Does anyone have first hand experience with the china diesel tractors that are advertised on the back cover of countryside ?

-- Patty Gamble (fodfarms@slic.com), April 08, 2000

Answers

No Sorry--the word China was enough to make me stop. When I need parts--I need them yesterday ! Can't depend on the arrival time of that "slow boat from China"

-- Joel Rosen (Joel681@webtv.net), April 08, 2000.

We try to buy nothing made in China. Not only do they copy our products, they are much inferior and frequently they use slave labor in building these things. Also, as said above, getting parts is a problem. I would much rather have a used Ford tractor (which is probably who they are imitating) than a brand new China Diesel tractor! Give me American!!!!

-- barbara (barbaraj@mis.net), April 08, 2000.

Thank you for your answers but do you realize that alot of what we buy is made overseas ?Do you also know that alot of things made overseas have alot of parts in them that are made here ? Even products made in China give people in the U.S. jobs. .Maybe more people would buy American if we took more pride in are work , or if we could have competitive pricing for the same quality products .I don't need a lecture on buying American , I respect your options . Please if anyone knows of these first hand let me know .

-- Patty Gamble (fodfarms@slic.com), April 08, 2000.

No one is lecturing to you, only telling you what I would do. If you will compare an American made product with a Chinese product side by side, you will see if you have any sense at all that the Chinese product is inferior. I also doubt very seriously that China buys any parts from us. Yes, I know a lot of products sold in the US are foreign made. Some of them are good but most like anything Chinese, are inferior. You get what you pay for.

-- barbara (barbaraj@mis.net), April 08, 2000.

I have no experience with the Chinese tractors. However I wouldn't condemn them without hearing from a few people who own and use them. A friend of mine recently bought a used "Long" brand tractor. I helped him get it onto trailer to get it home. It was made in Romania under license from Fiat sometime back in the seventies. I just shook my head as I figured this was going to be a real pain to get parts for. Well he bought it with a bum starter. to get starter off, I had to take off power steering pump. Looked like a great design. NOT! Anyway he took starter to repair shop and surprisingly they had parts and had it fixed in an hour. I reinstalled it for him and he told me to go try it out. Decent enough little tractor although I like his old Deutz better. Myself I own an ancient Allis WD and an old Massey Harris 444. As to Chinese goods, they are as capable of making quality as good as anybody in the world. Much high tech stuff is made in Taiwan to spec. The cheap stuff is produced because some slicky here orders it that way to sell to those shopping price above all else. Remember Japanese stuff and even German stuff was considered crap not that long ago. They made what could be sold here usually under specifications of the American buying it to resell here. I have generally been impressed with even the cheaper tools made in china. Quality is increasing and sometimes its worth it if the cheap tool will do what needs to be done for the occasional job. If you are professional using the tool everyday, then buy the best you can find otherwise give consideration to what will meet your needs especially if its a fraction of the price. Don't think that you can find parts for ancient American equipment quickly and easily either. I know. Took me a while to find a particular bearing for my old Allis. The company that made it was long out of buisiness and nobody else made one. I had to resort to tractor salvage place. Not first choice when looking for a bearing.

-- Hermit John (ozarkhermit@pleasedontspamme.com), April 08, 2000.

Once upon a time it was possible to buy American and get the best product at the best price. Those of you who remember those days also remember things that had the statement "Made in Occupied Japan". Have you looked at your shoes lately? Unless you are in O J Simpson's class (I mean money-wise), they're probably made in China. Looked at your Wal-Mart shirt? Bangladesh, maybe? Have you ever seen the phrase "Hecho en Mexico"? Sorry, but that was then. This is now. Ain't saying I like it, just saying it is. I have a very reliable Kubota tractor and Toyota car MADE IN THE USA! I am a gun nut, and while US manufacturers are among the best, (and worst), I have some fine ones made in Czechloslvakia, Sweden, Germany, Belgium, and even China. There is available today a single shot 12 ga shotgun from China that wholesales for under $50! I have one, and although it is not a work of art, it is well fitted and designed, and an incredible bargain. So back to Patty's question. Anybody got any experience with one of these puppies? The argument of US made versus foreign may be good for another thread. But what we'd like to know is how good are they? If I wanted to know the attributes of Spangled Sussex, would anyone say I was being silly not to first explore the Plymouth Rocks? Good luck guys, let's get back on track!

-- Brad (homefixer@mix-net.net), April 08, 2000.

Barbara ,I'm sorry if you took my comment to heart .Maybe you should write to Steve after all it was advertised in his mag. I do not believe all products from China are inferior nor do I believe that all American products are superior.All I wanted to know was if anyone had any experience with them .If you check out there web site it looks to me like they are being assembled by Americans.But anyways , everyone buy what you want from whoever made it .If anyone knows anything about these tractors please write it in good or bad .

-- Patty Gamble (fodfarms@slic.com), April 08, 2000.

I started this mess but my comment was strickly on parts availability ! Everything made is just peaches till it breaks down and than it is the pits. I keep an extra of most (likely to break down parts) Starter,injector hoses,injectors,alternator and every size nut bolt and hitch pin. When we are in the field, we have a window of time to complete the work. That window is usually hours, not days. Breakdowns are not costly--they are deadly to a farmer. Many a night I have rebuilt the tractor injector pump till 4am to hit the field at 5:30am. Sorry for all the talk but this is how we buy equipment. My first question is "do you have a 24 hour --7 days a week parts distributer.

-- Joel Rosen (Joel681@webtv.net), April 08, 2000.

Almost no farm tractors are now made in U.S.A. The factory in Romania where the Long is made also produces almost every small tractor brand sold in America. That is except for John Deere, which is really made by Yanmar. Found all this out when visiting empliment dealers while driving my American Dodge which is Hecho en Mexico.

-- Okie-Dokie (www.tommycflinstone@aol.com), April 08, 2000.

My John Deere was made in the USA but my next tractor will be a Volvo. After running a Volvo for an hour --I knew it was the best I ever operated. Raw low end torque, most gears on any tractor and most visibility I ever had. I think it could plow Iowa in a week.

-- Joel Rosen (Joel681@webtv.net), April 08, 2000.

Not tractors, but we noticed that our Dodge pick up, and my husband's two brothers' Dodge pickups, same models, years, etc. were all built in different places. Ours in the U.S., one in Mexico and one in Canada, so you just never know. Same make could be made in different places. Jan

-- JanB (Janice12@aol.com), April 08, 2000.

The prices look great but I think they are junk. I have a friend who had a dealership for China Diesels and he said that he finally gave it up because they were so poorly built, he had them back all the time for repairs. I have another friend who had a Rhino, (made in China) and had problems and with it constantly but had trouble selling them. I have also heard that there has been a big recall on them.

Now on the other hand, I have a new, New Holland tractor, the engine is built by Fiat in Pakistan, the rest of it in Mexico and the whole thing is put together in Mexico. I have had it less than a year and no problem but I was told 2-1/2 months ago that there is a recall on the engine, for emission problems and it will be replaced, (a loaner tractor supplied while mine is gone). 15 years ago I bought a new Belarus tractor, (Russian) 35 HP diesel, then it cost $5000. initially I had problems but the dealer would come running and when it finally got going it was a fine tractor, i had to sell it in lean times tho.

If you look very close, John Deere, New Holland & Massey are all made over seas, I personally would stay away from China Diesels but if you want an American tractor then you have to look at the old Fords, Allis chalmers, IH, JD, Oliver and so on. you might want to check out the Kountry Life forum with this same question.

-- Hendo (OR) (redgate@echoweb.net), April 09, 2000.

I'm sorry but the John Deere tractor is made from top to bottom in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. All Deere tractors made at this plant are sold in the USA. Every year my dealer offers me a free weekend with plant tour included, trying to sell me a new one. Deere does have other plants in the world and some electrical components and injector items are produced there. The engine and chassis are build from raw materials from here. We farmers know that nothing runs like a Deere but nothing costs as much as one either.

-- Joel Rosen (Joel681@webtv.net), April 09, 2000.

Sorry Joel, I have owned a JD 750 for 14 years.. Made in Japan by Yanmar to John Deere Spec. A very good machine. Had to trade my Massy Harris Poney (1949 vintage) but I could not get parts (even at Central Tractor) for it. I took Jd's advice from a Countryside of years ago.."if the majority of dealers in the area sell orange go with orange. If green go with the green.." Good advice. Mike

-- Michael Acciai (acciaima@us.ibm.com), April 10, 2000.

We have a China Diesel an HD254-y1 that we ordered last year. The salesman said it would take a month to ship it. We orded it and paid for it March 1st. Recieved it 2 months later without the bucket and roll bar. That took another month to have those ship and put on locally. With 12 hours on the machine the clutch went out. Loaded it up and drove it 210 miles to the nearest town to fix it , which took another month for the China Diesel Company to send the new clutch to the repair shop in our state. The batteries went out , a turnbuckle broke, the fuel bowl leaks, the hydrolics around the steering box leak. Many phone calls were made to the company, and they were nice at first but I would never recomend anyone to have to go through what we did with this tractor. What really made me mad was I had to clean the horse corrals from the winter buildup by hand but had a brand new tractor that was broke down and We still had to make payments on it. It might seem like I don't like this tractor. I don't. I should mention the China Diesel Company gave us 3 months more on our one year warrenty because of all our trouble we went through. This year we have started our spring work and so far nothing has broke. It hopefully will keep going until the horse corrals are cleaned.

-- Lynda Dale (lyndadan@cyberhighway.net), April 11, 2000.

I was much happier just lurking around this forum. However, I would like to point out that you're all right. Each and every answer is correct. I work at a "green" dealership. Depending on tractor size and model, your "green" tractor could be made in many different countries. The global parts included in any brand tractor is a fact of life. The difference is where the companies profits are located.

As for which tractor - the best advice has already been given. Get one you can get serviced in your area. New, running tractors are wonderful. Broken, parts needing, fix it fast tractors are only as good as the local dealership.

Yeah, I think green is the way to go - but I'm as biased as the next. Get the best tractor you can afford to keep running in your area.

Good luck,

Peter

-- Peter (petermccumber@cs.com), April 11, 2000.

No advice on tractors, as I don't have one (if we ever need that kind of horsepower, I hope we can get by with horses or oxen!). But somebody made a comment about China (not Taiwan) using slave labor, and I do think you need to consider that. I try very hard not to buy anything made in China because of that -- figure it's the only thing I can do about it, though with our government on the opposite side of the fence, I don't know if my little efforts will do any good. (And yes, the Clinton administration is on the other side of the fence, no matter what they say in public -- they wouldn't be so cozy with China if they weren't.)

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), April 12, 2000.

Hendo:

Did you like the Belarus Tractor? I saw them in the late 70s at a dealership in PA. They were pretty simple, but looked strong and effective. I think they are still imported.

Mark

-- Mark (msb27@pa.net), April 12, 2000.

Peter: So green is the way to go huh? I'll remember that when I see an Oliver or Deutz for sale. Just kidding you a bit although both of these makes were Aok in my book.

-- Hermit John (ozarkhermit@pleasedontspamme.com), April 13, 2000.

Ah,we like Economy Power King Tractors,solid,basic units made solely in the good o'l U.S.

-- farmerjoe (farmerjoe@webtv.net), May 12, 2000.

Patty, There is a web site called Mavericktractor.com. Its in Memphis,Tn. I'm in Byhalia,Ms.,which is only about 20 miles south. I've had a Maverick(made in China) for about 3 years. Had only one problem. A pin that engages the clutch (broke/fell out).One quick trip to the shop and about 2 hrs.later(no charge)back to working. Parts have never been any problem. The tractor I bought was a model called 320(about 30 hp) It can pick a roll of hay(1500 lb.) with no problems. From my readings,most tractors under 80 hp are made across the big pond. My tractor is blue,but remember what FORD stands for"fix or repair daily", or "found on the road dead"). I use my tractor for grading,clearing,bushhogging,pulling and even a joy ride through the back 40.

E-mail if you need anymore info.

Good luck

-- George Jackson (pangusg@netscape.net), May 16, 2000.

I had an Economy Power King. It was not a "real" tractor. Very basically built with a light duty square steel frame and a Kohler horizontal shaft lawnmower engine. Good compact cart puller though. I bought it for $400 and sold it after one useful season for $1200.

I'm looking for a compact tractor for playing around my yard with. I have about 3.5 wooded acres with a stream and want something for clearing brush, leveling ground and so forth. After reading this, China Diesel is out of the question. I looked at the Nwe Holland Boomers. I was impressed. I want one, but I don't know if I want to spend that kind of bread. I would probably get the 35D with a loader and backhoe. That would run about $20,000 or so. A lot for a little tractor. I'm also considering a used Kabota B21 ltb. I should be able to get one for $15,000 or less with about 1000 hrs, think?

Mike

-- mike hrischuk (hoot@uscom.com), December 30, 2000.

I had a china diesel, the key word here is had! Kept it about 6 months had nothing but problems with it. It's the biggest junk I've ever bought. Sold it and the man who bought it hates it too. Do yourself a favor and keep your money in your pocket or buy a JD. It's true you get what you pay for.

-- David Michael Dixon (thedoubledranch@allel.net), January 11, 2001.

What do I know about tractors? Sweet Fanny Adams! However I am not sure that everything made in China is made by slave labour and I don't see how boycotting their produce will improve their lot.

-- john hill (john@cnd.co.nz), January 12, 2001.

stay away from china diesel its worse that a chevy cheep cheep cheep you get what you pay for.

-- tim rostar (toolman@racc2000.com), February 06, 2001.

I looked at the china tractors at the fair. They are very basic and cheap. My philosophy is that you get what you pay for. I bought a John Deere 755. The local dealer has unparalleled service. If they sold cars, I would buy my next one there. They have a program where they lease the tractor only (no implements) to a local nursery where they use it for a tow vehicle for trailers with bedding plants. They cannot use the hydraulics or PTO. My tractor had 70 hours on it and they knocked $4000 off the price. That paid for a few implements. I love my John Deere.

-- Skip Walton (sundaycreek@gnrac.net), February 06, 2001.

HEY, IM LOOKING TO BUY A COMPACT. IVE BEEN LOOKING AT A CHINA MODEL.LOOKING THAT IS!!! IM SCARED NOW AFTER READING THIS PAGE. THE PRICE GOT MY ATT. I FOUND ONE 2-YR OLD LOOKS GOOD HAS LOADER,SCRAPER,BOX SCRAPER,POSTHOLE DIGGER, BRUSH HOG,DISC, 2-BOTTOM PLOW AND A TRAILER TO HAUL IT [TRACTOR]16-FOOT. THE GUY IS ASKING 13,000 FOR IT. THE LITTLE RUBBER TITS ARE STILL ON THE TIRES YET. THE TRACTOR LOOKS LIKE A BEAUTY BUT, IM A LITTLE SCEPTICAL NOW!!

SCARED IN MICH. GURN

PS: GOT A BETTER? PLEASE SHOUT!!

-- GURN BLINSTON (der@voyager.net), March 04, 2001.

Message:

Subject: -Tractors & Farm Equipment Exports . Dear Sirs,

We are please to hear that your company is leading importers of tractors.

We are the manufacturers of FORD CHAMAN tractors in Pakistan, our tractors Are fitted with water-cooled diesel engines of 65 hp and 80 hp.

We are also leading exporters of tractors MASSEY FERGUSON model mf 240 (50 hp) Mf 375 (78 hp) and FIAT models 480 (50 HP) AND 640 (64 HP) in Pakistan.

If your company is interested in the brand new tractors and implements, please kindly confirm us back. So we can send you our best prices on CNF and F.O.B Karachi basis along with Technical literature.

Yours Faithfully,

Khalid Abbas Khan Niazi

Director

USAMA HARRIS KHAN AND COMPANY PLOT # 27, Sector # 15, Korangi industrial area karachi-74900, (Sind) Pakistan Phone # ;-(92-21) 5053243 & 5053244 fax # (92-21) 5068104 Web page; http:// usamaharris.cjb.net Emails; usamaniazi@hotmail.com usamaniazi@yahoo.co.uk

-- KHALID ABBAS KHAN NIAZI (usamaniazi@yahoo.co.uk), March 13, 2001.

Re China Diesels My choice is always a JD as nothing runs like a deere! Having said that I purchased a Power Trac LT 450 Dozer with backhoe for work around our ranch in British Colombia. It was no good there with all the large rock a D6 would have been a better choice. Two years ago we hauled it to Texas where we presently live and own a ranch. It works really well here. For the size it has a lot of power and flexibility. The 12 way blade is really great as is the backhoe. The tracks really suck, they are cast and break a lot. Getting really good at welding the cast. The unit is a knock off of JD but is over built in lots of areas especially in the drive train and backhoe components. Can you get parts" Hell No", however we were able to rebuild the clutch's and brakes as well as all the bearing off the shelf from a local supplier. Would I buy another one, yes! The engine is really strong and easy to work on, some of the electronics suck but if you replace the simple stuff it seems to work AOK. We also have a JD 401 which is a combination of commercial and farm model. We have more problems with that unit than the old Power Trac. If anyone knows where I can get a replacement set of tracks for this unit I would really appreciate it. Hopefully we can locate something in Texas so we are not killed by the shipping charges. Folks I really enjoyed reading all your posting " keep it up".

regards, ken

-- Ken clifford (cliffordkr@aol.com), March 15, 2001.

Buy the cheapest products available as long as they have a good warranty. Nothing is made in America anymore except Toyotas and Human Clones Don't support brand names Lets all band together and help the economy stumble!

-- John Smith (John@smith.com), April 10, 2001.

If nothing costs like Deere.....you might find some of the bigger farm tractors made here but, if its less than 35 horses you can bet its made elsewhere. If american manufacters won't make an afforable alternative.....I guess there as guilty as the "poor man" as far as encouraging cheap labor. You can't tell me we don't possess the technology or manufacturing skills to produce a relatively low cost tractor. But, hey this is america lets see how much corporate america can make! The hell with you guys that don't make "mega bucks" we will still SLAM you for not buying American, no matter where its made, and please give no thought that you're not buying will reduce the demand and put more "really poor folks" out of work! But hey, as long as I make a hell of alot more profit than I need.....so what" screw the little guy.

-- shelby swift (sswift@aol.com), August 30, 2001.

When buying diesel tractors or any other product, China is always the second or third preference. However their product is very efficient and durable, accepting the fact that it costs the consumer half the price compared from any other product, wether assembled in the U.S, Germany ,Holland etc. I own a Chinese diesel engine tractor. It is being used in my farm. Although it is small and looks weak, but you cannot judge anything from its appearence. It is a very powerfull tractor. Very economical as it consumes less amount of fuel then the others.So i would go for a Chinese Diesel engine tractor rather then John deer or Massey.

-- Harris Khan Niazi (harris_niazi@yahoo.com), September 23, 2001.

See http://www.taskmaster.net/chintracwhat.html

They have a money back return policy

-- (powelgw@yahoo.com), December 12, 2001.