Jinma 354: A Reliable, 1950's Technology Workhorse
Model Year: 2006
We live in the very mountainous North Idaho Panhandle on varied yet steep timbered terrain, and a 4WD tractor is mandatory to be of any assistance here, especially in the winter. The Jinma 354 was purchased to fill many roles here, which it has done well. The Jinma was purchased after looking at price and features of other 30-40 hp tractors from Kioti, New Holland, John Deere, Case International, Kubota, Mahindra and the various grey-market tractors then available, we selected the Jinma for several reasons. 1. Price, we were on a tight budget at the time, and had to have a tractor for our home-based business needs, snow removal and timber management. The Jinma was the best buy available. 2. Front-end-loader capacity. The Jinma ZL-30 loader had a better usable payload rating than any of the other similar sized tractors. We needed all the FEL capacity we could squeeze out of a 30-40 hp tractor. 3. Overall tractor weight. The Jinma out-weighs any of similar offerings from other makers. The closest in the field was the Kioti. 4. Simplicity of design. The Jinma has a minimum of electronics, and is entirely mechanical with a traditional gearbox transmission. Essentially 1950's technology, which simplifies maintenance upkeep. 5. Availability and dealer access/support, the dealer was within 5 miles of our home at the time with full-service multi-bay service shop on-site. After over 500 hours of operation and our 7th winter with this tractor, here are some observations, and comments. The Downsides: 1. Transmission/Gearing has a 4 speed transmission with a 2 speed gearbox, the low range is excellent for most things and in low-first gear will just creep along. However the high range is just too high without something in between, especially with reverse gear. The new shuttle shift models should eliminate this downfall. It wasn't an option at our time of purchase. 2. Electrical system. While very simple, and indeed 1950's technology, the rocker switches in the control-panel are cheesy, and break readily. The glow-plugs for best efficiency need to be re-routed through a dedicated circuit with it's own fused system and switch. And the stock OEM alternator doesn't put out enough amperage to keep up with system demands when using the tractor at night with all the lights on. 3. Hydraulic system. The ZL-30 loader is a workhorse and tough-as-nails, but the worthless so-called joystick hydraulic valve is worthless, and will get someone seriously hurt or killed if used frequently in critical conditions. Replacing with a quality USA made spool valve cures the issue. 4. Cold weather starting. Our JM354 has the 4 cylinder Y485 engine, and even with glow-plugs is a cold-blooded rascal to start once it gets below about 25 degrees Fahrenheit. The simple addition of a lower-radiator hose heater, and it will start at -30 in dead of winter effortlessly. A small thing, but a consternation if you're off-grid, or using the equipment in winter and have to leave it on-site away from electrical service. The upside: 1. Reliability. Other than needing a lower-radiator-hose heater or block heater to assist with cold-weather winter starting, this tractor always fires right up. It's always ready to get the work done. Ours over 500+ hours, has been extremely reliable and durable. 2. Maneuverability. Being only 60" wide it fits in places where my larger JD 5065E won't come close to going. It's small enough to clean out horse and mule pens, clean out snow between buildings, fit through forest timber with minimal impact and minimal tree placement. Too in construction/landscaping applications this tractor is great for fitting into and working in tight places, even inside shops/garages. 3. Capability. We've never run out of power with this tractor... it has more power than it has weight to efficiently utilize! The FEL will out-work its paper statistics every day! A very capable pairing with this tractor. Too, the pulling power of this tractor is amazing, it will out-work many 50 hp two-wheel drive tractors. The PTO seemingly never lacks for power, for many, many applications. 4. Features. While not a creature-comfort machine, the controls are logically placed if you're used to American made 1950's tractors. The brakes work well, the PTO works off a two-stage clutch and is really nice for haying, using post-hole auger, brush-hogging or other applications where immediate and variable control of the PTO is desirable. The 4WD is positive and efficient. The differential lock works immediately and positively when needed. The necessities are all there, and easily employed, but no frills. 5. Maintenance. Upkeep and maintenance is intuitive and easy to execute due to the simple, old-school build of this tractor. Parts are readily available, and we've never waited longer than five days for parts for this tractor. Filters cross-reference to domestic Napa/Wix numbers available over the counter. Too, due to the simple build of this machine, repairs/upkeep don't require anything but basic metric hand tools and common sense. 6. Affordability. This tractor was less expensive new, than most comparable size class tractors used, even with 1000+ hours on them! Not only initial acquisition cost, but operational expense is negligible. Filters for routine maintenance are over-the-counter stocked numbers, and there are no proprietary scheduled maintenance items. Even a complete, new ready to run crate engine assembly, with starter, alternator, fuel-injector system, manifolds, EVERYTHING, is available, (and in stock stateside) for just over $2400 at the time of writing this review. Then there is this tractor's amazing fuel economy. We keep stringent records on all our equipment, from repairs, maintenance to fuel consumption... every gallon of it. Looking at hours between servicing, and fuel consumption between those service intervals, this little workhorse, on the average when worked pretty hard sips about a liter of diesel per hour! Yep, just over a quart of fuel per hour! I can't think of anything out there that can top that kind of horsepower/fuel return in the field. Imagine putting up your hay crop (sickle-bar, rake, square-baler) with a tractor that only uses a little over a quart of fuel per hour! Now, is this tractor perfect. No, it does have it's short-comings. Would I buy another? In this size class, most definitely, and immediately if this one were to croak today. Since having purchased this tractor, some of the parameters of our tractor needs have changed, and we needed a bigger, more capable unit (wider stance for stability on uneven terrain and higher FEL lift capacity) and we purchased a JD 5065E. It is a much more capable unit for bigger jobs, but the little Jinma 354 still gets used at least three to four times per week for the utilitarian type tasks it was originally purchased to fulfill. For the money, I doubt that we could find a more capable, reliable and economical alternative.
Pros: Price; Capability; Simplicity of Design; Ease of Maintenance; Maneuverability; Fuel Economy; Parts Availability; Self Servicability.
Cons: Transmission Gearing; Electrical System Deficits; Junk OEM Hydraulic Valve on FEL; Stubborn Cold-Weather Starting.