Tractor question

[scorpion12]

Can someone enlighten me? My buddy told me that there's a tractor manufacturer that's based in South Carolina that makes compact sized tractors all the way up to large agricultural tractors. They're built in what used to be a John Deere plant that was purchased because it was going to be closed and the tractors are almost identical to John Deeres. He says that the tractors are painted Red and Grey and their name is not recognizable as one that would make tractors.

The thing that gets me is that he says the tractors are about 1/2 of the cost of a John Deere. He's got a John Deere 790. I want one like that.

I've got 2.76 acres of a sand/clay/pine straw/leaf mixture... my land isn't flat and there are a lot of saplings and small-small medium sized pine trees. I'm building a house on the land and I'm going to want to grow a lawn and smooth out the land, bush hog a fire break, move dirt and such...

 

[canoetrpr]

I've never heard of it... but.. if you want something like a JD 790 - I would recommend you get one! The 790 is buillt by Yanmar in Japan and is a high quality machine.

The JD 790 is a nice simple no frills machine. Not too many left like it. The L2800 and L3400 from Kubota are similar offerings.

I wouldn't hesitate to get one of these used as well if you are looking to save some $.

 

[scorpion12]

Sure, the 790 looks to be about the right size for my little 2.76 acres.. but if I can get something that's almost identical to a John Deere for about 1/2 the price, then I'd like to do that... as it stands right now, I don't have a house on the land to use the tractor and the tractor's got to wait till the house is built.

 

[WayneB]

Sure, the 790 looks to be about the right size for my little 2.76 acres.. but if I can get something that's almost identical to a John Deere for about 1/2 the price, then I'd like to do that... as it stands right now, I don't have a house on the land to use the tractor and the tractor's got to wait till the house is built.

Good luck with the house building and then tractor hunting.

The JD 790 is a basic work tractor and a good one just like the Kubota L2800.

I would suggest you hunt around for a nice brand name used tractor when you get ready to buy. Properly taken care of it will last you a life time. Once you have the tractor then comes all the toys you need to use with it.

 

[DavesTractor]

Can someone enlighten me? My buddy told me that there's a tractor manufacturer that's based in South Carolina that makes compact sized tractors all the way up to large agricultural tractors. They're built in what used to be a John Deere plant that was purchased because it was going to be closed and the tractors are almost identical to John Deeres. He says that the tractors are painted Red and Grey and their name is not recognizable as one that would make tractors.

The thing that gets me is that he says the tractors are about 1/2 of the cost of a John Deere. He's got a John Deere 790. I want one like that.

I've got 2.76 acres of a sand/clay/pine straw/leaf mixture... my land isn't flat and there are a lot of saplings and small-small medium sized pine trees. I'm building a house on the land and I'm going to want to grow a lawn and smooth out the land, bush hog a fire break, move dirt and such...

Your buddy was pulling your leg I am afraid.

 

[bjcsc]

I've never seen one if they do exist. Surely some would be around. Find out where he got the info and get more details...

 

[scorpion12]

I'm convinced my buddy is telling the truth... he said he's toured the factory and it's based somewhere in western south carolina... he and his neighbor were looking at buying one and they've got the brochures somewhere... I'm not holding my breath, but if it is true, I'll post the name here...

closed on the loan yesterday; construction is supposed to start at the end of Feb. I can't wait.

 

[rdbigfarmboy]

He probably means final assembly.
A tractor half the cost of a JD would be Chinese. All Chinese, Korean, Indian and others are shipped in cargo boxes and final assembled somewhere. It would look like a manufacturing operation except for the machining and casting and large assembly force. Most all foreign equipment is in pieces and has to be assembled.
Ever see crate Kubotas? One of the local dealers has a building full. They must be cheaper in volume.
NH is final assembled in Pa.
Some Deers are final assembled in Ga.

 

[JiminGa]

farmtrac has facilities in Torboro NC, maybe that's the place?

 

[DavesTractor]

He probably means final assembly.
A tractor half the cost of a JD would be Chinese. All Chinese, Korean, Indian and others are shipped in cargo boxes and final assembled somewhere. It would look like a manufacturing operation except for the machining and casting and large assembly force. Most all foreign equipment is in pieces and has to be assembled.
Ever see crate Kubotas? One of the local dealers has a building full. They must be cheaper in volume.
NH is final assembled in Pa.
Some Deers are final assembled in Ga.

It could be he means final assembly, that makes the most sense. By the way, the reason for crating and final assembly in USA is mostly freight. We get 20 2615 Mahindras (Mitsu) in a container. Assembled it would be only 4 units. It makes more sense to ship them that way, then ship a load of tires for every 4 containers, etc.

 

[scorpion12]

Johnson tractors... they're a division of Eagle... my buddy says they're put together in Greenwood Sc...

Now I can't find anything about the company.

Anyone ever hear of them?

 

[jake98]

Aren't Kioti's US headquarters down there?

 

[porky69]

Johnson Tractors appear to be a rebadged Foton (Chinese tractor), from what I can find on the net.

They are very basic machines but that would be the only similarity to a Deere.

 

[bjcsc]

Found a picture of one:

And a possible dealer...

 

[scorpion12]

Thanks so much! You're right in that the photo is almost identical to foton tractor. Knowing it's a Chinese tractor makes me weary now. I'm disappointed.

I guess when it comes time for me to get a 4wd tractor with FEL, I'll look at kubota, john deere, mahindra, and kioti... that is, unless someone can convince me that the johnson/foton is available with 4wd and has approx 30 hp... and can be fitted with a FEL and is mechanically reliable. I'm not looking for HST as I don't think I need it.

Overall, I just don't want to spend money on a tractor and wind up having to spend money on a replacement because it died on me.

 

[Soundguy]

I'd have to agree with the others.. likely it is a chinese tractor being put together from crates that your buddy saw.. not actually manufactured there.

If the dealer is GOOD and can stay in business..and you can turn a wrench.. you might be ok.. big cost savings.. but you roll the dice.

what about an oldie? say.. a used big 3 brand... all the colors make good SCUT tractors.. I'm a 'blue' guy myself so prefer ford.. etc. A 3cyl ford 2000 would do everything you need ont hat property PLUS.. Probably get a good serviceable one with no warts for the same price or less than the chinese one.. good chance it will outlive the chinese one too!

soundguy

Can someone enlighten me? My buddy told me that there's a tractor manufacturer that's based in South Carolina that makes compact sized tractors all the way up to large agricultural tractors. They're built in what used to be a John Deere plant that was purchased because it was going to be closed and the tractors are almost identical to John Deeres. He says that the tractors are painted Red and Grey and their name is not recognizable as one that would make tractors.

The thing that gets me is that he says the tractors are about 1/2 of the cost of a John Deere. He's got a John Deere 790. I want one like that.

I've got 2.76 acres of a sand/clay/pine straw/leaf mixture... my land isn't flat and there are a lot of saplings and small-small medium sized pine trees. I'm building a house on the land and I'm going to want to grow a lawn and smooth out the land, bush hog a fire break, move dirt and such...

 

[LBrown59]

likely it is a chinese tractor being put together from crates
that your buddy saw.. not actually manufactured there.
soundguy

Probably the crates are the highest quality parts in them.

 

[Soundguy]

Funny you mention crates.

I used to work for a water meter factory, we imported bronze casted water meter bodies from south america. All the shipping containers / palattes were rough cut mahogany... after a few years, everybody working at the company had a mahogany table.. or some other piece of furniture!

soundguy

 

[bjcsc]

Funny you mention crates.

I used to work for a water meter factory, we imported bronze casted water meter bodies from south america. All the shipping containers / palattes were rough cut mahogany... after a few years, everybody working at the company had a mahogany table.. or some other piece of furniture!

soundguy

I have a good friend who manages a series of warehouses here. The volume of 3x3 angle and 3" C-channel (from racks) and rough cut oak and pine (4x5x16)(from skids) that we've gotten out of their "garbage pile" has been tremendous. Mahogany - what a score!

 

[scorpion12]

Let me ask you this: What about some of the tractor packages I'm seeing? Like a John Deere 790 with FEL, BH, post hole digger, box blade, and 16 or 18' trailer? (one price I saw in Tx was $18,000 or so)...

Is that a good idea to get the package or piece the items together frankenstein style?