was reliable. I had some electrical problems with the dash and gauges, some hose leaks and minor problems like that. I would have to tinker on it fairly often. I did not like the ergonomics (not a word in Chinese I suspect). It wasn't real comfortable or user friendly. It did, however, always start, and it was a workhorse. For the price it is a good deal to the guy willing to tinker and willing to accept less than cutting edge features.

Inspector507 · Jan 29, 2004

Dave,
When I first purchased a tractor, I had to decide between a used unit or a new Chinese tractor. I looked at Jinma, Nortrac, FarmPro and ShenNu (however it's spelled). I had limited funds. What I found was, a Yanmar fit MY my uses better at the time. All the guys at work kidded me about it. Basically my point is.....there's a Yanmar for certain people, a Jinma for certain people and a PT for certain people. I think the PT's are a great unit, but so are the Jinma's for the price. Oh and BTW......I'd not trade my new NH TC18 for any of the others.........but thats what I like and I won't try to intimidate others into buying one or chide them if they didn't......such as "Your XYZ will sit in the barn.....yadda yadda yadda"

SPIKER · Jan 29, 2004

boy getting off here!

anyhow yesterday I went to the farm (it is my 2nd home) and I had not been there in almost a week. Drive had 1.5' of snow in it with Ice frozen on top and under neath. I attempted to drive in before I relized I was using part of the yard as a drive and started to slide down slop, so I stopped. trugged into the barn and got on my jinma 284. it had not been started for over 2 months! no battery maintainer or block heater either. hit the starter to glow plugs, left it on for about 20 sec and hit starter, she didn't do my firing. went back to glow plugs for about 10 more sec, and hit starter again, cranked slow but sputtered and almost took. waited for about 10 sec, went to glow plugs for 10 sec and hit starter again, she fired and sputtered to life! wheeee. (I had no other way of getting out of the yard with the car.

I ended up plowing the drive and pulled out the car (93 full size crown vic ford.) note everythign was ICE under the 1.5' of snow and on top was 1/2" of ice too from freezing rain. temp was an amaizinb 8 degrees out according to my thermometer on the barn wall. It took about 20 min of playing to dig the drive clean using my6' box blade, (~250 feet of drive) car was stuck about 1/2 way down it. so had to clear around it first. and find a chain (all of which I left burried in the snow.!)

anyhow I was WAY impressed that it started and still uing the china battery after 2 years. Many people say toss the china battery, but I figuerd it works and when it don't then it goes to wally world for a replacement. I had to replace the heat bypass hose on mine, anti freeze and the china rubber are not compatable (gylcol eats it everyone complains about them but they are easy replacement from local auto parts...) /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

mark M

FOURTEEN · Jan 29, 2004

Mike,

Sorry to have been repetitious!

It just seemed that my simple suggestion to "check out" a new, to me, product was misunderstood, and interpreted as an attack on traditional tractors in general and Jinma in particular. The repetition was a result of my eagerness to clarify, not a dogmatic chant!!

My intention was to inform. To share what I had learned. Until I discovered the Power Trac, the Jinma was indeed my first choice over NH, JD, and MF. For ME, with MY needs, the Power Trac appears to be superior. I just wanted more people to have the opportunity to make a informed decision. That is why I only said: "check it out!". Do that, and perhaps you will confirm that the Jinma is superior for YOU!

I hope that we all may be happy with our tractors whatever make, model, or style! There is a saying: "No mother has an ugly child!"

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

lwh · Jan 30, 2004

As to the original question, I have a Jinma 224 and am very pleased with reliability. It has 16" front tires and is same physical size as 254/284. There is no reason it wouldn't work fine with backhoe.
Yes, ergonomics are not strong suit, but fit and finish stuff that I read don't match with the nice tractor that I own.
As for weight, size, etc, it all depends on what one wants to do. A 4000lb unit will shove a front bucket into more dirt than a 1500lb rig. But 4000lbs will make bigger ruts in the lawn.
As to value, I paid $8900 for my 4000+ lbs of tractor/loader/chipper, can dig rocks and tree stumps out of hard, dry, clay with loader, can chip anything I don't want to burn in stove, and usually stay off of the wet lawn. I'm happy.

alpha · Jan 30, 2004

Well I'm the guy who started this bees nest. I looked far and wide for a "working" tractor, the jinma was the best price for my money. We can argue brands all day and night. I.E. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif(Chevy,Ford Dodge, ect). I need a tractor that will do what I ask and I'm willing to give up some comforts/options. No one came close to beating the price. Even the Korean tractors were 5,000 more.

DavesTractor · Jan 30, 2004

The Korean makes were built to compete with the likes of Kubota, John Deere and NH, not the Chinese imports.

Different target audience.

Soundguy · Jan 30, 2004

( group response here)

I think the fit/finsih issues are also dependent on the state side dealer who unpacks and assembles them. Ive seen both a farm-pro unit, and a nortrac. Like you said.. night and day difference. Course the nortract was 2500 more than the farm-pro unit.

As for tinkering as someone else mentioned...As long as it is minor tinkering.. that's part and parcel of tractors. All of mine save myNH are antiques. And they liked to be touched and tinkered with every now and then.

The guy with the 2 year old chineese battery still performing in the frost made good time. Saved you some money for two years too. Way to go. I still might change the fluids when i bought it.. but as you said.. get all the life outta the battery before plunking down some cash for a new one.. might as well..

Soundguy