I am building a new house and hope to move in by the end of the month. I have 5 acres and they are all clear. This means my tiny riding mower won't be able to do it in a timely manner. I plan to create 1-2 acres of meadow grass or wild flowers to cut back on the mowing. They will also look nice. Does anyone have experience with Yanmar tractors? These are a grey market Japanese brand that I've read great things about. I am thinking about getting a front bucket for a lot of the landscaping I plan to do. In the long-term I want to be able to disc, mow, and scrape so I'm thinking one of these 20-26 hp diesel tractors would do well. Any other tractors I should consider? I'm looking at the Yanmar because of the price compared to other new and used brands.
Compact tractors
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An N would be an excellent choice. Simple design, easy to repair. My family owned several N models as well as a 1953 OHV model, I think it was called the Jubilee model???, And a Fordson Major Diesel.
As a teenager, I overhauled 2 of them by myself.
It comes down to service in my mind. Initial purchase price is not so important as being able to keep it running easily. The N-series FORD is pretty cool, and there are enthusiasts nationwide. I can imagine that there are plenty on the East Coast as well as all the accessories you'd need.
I'd look into some known "cast iron" reliability before I bought new.
Let us know what happens.
I'd look into some known "cast iron" reliability before I bought new.
Let us know what happens.
You can find low-hour used Japanese tractors for a very nice price. The Yanmars are as good as any other in their price range.
The tractors are bought in Japan. Due to the tax laws there, the farmers buy new tractors quite often. They are shipped to Vietnam for refurbishment. Then imported into the US.
I looked into these tractors. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one. I think you cannot go wrong with one of these for your 5 acres.
The tractors are bought in Japan. Due to the tax laws there, the farmers buy new tractors quite often. They are shipped to Vietnam for refurbishment. Then imported into the US.
I looked into these tractors. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one. I think you cannot go wrong with one of these for your 5 acres.
First, identify who will fix the tractor you are going to buy, unless you are exceptionally wrenchy. Mechanic or dealer relationships are important if you need parts or repairs quickly. Second, Parts supply is also an issue for many grey markets. Third, talk to the guys at tractorbynet.com They are the compact tractor guys and well experienced in all aspects of purchasing/servicing/work arounds for grey market parts issues, etc.
Thanks for the replies. I'm wrenchy enought to tackle most repairs short of complete rebuild. I also have a guy with a shop near me that builds his own hydraulic equipment and fixes just about anything.
Jaycee: I researched the Yanmars pretty good and you DO NOT want the Vietnam rebuilds. They are fixed just enough to run and painted. They have a very bad track record. I found that the ones that aren't shipped directly to the US are the ones shipped to Vietnam. I have located a couple dealers that only buy direct from Japan and they only buy the top rated ones.
Jay: I believe tractorbynet is where I did a lot of reading and found a couple well respected dealers within driving distance. They can get most any part for the tractors.
Jaycee: I researched the Yanmars pretty good and you DO NOT want the Vietnam rebuilds. They are fixed just enough to run and painted. They have a very bad track record. I found that the ones that aren't shipped directly to the US are the ones shipped to Vietnam. I have located a couple dealers that only buy direct from Japan and they only buy the top rated ones.
Jay: I believe tractorbynet is where I did a lot of reading and found a couple well respected dealers within driving distance. They can get most any part for the tractors.
I found a parts supplier and shop nearby that can supply and work on the Yanmar as well as Mitsubishis. This makes me feel better as I don't want to be left hanging if there is something I can't troubleshoot.
No tractor guys here? What if I asked why type of oil to run?
No tractor guys here? What if I asked why type of oil to run?
I've owned 3 different models of Yanmars. I sold them and purchased a Kubota from Carver Equipment Co. in Dunn, N.C. An excellent company to deal with.
I have two cousins that have the YM1700 models. Easy to work on, fairly easy to get parts, and economical to operate. They use Shell Rotella 15W40 in theirs. The fellow we purchased ours from gets his from the Japanese rebuilders. He's located in Charlotte, N.C. I have his number if you wish to contact him.
I have two cousins that have the YM1700 models. Easy to work on, fairly easy to get parts, and economical to operate. They use Shell Rotella 15W40 in theirs. The fellow we purchased ours from gets his from the Japanese rebuilders. He's located in Charlotte, N.C. I have his number if you wish to contact him.
doubleclutch: Why did you sell yours? Just wanted something more modern?
I would like the information on the Charlotte guy. I've been talking to someone in Ohio but he is a couple extra hours further from me than Charlotte is. I might be able to pick it up in person and save the shipping if I went to Charlotte.
I would like the information on the Charlotte guy. I've been talking to someone in Ohio but he is a couple extra hours further from me than Charlotte is. I might be able to pick it up in person and save the shipping if I went to Charlotte.
I sold the first tractor I purchased from him. Then purchased another, and I wasn't quite satisfied with it because I had my eye on another one but didn't have the funds. When I got my money together, I traded the one I had back to him along with the money needed to get the one I had my eye on, then sold it! The ones we purchased needed minor things like bolts tightened, replace a couple of damaged grease fittings, one was missing a fuel cap gasket, and one was missing the wiring for the fuel tank guage. I was able to find all the parts needed from Frederick's in Alabama. They are about 15 minutes from my Mother's place and I just go by and pick up what I need when I visit her.
I came across a good deal for a new tractor and decided to go with it. I haven't communicated with the fellow in Charlotte in a year or so, but, occasionally I'll see an ad in the N.C. Agriculture Review. I haven't seen an ad from him for Yanmars lately, though. His name is Ron McGraw, 704.547.1832. Since he advertises statewide, I'm sure he won't mind my listing his contact information here. Be prepared to talk a while, the fellow loves tractors! If you do go to his place, check out his collection of vintage John Deere tractors.
I came across a good deal for a new tractor and decided to go with it. I haven't communicated with the fellow in Charlotte in a year or so, but, occasionally I'll see an ad in the N.C. Agriculture Review. I haven't seen an ad from him for Yanmars lately, though. His name is Ron McGraw, 704.547.1832. Since he advertises statewide, I'm sure he won't mind my listing his contact information here. Be prepared to talk a while, the fellow loves tractors! If you do go to his place, check out his collection of vintage John Deere tractors.
drm7
Here is a link to my Webshots Albums. You are welcome to view all the albums if you wish, however, the Yanmar tractors are in the Misc. Album.
http://community.webshots.com/user/mikej117
Here is a link to my Webshots Albums. You are welcome to view all the albums if you wish, however, the Yanmar tractors are in the Misc. Album.
http://community.webshots.com/user/mikej117
Here is the link For Frederick's. Just look at all those tractors. They do not rebuild these, just put them together and test run them. They are dismantled so they can be shipped in large cargo containers. I have visited them several times and "nosed" around and observed the goings on in their shop. Frederick's does offer a 6 month guarantee though. You can order parts on-line or stop by in person. I would not hesitate to say he has a thousand tractors in that lot.
http://www.fredricksequipment.com/
There are several other places that offer parts and tractors. If you end up with one I'll gladly provide you with more businesses that offer Yanmar and other grey market tractor parts. I also have images of the tractors we purchased from Ron if you care to view them.
http://www.fredricksequipment.com/
There are several other places that offer parts and tractors. If you end up with one I'll gladly provide you with more businesses that offer Yanmar and other grey market tractor parts. I also have images of the tractors we purchased from Ron if you care to view them.
Drm7, in asking "No tractor guys here?", you called my bluff.
I strongly recommend that you consider a grey-market Mitsubishi or Satoh tractor if you're looking at Japanese equipment. They are quite rugged. Parts and support seem to be better than for many other "greys". For examples, getting parts for grey-market Kubotas and Hinomotos will be a major problem, as Kubota got an injunction to stop importation of greys under its name to the US, and the parent company that made Hinomotos (Toyosha) went out of business over 10 years ago.
Two parts dealers in particular reply frequently to requests for parts and troubleshooting on the busy Yahoo! forum for Mitsu and Satoh tractors:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mitsubi****ractors
One of the dealers is in Virginia in Roanoke, and a fine fellow he is.
I also compiled a general information and vendor list on these tractors that is available under "Files" in that group. You have to join and sign in first to access the file.
My opinion is that a newer Japanese diesel tractor is generally a better choice for most people in your situation than a 50+ year old American tractor. The Ford N series has a devoted following with plenty of support, but other older American tractors can present problems in that area (I speak as having had experience with an orphan Minneapolis-Moline model BF that nothing was available for). Keep in mind the age of these units and the disadvantages of gasoline-powered tractors, and the superiority of a '70s-'80s diesel becomes clear. You can work all day on a lot less fuel, you don't have carburetors, etc. Also, these days you'll pay as much for a decent Ford N as you would for a Japanese grey-market diesel.
Oh, by the way, diesel Mitsu tractors generally use 15W40 oil rated for diesel use just as you would expect, with a recommended change interval of 50 hours. On our circa 1980 Mitsu D2000 II with over 1400 hours, I change oil using Shell Rotella about twice as often since it takes me over a year to put 50 hours on it. I figured you BITOGers needed to know.
We look forward to seeing what you decide.
I strongly recommend that you consider a grey-market Mitsubishi or Satoh tractor if you're looking at Japanese equipment. They are quite rugged. Parts and support seem to be better than for many other "greys". For examples, getting parts for grey-market Kubotas and Hinomotos will be a major problem, as Kubota got an injunction to stop importation of greys under its name to the US, and the parent company that made Hinomotos (Toyosha) went out of business over 10 years ago.
Two parts dealers in particular reply frequently to requests for parts and troubleshooting on the busy Yahoo! forum for Mitsu and Satoh tractors:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mitsubi****ractors
One of the dealers is in Virginia in Roanoke, and a fine fellow he is.
I also compiled a general information and vendor list on these tractors that is available under "Files" in that group. You have to join and sign in first to access the file.
My opinion is that a newer Japanese diesel tractor is generally a better choice for most people in your situation than a 50+ year old American tractor. The Ford N series has a devoted following with plenty of support, but other older American tractors can present problems in that area (I speak as having had experience with an orphan Minneapolis-Moline model BF that nothing was available for). Keep in mind the age of these units and the disadvantages of gasoline-powered tractors, and the superiority of a '70s-'80s diesel becomes clear. You can work all day on a lot less fuel, you don't have carburetors, etc. Also, these days you'll pay as much for a decent Ford N as you would for a Japanese grey-market diesel.
Oh, by the way, diesel Mitsu tractors generally use 15W40 oil rated for diesel use just as you would expect, with a recommended change interval of 50 hours. On our circa 1980 Mitsu D2000 II with over 1400 hours, I change oil using Shell Rotella about twice as often since it takes me over a year to put 50 hours on it. I figured you BITOGers needed to know.
We look forward to seeing what you decide.
I'd look at a Kioti - they are Japanese and built very tough. However, IMO your best bet is to ask around at tractorbynet - your best responses will be ones that start with "Well, what are you going to do with it? Are you in a hilly region or mostly flat?" etc. It shows that somebody is trying to find you the /right/ tractor, not just /their/ tractor [brand]. I like Kioti because, even though I don't have one, when I was looking for one they ended up at the top of the list for what I was looking for. My father has a New Holland that he absolutely loves and I must say it's rather nicer than my father-in-law's John Deere's, *especially* in terms of "good design and engineering principles" (ie, hoses out of the way, less stuff to catch on, etc...).
BUT, I'm also kinda comparing apples and oranges, and things seem to change every couple of years anyway....
BUT, I'm also kinda comparing apples and oranges, and things seem to change every couple of years anyway....
ekrampitzjr: I found that guy in Roanoke. I actually called him. He said he can get Yanmar parts and will service them as well. Nice guy. Though, he specializes in Mitsubishi. I talked to him about finding a Mitsubishi and it appears that they are much harder to find. I have found several reputable dealers of Yanmars. Right now if I bought today it would be the Yanmar. In my research I'm finding what you said about the old American tractors to be true. I think the Yanmar fits the bill and the ones I'm looking at come with ROPS installed. Seems Yanmar owners use Shell Rotella too. Thanks for the information! I'm probably a month or more from doing anything. I have to get moved into my new place first.
drm7
I know you may not be ready to purchase yet, however, this may be of interest.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Yanmar-3000-36h...7QQihZ019QQcategoryZ91953QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
I know you may not be ready to purchase yet, however, this may be of interest.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Yanmar-3000-36h...7QQihZ019QQcategoryZ91953QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
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