Buying Advice Looking for tractor, need advise.

[mwood]

All:

I'm new here to the Chinese tractor forum though I've been on TBN for a while.

I'm in the market for a tractor. I would love to buy something similar to a JD 790 but to save myself some money in the process.

I find that I'm rather mechanically inclined, so i'm really not too worried about simple repairs.

Here is my question. Where can I find information about these tractors? I'm looking for something around 30 HP for brush hogging and FEL tasks. I have 13.5 acres, of which about 2 is lawn and about 8 is field that needs cutting. The other 3.5 is very muddy swampy stream area which someday I would like to put a path down to.

Also, about what could I expect to pay for something around 30 HP with loader? More HP isn't bad, but I don't want too big a frame. I'd rather have more tractor than not enough down the line.

Thanks for any and all advise!

Mark

 

[Boltonpower]

Hi Mark.

For the job described either a 284 or 354 Jinma would do
but based on the last sentence of your post, probably the 354.
You won't run out of tractor on your spread with a 354.
Assembled with a U.S. loader like a KOYKER figure about
$10K and change for the 284 and about $12K and change
for the 354.. The 284 would be closer to the 790 but the 354
certainly isn't unmanageable

Kind Regards

Graham Slieker
Bolton Power Equipment

 

[mwood]

Graham:

Thanks so much for the information! That was I was hoping for -- lower price than a 790 (quoted around $15.5 w/ FEL and 4ft hog) and some more power.

I know I'm going to have a lot of questions as the time to buy gets closer, but this at least gets my hope up that I'll be able to swing this in the next year!

 

[Mike1]

Mark,
I was able to get a Jinma 304 - 30 HP same size as the 35 HP tractor for $6900 assembled, the Koyker loader cost me another $2800. I'll admit that the pricing surprised me, it was better than what I was finding elsewhere for the the 284. Luckily for me, the dealer was local, a company by the name of Fredrick's Equipment in Hartselle, AL. Bottom line - if you look hard enough, you can save even more compared to the JD 790. I too looked at that tractor, but couldn't get past my initial sticker shock. I've had good luck with the Jinma, I'm over 50 hrs now in 4 months of ownership, no real problems.

 

[Paddy]

I'll push KAMA. I just received my KAMA 454, 45 Hp x 4 wheel drive. I have yet to get it dirty but theres no doubt she a work horse. I got her with the Koyker 195 FEL.

Patrick

 

[Boltonpower]

No Problem. The best advice I can give you is to actually look at
and drive the (4) major Chinese tractors in country at the moment.
I'm partial to the Jinma's because I sell them. There are about 100
independent importers in North America according to the factory.
KAMA is reletively new but seems to have good reports. FOTON is
another tractor that is coming on line and also has good reports.
DF or Dong Fong is another with some dealers but a single source
importer. The tractors will definately vary ergonomically and may
vary somewhat fit and finish wise. They seem to use the same or
similar engines especially now that
EPA certification is pretty much required. I don't know where
you are in N.Y. but if you can't find a local Jinma dealer I'm
in central Mass and have 284's, 354's and 454's in stock. You
are certainly welcome to check out the Jinma's here and see
how they compare to the others. I cannot stress strongly
enough that you compare so that you can make the best
choice for your needs

Regards
Graham

 

[SPIKER]

hey gents:

my boss has a JD 4400 and I have a jinma 284. side by side mine is bigger physically, ground clearance and tire height. weight too... anyhow it is a very good tractor for the money. lots of people selling them under 100's of different names. graham is one person who supports the china tractor community very well, no he has never sold me anything o9r givene me any think for suggesting him as a source for a tractor YET /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif graham /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

MarkM

 

[mwood]

I'm very impressed with what I've seen so far. I really need to do something since I don't want my land to revert to all brush /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif.

In looking around here, I've noticed the sticker shock as well!!! The JD 790 is really the best tractor I can find locally for the money. But being mechanically inclined, I figured if I can save a few thousand and get a tractor now that I may have to service myself, I'm going to be ahead of the game and in the end, really do like servicing things! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Thanks for all the good info! I'll have to try to find some to drive. Perhaps a trip east is in order!

Thanks again!

Mark

 

[newt88]

I just purchased a 354 from Feighner tractor in central PA 10.5k with FEL. That was assembled by the way and I picked it up.
Good luck

ttp://www.feighnertractors.com/Pricing.htm

 

[JohnS]

mwood,

I'm just a county away in Tioga. Howdy neighbor.

As for Jinma dealers, don't know of any within an hour of you. Within 2 hours, there is one in Barneveld NY on rt 12, north of Utica, and a Homier dealer in Dolgeville, NY. I have no experience and do not know of people that have dealt with either of them.

There is a Kama and DF dealer in Vestal NY. He might be a bit toward the high price, though. I did talk with him about a year ago, and seemed to know the tractors well.