Jinma or Foton?

[doxford jim]

Hi,

I am considering a new tractor (45 - 55 hp range) to replace my aging MF-65,
that stiilworks ok but is getting tired.

I have been lurking at a couple of website and two makes that seem to be very popular and get good comments are the Jinma and Foton models. I do not have a dealer within 250 miles of where I live so am unable to just pop down and check them out. With this in mind I am putting this message out to see if I can get some good information other members.

What model do you own and why did you choose it over others?
If you had to do it again would you still choose the same tractor and size?
What do you have and what problems have you experienced with it.
Did the dealer come through for you on replacement/warranty parts and service?

To put this in context, I live dab centre of BC.Canada on a 150 acre property that is mostly treed. It is not a farm but work still needs to be done and the drive is a 300yds long that has to be ploughed/cleared during the winter. My old tractor does well for most things but is 2WD and 50 yrs old and as I too am showing signs of age, I don't want to have to continually repair to keep it going. Hence the desire to buy a new but not expensive replacement in the 45 -55 hp range.

Have any of you faced this choice and if you have, how did you make out with it.

I would appreciate any opinions and words of wisdom that you might care to share with me.

Thanks in advance.

jim

 

[greg_g]

Well, I've had bad experience with two Jinmas - admittedly related to poor service after sale, rather than to the product itself. But I think the retailer of those two problematic units have had problems with Jinma too - cuz they're now selling Fotons.

Nevertheless, I now have two KAMAs; a KM454 and a TS354C. The latter is from the TaiShan subsidiary of KAMA. I think up your way they might be imported as TayShan. I'm not trying to sell you on them, but it's another option that might find a dealer closer than 250 miles.

//greg//

 

[thingy]

You don't see many,[hardly any?] people on these boards talk about the bigger chinese tractors,probably cause they ain't many around who have the bigger ones. Lot more talk about 20-35 hp ones,,,and very few of them fotons,,,was just talking on another thread about big chinese tractors though,,,go to why are farm pros better thread,,the end of it has some talk,[at least] of them. thingy

 

[schmalts]

I own a Kama 554. I have had really no trouble with it as far as mechanics go. I have the usual "Rust in fuel tank" problem that many have had, and that is about it. 85 hours and all is well. So far I am happy with it. Do i think the Foton is a better tractor? probably is, but mainly in fit and finish but the price is higher as well. The other 554 that was imported with mine is also doing very well. His broke the front ring gear in the differential but it was his fault by overloading the front axle when pulling a huge log in 4WD with the front end being the attachment point.

 

[Affordable]

Jim, we sell the Jinma & Foton tractors,as a dealer I think that they both have a place in the market.In the 40 hp and above we stick with the Fotons,good fit & finish,nice quality tractors,strong,well built,plenty of power,Check out the FT404,FT604 models. Parts supplies are not as good as Jinma (yet) but getting better everyday

Tommy
Affordable Tractor Sales

 

[RobT]

Jim:

I have the Foton 404, which I purchased from a local Rural King store in New Castle, IN. I've had it for a year and have put on 125+ hours. I love it. I use it for the following:

-- Bush hogging about 10 acres
-- Light logging in my woods
-- Snow bladding (don't have the FEL yet)
-- Rototilling
-- Plowing gardens
-- Discing gardens
-- Moving dirt with dirt scoop
-- Pulling kids on sleds

The 404 is large enough for what I need (I have 33 acres, but no real farming tasks), but small enough that I feel comfortable allowing my kids and wife to ride it around the property--with extra instructions from me each time of course.

My father-in-law just purchased the Foton 25 HP tractor from the same dealer. So far he loves it as well.

robt