namesray
Platinum Member
from what i have researched the nortrac line has 20 hp to 82 hp tractors. 20xt, 25xt, 35xt, 40xt, 50xt, 70xt, & 82xt. the 70xt and 82xt were fotons about 3 years ago or so and the lower hp tractors were jinmas up until about year and half ago. the numbers represent hp (tractor hp not pto hp i think.) they are the same as a foton 204, foton 254, foton 354, you get the idea. first 2 numbers = hp the 4 meaning 4 wheel drive. i have made several calls to northern tools to obtain more information on the new xt line as i feel it is extremely difficult to spend thousands with what little info you get from their catalog and website. i have spoke with bob in the parts and service dept and he is extremely helpful and knowledgeable on these tractors. he did mention to me that they are working on getting these tractors more accesible to the public to see in person, but just are in the beginning phases. i think that is great because the nortrac tractors look good, advertise well, have good features, but just hard to really tell for sure without seeing one in person. i asked why the switch to fotons from jinmas and they said the upper hp fotons they sold in the past had far fewer problems then the jinmas did. also the fotons have more of the features customers have asked for. i still don't know if you are getting a good deal like nortrac advertises or are you just getting what you pay for. i have asked in the recent past if any tbn'rs owned a newer nortrac (foton) from norhern tools and NOBODY that has a foton one responded. on northern tools web site there is only ONE review on the 25xt tractor and it is NOT a helpful one. seems that there is not many people that own them. not many reviews on any of their tractors.
but some of the older nortrac (jinma) owners did respond and had some good to say about the tractor and northern tool, but none of them had many hours on their tractor. i do question the longevity and durability of these tractors. i do believe that parts would not be a problem as i have found suppliers around. and foton does seem to be the up and comming chineese tractor. from what i have researched, one of the biggest most important things about any chineese tractor is the set up. if it is done good, they are as good as any other tractor. if they are not set up right by dealer, then you WILL have immediate and long lasting troubles. how good of a job does northern tool techs do????
but some of the older nortrac (jinma) owners did respond and had some good to say about the tractor and northern tool, but none of them had many hours on their tractor. i do question the longevity and durability of these tractors. i do believe that parts would not be a problem as i have found suppliers around. and foton does seem to be the up and comming chineese tractor. from what i have researched, one of the biggest most important things about any chineese tractor is the set up. if it is done good, they are as good as any other tractor. if they are not set up right by dealer, then you WILL have immediate and long lasting troubles. how good of a job does northern tool techs do????
