«Previous    Next»
Tractor In A Box "Priced Cheap", Dealer Not Included
u've been shopping for an 18 to 30 hp tractor and price is more important than quick dealer service, you might want to call the Tractor Outlet, Albany, Oregon.
  Terry Barlow, Tractor Outlet owner, started "tractors in a box" a couple of years ago to augment the income from his RV repair business. He sells 10 different models of 2-WD and 4-WD compact diesel utility tractors in the 30 hp and under range.
  The tractors are branded Farm Boss, but they're made by Jinma, the largest tractor manufacturer in China. Jinma made 10,000 tractors last year and exported 3,000 of them to various marketers in North America.
  Other equipment dealers sell the tractors fully assembled, under their own name. But Barlow delivers the tractor in the same crates he receives them in. And they don't come with the support of a local dealer.
  "I'm an importer, not a full service dealer, so buyers have to be prepared to do some of the work a dealer normally would do," he says. "But if you can do the final assembly yourself, you can save some real money."
  In addition to final assembly, you'll also need to wait 60 to 90 days for delivery. Barlow arranges shipping as soon as tractors are ordered. To keep prices low, the tractors are delivered to the most convenient point closest to the buyer. It's up to the buyer to pick it up there up or arrange for shipping from that point.
  Barlow ships tractors just about anywhere in the U.S., although he says delivery to Hawaii may be cost prohibitive. Canadian orders are delivered to the closest U.S. city, meaning any duties or other fees due at the border come out of the buyers' pockets.
  Farm Boss tractors are available in red, blue or yellow to match other machinery, or in Tractor-Outlet orange and black.
  Tractors are powered by 3-cylinder vertical, water-cooled, 4-stroke direct fuel injection diesel engines. There are 18, 20, 25, 28 and 30 hp models, with both 2- and 4-wheel drive available in all five. The 18 to 28 hp tractors are all built on the same frame, while the 30 hp tractors have a heavier one.
  Barlow's tractors all come with Cat. I 3-pt. hitch; agricultural tires; ROPS and seat belts; gauges for oil pressure, temperature, fuel, tachometer and amps; rear wheel and front ballast weights; head and rear work lights; rear differential lock; power steering; plus the following:
  • On 18 to 28 hp tractors, manual transmission with three forward gears plus reverse and creeper gear with a high and low range, giving them 12 forward and two reverses.
  • On 30 hp tractors, manual transmission with four forward gears plus reverse and high and low ranges, for a total of eight forward speeds and two reverses.
  • Dual pto speeds: 540/1000 on 18 to 28 hp; 540/720 for 30 hp.
  • Two stage clutch, with first stage disengaging the transmission and second stage disengaging the pto. (On all except 2-WD 30 hp model).
  Front-end loaders and backhoes are available for all models. You can also buy rototillers, posthole diggers and wood chippers. Cabs can be installed, although the factory says they can't be fitted on tractors with front-end loaders. Other options include: folding ROPS; sun/rain canopy; additional set of either ag or turf tires and rims; under-tractor horizontal muffler; and spring or swivel seats (on select models).
  Barlow provides step by step assembly instructions and a list of tools needed, or you can download those from his Website. You can also buy an assembly video.
  Tractor Outlet tractors have a one-year parts warranty. Barlow stocks normal maintenance items and can ship those immediately, although his warranty doesn't require you to buy maintenance supplies from him. Small factory parts that are covered can be air freighted from China in 14 days. Large factory parts come ocean freight in 60 days. "You can buy parts from any of the 175 or so North American Jinma dealers that do stock parts if your tractor is out of warranty," he says. And many of the parts, especially belts and filters, are standard off-the-shelf parts you can buy locally.
  Barlow says his best seller is a 4-WD, 28 hp model wh


  Click here to download page story appeared in.



  Click here to read entire issue




To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click here to register with your account number.
Order the Issue Containing This Story
2002 - Volume #26, Issue #5