TYM T494H or Yanmar YT347

[Sawyer Rob]

The Kukje is a Cummins A series with a couple small changes. Cummins sold them the rights. The A series was originally made by Onan, then Cummins bought it. Some people will argue that it's not a real Cummins engine, but they seem to be pretty reliable so it kinda does not matter.

I believe that engine was "originally" a Kohler design, then handed down and had design changes along the way.

It originally was a "wet sleeve" engine and it's too bad they didn't keep that design!

SR

 

[Williy]

This is what I found on kukje:

Kukje was founded in 1968 as Korea Agricultural Machinery Co., and changed its name in 1978 to Kukje Machinery Co. In 1980, Kukje signed a technological agreement with Yanmar of Japan. In addition, Kukje has manufactured/distributed some John Deere tractors since 1987.

Info on diesel engines:

Why Kukje Diesel Tractor Engines Are In a Class All Their Own

Everything You Need to Know About Kukje Diesel Tractor Engines and What Makes Them So Excellent

www.teamtractor.com

willy

 

[aaarneson]

This is what I found on kukje:

Kukje was founded in 1968 as Korea Agricultural Machinery Co., and changed its name in 1978 to Kukje Machinery Co. In 1980, Kukje signed a technological agreement with Yanmar of Japan. In addition, Kukje has manufactured/distributed some John Deere tractors since 1987.

Info on diesel engines:

Why Kukje Diesel Tractor Engines Are In a Class All Their Own

Everything You Need to Know About Kukje Diesel Tractor Engines and What Makes Them So Excellent

www.teamtractor.com

willy

Interestingly enough that link is the dealer I was talking to that no longer are carrying the TYM line due to lack of TYM customer/parts support....at least for the time being.

 

[careyo63]

Yanmar USA. being local to me here in Ga.. And rumor has it Yanmar sales are doing extremely well. My guess the TYM., Cub cudet etc. will still have Parts Available but are focusing more on a direct line of Yanmar tractors and now Equipment. The line of ATV. is starting to rank up there with the tractors. Very nice!

 

[ptsg]

Interestingly enough, TYM just opened a big new campus in Bloomsburg, where they plan to store parts, tractors, service training and more.

TYM North America Opens Northeast Campus in Bloomsburg, USA, Utilizing Strategic Hub

<ul> <li><strong>Securing a Foothold in the Northeastern US to Expand Market Share in North America's Largest Compact Tractor Market</strong></li> <li><strong>Improvements in logistics efficiency through rapid parts service, timely assembly, production, and supply of products, resulting in...

tym.world

They also announced some sort of partnership with Yanmar a couple months back where they would supply tractors to Yanmar.

TYM signs ODM agreement with Yanmar America, to begin supplying tractors in 2023

<strong>- TYM and Yanmar to offer a more diversified and expanded product lineup with all-new 37 and 74 hp tractors.</strong> <strong>- TYM plans to actively respond to customer needs in North America by supplying products that meet higher standards</strong> <strong>- The mutually beneficial...

tym.world

And some sort of partnership with Iseki as well.

TYM celebrates the 50th anniversary of its technology partnership with Japan's leading agricultural machinery company ‘ISEKI.’

<ul> <li><strong>Promotions to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the technology partnership with ISEKI, one of the three major agricultural machinery companies in Japan</strong></li> <li><strong>Global brand limited-edition watches and luxury folding carts will be given when purchasing ISEKI...

tym.world

Yanmar does makes good tractors, no doubt, but I feel their main focus is more towards construction equipment rather than agricultural equipment. In my country, we have access to amount of tractors sold per brand and their most popular sold model. With Yanmar, I can count with all my 25 fingers the amount of tractors they sold in a year.

Regarding TYM? I'm more fond of the former Branson built models. Just overall better built, heavier duty build all around, sturdier controls, and more. What will happen in the future with these models after TYM merging? I don't know. At one point they will release new tractors, probably combining the best of both brands.

 

[fishhead]

I really like the YT series and may in fact buy one but One thing I don't like is that they are normally aspirated ( as is the T494 from what I could find). I am only at 3500 ft and would probably see a 10% power loss, at 7000 it would likely be double)
A turbo loses about 1% per thousand, NA about 3%.
If my numbers are wrong, someone please correct me.

I also would look at the ex-Branson tractors- the xx20 series. Along with the build they have a 4 range transmission which folks seem to love. They are supposed to be a tiny bit more austere. I have read that a regen helps in cold climates.The comparable one to the T494 is the 4820, which is also NA. Moving up to the 5520 gets you a turbo.

Just for fun I did some quick and dirty math using 1%/1000 loss and 3%/1000 loss.

T494 pto hp 37.2 becomes 29 at 7000ft
4820 pto hp 38.4 becomes 30 at 7000ft
5520 pto hp 44 becomes 41 at 7000ft

 

[rumwrks]

The comparable one to the T494 is the 4820, which is also NA. Moving up to the 5520 gets you a turbo.

The Branson 4815 is closer to the T474 than the 4820 is, the 4820 is more comparable to the T494 and the 5520 is closer to the T574. All have the same engine with the 5520 and T754 being the turbo version. The xx20 series and T5xx series are the heavier 6' wide chassis while the xx15 and T574/494 series are the smaller lighter 5' wide chassis (number approximate there..). The T494 and T574 share a lot of the front end with the T474 but they made it wider so there's a lot more leverage on it and the wheels on that T series are held on with just a circ clip, a number of the T494/T574 machines seem to have lost their front wheels while in operation as a result. The xx15 and xx20 machines use actual nuts to hold things together and don't seem to have the same failures.

The most common complaint I've seen on all of these is sloppy assembly, tighten everything and maybe add a little blue locktite. Some of the components are annoying on the xx20 (the pin on the loader seems to interfere with the hydraulics so a lot of folks either pull the grab handle off or replace the pin with a shoulder bolt & nut). Overall I have seen very few complains on the xx20's after some months of reading on them.

Tym does seem to be making a decent push into the US market. I admit to being a touch concerned about Yanmar's commitment (past performance no indication of future .. so fingers crossed.. they are nice machines). Years ago I had a grey market YM1500D and it was a very nice little machine, the older ones I reckon have a lot of historical parts availability just because so many grey market ones came in.

I have a 5520H on order to compliment my "big lawn mower" tractor (a little B2601), time will tell if that was a wise decision or not. I had a line on a moderately used L4740 that I'm still second guessing myself if I should have bought instead but I go skeeze vibes from the seller so.. I also priced out a new MX5400 and... yikes... In some ways the Branson is actually a nicer tractor (in how it's outfitted) compared to the MX, and the rear end actually looked beefier, the proof is of course in the pudding (and material quality and weld and fitment... which I won't know for sure until I've had more time on the machine).

 

[Torvy]

I think you are confused. I have a T574 and studied these in some detail. The T494 and 4820 are the non-turbo versions of the T574 and 5520.

The T474 is closer to the 15 series. Focus on the weight of the machines. The T494/574 have a larger front end than the T474. They have similar design, but not the same.

Go to TYM website. The 474/15 models are series 2.

The 494/574/xx20 models are series 3.

The T754 is series 4 and uses a Deutz engine. Significantly bigger than the T574/5520.

The 474, 494, 4820, 5520 and 574 all use basically the same engine. 48HP non-turbo or the 55 HP turbo version.

No T595 exists.

The xx20 is a little heavier duty, but has fewer features standard than the T494/574. Both are great tractors.

 

[fishhead]

I've read some postings citing dealers dropping TYM due to warranty support and parts avail.
Are these major concerns or just local issues?
Anybody heard anything about turbos coming to the YT series?

Thanks

 

[Tractorable]

Hadn’t heard anything about Yanmar moving towards turbo’s. Looks like they make power the old fashioned way with displacement. However, the Yanmar engines in quite a few John Deere’s are turbocharged. Go figure.

 

[2515R Dude]

You can buy anything as long as it is not TYM!!!!!!!!!!! If i was smart then as i'm now, i would not go closer than 10 miles to the TYM/Branson dealership! Not enough it is POS in terms of quality, the parts are 5-10 times more expensive(and they are proud of it) but if it is not enough, the biggest problem you can buy parts at the dealership only!
The current owner of TYM tractor(formerly Branson) !

 

[flyingace43]

I am looking between these two tractors.

I have about 35 acres in SW Colorado at 7500' elevation. Forested land a bit rugged with Ponderosa and pinyon/juniper. Will be mainly using it for brush hogging gambel oak, 700' driveway maintenance, maybe some snow moving...

I like the idea of less electronics in the kukje motor but like the more established yanmar...Any issues with either of these? Pros and cons? Both dealers by the property are very small and non-dedicated(meaning they do other type business other than tractors).

Would like to hear from owners of either, or even owners of other tractors of these manufacturers.

If anyone has owned or used both these machines even better.

Thanks

Well I have owned 3 JD tractors and 1 case and now I have the Yanmar YT347 with a cab and it seems that the TYM is a nice machine but you need to remember that for a long time Yanmar built most of the John Deere compact tractors so they are pretty good at building tractors. As far as the IHMT is concerned it is by far the best transmission out there and overall the Yanmar is probably the best tractor available in that size and I am lucky to have a great dealer about 30 miles away. Also just had a friend buy a YT347 open station a few months ago and he is very happy with his also. Yanmar not only builds engines for Deere and TYM the new LS tractors are also using Yanmar engines so I highly recommend buying the Yanmar.

 

[2manyrocks]

If you are thinking about buying a specific model, you can use the TBN search feature to find other discussions about that model. Sometimes there have been pretty good discussions about particular tractors in the past that have valuable opinions, but members either don't have the time to respond to new threads or don't post for whatever reason.

Have no personal experience with TYM or the particular Yanmar you are considering, but I've owned a Yanmar 226d for a very long time that has been a very reliable machine.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

I've only had my Branson 4820 for two years... But so far it does all it's supposed to. It basically runs at 2500 RPM, 90% of its life doing tillage.

 

[rScotty]

I really like the YT series and may in fact buy one but One thing I don't like is that they are normally aspirated ( as is the T494 from what I could find). I am only at 3500 ft and would probably see a 10% power loss, at 7000 it would likely be double)
A turbo loses about 1% per thousand, NA about 3%.
If my numbers are wrong, someone please correct me.

I also would look at the ex-Branson tractors- the xx20 series. Along with the build they have a 4 range transmission which folks seem to love. They are supposed to be a tiny bit more austere. I have read that a regen helps in cold climates.The comparable one to the T494 is the 4820, which is also NA. Moving up to the 5520 gets you a turbo.

Just for fun I did some quick and dirty math using 1%/1000 loss and 3%/1000 loss.

T494 pto hp 37.2 becomes 29 at 7000ft
4820 pto hp 38.4 becomes 30 at 7000ft
5520 pto hp 44 becomes 41 at 7000ft

I live at 7000+ feet and have had tractors for 50 years. There is a lot of misinformation about turbos.
Right now some of our tractors and cars have turbos and others don't .

Yes, those numbers are real, but they don't tell you the real story because those are max HP at wide open throttle. Most of us don't run any machine wide open.

So if you are working at anything less than wide open throttle, the the other way to increase HP at high altitude is to just increase the RPMs you are working at. Open the throttle 10% for the same result without all the noise, wear, and inefficiency.

Frankly, I rarely work my tractor with the throttle wide open anyway. Very rarely does a job absolutely require full throttle to do. About the only time I really use full throttle is when I'm in top road gear on the paved road, going to town for fuel, come to a long uphill, and am too lazy to downshift. Tractors tend to be overgeared in road gear anyway. If I have to use full throttle for working, I should have bought more engine displacement hp to start with.

So I'd say buy enough HP that you have HP & throttle to spare, and then whether the engine makes that spare HP with a turbo or through extra displacement or by a combination of the two doesn't matter.

rScotty

 

[aaarneson]

Thank you for all of the input...it is helpful. I think now I am leaning towards the Yanmar.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Thank you for all of the input...it is helpful. I think now I am leaning towards the Yanmar.

They are solid units.

 

[aaarneson]

You can buy anything as long as it is not TYM!!!!!!!!!!! If i was smart then as i'm now, i would not go closer than 10 miles to the TYM/Branson dealership! Not enough it is POS in terms of quality, the parts are 5-10 times more expensive(and they are proud of it) but if it is not enough, the biggest problem you can buy parts at the dealership only!
The current owner of TYM tractor(formerly Branson) !

Wow...That is too bad. That is what I want to avoid.

 

[Canuckz]

I looked at both and I went with the Yanmar YT359c. I would have chose the YT347 but they sold the last cab one so I got the only YT359c my dealer has left. I absolutely love the I-HMT transmission and have zero regrets about my choice. I spent months and months looking at different tractors. I am very happy with my decision and I will probably get a YT235 open station in the future as well.

 

[JeepHead]

I stopped and looked at two YT347's this weekend and they are a very solid looking tractor.