John Deere and Yanmar

[foggy1111]

Actually that is a bit closer than you think. The EX2900/3200 machines are basically updated 790s. They may not be gear machines, but you can even see where the gear shift used to be. Other than the HST setup, the layout of the EX2900/3200 is the same as the 790/3005.

So....how many parts from this CC/Yanmar model (EX2900/3200) will interchange with the JD3032e/3038e or the 3005 ??? Seems to me they are getting pretty close to stepping on each others toes here....no?

Of course, as stated above....it's all about the tolerances.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

If JD does come out with an American made 3000 series tractor, I'll be trading in my trusty 4210 the next day.

Ummm...define "American Made"...the 3x20's are currently built in Georgia using "globaly sourced" components like every other product JD and the rest of corporate America builds.....
Me thinks you should be heading down to trade in your 4210

 

[Spudland_Dave]

If I had a need for a tractor smaller than the 4000 series that I currently own, I would also want a North-American engine. The one in my 4120 has been bulletproof in (4) years of hard use. If this pans out, then, good-riddence to them little rice-burners.

While I wouldnt mind having a PowerTech in my 3520, I will say that I love my Yanmar powered Deere's...I sleep very well at knight knowing that these "little rice-burners" are bulletproof on the long haul...I sure hope ANY engine regardless of origin lasts 4 years... I got 3700 hours on my F935 (3TN72 Rice Burner) with 3600 of those hours being on a Golf Course with hired hands running it...to this day that motor doenst burn a drop of oil and cranks up even in -40 degree weather no prob. Only thing thats been done to it are oil changes and air filter changes... I can rattle off a few more Yanmar powered JD's with high hours I know of with no problems..but you get the picture.

 

[wolc123]

Let me know how they go 60 years or so down the road. The 2 cylinder "JD powertech" in my 1950 model M still runs like a champ and has had very few troubles over the years. It was the first tractor on our farm, replacing a team of horses. At one time, it was grandad's only power on nearly 100 acres of crop land. It certainly has not had an easy life, yet works almost as good today on a 2-bottom plow or 1-row cultivators as it did when new.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Let me know how they go 60 years or so down the road. The 2 cylinder "JD powertech" in my 1950 model M still runs like a champ and has had very few troubles over the years. It was the first tractor on our farm, replacing a team of horses. At one time, it was grandad's only power on nearly 100 acres of crop land. It certainly has not had an easy life, yet works almost as good today on a 2-bottom plow or 1-row cultivators as it did when new.

Hard to compare those Johnny poppers to modern day engines, ALL of them old engines regardles of color lasted, but I agree, my FIL's 1956 430C still purrs like a new kitten...
On the flip side why dont we ask those guys with the STS Combines from a few years ago with Blown up Powertech's what they think......

 

[al4210]

I agree, everyone makes a bad product now and then. I think if you did a poll on which engine you would rather have in your JD tractor, i'm sure the Powertech would win. I wonder if there has been any negative press on the JD side. People saying why buy John Deere when you can get the same engine in a Cub Cadet for thousands less. NOT saying Yanmar makes a bad product at all. My 4210 has been flawless for the last 5 years. Remember it's not always the tolerances that make people buy, it's the advertising.

 

[jd670]

Wow... alot of commets on this question. Some a little heated it seems. It just goes to show how much we all love green no matter what engine it has. I'll admit, it would be nice to have an all American made 3000 series tractor, but today, that seems impossible. Yanmar or Powertec, they are both great engines. John Deere is still an American company and I will always and proudly have a John Deere tractor in my garage.

 

[weber farms]

"American" company, please explain what even that means anymore. I hear people say "american owned" but even that gets blurred when most other countries can buy John Deere stock just as we can buy Kubota or some other "foreign" stock.

 

[wolc123]

One thing is certain, if folks were asked to pick the tractor company that is the most "American", I think close to 100% would pick JD. Now if we went back 10 years or more there might be at least a close second. Most of us understand that all the rest of the American tractor companies (IH, Ford, MF, Allis Chalmers, Oliver, White, Case, MM, Hart-Parr, Advance Rumely, Silver King, etc.) have folded or at least sold out in part to foreign interests. Some of the names may still be around and some may even have mostly American ownership today, but none have the un-interuppted American ownership that sets JD in a class by themselves. It is reality that makes JD "American", not just perception as many owners of the other colors believe.

 

[TripleR]

Maybe alot of the younger generation feels this way. However, I have several relatives (mostly uncles) who fought in WW II and none of them will ever buy German or Japanese vehicles, tractors, etc. It's becoming increasingly difficult for them to adhere to that philosophy.

Well I am not in the "younger generation", I am in my sixties and my father and several uncles fought in WWII and many have had equipment/cars/trucks manufactured by "foreign" companies. "American" companies sell a lot of stuff to foreign countries too.

My dad was one of the first in this area to own a VW and he later owned several Nissans. When he died he had a Ford F150 and a Mazda pickup.

I can certainly understand why some people would prefer to "Buy American", but I spent too much money/down time on repairs and with low trade-in value to stay with that.

Thankfully, "American" car/truck quality has improved to the point to where people won't have to sacrifice reliability to "Buy American". I keep my trucks and cars a minimum of ten years, so I won't have to decide anyway soon.

 

[Rob-D]

TRipleR,
I'm in my sixties too and I drove VWs when I was a kid. This reminds me of the old engineer saw. I know engineers that won't design with one item or another. Tube guys who hate transistors and that kind of stuff. I did a lot of designing and have several patents. Good engineers use the best product they can get and that's how I designed.
I buy the best I can afford, there is no more 'American made'. I buy Deere because it is the best in my view and apparently they are doing well even in this economy. I'm retired but still get trade journals. Deere is always looking for engineers in EE Times an electronic engineering journal. I bought my Deere from an American dealer and that helps Americans just as buying a Kubota helps Americans. It's just the way of the world. Business is universal and if a company wants to remain competitive they have to keep in step with that...And before anyone asks, I am a vet.

 

[TripleR]

Rob-D,

Interesting post; my uncle who recently passed away and was an Engineer was pretty much the same way. He did a lot of defense work on missile and communications for the US and its allies, so I don't know much about what he did or his patents as they became the property of his employer. He was a mechanic and tinkerer who kept his American iron running just about indefinitely, but when his health made him stop, he never owned another one though he loved them. He could tell you about anything you wanted to know about his Chevy truck or Ford station wagon, but little to nothing about his foreign cars; never worked on them and never "got to know them".

This was a few years ago and like I said "American" cars have improved a lot.

In some sizes I prefer a Kubota and in some a John Deere; both good quality.

 

[sunnyside360]

Rob-D and TripleR, I am a retired computer development engineer (10 yrs retired and counting) and am of similar opinions as yours. I was always interested in using the best of materials and design in anything I developed because it was not only my nature but the way IBM wanted it done in their large computers where I spent my entire career. Small computers is another matter. I learned some of the best tricks of the trade while on a 3 year assignment in Germany working with German engineers (mid 70's). All of my patents, some of which are issued in other countrys, are owned by IBM. I've owned a number of German and Japanese cars and tractors so I have no hangups on buying what I feel is the best for my money but I do buy American when there is little or no difference.

On the other hand, I do have some uncles and should include my deceased father who were involved in heavy WW II combat and they will take their opinions to their graves. They let me know how they feel when I don't buy American products.

 

[jimgerken]

People talk a lot about tolerances being the factor defining engine lifespan. I agree tolerances are important. Metallurgy may be just as important, in my opinion. The Japanese have learned well what works and are the masters at combining proper metallurgy with close tolerances to produce the best engines available on Earth at this time.

 

[Rob-D]

Hi Jim,
I think it's more than metallurgy. The German's are pretty fancy with metal and Porsche was running pistons in coated aluminum in the 80's. Yes, metals count but I think the difference in engines is mostly tolerances today. The Germans and Japanese run a cutter until it reaches a specific wear point then it gets changed. We weren't doing that here (hopefully we have learned). Basically it's blueprinting each engine and with CNC today we should be getting better everything.
As for the Japanese, Toyota (cars I owned for years) have cut back on their quality control. The Camry is no longer top dog, a bad mistake in my view, and I hear the Fusion is a better car although I've never been a big fan of Consumer Reports repair records.
Me, I own a Subaru. It's made in the US (Indiana) runs great and gets through the snow really well. My truck is an old Ford 150. Still runs pretty good for what it is with 180k miles.
Best,
Rob

 

[TripleR]

I was reading a thread on another forum in which Cub Cadet is offering a Sc2400 Yanmar produced with dual pumps, one for the power steering and the other for FEL, 3 pt etc. Just wondering if Yanmar makes more than the engine for the JD CUT's.

 

[art]

jd actually bought two no name tractor companies for there new line -up of compacts one in china and one in india.

Neither have a presence out of there immediate area and their engines would not pass US emmisions which is why they are still using the Yanmars. That will change.

Tolerences, the metal and the design make a product work for long times. Drop anyone and the longevity is gone as well as possibly function.

As always advertising is like the pied piper! He who does the most, very well fools the most!

Most other manufacturers are happy with deere letting yanmar go as they made them a more reliable company. After all Yanmar is number two in the industry in the orient!

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

jd actually bought two no name tractor companies for there new line -up of compacts one in china and one in india.

This thread is amazing to me. Goes to show that Deere's great strength continues to be the way its marketed itself, and not really the product that it sells.