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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

Chinese and Korean tractors

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S. Conner

01-27-2004 10:12:47




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I've got a buddy at work that is talking about buying a small utility tractor. He's leaning toward buying one of those cheaper tractors like they sell at some farm stores. I keep telling him he'd be better off to buy a used American made one, even if it's thirty or forty years old. I think he'd have a better tractor, even if it needed some work done to it first. He's looking for something about the size of a 2010 John Deere. I just wanted to get some opinions on this. Thanks for the input.

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JF

01-29-2004 15:42:15




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 Re: Chinese and Korean tractors in reply to S. Conner, 01-27-2004 10:12:47  
If hes American, tell him to buy something American.



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Ben in KY

01-28-2004 20:05:38




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 Re: Chinese and Korean tractors in reply to S. Conner, 01-27-2004 10:12:47  
It sort of depends on your buddy's planned useage of the tractor. An MF135 is a lot more tractor weight and sizewise than most of the chinese / Korean tractors. I do believe the Chinese tractors to be relitavely short lived compared to US iron, however the Korean ones seem to be about the same quality as the Japanese ones. That is to say about as good as any compact utility tractor now-a-days. Those little 4wd lawnmowers on steroids are pretty fun and handy little machines for their size. They will definitely outwork an old 8N or other comparable size old US iron tractor. I would not buy a CUT to move rolls of hay or plow ground with, but they are fun to use the loader for work around the barnyard or mow small areas with.

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buickanddeere

01-28-2004 06:01:18




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 Re: Chinese and Korean tractors in reply to S. Conner, 01-27-2004 10:12:47  
Isn't your buddy at the work the same one who complains about American manufacturing closing and everything being built off shore? As far as a decades old/high hours machine being cheap? After the repairs he will have the price of a new or low hours/recent used machine invested. And still only have an old piece of equipment.



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Russ Schultz

01-27-2004 21:10:25




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 Re: Chinese and Korean tractors in reply to S. Conner, 01-27-2004 10:12:47  
Remember folks we are talkin about Chinese and Korean tractors here. Not Japanese. The Japanese tractors are decent enough ( Kubota or Yanmar engines for example). I would never trust a chinese/korean tractor. Those cheap tires will be rotten in 2 or 3 years. Light Axles, clutches, and transmissions would be a problem. Another thing to keep in mind, Is that the company may not be around in another 5 years. Then parts would be a bugger to get. Buy a good used Massey 135 or a John Deere 2020 or 2130. If that's too old, the John Deere 755 & 855, or the 4310 tractors with Yanmar diesels are very good tractors. Kubota tractors seem to stand up well too. Parts and service will be around forever for these tractors, unlike an asian offbrand. I'm a Mechanic for a JD dealer, so I know what I'm talking about. I have seen and Heard all kinds of things about each make and model.

Remember, You only get what you pay for.

Good luck,
Russ

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Jonathan

01-27-2004 17:16:12




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 Re: Chinese and Korean tractors in reply to S. Conner, 01-27-2004 10:12:47  
Like others have said, I wouldn't buy a grey market for full time or commercial use. I'd buy one only if it had a well known engine in it like yanmar or perkins, and I'd also would want to be sure all the parts were redily availible and would be in the future. He might want to check around, I know the equipment dealers are really looking to make sales with the current economy, so he could problably get a really good deal on a well known brand with a good warranty and higher resale value.
hope this helps

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Chicken

01-27-2004 16:54:12




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 Re: Chinese and Korean tractors in reply to S. Conner, 01-27-2004 10:12:47  
My first response to this is if you earn your money in the USA spend it in the USA.



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Brokenwrench

01-27-2004 14:33:17




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 Re: Chinese and Korean tractors in reply to S. Conner, 01-27-2004 10:12:47  
If you buy them for what they are they are OK tractors.They are an inexpensive, disposable, weekend warrior friendly machine. They are designed for the hobby market not for someone who is going to try and make a living with them.I have several customers with them and for the most part are satisfied. Parts can be had within 2-3 days,sent ups from a warehouse.They do good for mowing an acre or two,moving snow out of the driveway and around the house projects. They are user friendly, about half the cost of a Deere or NH,and hold up well if used for what they are designed for. For someone who is going to put 50-100 hours a year on a small tractor for light duty work they are a good buy.

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Tim(nj)

01-27-2004 14:05:31




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 Re: Chinese and Korean tractors in reply to S. Conner, 01-27-2004 10:12:47  
I have a friend who has a Polish-built (by Ursus) Massey Ferguson 231 (35hp) that he has had no trouble with in the 10 years/2500 hours he's owned it. It has a 3-cylinder Perkins in it. MF has a few larger utility tractors made in Poland, too. Parts and service are readily available for them through any AGCO MF dealer, and there's really nothing weird about them, as they follow MF designs. The only thing I don't like about it is that it uses the old-style Ferguson hydraulics where you have throw the selector valve to lock the 3-point and use the remote. I would want to be able to use the remote and the 3-pt at the same time without fiddling with a selector valve. Otherwise, I like them.

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CH

01-27-2004 14:55:59




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 Re: Re: Chinese and Korean tractors in reply to Tim(nj), 01-27-2004 14:05:31  
Should have bought the hydraulic remote option, you get a separate 10 gpm pump. My '81 245 has it, use the 3pt and loader at the same time. Just need more hands.



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Tim(nj)

01-27-2004 15:22:32




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 Re: Re: Re: Chinese and Korean tractors in reply to CH, 01-27-2004 14:55:59  
231 did not have that option at the time.



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steveareno

01-27-2004 12:16:31




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 Re: Chinese and Korean tractors in reply to S. Conner, 01-27-2004 10:12:47  
The newer tractors are designed to be more user friendly and comfortable if that's what your friend is after. I suspect that the old iron will outlast the newer machines, even though they have several decades on the new ones already. The old tractors continue to hold their value and even appreciate. I've never seen that happen with cars, trucks, or even the newer tractors. I wonder what value the newer, largely plastic, machines will have in a few decades?

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Flurette Farm

01-27-2004 11:34:49




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 Re: Chinese and Korean tractors in reply to S. Conner, 01-27-2004 10:12:47  
The problem with "old iron" in my part of the country is that farmers here don't trade their equipment off just because a new model has come out but because its "worn out". And to add to that a lot of these guys don't do a lot of preventative maintinance either they just repair it when it breaks and then just fix the break. That doesn't leave a lot of good used equipment out there to pick from. Also remember just because it has a good old American name doesn't mean squat in regard to where it was made. That includes JD, MF, C/IH or anything else. Many of these so called gray market units are assembled on a line within spit'in distance of those good old American brands..... ...
Your buddy or friend should do what fits his needs since the factory may be owned by GE, Ford, GM or some other home grown company,,

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Mike M

01-27-2004 11:26:11




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 Re: Chinese and Korean tractors in reply to S. Conner, 01-27-2004 10:12:47  
I don't like the wierd no name brands. Where are you going to find a dealer or parts? P.S. a 2010 is not the answer parts are hard to get for these 1010 and 2010 were JD's odd balls
pay a little more and get a 1020 or 2020 and you will be far happier and if you don't like it in a few years you can sell it and break even or maybe make some money they do hold thier value.



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Dave in GA

01-27-2004 11:23:06




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 Re: Chinese and Korean tractors in reply to S. Conner, 01-27-2004 10:12:47  
Well, I used a Kobota once and it did the job OK and I don't really know how good they are in the long run BUT, my nighbors Kobota has been broke for months now (injector pump seal $$$) and my old 861D keeps going and going (knock on wood).

Use to be a saying among Harley owners "come back in 50 years with your Jap bike and see whos still here"! I kinda belive it ; )



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333

01-27-2004 12:04:41




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 Re: Re: Chinese and Korean tractors in reply to Dave in GA, 01-27-2004 11:23:06  
seems to me harley kind of copied the jap bikes, in their engineering anyway, but I still like harleys



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CH

01-27-2004 14:44:39




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 Re: Re: Re: Chinese and Korean tractors in reply to 333, 01-27-2004 12:04:41  
That's wrong. Harley had the V-twin for years before the Asians copied it.



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WHAT?

01-27-2004 13:41:26




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 Re: Re: Re: Chinese and Korean tractors in reply to 333, 01-27-2004 12:04:41  
You have it all wrong, the japanese have copied the american made machinery ever since the industrial revolution. Why do you think that Harley-Davidson had to get a patent on that distinctive Harley rumble?



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Nolan

01-29-2004 05:59:55




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Chinese and Korean tractors in reply to WHAT?, 01-27-2004 13:41:26  
Since Harley *stole* the v-twin design from Indian...



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Ben in KY

01-27-2004 11:58:54




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 Re: Re: Chinese and Korean tractors in reply to Dave in GA, 01-27-2004 11:23:06  
Dave, The jap bikes are still here ..... I think the Chinese tractors will be around for a long time too. Don't get me wrong, I love OLD heavy American iron. But John Deere is in bed with the Chinese tractors now too. Sigh...



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Nolan

01-27-2004 10:47:53




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 Re: Chinese and Korean tractors in reply to S. Conner, 01-27-2004 10:12:47  
Well, you won't like my answer because I agree with your friend. I've used old american iron, and the newer chinese/etc tractors. The new toys beat the old ones for working hands down.

Parts availability really hasn't been a problem with them. And parts availability for old iron is rapidly becoming a problem, especially with the consolidation that has taken place in the american tractor industry.

While I do currently have an old 8N, I'd glady trade it for a Yanmar.

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paul

01-27-2004 17:04:09




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 Re: Re: Chinese and Korean tractors in reply to Nolan, 01-27-2004 10:47:53  
Yanmar isn't too bad, we are talking the really poor China junk here. Stay away from that stuff. It' a whole class or two lower....

--->Paul



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Really

01-27-2004 13:51:35




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 Re: Re: Chinese and Korean tractors in reply to Nolan, 01-27-2004 10:47:53  
I have heard that the $6500 price on the new chinese tractors isnt worth the price because of parts availabilty and cheaply made, I would pay another $3k and get a small new holland or Kubota (japanese) before I would ever get that Nortrac machine. Besides resale is better on a Kubota or new holland.



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rustyfarmall

01-27-2004 11:04:30




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 Re: Re: Chinese and Korean tractors in reply to Nolan, 01-27-2004 10:47:53  
If those Chinese made tractors are so great, why is is that you can bid on brand new ones on e-bay? The answer? Those tractors are nothing but junk, and no one who understands machinery will buy them.



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Nebraska Cowman

01-27-2004 10:43:06




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 Re: Chinese and Korean tractors in reply to S. Conner, 01-27-2004 10:12:47  
if those tractors are so dam good, why are there so many of them on ebay? Then on the other hand I have another thought; whether you buy new or old it does not stay in repair by itself. I see lots of guys spending big money to get their old tractor in tip top shape. how are they going to feel in a year or two when the generator don't charge, the mag don't spark, the battery is dead and the tires are flat?

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jeff

01-27-2004 11:42:42




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 Re: Re: Chinese and Korean tractors in reply to Nebraska Cowman, 01-27-2004 10:43:06  
Tell your buddy to get a New Holland TC tractor you can get parts. There are dealers all over the country and they are a real good tractor. I hope your buddy stays away from gray market tractors. You can`t get parts get a name brand something your can get parts for 10 years down the road



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RB/CT

01-27-2004 12:17:10




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 Re: Re: Re: Chinese and Korean tractors in reply to jeff, 01-27-2004 11:42:42  
Don't get it. How long is something "old" supposed to last? If the life of a gas tractor is 8-10000 hrs, and the life of a diesel is 10-12000 hrs., then thats about 20 years. I think much of this old iron is not economically rebuildable, if you look in Lancaster Farming newspaper you see hundreds of these tractors being "parted out". Nothing wrong with buying an import (with a rollbar and seatbelt of course) if that is what you want. Big business created a "global economy".

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Nebraska Cowman

01-27-2004 15:54:33




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Chinese and Korean tractors in reply to RB/CT, 01-27-2004 12:17:10  
rb, I feed cattle every day with a tractor that was built in 1951, It never fails to start even at 20 below, and no, it ain't plugged in. Maybe it will where out someday but so will I.



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onlytony

01-27-2004 16:31:27




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Chinese and Korean tractors in reply to Nebraska Cowman, 01-27-2004 15:54:33  
I would tell anyone thinking about getting a Chinese tractor to be careful. I looked at some
Farmpro tractors over the weekend and was not impressed. I could be wrong, but this is the impression I got. If you ever go to a Dollar store look at the quality of the products they sell. Cheap things for a dollar are OK, but something as big as a tractor and costs 6 or 7
thousand dollars ? It may be better to spend a little more for a Kubota, I know they are good.
I would rather spend $400 and win than spend $200
and lose.

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