Buying Advice KAMA advice, KM 454 & TS 354C

Paddy · Dec 8, 2004

I have been looking here for a short while. I have come to the conclusion you can get a lot a tractor for the buck with the 'off' brands.

I'm a hands on guy, farm boy/Purdue Mechanical engineer. So I have accepted I might be working on a China made unit some. Hopefully mostly assembly 'stuff', loose bolts/adjust this and that. I might even guess these units are not going to last as long as the big 3. Going new and using around the home should keep my hours less than 100 per year. I also feel a larger China tractor used 'lighter' than rated will extend some life.

I will be building a house soon. Trenching, back filling, Geo-thermal field , landscaping and tree moving will keep me in projects for several years. I recentaly bought a Ford 758 BH for this 'future' tractor. I live on a private road, 1 mi. When it snows, I grade/remove snow.

So, I have a dealer near by, 100 mi, that has the KM 454 for $10k and the TS354C for $8k. US made fel, $2.9k in addition. Delivered, $50. Now I find that a fel can be nearly 1/3 the cost of a tractor with 45hp hard to imagine! Not that I'm complaining.

I'm not a contractor planning to use a tractor daily to 'work her hard and put her up wet'. I just can't see spending $13k for some 7 year old tractor with 700hrs with half the hp as the KAMA models.

KAMA owners, any advice?

Pat

I supose I should have a question but I don't. I'm looking for input.

greg_g · Dec 8, 2004

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Warranty provisions are key to determining the final sale price, so I must temper this response. Plus, I'm not sure how the escalating price of steel and fuel are affecting units already in-country.

$10K is (was) essentially full retail, and should include a minimum 1 year "bumper to bumper" warranty. That's 100% parts and labor. I'd personally be inclined to work the price down some regardless. But if you're happy with what you'd be getting for your $10K, go for it.

That said, I don't think I'd ever be tempted to trade my KM454 for a TS354C under any circumstances.

//greg//

GRUMPA · Dec 9, 2004

greg put it very well, the only thing that I might be able to add to this is to shop around. I bought mine (TS 354C) from out of state because their wasent any dealers for kamas in my state. But the dealer in which I bought it from has been great to me. Dont be afraid to shop out of state for your tractor, the sales tax you could save will more than make up for the transportation costs. My final price to the door was 12k, and it had a 6'BB, FEL, Busshhog but it was a demo model with 38hrs on it. So far it been great. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Scozz · Dec 9, 2004

Paddy-I'd too agree with Greg_g. I'm a KM454 owner for about 1 month now. I also bought from the same dealer as Grumpa ... with absolutely no regret. I got the 454 with a Koyker 195 loader for less that what you were quoted. I made a 1500 mile trip and picked it up myself. I'd say (with bias) and limited experience (10 hours on tractor) that its a GREAT tractor for the money! ... Scozz

ToolManRick · Dec 9, 2004

I have a little input on the tax savings. I'm a North Carolina resident the the rotten buggers have become sensitive about not getting their tax revenue on a sale. I bought mine out of state, no tax. Problem is I didn't do cash, but a credit card. I'll have to claim some of the tax on my income because a flag may go up if I don't. NC is becoming a heavily taxed state with little offer those who are paying the taxes. There I go, ranting again about taxes! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

bmartin · Dec 9, 2004

Hi Rick, I'm in NC too and I bought my Farm Pro from Homier and paid no tax at all!
Billy

ToolManRick · Dec 9, 2004

Well Billy, you may have a good point. I've not purchased that many pieces of farm equipment and they may be tax exempt. However... on the NC tax form there is a minimum tax for out-of-state purchases for which you have no receipt. Should you get audited they will request your credit card history and tax you accordingly. I may chance it and not claim anything. Can always pay later. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Paddy · Dec 9, 2004

Thank you for all your imput thus far. The price I have noted was the posted price on the internet at www.starlight.com . I could likely get them down. With regards to the KM 454 vs. TS 354C, the KM 454 has 10 hp and a 1000 lbs more. Seams like it's worth the price diff if I plan to use my Ford 758 BH on the beast. Also, I feel geting something a bit bigger than what I feel the duty calls for will have to work less hard.

The next issue to address I have often read, "only for the mechanicaly inclinded". Like I said in the original post, as long as I admit upfront I may have to work on it a bit to get in final working condition, OK. What I don't want is a never ending nightmare with major problems. The dealer stated the warenty covers parts only, no labor. Is this a dealer situation? Do you know of any dealers near Bloonington, IN that have a real service dept?

What are the kind of problems are typical? What is the worst case you know of?

Again, I'm most thankful for all your help. I need to buy within the next month. I have restored a '49 Ferguson TO-20 I've been using from a friend. I will deliver over X-mass to FL and will be without a tractor first time in 15 years if I don't get on the ball.

Patrick

Paddy · Dec 9, 2004

Greg G,

What dealer did you buy from? Southern IN vs Western KY might not be much of a diff.

Patrick

bluechip · Dec 9, 2004

I'm not trying to horn in on another dealers sale (I dont have either model in stock till January) but we do sell both models as well as supply them to several other dealers.

I really feel that the KM454 offers a lot more than just 10 more HP and 1000 more lbs. The transmission is much nicer being of constant mesh design (you can actually shift gears while in motion). The shuttle lever is a bit longer and easier to operate. PLanetary final drive as opposed to bull gears on the TS (and most other Chinese tractors) delivers power a little smoother especially when first letting off the clutch. Wet disk brakes instead of dry shoe type.

If I could show you the internals of the KM series engine as opposed to those in the TS series, I think you might agree that it is a grand well spent unless it is just too much tractor for your property. The loader we use is a Koyker 195 that can lift 2450 lbs with a break away well over 3000lbs and can handle a 6' bucket. I think your dealer uses a little lighter (and less expensive) loader. The 454 has a fairly short wheelbase and has good manueverability. Greg has had more problems with his than most of our other customers his was one of the earliest we brought in, The typical problems have been fuel lines, hydraulic leak and such. Most of the problems would not warrant hauling to a dealer for service anyway even if labor was covered. It is up to the individual dealer to include labor, the factory supplys parts for one year. We warrant labor on local sales, but discount the price on long distance sales with the understanding that the price would be higher if labor was included. You might ask about extended warranty avaiability, you can get labor after 6 months and parts and labor after 12 for an additional 2 or more years at a reasonable additional cost. The company we use will reimburse owner paid service is a shop that takes the plan is not in the customers area (prior approval of course).