The first tractor I bought was too little,so I made up for that by buying one WAAAY too big the second time.
Now I am trying to make up for those two mistakes by buying one that is "just right".
I have it tentatively narrowed down to either a 31 HP JD 3033R with a cabin with ac and heat,or a 39 HP TYM394 with a cabin with ac and heat. Everybody knows what a JD is,but the TYM is made in South Korea by Korea's largest tractor company that has been in business for about 60 years. They have only been building tractors for export since about 2014 now,but prior to that they made a lot of "Badge" tractors for other companies as well as components.
Both the JD and the TYM use Japanese diesel engines and the same transmissions. Both are 4 wheel drive "Compact Utility Tractors",and my primary use for the one I get will be to cut fire breaks in the fields around my house,and to strip cars,spread gravel around my house and outbuildings so fire can't reach them,and to move parts cars around the yard. I have 8 acres,but have no intention of keeping it all cut down short. Somebody sets fire to it every few years anyhow,so that's why I want/need to maintain a firebreak. One house burning down is enough.
Based solely on price and power,the TYM 394 is the clear winner,being about 7 grand cheaper than the JD,as well as having better reviews. The only complaints I can find on the web about the TYM were about minor things like light switches failing,but having TYM mail them the parts under warranty.
The JD is made in Mexico,and it seems like it is,or was,plagued by poor or incorrect assembly to the point where it only got 3 out of 5 stars on the review boards. The last comment I could find was a couple of years old,so they may have corrected these problems by now. To counter this,I have a JD dealer only 40 miles away,and the closest TYM dealer is about 250 miles away. JD has an excellent service reputation,but the TYM dealer network in the US is so new not much is heard about it.
Both weigh between 3,000 and 3500 lbs.
I can get the TYM with the cab and loader for $22,900,and the JD is $29,500. Both are now offering zero percent financing for up to no money down for 48 months,or 60 months with 10 percent down,or 84 months with 20 percent down. The JD dealer has already told me he can get me 84 months with zero down,and I have no reason to think I can't get the same deal with the TYM dealer.
To sum it up,the TYM offers a sale price 7 grand cheaper than the JD dealer,but if the tractor needs any warranty work I am going to have to load it on my trailer and drive 250 miles to drop it off,and then make that 500 mile round trip again to bring it home when it's fixed.
The JD dealer offers a superb established dealer and parts network for warranty work,and if it is something major and I have to take it to him,I am only looking at a 80 mile round trip
Anybody have any experience or knowledge of the reliability of the 2016-2017 JD 3033R tractor with the D160 loader?
How about any of the 2016-2017 TYM's?
BTW,if any of you are close to a Case dealer,visit his lot and view his compact utility tractors. They are pretty much identical to the TYM tractors of the same size,with the biggest difference seeming to be the decals. It even has a plaque riveted to the rear of the chassis that says "Made in South Korea". Modify message
