to chinese or not to chinese?

jaybirdt · Jun 13, 2005

Hey all, had some questions for all you chinese tractor gurus.I have been contemplating purchasing a tractor for a while and need some input.Im thinking about a 28 to 35 hp tractor for mainly two reasons to mow lawn(rfm) and blow snow. Right now I have a craftsman garden tractor for mowing and a grey market Iseki 22 hp 4wd tractor for snowblowing. I would like to sell both and also a compact utility vehicle I purchased last year and buy a bigger newer tractor to do everything with. I was wondering what anyones thoughts are as far as racking up the hours mowing the lawn and also as far as cold weather starting as I live near Buffalo Ny. Not sure what would be better new chinese Kama? or used big 3, I really need dependable starting in winter. I was hoping to have 6-7k to spend thanks in advance Jason

thingy · Jun 13, 2005

Well,,,,my 254 jinma,,with a five cutter on back,,and roll bar and canopy,,,WITHOUT,,a fel,,,,,is as long as,,,as high as,,and almost as wide as my ford f150 4wd 8 ft bed,,,pickup,,,if I was to mow my yard with it,,,,,would be using push mower about 6-7 hrs just to finish trimming it,,,,,,,,so to me,,it wouldn't work good as a lawn mower,,,thats even if you put turf tires on it,,,,plus,,you would always either be in to high,,or to low a gear,,,and you got to stop these tractors to change gears,,,,now if you lived in the middle of a flat meadow,,,with no trees,or buildings,,etc,,,might could work out,,if you had turf tires on it,,,,but.......oughta handle a 3 point snow blower great though,,,don't have one of those though,,,,,thingy

bruce1966us · Jun 13, 2005

IMHO the Chinese tractors do not start well under 20 degrees.

thingy · Jun 14, 2005

Well,,bruce,,,,,,,assuming thats true,,gotta say most things don't,,,,,,,I wrote more,,,but edited it out,,,,your the man from tenn. with the jinma,,,,got you confused with one of those upset yanetmore guys for a second,,,,sorry,,,,thingy

greg_g · Jun 14, 2005

( IMHO the Chinese tractors do not start well under 20 degrees.)

Good grief Bruce, even my Mercedes is slow to start under 20 degrees !!! I'm inclined to suggest you narrow that statement down to the Y380/385 (YangDong) engines.

FYI, the direct injection ShanDong 395T engine in my KM454 starts outdoors, down to 15F. It's equipped with the standard diesel compression release, but has no glow plugs or manifold heater. That said, I added a pair of 250W Wolverines to the oil pan for starts below 15 degrees. By comparison, my garaged and glow-plug equipped Mercedes needs the tank heater plugged in to start below 17F.

Based upon my experiences with ThermoStart on my Yanmar, I venture to say the later KAMAs equipped with manifold heaters should have no cold weather starting problems at all.

//greg//

Ranch_Hand_Supp · Jun 14, 2005

bruce1966us..... If all Chinese Tractors in your opinion don't start well under 20 degrees ?? I have to assume you have had a lot of experience with that problem.

In your opinion, what have you found to be the cause and what you did to correct it? Fuel Delivery, Glow Plug Circuit,[ if it has them ], bad Fuel etc.

Ronald

Wayne_Freeman · Jun 14, 2005

Having owned two Jinmas (284LE currently) I would have to agree that by nature these machines are warm weather starters. This time of year in South Carolina there is no problem but even into the forties a 30-40 sec glo plug boost will help get your started. Into the twenties you have to be more creative. Many threads exist on heater applications as well as compression release turn over, etc. I have a heat gun that blows into the air intake for those real cold mornings. I would be reluctant to say there is a cold start problem but this particular diesel engine does require some finesse in cold start applications. I have heard the larger HP tractors may have a better track record on this subject?

bruce1966us · Jun 14, 2005

There is no correcting it unless you install a block heater, keep it inside, etc. Unlike the Yanmars the Jinma 20-30hp tractors simply do not like the cold weather. That goes for the hydraulics also.

greg_g · Jun 14, 2005

( That goes for the hydraulics also. )

Now THAT's just plain wrong, and is reasonable evidence that you sold Jinmas without replacing the Chinese fluids.

Immediately after kerosene-flushing the Chinese crap out of the hydraulic system and refilling with AW32, the steering steered and the TPH lifted - the instant the engine was running. No prolonged "wait till it warms up" required.

And I started those JM254s right down to 7 degrees below zero - with instantly responsive hydraulics. Don't know what the bottom end might be, cuz it seldom gets colder than that in this part of Kentucky.

//greg//

TruChaos · Jun 14, 2005

The cold slow start problems are easily fixed with an inline 600w radiator hose heater. They cost about $25 at Tractor Supply.

My 284 starts like a gas engine car down to about 45 degrees. It requires a little more cranking at colder temps without a heater.

After start up, they run great. I've never had any problems with the hydraulics in 20 degree temperatures using AW 32. With and without the stock hydraulic controller.