Large Chinese Made Tractors User Experience
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bluechip
Veteran Member
I have been explicitly told that the Perkins in the 70 and 80HP tractors are not the ones Perkins is raising a fuss about. This is what I have been told by Homier, who I am sure has been in contact with Perkins considerint their exposure to this issue. It might be based on smaller HP Foton tractors which features an engine that shows some perkins influence. I might be wrong, but the 70 and 80 say perkins all over them. Is there no "legal" perkins made in China?
After researching the issue prior to purchasing my tractor I arrived at the conclusion that the engine manufacturer had deviated from the agreement they had with Perkins. Perkins made an issue over the deviation and wanted to discontinue the relationship. However, I was never able to conclude whether the partnership was actually terminated. I have read many similar stories about partnerships gone sour between Chinese companies and their US/European counterparts. I bought based on the 2 year or 2000 hour warranty. I should have about 200-250 hours on the engine by the time the 2 years is up. I feel that any serious engine issue should be apparent by then.
The engine manufacturer in China is about 10 years old, all new equipment in their plant and the specifications (provided by Perkins) to build Perkins designed engines. A proven design. I think in the long run if Perkins isn't partnered with the Chinese company, it's Perkin's loss.
I have almost 30 hours on the tractor and the engine oil is only slightly discolored. The engine hasn't consumed any of the original oil. So far the tractor has performed well (better than I expected).
The engine manufacturer in China is about 10 years old, all new equipment in their plant and the specifications (provided by Perkins) to build Perkins designed engines. A proven design. I think in the long run if Perkins isn't partnered with the Chinese company, it's Perkin's loss.
I have almost 30 hours on the tractor and the engine oil is only slightly discolored. The engine hasn't consumed any of the original oil. So far the tractor has performed well (better than I expected).
geboyes
New member
I have a Foton FT350, which is the Europard model renamed Johnson.
I am trying t get a manual on the perkins 3 cylinder diesel engine on the machine, but I cant find anything. Due to the problems in copywright or whatever, this machine was sold to me with no documentation. I have managed to get a Foton manual, but it mentions nothing of the engine type. Do you have any knowledge of what is would likely be or how i could find out.?
I am trying t get a manual on the perkins 3 cylinder diesel engine on the machine, but I cant find anything. Due to the problems in copywright or whatever, this machine was sold to me with no documentation. I have managed to get a Foton manual, but it mentions nothing of the engine type. Do you have any knowledge of what is would likely be or how i could find out.?
greg_g
Super Member
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- JD3720 Cab, 300X loader with 4-in-1 bucket
The FT350 isn't considered a "large" Chinese tractor. Pretty sure it's still in the CUT class. And I doubt it's got a Perkins either. Far as I know, Foton doesn't put Perkins-type engines in anything smaller than the 50hp jobs.
The engine should have a manufacturer's label on either the valve cover or the side of the block. Post the info from that label here, and we should be able to help you from there. Matter of fact - since this is a large tractor topic - perhaps you should start a new one of your own. That way your answers won't get lost in any subsequent discussion of the larger Fotons.
//greg//
bluechip
Veteran Member
that distributor claimed to be using genuine perkins engines (and Cummins too if I remember correctly). but I really doubt it. The 354 is not a common Foton, I think the 404 uses a Lilja engine, the 354 may be same or may be TY395 by Jaingsu Jaingdong. couldn't give the manual because of copywrites/tradmark issues... yeah right. Good news is that parts should be available, you might check with Affordable tractor in bellville Texas, they have been stocking up on Foton parts, also Mayers in Iowa.
New user to this board, but have spent some time investigating the chinese tractors, as I am looking at buying a tractor around the 80-100 hp mark, and have come to the following conclusions, through what I have been told, please feel free to correct me if I have been mis-lead.
1. The Foton, Europard, Euroleopard, Farmpro, whatever they choose to stamp them are a fair way in front of the rest of the chinese made stuff in the over 80hp range.
2. The perkins 1004 and the LUK dry, dual stage clutch, which now appear standard are a must.
3. The standard seat is pretty ordinary and it is recommended to upgrade.
4. The hydraulic pump output at 33.6 litres/min is well below most tractors now on the market, which tend to be somewhere in between 60 to 120 ltrs/min.
5. The shuttle shift trans does have its problems and may be best to stay away from in the short term.
6. The tractors are delivered fully complete with only the loader, if purchased needed to be fitted inwhich takes approx. 4 hours to do so.
In summary here in Australia, they appear to have similar technology, and realibilty of that technology, to a mid 1990's tractor of the major players JD, New Holland, Case and to my way of thinking may have similar availibilty to parts, turnaround time, as those mid 90's 80-100hp tractors.
They do come with a 12 month Chinese warrant, who knows what thats worth, but have limited support in this country especially , to lean on for assistance if something does foopar.
Think they compare reasonably with a mid 1990's tractor with say 3,000 hours on it from one of the major players.
To become a major player over here they need to really start working together as there are dealers with certain badge tractors wanting nothing to do and bag the same tractor which is badged differently ??
Hope someone can shed some light on these thoughts.
1. The Foton, Europard, Euroleopard, Farmpro, whatever they choose to stamp them are a fair way in front of the rest of the chinese made stuff in the over 80hp range.
2. The perkins 1004 and the LUK dry, dual stage clutch, which now appear standard are a must.
3. The standard seat is pretty ordinary and it is recommended to upgrade.
4. The hydraulic pump output at 33.6 litres/min is well below most tractors now on the market, which tend to be somewhere in between 60 to 120 ltrs/min.
5. The shuttle shift trans does have its problems and may be best to stay away from in the short term.
6. The tractors are delivered fully complete with only the loader, if purchased needed to be fitted inwhich takes approx. 4 hours to do so.
In summary here in Australia, they appear to have similar technology, and realibilty of that technology, to a mid 1990's tractor of the major players JD, New Holland, Case and to my way of thinking may have similar availibilty to parts, turnaround time, as those mid 90's 80-100hp tractors.
They do come with a 12 month Chinese warrant, who knows what thats worth, but have limited support in this country especially , to lean on for assistance if something does foopar.
Think they compare reasonably with a mid 1990's tractor with say 3,000 hours on it from one of the major players.
To become a major player over here they need to really start working together as there are dealers with certain badge tractors wanting nothing to do and bag the same tractor which is badged differently ??
Hope someone can shed some light on these thoughts.
bluechip
Veteran Member
From my expereince with the 70 and 82HP fotons, your statements are pretty accurate. I cannot comment on the shuttle as didn't have one, but to my knowledge it is not synchronized, as is the case with the entire transmission, the gears will grind a bit on you if you try to drive it like a moder design tractor. Very good performace for the money and a clear leader in export tractors in this size. I saw more YTO dealerships while I was in China, and lots of Foton trucks...
I notice that the recent model/release of the FT824 has wet brakes, and extra hydraulic outlets, 4 sets, as standard, if only they could master the wet clutch I think they could become a reasonable player within the market place.
