Name this tractor

[greg_g]

Taking the tractor out of 4 wheel for FEL work??? That's the first I've heard of this. Can you explain further???

The 4wd Jinma 200 Series (18-28hp) has (a) no center differential, and (b) a documented weak front drive unit. Hundreds - if not thousands - of them have gone in for repairs directly attributable to aggressive loader work with 4wd engaged. Jinma's done very little over the years to correct the issue. Accordingly, reputable dealers recommend 2wd for aggressive loader work. Hence - a 2wd Jinma - to me - is a better choice for loader work. That said - if anticipated loader work is light duty or infrequent - the 4wd 200 Series may otherwise work out just fine for you.

Not all Chinese CUTs have this problem, just Jinma (far as I know). And then only in their 200 Series. The Jinma 300 series and larger have a more robust front drive unit. Just something to keep in mind when selecting a Chinese tractor to meet your expectations.

//greg//

 

[jonyyuma]

Taking the tractor out of 4 wheel for FEL work??? That's the first I've heard of this. Can you explain further???

News to me too, especially when the load causes the rear wheels to slip.. Then you have NO BRakes???I looked at the same little tractor when it was FARMPRO...2 cylinder , that it pops like a old johndeere when running. It is very light...The front tire almost bounced from the pave,ment when it was idleing..A small hop, of course it was brand new..FEL is hard on the light front axles of CUTS...Next thing up, broken parts..

 

[ACDNate]

Ok newbie question. "CUTS"???

 

[jonyyuma]

Cuts---Compact Utility Tractor.. The smaller version of the big rigs that used to farm.

 

[ACDNate]

Ah ok gotcha. Thanks

 

[jonyyuma]

Greg, I know you did a bunch of work on your chinese tractor? What made you go to JohnDeere? Just asking? I read often about the problems on this forum?

 

[greg_g]

I actually had 4 Chinese tractors, the first two were JM254s. I originally bought one to replace a YM240 because the 2wd was not up to some of the terrain I needed to work. First JM254 had significant electrical problems, the dealer replaced it. Second JM254 developed major clutch problems. Dispute with the dealer resulted in the regional manager intervention. He was so embarrassed by the dealers actions, that he not only took back the 2nd Jimna - but he told me to pick out any Chinese tractor from any dealer that I wanted - and he'd buy it for me. That's how I got my KM454 (45hp KAMA). I liked that one so much, I jumped on a used TS354C (TaiShan 35hp) with loader. It's a little brother to the KAMA.

By 2010, I got old enough to draw on all those Social Security dollars I'd paid in over the years. The resultant monthly check was such that it would pay for a new tractor. So I traded both the KAMA and the TaiShan in on a John Deere 3720 cab with 4-in-1 loader. Got $10k trade-in, and John Deere is carrying the balance at 0%. Social Security check more than covers the payments. Couldn't hardly pass it up.

FYI, problem with the 4wd 200 Series w/loader usually happened when operator would slam into pile. That often takes weight off the rear tires, which in turn is transferred to the fronts. With no center differential, the larger mass of the spinning rear tires gets transferred through the drivetrain forward to the stationary front drive. Usually something in the front differential broke. Conversely, if conditions are such that the fronts spin faster than the rears, damage is usually in the front outboard drive units. The 200 Series front drive system is simply not robust enough to deal with the kind of aggressive loader activity that is considered normal for other 4wd tractors. Hence, the 2wd Jinma 200 series - to me - makes a better loader tractor.

//greg//

 

[greg_g]

I actually had 4 Chinese tractors, the first two were JM254s. I originally bought one to replace a YM240 because the 2wd was not up to some of the terrain I needed to work. First JM254 had significant electrical problems, the dealer replaced it. Second JM254 developed major clutch problems. Dispute with the dealer resulted in the regional manager intervention. He was so embarrassed by the dealers actions, that he not only took back the 2nd Jimna - but he told me to pick out any Chinese tractor from any dealer that I wanted - and he'd buy it for me. That's how I got my KM454 (45hp KAMA). I liked that one so much, I jumped on a used TS354C (TaiShan 35hp) with loader. It's a little brother to the KAMA.

I turned 62 in 2010, and decided to draw on all those Social Security dollars I'd paid in over the years. So I traded both the KAMA and the TaiShan in on a John Deere 3720 cab with 4-in-1 loader. It was eventually delivered as a 2011 model last March. Got $10k trade-in for the Chinese tractors, and John Deere is carrying the balance at 0% financing. Payments are coming out of my Social Security check. In the end, it was just a combination of circumstances that I couldn't pass up.

//greg//