Questions before I purchase a Kama/Taishan TS354C

KevinW · Aug 21, 2005

Has anyone heard of http://www.chinabestproducts.com/?
Are they reputable?
What would be expected as down payment to get a crate tractor on order from China? (to Raleigh, NC area)
I test drove a 35HP 4x4 Mahindra. Is was NICE. Would anyone know how it compares to a TS354C?

KAMA/TAISHAN vs Jinma 
ts354c EPA $7200 --------- jm354 EPA $7800
loader $2650 TZC04
backhoe $2850 LW7
total $12700 to warehouse
http://s93480190.onlinehome.us/tractor/ts/ts354x-1.jpg
http://www.sentex.net/~sxing/tractor_spec_km.htm

Kama/Taisha vs. Jinma
Live PTO ------------- both
Shuttle Shift ------------ ts354c
Power Steering ------------ both
Heavy Duty Three Point Arms ------------ both
Rear Differential Lock ------------ both
Remote Hydraulic Outlets ------------ with backhoe purchase
I've been told the backhoe will run off of the tractors remotes. Most backhoes I've seen have a separate pump that runs off the tractor's PTO.
I've also been told the ts354c has remote hydraulics for lowering and raising, let's say a harrow with hydraulic cylinder to raise for trasporting. Can anyone confirm?
Folding ROPS with Canopy ------------ both
Front and Rear Weights ------------ not with loader/backhoe
(staes I can order separately)
Create Shipped ------------ both
35 HP ------------ both
4WD ------------ both
4 Cylinder Diesel ------------ ts354c
Cat #1 Three Point Hitch ------------ both
Metal Hood and Fenders ------------ none, fiberglass hood
Agricultural Tires ------------ both
Quick Detach FEL ------------ none (TZC04 not quick detach)
Backhoe 3 Point Hitch ------------ both
Tool Box ------------ optional (would like to add)
Rear Differential Lock ------------ both
Direct Fuel Injection ------------ both
Two Stage Clutch ------------ both
Agriculture Tires ------------ both

Any suggestions on ordering a create shipped TS354C would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Kevin

tat2z1969 · Aug 21, 2005

( Has anyone heard of http://www.chinabestproducts.com/?
Are they reputable?
What would be expected as down payment to get a crate tractor on order from China? (to Raleigh, NC area)
I test drove a 35HP 4x4 Mahindra. Is was NICE. Would anyone know how it compares to a TS354C?

KAMA/TAISHAN vs Jinma 
ts354c EPA $7200 --------- jm354 EPA $7800
loader $2650 TZC04
backhoe $2850 LW7
total $12700 to warehouse
http://s93480190.onlinehome.us/tractor/ts/ts354x-1.jpg
http://www.sentex.net/~sxing/tractor_spec_km.htm

Kama/Taisha vs. Jinma
Live PTO ------------- both
Shuttle Shift ------------ ts354c
Power Steering ------------ both
Heavy Duty Three Point Arms ------------ both
Rear Differential Lock ------------ both
Remote Hydraulic Outlets ------------ with backhoe purchase
I've been told the backhoe will run off of the tractors remotes. Most backhoes I've seen have a separate pump that runs off the tractor's PTO.
I've also been told the ts354c has remote hydraulics for lowering and raising, let's say a harrow with hydraulic cylinder to raise for trasporting. Can anyone confirm?
Folding ROPS with Canopy ------------ both
Front and Rear Weights ------------ not with loader/backhoe
(staes I can order separately)
Create Shipped ------------ both
35 HP ------------ both
4WD ------------ both
4 Cylinder Diesel ------------ ts354c
Cat #1 Three Point Hitch ------------ both
Metal Hood and Fenders ------------ none, fiberglass hood
Agricultural Tires ------------ both
Quick Detach FEL ------------ none (TZC04 not quick detach)
Backhoe 3 Point Hitch ------------ both
Tool Box ------------ optional (would like to add)
Rear Differential Lock ------------ both
Direct Fuel Injection ------------ both
Two Stage Clutch ------------ both
Agriculture Tires ------------ both

Any suggestions on ordering a create shipped TS354C would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Kevin
)

Kevin:
Down payment, he he, they make you pay it all up front and probably about $1000.00 more they don't tell you about when you pick it up.
I personally wouldn't do it, if customs finds anything they do not like they will hold the machine and you have to pay storage until the problem is cured. To much a chance to get screwed.
Check out artrac.com and kamatractors.com (both Chips site) for a Kama and other brands, You can email Chip there, good guy with good prices.
Now depending what you are going to do with the machine:
if you plan to roto till at all you need creeper gears, the jm354 Jinma does not offer creeper gears. The Kama TS 354 c does not have creepers either, BUT the TS 354 X does have creeper gears.
The Kamas are said to be a little heavier duty than the Jinma's. Pretty much the same engine Y 395.
I am not quoting prices for Chip, but I know the cost of a TS354x and for about $1200.00 more than you stated above for a Kama, you could have one with a real good Koyker front end loader and Chinese backhoe. weights come with the tractor, paying extra is the way a crate shipper gets in your wallet. You pay for extras when they really come with the machine.
The Kama ts 354 x has metal fenders and hood, more ground clearence without the increase in height.
A big part of the problems that come with these tractors is crate tractors, if you should get a problem tractor, you are pretty much screwed and who are you going to chase for parts. Are you willing to wait 2 months for parts to come in, in the next container shipment?

When you buy from a dealer the machine is put together and pre run and if you need parts in the future you have dealer support and most parts can be had in a few days not a few months.
Before I would buy a crate tractor I would go to Atlantic city and put my money in a slot machine, the odds of making out the way you THINK you should are about the same.

Good Luck
Jim

bluechip · Aug 22, 2005

Kevin,
Regardless of where you get your tractor I would strongly recommend Koyker or Accutech loader over the TZC04 from Shandong. While it is a well constructed loader, it has been my experience htat the hydraulics are not "ready for prime time" so to speak. The price you quoted is within 10% of getting a Koyker. The Chinese backhoes are OK, touchy on the sticks, but so much cheaper than other options. we do sell a few of those. We have TS354X in stock, with the new EPA certified TY395 engines and have some TS354C with 4 cylinder EPA engine shipping next month. The TS354C can be ordered in creeper OR shuttle (but not both). Jim is correct that you will want creeper if you plan to use a rototiller on your tractor.

Chinese tractors require a certain type of owner, who is willing to roll up sleeves and tinker. These guys are very happy with their machines. An importer of Chinese tractors needs to be a bit of a gambler at heart. We have experienced a couple major problems discovered during assembly that would have been a disaster if we did not have another tractor to build and sell while the problem was resolved. It is not common but it is possible. Most crate brokers offer parts on your next shipment. or you pay the freight from China. this can be very expensive.

We have made it a policy to help any KAMA owner where we can. Of course we will go a little further for one of our own customers. Keep in mind that warranty parts MUST come from the same channel as the tractor. But other than that, If there is anything we can do, let us know.

Paddy · Aug 22, 2005

Kevin,

Go with a dealer and assembled. I got my KAMA 454 from Chip.

KAMA makes a fine tractor but assembly is critical.

Patrick

KevinW · Aug 22, 2005

Thanks for the info. I live near Raleigh in North Carolina. No KAMA/Taishan dealers close by that I'm aware of...??

Does anyone know of any in my area?

tat2z1969 · Aug 23, 2005

Learn something new everyday, I didn't know that the TS354c could be ordered with creeper gears.
I think you will find you have to have one shipped to you or you will have to go get it. It is worth it.
I looked and researched for months on Chinese tractors and my pick ended up being a Kama and I am buying it from Chip.
I have to give credit where credit is do, Chip is the only dealer I found that answered my many questions and didn't push the tractors like a used car salesman.

Jim

greg_g · Aug 23, 2005

( I didn't know that the TS354c could be ordered with creeper gears. )

Chip's SPEC SHEET shows creeper gears as an option. But it's important to note that it's creeper OR shuttle, not both.

//greg//