New DF354 Purchase

[Dave]

I finally own an almost new (34hrs) DF354 with Townsunny FEL & BH. It took almost 1 1/2 yrs to get to this point and when the right deal came up, it didn't take long to make the decision. With the help of everyone on all the forums to get great info, I am happy and confident that the purchase was the right one. As with Steve's it has the Changchai 490BT engine without the air compressor for trailers etc., It has the 4 x 2 speed fully manual transmission that is extremely smooth shifting. Now for the fun stuff... the pics.

A few other notes.

FEL Control- Has Float & was told it has power beyond port

Rear- Dual Remotes - BH goes direct off tractor hydraulics

Has manifold preheat & glowplugs(not conected)
Question - Could I wire these to the preheat circut or too much load for the circut( haven't checked the fuse size yet)

Started easy at 0 C. A little trouble at -3 C. but with not block,pan or manifold heater yet. The battery may be a little weak as a quick jump and it turned right over.

Hydraulics after warmup worked without a problem.
Should they work with 32 weight fluid right away after startup or do you need the warmup?

I will have more comments/questions soon

A few things. I'm not sure all the reasons, but Mike at Denrain was selling these off at a great prices. He has a good parts supply and gave me many extras beyond just filters that will come in handy later. He was using it this summer but set everything up (FEL) and took a personal interest. If anyone is interested in the southern Ontario area, they should definitely contact him. He has one 354 similiar to mine and numerous new 254G2 with SS. I took his last BH (BK-6- 74" depth) and missed out on the larger BK-7.5(90" depth)
I have the parts manual for the DF354 but it is the slighty older (2005) design, not the newer design like Steve's. I am in need of the Operating manual including specs for fluid levels etc. and if possible the newer parts manual. I have the 254G2/304G2/354G2 manual but not the newer DF354. I have all the engine manuals so I'm ok there. Maybe Chip can help here. Is there a pdf. version available? His are the newer models.

If interested- the link to the Townsunny site
www.garden-farm.com/

Engine Website
www.changchai.com.cn/eng/productsduo_02.htm


Look forward to comments and ideas

Dave

[Artrac]

I'll take a look and see if I have a spare operator manual left. I think you will really like that tractor. I am really pleased with the performance and reliability compared to other Chinese brands I have experience with. The Changchai engine is the best starting diesel tactor engine I have ever sold. We have quite a few units in the field now and warranty issues have been minimal. I"ll stop because this is starting to sound like a commercial.... (I do have several in stock).

[3RRL]

Nice looking tractor ttttt, I even like the color !
When you say 4x2 tranny, is that the shuttle shift model? So you have 8 forward and 8 reverse like on my Kama then? Excellent for loader work.
How are the hydraulic valves on it, are they reliable and smooth? Looks like the rear remotes are set up nicely from the factory. Glad to see the Chinese tractors continuing to evolve into better machines from the factory.
Rob-

[linus69]

That`s a good looking tractor you got there Dave, I too like that color. That`s very low hrs, was it a dealer demo or did someone trade it in? Lot`s of luck with it.

Paul

[Dave]

Oct 26, 2008 6:03:57 GMT -5 Artrac said:

I'll take a look and see if I have a spare operator manual left. I think you will really like that tractor. I am really pleased with the performance and reliability compared to other Chinese brands I have experience with. The Changchai engine is the best starting diesel tactor engine I have ever sold. We have quite a few units in the field now and warranty issues have been minimal. I"ll stop because this is starting to sound like a commercial.... (I do have several in stock).

I would really appreciate the manual. There are not too many of the newer DF354's around and I guess the older manuals were sent so thats what I got. I don't know if major things have changed, but at the minimum the proper fluid capacities to start. I have all the proper engine manuals

No shuttle shift. The tranny is the basic 4 forward,1 reverse in hi and low range. It appears to operate very smoothly so far.

I was going to get a new one but in a yellow colour, he had the green on that he had been using over the summer and offered me less for it. I liked the green better plus it was broken in with no problems, so it seemed like the right choice

The hydraulics seem quite smooth. The loader goes full bottom to top in about 6-7 seconds in cold weather. I could feather it up and down to do a very careful lift of one end of my boat nicely. I'm going to change out the fluids and make sure I have AW32 in there. I'm not sure the size off the pumps but the main one seems to have the capacity. He had run a BH off the tractor hydraulics with no problems

Thanks Dave

[tractor]

Hello Alot-Of-T's,

Very nice looking tractor, I like the TownSunny loader, and the very large bucket, I miss the size my 4-in-1 is a lot smaller BUT I guess you cant have everything. I got the compressor as an extra bonus....
If you look on my pictures, you can see that I turned my wheels to the widest setting for best stability. It looks like you could widen yours.
Take care of your new toy.
Steve

[Dave]

Thanks for the comments . As the tranny and hydraulics have a common reservoir, are you using TDH or similiar for yours. The manual says an N46 combination oil, I assume it would be comparable to a good quality TDH. Chip suggested plumbing the FEL through the quick connect under the right floor panel that way eliminating the need to go through one of the rear remotes as mine is now. Is your's done that way? Just finished changing the engine oil and flushed and changed the coolant. The common reservoir oil looked good but will do that and the front drive in the spring in better warmer weather when the fluids will drain better. The bucket comes off/on easy with the quick system. I'll have to look into if it is common to any other North American attachment systems.

Dave

[tractor]

Yes, my FEL is connected under the right foot board, through the quick disconnects. I also thought that was the better way since the hoses do not get in the way and I still have 2 separate remote controlled points.
I am just about to change my oil in the tranny/hydraulic and will also look into what to use. I'll possibly wait until spring. Will not use it much during the winter.

[Dave]

Thanks
Will probably change that in the spring as well plus a few other things

Dave