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denfun
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 3 denver, co
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2003-10-23          66895

I've been looking at Northern tool and FarmPro tractors as well as Yanmar. Are Northern tool and FarmPro the same tractor? Seem to be from the descriptions. Anyone have any experience with them. Debating betwene used Yanmar 1610 and a new FarmPro or Northern tool. Any other suggestions in the 4WD, 18-25hp range that are in the $7-19K (w/ FEL)? Need it mostly for post hole digging, dragging a rake and moving snow (at times 30" plus here in denver)
thanks


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denfun
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 3 denver, co
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2003-10-23          66896

Sorry, meant to say $7 to 10K. Not 19K. ....

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Chief
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 4297 Southwest MiddleTennessee
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2003-10-23          66897

I believe these tractors are made by Jinma. They are very simple and basic, kinda rough as far as finish quality but I have heard very good reviews and comments about them. Homier has them of about $1,000 less.

Here is another thread on these tractors if you have not looked at it already. ....


Link:   click here

 
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kwschumm
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 5764 NW Oregon
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2003-10-23          66905

I have no direct knowledge of these tractors, but they are made by Jimna. Check out the CTOA (Chinese tractor owners association) at this link. Personally, I wouldn't buy one unless I had a local source of parts and the ability to do my own repairs. A broken $10k tractor is just a big paperweight if you can't get parts for it and Murphy's law says it will break when you need it the most. ....


Link:   CTOA

 
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chipuren
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 193 Arkansas
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2003-10-24          66947

There is an interesting advantage regarding parts for Jinma tractors. Besides Homier (Farm Pro), Northern (Nortrac), Agracat,etc. there are literally dozens of other importers/dealers who sell the Jinma tractor under many different names (Some even call them Jinma!). At last count there were about 110 Farm Pro dealers alone (I am one), I'd guess there are over 200 Jinma dealers now in the US.

Several of these dealers are making big commitments to the spare parts business. In 2002 some 3000 Jinmas came to the US, could be as much as double this year. The parts market is significant. ONe company even has an online parts ordering.

So even if one importer drops the line, others are there to pick up the slack. I had heard that in 2002 appx.3000 Jinma's found thier way here. This year may double that number.

As for trade-ins I think the big problem is that there are so few seen on the used market. Price guides are spotty at best on these. Naturally a tractor that cost $7,000 new will be worth a lot less than one that cost $15,000. But if after 10 years the 15,000 tractor is worth 9,000 and the 7,000 tractor is worth $2500, who came out better?

It is true that in general the castings are rough (but heavy), sheet metal a little wavey, no synchos, (mechanical shuttles are coming soon). Not for everyone, but they do offer an affordable alternative to folks that need a tractor once or twice a week around their place and they seem to hold up well in that environment. I don't recommend them for heavy daily commercial use, there are plenty of good high dollar tractors to choose from and they will give you a better tax write off too.

....


Link:   Jinma Parts

 
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TomG
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 5406 Upper Ottawa Valley
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2003-10-24          66955

Thanks for the note and I'll likely be keeping track of this type tractor. I have a mid-80's Ford and the many times recombined NH Company likely doesn't feel a huge commitment to somebody else's older products. They've been nibbling away at the parts support for awhile now.

The big 3 or 4 manufacturers probably need some help from a NAPA like organization because parts price and availability may kill their products. After all, how many people would buy N.A. autos if they had to pay dealer shop rates and buy dealer parts? NAPA is real good for auto manufacturers.

Eventually I'll face a huge repair problem and an inexpensive new tractor may seem like a bargain. New customers may start asking themselves 'Why pay top dollar for a tractor that's expected to last a life-time and have cradle to grave dealer support if there's a chance that some future organization might pull the plug?' Anyway, that's the sorts of things I'll be thinking as I watch how the Chinese tractors evolve in N.A. ....

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Chief
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 4297 Southwest MiddleTennessee
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2003-10-24          66956

chipuren, thanks for the good parts and information post! Hope you will keep us updated with news and developments with these tractors. I have looked at them several times in the past but did not know enough about them or logistical support available. Learning info. such as this definitely changes my view of the Jinma line for the better.

Dennis, not sure if you saw my last post about this but what do you think about making a forum for the Jinma tractor line? ....

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kwschumm
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 5764 NW Oregon
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2003-10-24          66973

My comments about parts availability come from another Jinma product, the Jinma chipper. When talking to a Jinma dealer in Oregon about those I asked about parts availability. The belts and bearings could be picked up at NAPA, but when I asked about things like gearboxes, shafts, or flywheels he said it might take a couple of months to get those. I still might buy the chipper, but that kind of parts lag time would be hard to swallow on a tractor. ....

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gauthier
Join Date: Jun 1999
Posts: 148
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2003-10-25          67077

As far as [rebuilding a chipper],if you need those kinds of parts,hell any brand would take a while to get those kinda things in,don't you think? Richard ....

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gauthier
Join Date: Jun 1999
Posts: 148
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2003-10-25          67078

Parts are not a problem with these tractors so every body who likes saying that can now quit.What you don't have[for the most part],is your local chinese tractor garage,like the big three have,but you do have many mechanics out there who are ready to take your money just the same if it was a big three or four or ever how many bigs they are now.All you have to do is order the parts and get them to Mr. mechanics shop and there you go.I got a northern 254,its now got 163 hrs on it,I've had it one year,and no major problems so far,[couple of leaks,had to replace the chinese battery with an interstate,which northern payed for],its a solid little tractor,moter has allkinds of power for a 25 h.p.,four wheel drive will move you in mud over front axils,I use a 5 ft brushog onit and a 6 ft. blade with power to spare,Now it is a standard shift,brakes require leg power,and it has its other quirks that you have to deal with,but you can deal with them,[at least so far for me],8,ooo dollars ready to go to work,you can get them cheaper and put them together like all dealers do imports,but thats not a real option for most people and its a great deal of trouble in any case,but some people,[I guess],like a challenge.I mean you could buy two [about],for the price you would pay for new green or orange and this is not a little tiny riding lawn mower tractor,its about 3,000 lbs.,I think.But ifin you got plenty of money then you should buy one of the big uns,with all the bells and things that money can buy,than when something breaks,[and things break on the big uns to as we all know,then you can drive over to your local dealer and look him right in the eye and say hey man,what kinda piece of junk did you sell me and I want this thing fixed tommorow if not today and you can come and get it yourself. Richard ....

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chipuren
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 193 Arkansas
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2003-10-25          67085

Tom,
If you have Long dealer nearby, he may be able to help you out with some of your Ford needs. The Farmtrac is essentially part of the Ford line (the older designs) that Escorts of India purchased when Ford sold out to New Holland. They have been building these for years. On the Long Agribusiness website they even mention engine replacement for Ford tractors. ....

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kwschumm
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 5764 NW Oregon
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2003-10-25          67088

I would wager that I could call Bearcat or Valby and get replacement parts for one of their chippers in ten days or less. But you pay a premium for that - those chippers are 40% more than the Jinma. Sort of like the Big 3 vs. Jinma issues you describe. ....

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gauthier
Join Date: Jun 1999
Posts: 148
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2003-10-25          67096

I know next to nothing about chippers,and I bet your right. It does depend on what your use is,if you are making money chipping,than you should go as local as possible every time,China is a far piece away,but the parts you described sounded to me like something that should not break or wear out soon,if gearboxs in those things break often than that would be a good reason not to get that brand,does those items you mentioned break often in those china chippers?If they do than I wouldn't get one. Richard ....

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kwschumm
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Posts: 5764 NW Oregon
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2003-10-25          67097

I haven't been able to find somebody who owns one of these chippers and used it extensively so I have no idea if they are reliable or not. Jinma was smart, though, and most of the wear parts such as bearings, pulleys, and belts are off the shelf items. They even give you the US supplier and part number for them. The major proprietary parts are housing, flywheel, and gearboxes (there are two). The housing and flywheel could probably be repaired if somehow damaged. The gearboxes should be reliable as long as belt tension is adjusted properly and lubrication is cared for.

I just want a chipper to use around our property for cleanup. It won't make a lot of difference to me if I have to wait a month or two for parts if/when I need them, but I'd like them to be available without a major hassle. You've convinced me that Jinma parts are available so that makes the purchase a safer bet. I appreciate the info! ....

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TomG
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 5406 Upper Ottawa Valley
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2003-10-26          67115

Chip: Thanks for the idea. I sure didn't know that. I'll definitely develop some web links that might point me to alternatives if I get stuck. ....

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gauthier
Join Date: Jun 1999
Posts: 148
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2003-10-26          67151

You ought to ask over on the chinese tractor board,but the board is now two boards,or three boards,get on one and you can probably find the other address,the temporary one is the most used,there are many people who might be able to give you some info on those chippers. Richard ....

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kwschumm
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 5764 NW Oregon
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2003-10-26          67152

I don't know if anyone on CTOA uses a chipper. I searched on "chipper" and got a few hits, but nothing relevent. Searched the archives too. The CTOA message board doesn't seem to work right with my browser anyway so I gave up on it. ....

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gauthier
Join Date: Jun 1999
Posts: 148
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2003-10-26          67154

kesershum?,try this address,http://b5.boards2go.com/boards/board.cgi?user=ctoa whew!,it is the board adress most are using now,the old one is not feeling well,just post a new question about those chippers ....

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gauthier
Join Date: Jun 1999
Posts: 148
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2003-10-26          67155

Don't use that whew! part, Richard ....

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kwschumm
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 5764 NW Oregon
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2003-10-26          67156

No, kesershum isn't me, I don't think I ever registered. Thanks a lot for the link - that one works a whole lot better. I've posted my question over there - hopefully some folks are using them. ....

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Cub104129
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 11 Ontario Canada
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2003-12-14          71168

I have a chipper that you have asked about. I have used it for 3 years now. It works great. I changed the oil in the gear box that runs the auto feeder before using as the Chinese oil is not the best. The belts should be changed also. At least the one on the feeder. The ones on the drum have not failed as of yet.

Other posting of members on the CTOA are in favour of the chipper. ....

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kwschumm
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 5764 NW Oregon
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2003-12-14          71173

Thanks Cub! I ordered one of these six weeks or so ago and got notice yesterday that it will be delivered the first week of January. Your suggestion to change the oil before using it is a good one and I will do so. I have heard that the feeder belt is weak, too, and I'll pick up a few extras at Napa before using it.
....

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Cub104129
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 11 Ontario Canada
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2003-12-15          71279

With the money you save the cost of belts will be cheap. Also the blades turn over so you have 2 sides to use. Will need metric wrenches to work on this unit.You will also find out that if the tree has a Y branch it cannot stick up. If so it will spin on the feeder. You then turn the tree 90 degrees and it will go through. You will find out what I mean when you use it. Best of luck as I know you will be happy and if you need info give me a message. ....

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bjr2351
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 5 tri-cities WA
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2003-12-15          71281

Is the shuttle shift out yet and is there a step thru deck and power steering like the Iseki tractor. I'm seriously thinking about the China tractor as I'm not getting much response to my inquiries on the grey market tractors. I'm hoping to find a crate tractor that I can assemble myself. I need about 30 hp to disc the sand I have here. I live in eastern WA state is there a dealer near me? bjr2351 ....

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kwschumm
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 5764 NW Oregon
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2003-12-15          71282

That's great - I ordered an extra set of blades with it. What kind of oil did you use for the gearbox? Standard 80-90 weight gear oil? ....

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chipuren
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 193 Arkansas
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2003-12-16          71391

The Jinmas with shuttle shift (I believe it is non synchro meaning you have to come to a complete stop to change direction) are trickling in I am a Farm Pro dealer and am told they will be available through Homier if the dealers want them and I am sure we do.

The only platform type tractor from China that I am aware of is the new LENAR series II 25HP. It has synchro trans and shuttle with all the controls on the dash. They should be arriving 1st qtr of '04. LENAR is trying to position itself between the traditional Chinese tractor and the Japanese/Korean leaders. If they don't loose to much of the Chinese price advantage and if the regional distributors properly support their dealers, LENAR should be a contender. The nearest Lenar dealer to you BJR2351 is probably Willie at Pacific Avenue Equipment in Yakima.

As for the JINMA Chippers we have some in stock here in Arkansas. ....

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