European website Europard

[traktorz]

There is a European site for the Foton tractors:
www.europard.com

Here I see that the FT404 uses a 3105 / SL engine from Fuijan Lijia.

What confues me a bit, is that given the same name, Europard 404, the engine of the tractor sold in Sweden is a 4-cylinder type, as opposite to the 2026 ccm / 3-cyl mentioned on this Polish site.

Should there be of any concern, whether equipped with a three- or four-cylinder diesel engine?

I've recently visited the Swedish distributor for the Foton tractors, looking at the FT404 equipped with the front loader.
The 4-cyl engine started quickly, and I both liked what I heard and saw.

[3RRL]

Welcome traktorz,
You shouldn't have any problems with either the 3 or 4 cylinder diesel.
Having said that, is there a way you can compare engine specifications side by side from the manufacturer or a website? You could then compare a couple of important things to consider.

-Which engine makes peak horsepower at lower rpms?
-Which engine uses less fuel at peak horsepower?
-At what engine rpm does the peak torque arrive?
-Is the PTO horsepower the same?
-Which engine makes the tractor heavier?

I have a 4 cylinder and it is VERY good on fuel consumption with lots of power.
I have heard the 3 cylinder diesels are balanced better than 4 cylinders and "might" run smoother. The 4 cylinders need a sort of counter balance whereas the 3 cylinder is naturally balanced due to it's design. So there are pros and cons I suppose.

Personally, I would choose the engine that gives the most horsepower and torque at the least rpm as number one concern. This what you don't want to be short of when you need it. Having it at lower rpm is a plus for engine longevity and fuel consumption. I would rate the better fuel consumption and PTO horsepower as number two. I would make getting the heavier tractor (for better traction) the least concern of the list, but is nevertheless a factor in overall performance.
Good luck and let us know the result of the comparison please.
Rob-

[traktorz]

May 17, 2009 21:45:14 GMT -5 3RRL said:

Welcome traktorz,
You shouldn't have any problems with either the 3 or 4 cylinder diesel.
...
Good luck and let us know the result of the comparison please.
Rob-

Thanks for the welcome!

Well, I suppose it's like ordering a T-Ford, most items are given and not many options exists.

Nevertheless, we actually ordered a new silver coloured Foton Europard FT404 tractor today, it wasn't a tough decision after seeing the tractor in real life last week.

Was a little hesitating what front loader bucket to chose, either the recommended 150cm wide or the 180cm wide. We did choose the wider one, for the purpose of having the bucket wider than the rear wheel total spacing, which is 160cm. That will ease the snow moving jobs in winter times.

Ideally, since our neighbours are using the TRIMA SMS implement hooks, we were a bit concerned over that the front loader was equipped with the other of the two dominant standards, here the Euro implement hooks. Maybe, we should start looking for an adapter between these two, but not yet? First, we need to get acquainted with what we just ordered.

Considering I bougt a new motorcycle last year, I found that the engine breaking in period was quite regulated, with limits on revolution until certain mileage/kilometers. Also using a various load on the engine and gearbox, cycling the power and let it cool down, letting the engine run smooth without applying heavy load on low gears. I'm curious to see what breaking in instructions this new diesel tractor engine and transmission requires?

[bracabric]

Good luck and welcome Traktorz, we have the Europard here in Chile and they are very well spoken of, especially the larger ones . They generally seem better made and finished than my Jinma 354.
I have the three cylinder engine and agree with everything Rob has said, it's very smooth indeed !!and also very economical.
Dick

[traktorz]

During the first half year, the Foton tractors have been selling quite well in Sweden, and is on the 8th position in the sales list numbers. Compared to Jinma, Foton is selling more both in units and also in money (Foton imports larger tractors than the Jinma models).

John Deere selling more for the first time, overtaking Valtra, and Foton as a runner up on the 8th position.

[GuglioLS]

Interesting statistics.

I would like to see a Lamborghini! Is it aerodynamic, hugg the corners and does it go 200 KPH?

OK well I had to look it up:

www.lamborghini-tractors.com/ITALY/it-IT/defaultit.html

Larry

[bracabric]

Lamborghini made Tractors before they made performance cars ! They wanted to expand their engineering business (which was more than just Tractors then) and chose the sports car business as a way to expand.
I understand that their Tractors are much better now, but remember a friend in the '70s saying "they would not pull the skin off a rice pudding"
Dick