Luzhong LZ-554

[drewwoodhouse]

I am new to the forum but joined because I am currently investigating purchasing a Luzhong LZ-554 tractor direct from the factory in China to be shipped to Australia.

I thought I would respond to Rob / 3RRL's request for some more information by starting this thread. The basic configuration I am buying is as follows:

LZ-554
- Shuttle shift
- ROPS and sunshade
- Rear ballast
- Two way hydraulic outlet
- Uses the JD4102 engine - four cylinders, bore:102mm, stroke:105mm, displacement:3.432L


TZ-08 FEL
- 4 in 1 bucket
- Single joystick with electromagnetic valves
- 800kg / 1750lb SWL
- Pallet forks as an extra

LW-8 backhoe
- PTO pump
- Parker Hannifin control valves


These machines do not have a formal distribution network in Australia, so my greatest concerns are the availability of filters and spare parts.

Mathew - FYI try this company if you are looking for parts and do not want to deal with DF again: www.chinapartsdirect.com. They are based in QLD and can source parts for various engines.

Can anyone give me a lead on where to find a detailed overview of the steps required for the first fluid change? Standard fluid change is easy but I have searched the forum without success for an outline of the steps taken in the 'flushing' with kerosene process. Thanks in advance.


PS: How do I insert pictures to these threads? I have some from the factory that I would imagine will be of interest.

Drew

[3RRL]

Drew, go here to upload pictures. How to Upload Photos

[grohgreg]

contact me via private message, we can exchange email addresses. From there I'll walk you through the kero-flush routine.

//greg//

[3RRL]

I forgot...
You should get a lot of replies about changing the fluids and other questions you may have. Some guys have done the flushing with Kerosene procedure like Greg comes to mind. I didn't need to do that since my Kama was prepped by a dealer ... at least I didn't think I needed to. Magnets for all the drain plugs and filters work wonders if you don't get all the shavings out from the flush. If you don't have any in your system, it's easy to install them. I think Larry has a thread about that.

I'd really like to see photos of that beast. Sounds really sweet.
Especially the electromagnetic valves on it.

Anyway you can go one size bigger on your backhoe selection (more reach/digging depth)? That size tractor can easily handle it plus you will thank yourself everyday you use the backhoe. You'll find yourself re-positioning yourself a lot with a shorter one. I wish I knew that when I bought and I would have done that. Either way, get a sub-frame for the hoe.
Rob-

[drewwoodhouse]

Ok - some basic photos...

1) This is the LZ-554 - 55HP machine that I am likely to buy shortly:



2) This is a photo of the 40HP machine with a 4 in 1 loader from the same factory:


3) This is a photo of the single joystick. Note the bucket open/close function is control by de-pressing the button whilst pushing the joystick to the side:


I have plenty of other shots - please let me know if you are interested in something in particular.

Drew

[3RRL]

Hell, post them all with explanations of what the features are.
I can tell you right now the floorboard on my Kama 554 is riddled with shifter levers. Yours looks naked and clean. I get my pant cuffs caught on the levers every now and then. A small pain for me to get in and out.
What else do you have to show?
Rob-

[quikduk]

It looks cool. Wait a minute!!! You are only THINKING about buying it? OMG, delete him quick Rob/Larry/Scott!!! LOL ;D

Seriously though, I would make a new joystick or mount so you don't need gorilla arms to operate the FEL joystick like the nice happy Chinese fellow is doing. I used to have to r-e-a-c-h to the joystick but not anymore. Trust me, it makes using it MUCH more enjoyable.



Good luck and keep posting. ;D

[drewwoodhouse]

I am 'considering' only in that I have not yet signed the deal... I need a machine but could still source it from a different supplier.

I have some more photos - everyone seems to love them...

This is the 55HP:


The cabin area - also well populated with shifters...


The steering wheel and shuttle shift:


Seat:


These are the 40HP machines from the same factory with FEL:


The 40HP from the rear:



Extended FEL control arm is a great idea. Will have to look at it once the machine arrives.

Drew

[FLICK]

Nice ...

Do you mind me asking how much it'll cost you all up? (here in Aus)


Matthew.

[mariner]

Hi Drew,

From the looks of the photographs you posted, it looks like one real nice machine. Have you found any reports on the Luzhong LZ-554 tractor regardig durability, relibility etc. It certainly looks to be a nice trctor and is better appointed than my Jinma 554, for the most part. On the Jinma I have twin rear remotes and valving though.

I certainly like the looks of what I see in the photo's.

mariner

[quikduk]

The last pic shows a pair of rear remotes to the left of those "hoses" but what are the hoses for? The rear remotes have levers (paired) to the left of the seat.

I liked the horn button on the end of the shuttle shift lever and the 3-point has both position and draft.

All of this plus the 4-in-1 self-leveling FEL, canopy and a car-like appearance makes this look like a non-typical Chinese tractor.

I think it looks like a great choice!!!

If you get it, install a PTO shaft cover, add rear axle FEL braces, and brace the bottom of the lower 3-point lift arms both with some 1/2" plate steel and you should be good to go.

[drewwoodhouse]

Mariner - I have not heard any feedback from existing owners - although I have been in contact with two other Aussie blokes that have been to the factory and are happy with the build quality.


Quikduk - what are rear axle FEL braces?
- I have seen the very base models run the FEL off the rear remotes - this is not applicable to me but might be what is shown in that photo


I would also be interested if others have encountered problems with a FEL self-levelling system when pushing trees etc? I have been told that it is very easy to bend the top arms of the system when pushing heavy objects. I am currently getting the system but wonder if I should amend the order and stick to a more robust, basic FEL design?

Cheers,
Drew

[quikduk]

Drew:

Most Chinese tractors (not all) do not add braces from the rear Loader tower mounts (the ones that bolt to the engine/transmission bell housing) to the rear of the fender/ROPS support plate. These are critical in transferring loads from the loader to the rear of the tractor. If they aren't there, it is relatively easy to add them but maybe either yours will come with them or you could order it from the factory/dealer with them.

They are usually made out of very strong 1/2" thick steel plate/bar. Without these, you run the risk of breaking the tractor bell housing in half with heavy loader use or backhoe use. The bigger tractors are a LOT stronger but I would still want this added measure of safety as there are plenty of examples of USA spec and Chinese tractors broken in half.

Don't know about the self-leveling loader but Matthew (Flick), a member here from Australia has a 354 Dong Feng that has a self-leveling 4-in-1 loader so I am sure he will chime in when he reads these posts. I think Scott may also have a self-leveling loader on his 554 Jinma.

Good luck getting your tractor.

[bradblazer]

Are you sure that's the shuttle shifter by the steering wheel? It has a headlight dimmer and looks like a turn signal switch. I see three floor shifters and the differential lock is a heel pedal.
Nice looking tractor. The features and mechanical layout look similar to my KM554 but the cockpit is much snazzier. I seem to remember Chip posting pictures somewhere of an updated KM554 that had a similar cockpit.

Brad

[FLICK]

Drew:
I would also be interested if others have encountered problems with a FEL self-levelling system when pushing trees etc? I have been told that it is very easy to bend the top arms of the system when pushing heavy objects.

I've given my DF-Hanmey SL-FEL a fairly hard time and haven't had any problems, and the one shown in your photos looks a LOT better built than my one

Generally if I'm pushing stumps over I open the bucket and push with the bottom edge of the back part of the bucket so most the weight would be on the main lower arms....

To be honest I can't really see the SL arms bending


Matthew.