Quote:
Originally Posted by swampman46
I think the first thing I would do is try calling the guy he bought it from, and ask him wether or not he replaced parts and where he got them from. Seems the tractor is built in China by Jinma to be sold in U.S. as MTE. Maybe try searching Jinma parts or MTE dealer? As far as working on it-forget the big names (JD, Case etc), probably any local mechanic that works on tractors. Good luck.
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ya, that's the issue, the guy flat out lied to him. first off its a 2006 tractor but has a 1999 engine in it even though the guy said its all original and he told brother inlaw that any non brand specific shop would work on it and named a local shop in Gulfport he said works on them but when brother inlaw couldn't find anyone around amite willing to work on it he called the Gulfport shop to confirm they do work on them and they said they wouldn't touch it, take it somewhere else.
brother inlaw isn't physically able to do any repairs himself anymore so other then maint items and easy stuff like starters, alternators, filters and fluids, belts and hoses, he would need someone to work on it for him and so far everyone he called said they don't work on Chinese tractors so what the bleep is he supposed to do if he needs the clutch replaced or something like that.
it appears the Jinma tractors are fairly common with people looking for small tractors for small "just a few acres" lots so I was hoping someone here might know or have some idea of a small shop that might be willing to work on any brand tractor and not be so scared to touch a Chinese tractor. at this point, even if he has to trailer it 100 miles he just needs to know there is a place "somewhere" he can bring it too if need be.
I think the big issue why nobody wants to work on them is because there are no service manuals for these things and what they call a service manual is no help at all and more like a operators manual because it says and shows nothing about how to do any repairs. add to that they don't do any sort of warranty work on these things so there isn't even an "in house" repair manual or anything like that. I am pretty sure that's the problem most mechanics have with it is you cant go by the detailed service manual step by step instructions, you have to just use your brain and common sense to figure things out as you go.
personally I don't understand this and think it cowardly and stupid for any respectable mechanic to say he is too scared to work on a tractor just because it doesn't have an instruction manual. to me, as long as the customer is willing to take the risk of breaking something (since there is no other choice) then so should the mechanic.