local northern is starting to stock tractors

Soundguy · Feb 14, 2012

used to get to see a jinma when homier shows came around ( still kick myself for not getting an 18hp 2wd one as a project for 2000$ back then.. ).. in any case.. none of that thing around anymore.. but our local northern store all of a sudden is making display room for it's tractors.. already has 1 in stock.. now I can go lookem over ..

greg_g · Feb 14, 2012

If they're consistent within the chain, the whole line should be Fotons now (as opposed to small Jinmas + medium/large Fotons). I just got involved in repairs on a Foton, never laid hands on one before. Far superior to the Jinma, I expected that. But what I did not expect is that the 2004 FT404 I'm helpin' with right now is even more sturdily built than the 2004 KAMA KM454 I used to own. And according to the books I got for it, the "40" in FT404 apparently doesn't represent horsepower as I thought. The power output is listed in Kilowatts (KW). Unless it's an incorrect translation from the Chinese (not an unusual occurrence) the SL3105BT engine spec sheet shows >38KW and >165 ft-lbs of torque at 2200 rpm (governed at 2400). That's over 51hp at PTO revs.

//greg//

Soundguy · Feb 14, 2012

i wouldn't be surprised if it did show KW.. my jap tractor is rated in kw.

and yes.. the unit I saw was a foton.

I wasn't impressed witht he steering linkage or the routing of the morass of hoses, cables, and piping and other hundred or so bits of plumbing and cabling encrusted all over the engine.. but..... i guess if you never ever had to do anything to the engine.. the 65 hours of work getting to it wouldn't be an issue..

on the other hand.. i bet it never rusts. it looks like the entire tractor was hot dipped in rubber paint, then spray painted black.. including belts, wires and hoses and TIRES!

had a nice looking koyker loader on it... good set of wheel weights and weight bracket that pinned on.

rear lift arms and lift cover was massive.

again.. doidn't look fun to work on.. but if you don't have to work on it.. no issue.

welding and fit of the rops was a lil un-nerving.. looking at the weldments and fit from solid to tube on each side.. there were differences you could measure with your fingers.. like 1/2" fittment differences. again.. if it tests to specs.. it's good I guess...

op platform was spartan.. but then.. I actually LIKE that.. nice and open too. another plus... actually a BIG plus...

soundguy

greg_g · Feb 14, 2012

Actually, the rugged simplicity of the Chinese tractors is one of the things that I like about them. I've stated many times that they're "brand new 40 year old tractors". Unlike my John Deere, they're fix-in-the-field simple. And the twin cylinder steering on the 404 I'm working on is far superior to the single cylinder on 3 of the 4 other brand Chinese tractors I've owned.

//greg//

zonta223 · Feb 14, 2012

Well according to the specs on The Foton web site and the stuff I got from the factory the KW rating is 29.4 about 39.2 Hp................PTO rating 26.5 KW or just over 35HP.

From memory (and I have a terrible memory) think they use the same basic mechanics from the 40 to 55hp tractors...Maybe that's why it looks so strong.

Soundguy · Feb 15, 2012

next time i'm over there on that side of town I'll look it over again.. i didn't think to get a model number. I know it was being sold for 15000$ with a loader

namesray · Feb 15, 2012

soundguy,

if you get a chance, take a look at the 25xt with fel. i have been really researching them and pretty much know as much as i can read about the nortrac tractors (foton). actually seeing one without buying it first is just about imposible for me, since i do not live near any northern tool stores (i am in north cen. pa and virginia is closest and last i asked minnesota was the only place to have them). i am looking at purchasing another tractor for my small business (firewood/landscaping) and the nortrac 25xt with fel is one of them on my list that i think might work. it sounds like a good tractor for the $13,000 price but would greatly value your opinion if you have time to look at one. pm me if you have time and let me know what you think. only if you have time though. don't go too far out of your way. thanks in advance.

namesray

greg_g · Feb 15, 2012

zonta223 said:
Well according to the specs on The Foton web site and the stuff I got from the factory the KW rating is 29.4 about 39.2 Hp................PTO rating 26.5 KW or just over 35HP.

I thought that too - which is why I mentioned that what I saw may have been an error in translation. The column was labeled KW, but the numbers IN the column may already have been converted to horsepower. Next time the guy brings the manuals down here, I'll copy some pages and post there here for comment.

//greg//

Soundguy · Feb 15, 2012

store is 2 towns up, BUT right off the interstate. I probably go by that way at LEAST 1x week.

IF one of those models shows up, I'll tote the camera down there with me and get you a bunch of pics.

So far.. from what i see of the one machine currently in the store.. I'd have to agree with the phrase another member quotes.

it's like a new 60 year old tractor.

all new.. heavy castings blocky... possibly not supremely ergonomically laid out in some areas for working on it.. BUT.. if it works.. then that's cool and not an issue.

some of the steering members and pedals and weldments appear a lil crude to me. but again.. I'm a fan of 'whatever works' first and foremost, with 'looks' as a secondary issue.

i'm used to seeing some cast steel steering members.. some of their are formed steel.. thicker than I'd think they need.. but hey.. whatever.. weight on a tractor is a good thing...

I liekthe fact that they come with wheel weights.. lotsa people make those as options that you have to hunt down.

I can say for certain, that I kick myself for not getting one of the cheaper 2000$ homier 18hp 2 cyl jinma when they used to be at the shows.

yeah I know you have to spin wrenches on them.. and perhaps buy a box full of spares when ya get them.. but then.. not much different than an antique i guess.

soundguy

namesray said:
soundguy,

if you get a chance, take a look at the 25xt with fel. i have been really researching them and pretty much know as much as i can read about the nortrac tractors (foton). actually seeing one without buying it first is just about imposible for me, since i do not live near any northern tool stores (i am in north cen. pa and virginia is closest and last i asked minnesota was the only place to have them). i am looking at purchasing another tractor for my small business (firewood/landscaping) and the nortrac 25xt with fel is one of them on my list that i think might work. it sounds like a good tractor for the $13,000 price but would greatly value your opinion if you have time to look at one. pm me if you have time and let me know what you think. only if you have time though. don't go too far out of your way. thanks in advance.

namesray