Buying a refurbed tractor

[stormpetrel]

I bought it from someone who bought from LMTC........four or five years ago, and then worked it for hundreds of hours. I then worked it HARD, and didn't know it was overheating (the light never came on) from vegetable matter clogging the radiator. I only have to learn THAT once!!!:laughing::laughing::laughing: So...sorry, not really much of a "gotcha!", is it?

I don't know how thoroughly the tractors from LMTC are done over; but I talked extensively w/RCO. Theirs are gone over very thoroughly, and then dynoed. The report comes with the machine. If :laughing:I'd a had the money to spend, I woulda bought one from them. Or from LMTC, for that matter. That one year guarantee is some serious peace of mind, in my mind.

 

[clemsonfor]

I bought it from someone who bought from LMTC........four or five years ago, and then worked it for hundreds of hours. I then worked it HARD, and didn't know it was overheating (the light never came on) from vegetable matter clogging the radiator. I only have to learn THAT once!!!:laughing::laughing::laughing: So...sorry, not really much of a "gotcha!", is it?

I don't know how thoroughly the tractors from LMTC are done over; but I talked extensively w/RCO. Theirs are gone over very thoroughly, and then dynoed. The report comes with the machine. If :laughing:I'd a had the money to spend, I woulda bought one from them. Or from LMTC, for that matter. That one year guarantee is some serious peace of mind, in my mind.

Not really trying to have a gottcha, just proving my point. Your case was operator error, not really a fail in my opinion.

Another thing on that warrenty, thats great but in your case if you bought a tractor from Texas all that would help would be parts, cause you cant really cost efectivly get a tractor to texas. This would be something for the buyer to consider. If he were in NE and the tractor had a catistrafic failure it would prolly be just as cheap to pay someone local the labor to fix vs shipping it to and from texas.

Again not trying to "gotcha" on anyone or say that LMTC sells junk, i was just trying to prove what i was saying about a machine and failure.

 

[Scotty Dive]

Figured I give a status on my hunt for a tractor and what I have found out. I spoke to Fredericks and they sound like they do a real thorough reburbing. Everything is inspected, all new seals, new tires, new seat, new muffler and most if not all engines are rebuilt. The PTO is then dyno'd under severe load and reinspected and new compression taken. 1 year warranty where in my case they would send me the parts. If it was something catastrophic they would come and get it and ship back to them. Plus they are all brought up to UTDA standards for safety. There is some wiggle room on their pricing. He mentioned that LMTC is a reputable dealer as well- he mentioned this because Ohio is closer to me and might save me money on shipping if I went this route. I left a message for LMTC, but its looks like from their website that they are dealing with a sick family member and are selling through their existing inventory for the time being.

I have seen two 1500D's for sale in the northeast. The owners say they came from a refurber in GA. Both with under 50 hours. I am not sure who is refurbing these but they do have the V1 loaders and no ROPS - so I can only assume they are not through Fredericks. IDEALLY, I would like to find a Fredericks machine that made its way up north and is being resold. Is there a way to tell a Fredericks machines from the others?

 

[clemsonfor]

Figured I give a status on my hunt for a tractor and what I have found out. I spoke to Fredericks and they sound like they do a real thorough reburbing. Everything is inspected, all new seals, new tires, new seat, new muffler and most if not all engines are rebuilt. The PTO is then dyno'd under severe load and reinspected and new compression taken. 1 year warranty where in my case they would send me the parts. If it was something catastrophic they would come and get it and ship back to them. Plus they are all brought up to UTDA standards for safety. There is some wiggle room on their pricing. He mentioned that LMTC is a dealer through them - he mentioned this because Ohio is closer to me and might save me money on shipping if I went this route. I left a message for LMTC, but its looks like from their website that they are dealing with a sick family member and are selling through their existing inventory for the time being.

I have seen two 1500D's for sale in the northeast. The owners say they came from a refurber in GA. Both with under 50 hours. I am not sure who is refurbing these but they do have the V1 loaders and no ROPS - so I can only assume they are not through Fredericks or their dealers. IDEALLY, I would like to find a Fredericks machine that made its way up north and is being resold. Is there a way to tell a Fredericks machines from the others?

Spoke to Spalding Tractors with the same story - they are a dealer of Fredericks. Again....getting something like this shipped up to Ct is problematic and blows my budget.

The ones with V1 or V2 loaders are 99% most likely a VN machine. You can always have someone who some how bought or traded for a V1 loader fron a VN dealer and installed it on a Fredricks or original unmolested Jappaneese tractor, the loader is not something to be afraid of its a piece of steel with hydros, its just an identifying characteristic of a VN machine. Bulldog is also a VN rebuilders loader. There are 2 big VN dealers who import here and then sell to these smaller guys one uses V2 loaders the other Bulldog. I know VN Tractor (the company) has a huge lot in ATL GA with hundreds of tractors on it, and i think they are V2 loaders but not positive.

Why dont you look at manihandra's or Kotis or older JD's in the 20-25 hp range, i see them for sale all the time in the same price range as the Yanmars for what they want for the loader models. It will take longer maybe to find one but it seems most yannmars are located here in the south.

On CL i see yanmars for sale all the time for $2500-3000 for non VN ones, no loader of course.

 

[Car Doc]

Just my 2c but you are probably buying these from a salesman and most likely not the guy who actually did the work on them a huge spread of facts possible between the two.

I personally wouldn't go hog wild over everything RCO tells you their end product may tell a different story at least in my case it does.

At a little less than 100 hrs I was pulling the cyl head off my nice little YM3810D and having it surfaced because it was warped .007" which who ever they had working on it flat missed.

I believe it was going bad when it landed in my driveway because I never could seem to keep coolant in it at the proper level I was adding a small amount constantly.

It just always was off a little for no apparent reason, it had the wrong cap on it and the tubing from the radiator to the bottle was leaking all things that cause the overflow bottle level to be erratic nothing cleared it up totally until I had the head surfaced and replaced the head gasket.

I had called Staurt before I tore it down once I proved the gasket was bad and told him it sure was disappointing to already be doing major work on it.

I acknowledged the fact I had bought a used tractor but had every reason to believe it would last me a lifetime before doing anything to it they flat out said it too these Yanmars are the best out there, and I believe that's the truth however the guy doing the work can foul up the whole works.

That was the last I heard from them. I fixed the tractor and went on my way no offer to give me parts nothing from them out of sight out of mind.

Granted it was out of warranty they gave a 6mo parts and labor warranty and they are a long ways away from me, it has other leakage issues that I believe were cleaned around and painted over also.

I knew I would be doing all the work on it that it would need but 100 hrs come on!!! It cost me a couple hundred bucks and it was easy to work on but it is the principal that bug's me sorry for the rant but this thread hits home with me so adding food for thought for the next guy.

 

[stormpetrel]

Just my 2c but you are probably buying these from a salesman and most likely not the guy who actually did the work on them a huge spread of facts possible between the two.

I personally wouldn't go hog wild over everything RCO tells you their end product may tell a different story at least in my case it does.

At a little less than 100 hrs I was pulling the cyl head off my nice little YM3810D and having it surfaced because it was warped .007" which who ever they had working on it flat missed.

I believe it was going bad when it landed in my driveway because I never could seem to keep coolant in it at the proper level I was adding a small amount constantly.

It just always was off a little for no apparent reason, it had the wrong cap on it and the tubing from the radiator to the bottle was leaking all things that cause the overflow bottle level to be erratic nothing cleared it up totally until I had the head surfaced and replaced the head gasket.

I had called Staurt before I tore it down once I proved the gasket was bad and told him it sure was disappointing to already be doing major work on it.

I acknowledged the fact I had bought a used tractor but had every reason to believe it would last me a lifetime before doing anything to it they flat out said it too these Yanmars are the best out there, and I believe that's the truth however the guy doing the work can foul up the whole works.

That was the last I heard from them. I fixed the tractor and went on my way no offer to give me parts nothing from them out of sight out of mind.

Granted it was out of warranty they gave a 6mo parts and labor warranty and they are a long ways away from me, it has other leakage issues that I believe were cleaned around and painted over also.

I knew I would be doing all the work on it that it would need but 100 hrs come on!!! It cost me a couple hundred bucks and it was easy to work on but it is the principal that bug's me sorry for the rant but this thread hits home with me so adding food for thought for the next guy.

Was this before they sold U.S. refurbs? They used to sell VN tractors, but have since stopped.

 

[careyo63]

VN 1 is not far from me at all and only about 5min. From the Wifey's work. They are on P.tree Ind. in Norcross Ga.. I tried to deal with them for parts. What a Joke and gave up. I ended up making a list and decided to purchase a Tiller. Ended up well worth the drive over to Fredricks in Al. Sure enough while I was at the parts counter VN1 called ordering parts. Another employee was dealing with them and we was just listening waiting for them to bring and load up the Tiller. They was ordering for a Ym1500 I believe that was Worn Slap out from all the parts ordered. IMO. they would have been better off selling it for Junk or parting it out. We was laughing:laughing: Now that I have owned a Yanmar for a few Yrs. and hearing the stories about the Vn's and possibly having one from my brief dealings I would have to say there probably mostly true.

Carey

 

[Car Doc]

Was this before they sold U.S. refurbs? They used to sell VN tractors, but have since stopped.

Not as far as I was told or am aware of anyway its got a Koyker loader and all.

I was told they were buying the premium tractors vs the junk straight from Japan not Viet Nam and being done now at their shop because they admitted having trouble with the VN recons fwtw.

I had asked about that before hand and they were pretty certain about their quality control now doing it in house fwtw.

This tractor was bought in early May 09.

And please don't get me wrong It is what I would still call a very nice to excellent condition tractor for being 30 years old considering the conditions it must have been operated under however don't misrepresent it to me about how good of a rebuild it is!

If I would have been told there was a slight leak here and there or a little wear in this or that I can live with that its the truth that goes a long ways with me but washing things off and painting it calling it rebuilt well that's just wrong imho.

The guy who built the engine must have been blind or simply dumb the valves weren't ground either I did that myself and the liners weren't replaced either like I was told, they were in good condition and didn't need replacing but there in lies the problems I am talking about.....told one thing see another.

I rebuild and repair cars and trucks for a living I can see right thru it you take shortcuts it will ALWAYS come back and bite you in the arse.

Another thing this tractor is my baby and has a pretty easy life now when its at the house my wife's car sits outside that's just how it is otherwise when its at the shop its inside always.

 

[kenmac]

He mentioned that LMTC is a reputable dealer as well- he mentioned this because Ohio is closer to me and might save me money on shipping if I went this route.

My 3110D with PS was hard to locate
If Fredricks had not been close to me. I would have bought from Wayne

No BS. Wayne tell's it like it is

 

[YanmarFever]

Wayne at Little Miami is an honest dealer, and he will sell you a grade A Yanmar, not only that, but he will stand behind the warranty.

 

[Scotty Dive]

I spoke to Fredericks and LMTC and feel both are quite reputable and stand behind thier products. Just wish they were closer.

 

[clemsonfor]

I spoke to Fredericks and LMTC and feel both are quite reputable and stand behind thier products. Just wish they were closer.

This is why i would just tell you to think if another tractor will work i would go with something else. By the time you ship it to you you have no advantage. I personally really wanted a ford 2000 or something that size american. But the fact that my property (acerage) is 3 hours from my full time residence, where i will keep the tractor mostly, to avoid theft issues. I wanted to take it to my house to till the garden and if i wanted to help buddies with their foodplots local to the house in return for hunting rights. The fact that i was going to transport across the state several times a year potentially was the reason i wanted to get a yanmar, they are light and are capable of real work of a larger tractor and use less fuel doing it. This was the sole factor, my tow vehicle is a 1980 chevy k10, the trailer tractor and implements are a load alone, this is with the yanmar, an old heavy ford 2000 or 8n would weigh 1000-1500lbs more and really make the trip unsafe and really tax my old truck. This was the reason i went with the yanmar. I am saying this and pointing out my reason for getting one, you may have a similar reason, i dont know. But if i was in an area where i could not get them i would look at others before i would pay $500+ dollars to ship one to my area.

Again if i lived on my property i could have purchased a 2000 or 3000 deisel ford for close to what i have in my yanmar if not a little less, but again i would not move that tractor around like i do this one. These old american tractors are similar horse power but will pull more due to weight and traction, again they are what farmed america into the 70's.

 

[Scotty Dive]

Thanks clemsonfor......I am in no hurry - one will turn up in my neck of the woods.

 

[tsterkel]

Just my 2c but you are probably buying these from a salesman and most likely not the guy who actually did the work on them a huge spread of facts possible between the two.

I personally wouldn't go hog wild over everything RCO tells you their end product may tell a different story at least in my case it does. ...
I had called Staurt before I tore it down once I proved the gasket was bad and told him it sure was disappointing to already be doing major work on it.
...

That was the last I heard from them. I fixed the tractor and went on my way no offer to give me parts nothing from them out of sight out of mind.

Granted it was out of warranty they gave a 6mo parts and labor warranty and they are a long ways away from me, it has other leakage issues that I believe were cleaned around and painted over also.

I knew I would be doing all the work on it that it would need but 100 hrs come on!!! It cost me a couple hundred bucks and it was easy to work on but it is the principal that bug's me sorry for the rant but this thread hits home with me so adding food for thought for the next guy.

Same experience with RCO's care and communication. I will not provide details, as the board admins are removing negative comments about RCO. However, Google "cache" never sleeps, never forgets.

 

[Car Doc]

Well this is just my personal feelings but in the retail/service industries some people/businesses are better off just buying @ wholesale and re-selling a new product that is manufactured and warranted by someone else and skim the top 10% or so off the top to survive and hope they can sell a lot of product. jmho

The ones that buy raw materials low and "add value" to sell high very often over estimate the value they impart on the product unless they have exceptional skill very good service after the sale and decent market share and good repeat business paint is cheap and readily available to anyone regardless of skill level. ymmv

 

[Coldwater]

Thanks clemsonfor......I am in no hurry - one will turn up in my neck of the woods.

just email me i will give you a price. Ray

 

[clemsonfor]

just email me i will give you a price. Ray

Am i crazy or did i just read this about an hour or 2 ago and it said $6500 for a 17 hp tractor with loader and ROPS and PTO sheild with less than 800 hours? Then had his website to look at. Maybe this was a different post i read it on, casue this guy has posted to a bunch of stuff lately about how he can get and ship tracotrs.

 

[Scotty Dive]

Not sure what is happening....There are many posts now missing.


I am interested in if these are refurbed, and if so what is done, warranty, are these grade A tractors...and Does anyone have one of these loaders? Quality, parts, performance?

 

[winston1]

I don't believe dealers are suppose to make deals on here. Violates the rules.

 

[clemsonfor]

I don't believe dealers are suppose to make deals on here. Violates the rules.

This makes sense. But if that is the rule how can Ken Sweet ID name SweetTractors always put what he has for sale and the price. He always jumps in on posts say about tilers and says he has a new hawk line 60" tiller for $1495 + shipping. Heck he even starts a bunch of threads on some new refurbashed piece of equiptment that he is trying to sell!!

Maybe its cause he is a paid advertiser so they tollerate it from him??