Buying Advice Looking to buy

[smince]

So, given that these abilities are beyond my current skill set, if there aren't guys locally who can perform the repairs on these machines then these issues need to largely be resolved by the maker. If the lower price requires an understanding that more issues will need to be addressed by the owner, the lack of a close repair facility probably means I probably should buy from a local dealer.

Seems like you already answered your own question, which I think Rich was just trying to help you see? It's too bad you took that so personal even after he explicitly stated "this is not a criticism of you at all". Most all of the people who post on here, including Rich, are extremely helpful.

Any powerful machine with moving parts and hydraulics will eventually need repair or replacement parts, it's just the nature of the beast. Repairs usually go beyond the skills and tools needed for draining fluids, replacing filters and changing tires. You seem to mention hydraulics almost exclusively but there are lots of other, more involved mechanical things that can go wrong with a tractor. Clutches wear and need adjustment (or replacement), shafts break, splines strip, seals start leaking, engine valves need adjusting, etc, etc.

Your local big name dealers will probably not work on a Chinese tractor unless you have sorted that out ahead of time (ask them), or you have located a local tractor mechanic that will do the work for you. Based on what you've said here, it honestly seems like you will be happier spending the extra money on something from a local dealer. When, not if, your tractor breaks down it will be no good to you (no matter how much you spend on it) if you can't get it repaired in a timely and cost-efficient fashion.

Best of luck in your search, and Merry Christmas!

 

[greg_g]

Or - you can look at it as a learning experience. I knew nothing about Chinese tractors prior to buying my first one (I've owned four). I have a fair mechanical aptitude, but nothing specific to Chinese tractors (had one Japanese prior). I already had a reasonable selection of basic hand tools, so didn't spend a lot there. I did however pre-order quite a few spare parts, those that common sense said would either be needed for preventative maintenance - or those with anticipated high wear rates. I did have trouble getting other spares for the first two (Jinmas), but that was a dealer issue. The 2nd two came from Chip, and parts were pretty consistently 2nd day delivery. The tractors don't come with shop manuals, but do come with exploded diagrams in the parts books. Those diagrams helped considerably when trying to figure the inner workings.

All previous tractors had been open station. One was a 24hp 2wd Yanmar, two were 25hp 4wd Jinmas. My last two 4WDs included a 45hp KAMA and a 35hp TaiShan w/loader. There's an old fella down the road that can't afford a tractor, but I didn't want to make the 4 mile round trip in adverse weather. So I rented the 35hp to him for $100/month. But he eventually became a bit too feeble to safely operate a tractor/loader, so I decided to trade both for one with a cab and loader. That way I could drive down the hill to do his tractor/loader work for him, without regard to weather conditions. Given that cab tractors are taller than open station tractors of the same horsepower, I needed one that would fit through my shed door. Chip didn't have what I was looking for, so I shopped the local "big name" dealers. Of them, only John Deere offered enough horsepower in a tractor that would fit. So that's how I made the transition from "former Chinese owner" to John Deere owner.

That said, many of us here who broke early into the Chinese tractor arena were like beta testers. Through forums like this - and direct communication of course - we provided feedback to the dealers, many of whom in turn relayed it back to the manufacturers. Those dealers who listened and acted are for the most part still in business. As a result, the Chinese gradually began acting upon our input. Subsequently, better built/more reliable/less mechanically demanding machines started hitting our shores. So really, a lot of your archival reading is no longer applicable - and shouldn't be considered in your decision making (unless you buy used that is). Getting a new Chinese tractor today - from a capable and conscientious dealer - simply isn't the handful of headaches it used to be.

//greg//

 

[Rich Waugh]

Well put, Greg! I think it is revealing that though you now own a John Deere, you still attend these forums and try to help folks, and you deliver honest opinions of the tractors you previously owned. If Chinese tractors are as poor as some believe, I somehow don't think you'd be doing that.

All that said, I still think that the OP would be better off with a tractor from his local dealer, regardless of country of origin, as he seems pre-disposed to expecting problems with anything else. I don't have any issues with that; I've done it myself with lots of things and every time I went against my inherent anxieties they were fulfilled. (grin) Far better to start out with good expectations and deal with what comes along than to start with negative expectations. Too bad the OP took what I said as a personal jab - it wasn't and isn't. I just think it makes sense to call a spade a spade and get on with digging the blasted hole.

 

[Bob Rooks]

Perhaps the OP's vitreous was a little dried out and failed to see that any name brand tractor dealers service dept. is going to be filled with their own machines, not to mention a thriving parts department.
This is America. Anyone can own a tractor if they want to. But, IMHO, there are people that shouldn't.

Disclaimer: Not meant as an affront the OP, it is just a personal opinion that has been stated before and elsewhere.

 

[bluechip]

Mike,
feel free to call anytime our 800 number is on our webpage or direct at 479 705 22OO. happy to answer any questions or concerns. My "hope" regarding parts is that DF does not appoint another exlusive distributor that may curtail my parts supply chain, I have every intention of supplying parts for my tractors as long as I am able. I look forward to talking with you wed or thursday, I will be out of the office Friday and next Monday. thanks.