Johnson Tractors---anyone know about them?

[kacook3]

I am shopping for an affordable new tractor in the 30-40 hp range...that just about rules out kubota, new holland, john deere, kioti, etc. I live in Gainesville, Georgia and came across a dealership for a new tractor line (Johnson tractors) being imported by Equipment King. They are now establishing dealerships across the Southeast. This is a Chinese made tractor but not a gray market tractor. It is brand new and made for the north american market. Apparently this company sells a lot of tractors in Europe and now owns Perkins and is trying to purchase Cummings. Anyone have any knowledge or experience with these tractors. They look great and are an excellent value. The model JT3004 with 37 hp (30 PTO hp), 4 strok diesel, 4WD, manual transmission (8/4), wet disc brakes, dual hydraulic remotes is $8900! Is this too good to be true? Any thoughts or other tractors I should look at would be helpful.

 

[JerryG]

Caterpillar bought Perkins in 1998.

 

[Tractors4u]

I did a Google search and only found one link that was for Chinese built Johnson tractors. Johnson Tractors

If the seller told you that they bought Perkins and were about to buy Cummins, then I wouldn't do business with them because obviously they will tell you anything to make a sell.

 

[bluechip]

These are Fotons, formerly known as Futians, not really new but have not been widely imported since New Holland sued for trade dress violations in 2002. Farm Pro is adding a 40HP Foton this year (In red of course, so as to not be in violation with the NH trade dress issue), There are also 4WD Farm Pro 70 and 80 HP models from Foton with Heat/AC cab, selling retail at less than $ 20K on the horizon (some have already been sold). The 70 and 80 HP models do have perkins engines, but I have to agree with what others have posted about ownership of these two major engine companies... Perhaps a Foton plant has an equity stake in the Chinese licensee of one or both of these engines, but I would want to see some proof, a hard look at the engine label might give a clue. It would be interesting to find if they are using a Cummins in the FT304 to make the FT3004. This would be a little strange because the TY395 engine that is normally used in this model now has EPA certificaiton. Foton tells me they are building the first FT304 with EPA certification, even as I write this post, It seems it would add a lot of expense to use Cummins, although I guess if you own the company you can get them cheap!