Model Advice

[nova3930]

Been a while since i've been on TBN but needing some advice on a tractor. Been out of the tractor game for a while. I had a NH Boomer 50 when I first bought our property that I used with a flail mower to clear it out. When it got to be just grass mowing I sold it off to go buy a zero turn.

Now the wife is talking about wanting a rather sizable garden so I think another tractor is in order. Since if not for terrain and I-65 in the way I could walk 2 miles due east and hit Fredricks equipment I've been looking at the Yanmars. They seem to fit what I'm looking for in simple, reliable and cheap enough to pay cash. My skid steer also has a 3 cyl 33HP yanmar engine in it so I'm at least a little familiar with their engines.

Question is what model would best suit what I want to do. Mostly looking at using a tiller, bedder and cultivator although I have a notion of using a turning plow at some point maybe just for fun. My land is basically flat and well drained.

My initial inclination is a 2210 since they're listing a 2wd package with a tiller for $6300. Would that be adequate or would it make more sense to step up to something like the 2310 or 2420 with a little more power? Does 2wd make sense or should I spring for 4wd?

Any help is appreciated.

 

[CoyPatton]

My opinion:
If you plan to use a turning plow, you will need more HP and weight than you think you will. With the tiller and willingness to till multiple passes and directions I do not think you would have a need for a turning plow however. I have a 2002D and a 54” tiller (wide enough to till under my tread track), I have with multiple passes tilled ground that had been a yard for 20+ yrs to potting soil consistency.
I have a friend that has a 2wd 2210 and it is a great tractor and has lots of pulling power. The 2210 I think would make a great tractor, if its size matches your needs. If you go with 2wd and since you have planned use of ground engaging implements, I suggest fluid filled rear tires for increased traction.
I would also suggest 4x4 and a loader with your purchase. You will be amazed at the various uses you find for the loader.

 

[kenmac]

depending on the size of the plow, you may need more tractor weight.
I find my Kubota MX5100 is too light at times.

For this reason, I just bought a 105 HP tractor

I would look at one mahindra tractors they have at fredricks

 

[nova3930]

My opinion:
If you plan to use a turning plow, you will need more HP and weight than you think you will. With the tiller and willingness to till multiple passes and directions I do not think you would have a need for a turning plow however. I have a 2002D and a 54 tiller (wide enough to till under my tread track), I have with multiple passes tilled ground that had been a yard for 20+ yrs to potting soil consistency.

The plow is just a notion. It's not a prime requirement. All of our 16 acres was being farmed till we bought it and the back 10, where our garden spot would be still is, so it's not super compacted. I keep it leased to some farmers so they pay me not to mow

I have a friend that has a 2wd 2210 and it is a great tractor and has lots of pulling power. The 2210 I think would make a great tractor, if its size matches your needs. If you go with 2wd and since you have planned use of ground engaging implements, I suggest fluid filled rear tires for increased traction.

I was thinking I might have to go with fluid, but was going to do a try and see.

I would also suggest 4x4 and a loader with your purchase. You will be amazed at the various uses you find for the loader.

The 4x4 I'm open to but I have a skid steer with bucket, auger and forks so I don't really want to drop the $$$ on a loader. That's a lot of $$ for duplicate capability.

 

[nova3930]

depending on the size of the plow, you may need more tractor weight.
I find my Kubota MX5100 is too light at times.

For this reason, I just bought a 105 HP tractor

I am talking about a single bottom here in what I'd call light plowing. As I said about that's just a notion, not a requirement. If it won't work it's not a deal breaker.

I would look at one mahindra tractors they have at fredricks

I like the idea of the old international clone they sell but it's just more than I want to spend. Like I say if I stay in the $6-$7k range I can reasonably pay cash by the time I'm ready to buy. $10-$12k not so much. I'm just not interested in financing something that's a want and not a need.

 

[careyo63]

I drove from the East side of Atl. to pick this Tiller up from Fredricks. All my Yanmar equipment came from them or one of their supplied Dealers. I purchased it for my mothers garden. Which she's had one for many many yrs.. She up there in age And I'm not doing the walk behind from injury's. It worked really, really good!! Behind a 2wd. 24Hp. Ym2000 and I think the 2210 is 26Hp.?. The tiller is a RS1400. Last one they had so they may have one in better condition. No leveling wheels on this one is all but never had a need for them so all was good. And if I did need them they told me to keep in touch and they would let me know if they had them in. In the pic. 1st pass of the season and it's as low as it would go. Hard Ga. red clay soil and it went through it effortless.

 

[clemsonfor]

That 2210 will do all you want. It will pull a small single bottom with 2wd. Fluid filled tires helps. I have mine filled on my 2000. The larger ones would be nice as well, but is the added cost worth the marginal capability you would gain?

 

[careyo63]

I have the Org. Rice Patty rear tires. In the Pic. of my Prev. Reply. Still have them on it. The huge lugs Keep from having to Load the Rears. I even Relined them they work so well. The 2000 is my lawn mower. No problem with the Huge lugs and Honestly in my Opinion they worked better than a garden tractor/Lawnmower from Sears. The foot print is minimal and you just had to wait a day if the ground was saturated from rain. Which my hard soil came into play.................

 

[nova3930]

I drove from the East side of Atl. to pick this Tiller up from Fredricks. All my Yanmar equipment came from them or one of their supplied Dealers. I purchased it for my mothers garden. Which she's had one for many many yrs.. She up there in age And I'm not doing the walk behind from injury's. It worked really, really good!! Behind a 2wd. 24Hp. Ym2000 and I think the 2210 is 26Hp.?. The tiller is a RS1400. Last one they had so they may have one in better condition. No leveling wheels on this one is all but never had a need for them so all was good. And if I did need them they told me to keep in touch and they would let me know if they had them in. In the pic. 1st pass of the season and it's as low as it would go. Hard Ga. red clay soil and it went through it effortless.

I think the tiller they're offering is the del morino they show on the website but I'm not sure.

Yanmar Ym 221 For Sale in Decatur, AL - Equipment Trader

Yanmar Ym 231 For Sale in Decatur, AL - Equipment Trader

That 2210 will do all you want. It will pull a small single bottom with 2wd. Fluid filled tires helps. I have mine filled on my 2000. The larger ones would be nice as well, but is the added cost worth the marginal capability you would gain?

To your question, I'm not sure. I'm not experience enough in tractors to say. I think the 2210 is my current first choice, but they also have a 2620 for about $1300 more they'd probably make a +tiller deal with. 3 cylinders vs 2 cylinder, about 500lbs more, 8" wider, about a foot longer and +5hp. In terms of accomplishing work how does that compare?

Yanmar Ym 262 For Sale in Decatur, AL - Equipment Trader

 

[nova3930]

I have the Org. Rice Patty rear tires. In the Pic. of my Prev. Reply. Still have them on it. The huge lugs Keep from having to Load the Rears. I even Relined them they work so well. The 2000 is my lawn mower. No problem with the Huge lugs and Honestly in my Opinion they worked better than a garden tractor/Lawnmower from Sears. The foot print is minimal and you just had to wait a day if the ground was saturated from rain. Which my hard soil came into play.................

Yeah I plan on keeping the ag tires whatever I get. My soil is well drained and it will mostly be used in the field portion of it anyway.

 

[careyo63]

I gave Half the price than what there showing for the Del Morino . And that's the 48". The RS1400 I seen over the yrs. was only 200.00 more in perfect condition than the one I'm showing. No harm in asking if they have one. May not be able to get them anymore?. I see them all the time on CL. Cheap!! Fredricks sells the Tines for them and that's the only thing that wears out on it....

 

[California]

If you give up the idea of a turning plow then what Carey has will fit your needs. That 2210 will be similar and its Powershift is a huge advantage. For what you describe I don't see a reason to go wider and longer, that just makes turning in tight spaces more difficult.

All of these 20~30 hp Yanmars are designed, optimized, to push maximum hp to a relatively big rototiller. (and incidentally, are optimized for a big rotary mower). They don't have the native weight to give traction and pull a heavy ground engaging implement - plow etc. An old International or even an 8N are a lot heavier and were designed for that, it's a different 'personality'. You could ballast a Yanmar to get closer to that weight. But my experience with the yM240 (YM2000) was I could feel the weight slowing down uphill climbs in my orchard when I had my oversize rear tires fully loaded with water. I had to stop and shift a lot sooner. After I put the ROPS on it I was less concerned with a rollover so I reduced the water ballast, regaining noticeable performance.

A 54 inch Yanmar rototiller and a 5 ft rotary mower will work well on a 2210. I don't see a reason to pay more for a larger tractor, in the application you describe.

If you do decide on the larger 3-cylinder instead, those are smoother and quieter. If you test drive some alternatives at Fredricks you might decide that is an advantage worth paying more for. The 2000 and 2210 do make quite a racket - I call it the sound of raw power. ... and I prefer to use my YM186D instead when it will do the job equally well because I don't need hearing protection on that one.

 

[nova3930]

If you give up the idea of a turning plow then what Carey has will fit your needs. That 2210 will be similar and its Powershift is a huge advantage. For what you describe I don't see a reason to go wider and longer, that just makes turning in tight spaces more difficult.

All of these 20~30 hp Yanmars are designed, optimized, to push maximum hp to a relatively big rototiller. (and incidentally, are optimized for a big rotary mower). They don't have the native weight to give traction and pull a heavy ground engaging implement - plow etc. An old International or even an 8N are a lot heavier and were designed for that, it's a different 'personality'. You could ballast a Yanmar to get closer to that weight. But my experience with the yM240 (YM2000) was I could feel the weight slowing down uphill climbs in my orchard when I had my oversize rear tires fully loaded with water. I had to stop and shift a lot sooner. After I put the ROPS on it I was less concerned with a rollover so I reduced the water ballast, regaining noticeable performance.

A 54 inch Yanmar rototiller and a 5 ft rotary mower will work well on a 2210. I don't see a reason to pay more for a larger tractor, in the application you describe.

If you do decide on the larger 3-cylinder instead, those are smoother and quieter. If you test drive some alternatives at Fredricks you might decide that is an advantage worth paying more for. The 2000 and 2210 do make quite a racket - I call it the sound of raw power. ... and I prefer to use my YM186D instead when it will do the job equally well because I don't need hearing protection on that one.

Good info, thanks. I'll for sure do a test drive. Never pass up an opportunity to play with a toy

And I've seen plenty of older used ag tractors around here for about the same price range. Just saw a decent looking 1020 Deere with a 6 foot cutter for $5500. Not sure I want something that big though. For storage reasons if nothing else. Have a 24x40 poll barn now that's half filled with camper and another quarter with mower, atvs and a CNC lathe I'm going to refurb eventually.

The noise might be an issue. It doesn't bother me but I expect the wife may use it some as well and it could very well bother her.

 

[careyo63]

My 5' Fm. I run 2 gear PTO Since I use it pretty much Weekly during mowing season. 1800-1900 rpms Tops, so my noise is very low. Rear Discharge is by far the way go also. A lot less Hp. needed to use it. But I'm with you Nova3930 Noise doesn't bother me. I worked in the Printing and Graphics Ind. in a pressroom all my life pretty much since I was 17-18 yrs. old on Multi Mil. dollar printing machinery. The yanmar don't have anything on some of the pressrooms I worked in on 12Hr. shifts At least 1 Week a month. I was hurt yrs. ago And damaged one of my ear canals. Took them over 3yrs. to open and fix it. I had foam ear plugs I had to use while showering and that's what I used when mowing until they finished. Very easy to use and you could hardly tell they were in. Any Walmart Pharmacy has them.

 

[nova3930]

My 5' Fm. I run 2 gear PTO Since I use it pretty much Weekly during mowing season. 1800-1900 rpms Tops, so my noise is very low. Rear Discharge is by far the way go also. A lot less Hp. needed to use it. But I'm with you Nova3930 Noise doesn't bother me. I worked in the Printing and Graphics Ind. in a pressroom all my life pretty much since I was 17-18 yrs. old on Multi Mil. dollar printing machinery. The yanmar don't have anything on some of the pressrooms I worked in on 12Hr. shifts At least 1 Week a month. I was hurt yrs. ago And damaged one of my ear canals. Took them over 3yrs. to open and fix it. I had foam ear plugs I had to use while showering and that's what I used when mowing until they finished. Very easy to use and you could hardly tell they were in. Any Walmart Pharmacy has them.

I'm an avid rifle collector/shooter so I've got more earpro laying around than your average bear. I keep big packs of the foam plugs in addition to electronic muffs. Not planning on mowing with mine since I have the zero turn, well technically two zero turns since my wife's aunt brought hers when she moved in with us.

 

[careyo63]

We keep a Zero turn for my mother house about a 1/4 acre front yard. There great for confined spaces. If the grass is high your making multiple passes to get rid the row with being side Discharge. My brother keeps up with that I'm not going there. Beat me to death Literally!! I get him good when I cruise by him in the tallest grass making it look like he's sitting in a electric chair and they threw the switch. Only a couple yrs. old and paid like 6.G $ for it. He even laughs when I do it........

 

[nova3930]

We keep a Zero turn for my mother house about a 1/4 acre front yard. There great for confined spaces. If the grass is high your making multiple passes to get rid the row with being side Discharge. My brother keeps up with that I'm not going there. Beat me to death Literally!! I get him good when I cruise by him in the tallest grass making it look like he's sitting in a electric chair and they threw the switch. Only a couple yrs. old and paid like 6.G $ for it. He even laughs when I do it........

I maintain the area not under crop like lawn basically. Outside of exceptional circumstances it's never very tall. That and the Gravely 460 will absolutely fly. Mower will actually have more HP than the 2210 if I get it lol. I started out maintaining the place with a tractor and 6ft flail mower. I cut my mowing time almost in half switching to the 5ft zero turn. Now my nephew is living with us so I make him cut it once or twice a week for his room and board

 

[clemsonfor]

I maintain the area not under crop like lawn basically. Outside of exceptional circumstances it's never very tall. That and the Gravely 460 will absolutely fly. Mower will actually have more HP than the 2210 if I get it lol. I started out maintaining the place with a tractor and 6ft flail mower. I cut my mowing time almost in half switching to the 5ft zero turn. Now my nephew is living with us so I make him cut it once or twice a week for his room and board

But that tractor will bush hog or disk the same acres as that ZT mower useing half the fuel! And do so in stuff that would choke out the ZT or still leave stuff standing knee high if you were to try and cut it with ZT. And on the ZT you would be creeping around at 1mph to try and get it to cut in one pass.

 

[California]

... in stuff that would choke out the ZT

And mowing uphill, like this photo?

Nova here's an old thread (with photos) comparing mowing with Yanmar 18 hp that has Powershift, vs 24 hp MT. Same 4 ft rotary mower with both.

 

[nova3930]

But that tractor will bush hog or disk the same acres as that ZT mower useing half the fuel! And do so in stuff that would choke out the ZT or still leave stuff standing knee high if you were to try and cut it with ZT. And on the ZT you would be creeping around at 1mph to try and get it to cut in one pass.

I get you totally. The zt is a very specialized piece of equipment that does one thing really well, namely cut lawn type grass. The tractor can do more types of things and do heavier work.

I don't think you're getting my point though that I don't have any heavy grass like that and I'm not going to. The farmers spray the back 10 regularly as part of their operations and the front 6 is lawn grass. The added capability doesn't matter to me because I don't have that requirement. I just need to plant a garden