mcconnell marc tractor

[jaab]

i need info on tractors as i am new to this. i need a tractor to skid logs out of the woods. i came across a local dealer with a couple of mcconnells on his lot that i can buy inexpensively. he doesn't seem to know alot about them and/or won't admit to anything and will not offer a warranty. that being said i can handle that as you tend to get what you pay for. i need to know if they are worth owning and are they trouble prone. they seem to be stout little machines. the tractors are 425 regular version and not xls and yes i can handle most repairs myself as i have a couple of trenchers and assorted other machines. the price is what is very attractive as i can buy two with loaders for less than my local nh dealer will sell me a used nh for. is there a better alternative or am i crazy or do i have to spend megabucks on one of the big 3??? help me please /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[JINMA224XR]

<font color="blue"> need info on tractors . i need a tractor to skid logs out of the woods. i came across a local dealer with a couple of mcconnells on his lot that i can buy inexpensively. he doesn't seem to know alot about them and/or won't admit to anything and will not offer a warranty. that being said i can handle that . i need to know if they are worth owning and are they trouble prone. they seem to be stout little machines. the tractors are 425 regular version and not xls and yes i can handle most repairs myself . the price is what is very attractive as i can buy two with loaders for less </font>


Hey Jaab,

The 425's look identical to the model 254 Shinniu, that I purchased back in 1990. Mine was a 4wd, 2cylinder and had about 24 hp. Mine was a very strong little 24hp tractor. It vibrated a lot, which didn't really bother me. It sounded a lot like the old 2 cylinder John Deer's of yesterday's long gone. Mine had a head gasket leak, and i think that it had it from the beginning. You can probably get parts for the tractor from Darrell Harp Interprises in Red Bay, Alabama.

Before buying however, you should work the tractors and get the motors hot under load for at least a couple of hours, to see if there is any signs of water overflow from the radiator, and if there are any other signs of defects.

Honestly though, I personally think that you would be happier, with a 3 cylinder in the same hp, such as a Chinese Jinma, or Kama. And you can still get them for around 6 thousand, if you shop hard. However, I suspect that you can get the 254 Shinniu for around 4 to 5 thousand if you shop hard. I could have gotten a 254 for 5 thousand, but I opted for a 3cylinder Jinma 224 for $4850, back in 2004.

If you do go with the Shinniu, I would retorque the headbolts at 50 hours, as they use the very old style headgasket of Yesteryear's Gone By.

Here is Mcconnells Website, but I think that they are Chinese Shinniu Tractors. That have been restickered.

http://www.mcconnellmarctractors.com/about.html

Chinese Shinniu Tractor Site:

http://www.china-hbmec.com/products/agri/tractor/tractor.html

Happy New Year,
Joe /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[bluechip]

If this is a Shinneu, it will be hard to find parts for. IF it is Tai Shan, we can special order parts from China (6 to 10 weeks normally, unless it is a chassis part compatible with the models we import in which case we may have it in stock. We don not stock very many 2 cylinder engine parts).

Mconnell recently auctioned off a large number of these but there are not really any other importers that bring in these models, especially now with new EPA regulations in full effect.

If you can get it for 3 or 4 thousand it is probably a good buy, may give you years of trouble free service. Any more and I would buy a KAMA from me! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Just kidding, buying a chinese tractor from a dealer/importer who is still in business is a good idea. I wouldn't buy any new product without warranty, means the seller has no confidence. at least a 30 day return if you find a problem is better than nothing. He probably bought at the auction but is not able to provide the support you might need.

We will do our best to help if you go ahead, but Joe has some good advice....

 

[TobaccoRoad]

Hey Jaab,

Not familiar with the McConnell, but I agree with Chip, if it doesn't pan out, he can provide you with a nice Kama. New with warranty. I've been enjoying my 554.

Happy New Year,
TR

 

[jakeb47]

McConnell Marc's plant was in the next county over from me. Looked at several Models. The 425 2cyc was made Taishan. It was a very rugged, well built machine, good for loader work, a better machine than the 3 cyc they also sold, front end was better. I really liked the 425 just needed a bigger tractor so I was looking at the 450 and 465 models. I forget who made them (not one of the better known China manuf's) and they were poor quality. If the price was right I wouldn't think twice about picking them up myself. At the auction they went for around 4500.