Can a Yanmar compare....

[Lions_TX]

It don't matter were you get a tractor from .You better check it real good and if you get it out of state you need to tell ever who is bring it not to be in a hurry . So you can run it for and hour with something behind it. these tractors are old , Don't care if they come from a dealer on here or not . You need to check it out good. A friend of mind got a yanmar and it was wore out.Started to fall apart with in 4 hour after he got it.It had new paint a ROPS it look good but that was all there was to it.He had to get a attorney to get his money back.Then Len Shaffer who ever he is . sold him a Yanmar it was not a pretty tractor it did not have new paint on it .But it was as solid as a Rock. So you can get a bad one from any were .and Yanmar is as good as you can get .its like any thing that is old you don't know what was done to it before you got it and no one dose.

Thanks for the feed back Gizmo, its well apreciated and duley noted and seems to apply to wherever and whatever tractor i eventually buy. Like i have said, i am really hoping to by in my area so i can try before i buy. I really have a dislike for attorneys in general, had too many experiences with the bad ones i guess so i really hope to avoid that and would much rather buy a tractor "as is" then pump my self up with expectations and get let down. Your closing statements are a good reality check.

Thanks again.
Lions

 

[Lions_TX]

Here is another issue of concern, it is my understanding that in the places these tractors are originally used they are used under a co-op system.

Not used by a co-op, bought from Yanmar and sold by a co-op new to farmers.

Danny

Thanks for the clarification Danny. Its hard to sift through the information and misinformation available and to seperate the two sometimes.

Thanks again.
Lions

 

[Lions_TX]

Even new tractors require maintenance and upkeep!!!!!!

I agree and fully expect that. All machines eventually have a crititcal failure too.

I guess it comes down to parts availability and support, even if the parts and support are from outside sources.

Thanks.
Lions

 

[Lions_TX]

Good luck Lions. By the way, my personal yannie is a 2000 that didnt look great but has give me several good seasons with only minor issues. I wouldn't touch a viet rebuild for all the tea in texas.........

Thanks for the vote of confidence and the luck. Your post instilled in me the need to get a bit educated in operation. I have added to my list to visit with the couple of rancers i know and see if i can get some time from them to show me how to operate. My time on tractors is limited. Your tractor sounds very close to exactly like the kind i need, i hope i can find one locally.

Thanks for the heads up.
Lions

 

[Fug1000]

I'm a tractor noob, I admit it. Fact is I'm probably the greenest greenhorn here, even more so than you Lions and you don't even own a tractor yet.
However, at least you have considered buying something used and working on it yourself. No way that would work for me.
I have a lot to learn, I am the first to admit it so I knew for my first tractor I had to go with new and I had to have that warranty and that dealer support.
Seriously, 2 months ago I thought an MMM was a chocolate candy.

Also like you, after what seemed like weeks of reading and comparing and eBaying and reading and reading some more, I decided I had to drive something... something new and as it turns out, something ORANGE!

Too bad that little bota you tried didn't have a warranty. What was it's specs? hours? price? Did u like it?

Whatever you choose, you gots to get behind that wheel and try her out 1st.


I think you know that now though so all I can say is, GOOD HUNTING!!!

oh and GO ORANGE!

 

[Lions_TX]

Hi California.
I think the whole concept of buying a first tractor with limited experience is a venture into the unkown. I have not looked into new warranties but i do know that sometimes they only cover parts and as such, no matter what option i choose, it seems wise to keep some cash stashed just in case. I'm unsure if the lemon law here covers new "heavy equiptment", something i will add to my list, to check into that.

I dont want to find myself in a horror story. I dont want to expect unreasonable things from any one i buy from and i certainly dont want to aid others into smearing a seller by opening the door for others to do so. My personal opinion was that specific situation appeared to be a set up right from the start. I personally will not drag any seller out onto a public message board no matter if my experience is good, bad, or neutral. That is very wrong in my opinion and those who gang up are twice as bad. I would just as soon buy the old 8n up the road for $1200 then get involved with what has been referred to by others as the "soap opera" syndrome. I'm here to get info on buying and mabe eventually troubleshooting/repairing, a tractor, not help pump up or bring down any seller.

On that note, i will ensure that i have all the needed manuals for whatever tractor i get so that either i, or the mechanic i eventually find will have the needed recources from the start. After thinking about it and my location, i am sure there are many reputable diesel mechanics in my area or surrounding areas that would love to have my money if and when the need arises. I am also sure that one of the larger parts dealers are not too far (in terms of Texas distances that is) from here. I'm also pretty sure for a case of beer or two, i should be able to get some one very knowledgeable of tractors in general to take a look at any machine i wish to purchase.

I dont think i am suspicious, cautious i am for sure. Besides i also have to eventually justify to my own higher command a major, minor purchase that will take a chunk out of the budget. Even after answering the who, what, why, when, and where, i still suffer the fate of the disection of each answer i come up with that lead to the whole questioning process starting over.

As i think i said, this is my (our) first ever purchase, unless if you consider the used lawn tractor i presently have. I got lucky with it, as so far its only needed a battery and currently needs new front tires,ummm and a sping tune up. It has mowed my front acre+ several+ times and short of needing the new tires has provided me excellent results. But i know, useing it basically as a brush hog is taking its toll quickly.

After all the negative feed back on chineese tractors, for now i will stick to thier food and dishware. Goes to show what a few peoples words can do for a sellers/companys reputation. I think for me it is wise not to buy a tractor that has less then a 15 year history in the US.


I do appreciate your candidness. And oh, for the record, yes i did know the answer to my sending a mechanic question. It was intended to be silly. Just as silly as buying a tractor i have never seen or touched. I might as well bid on one on ebay from the guy in Nigeria who will hold it for 5 grand.

Thanks for the feed back, its well taken and apreciated.
Lions

 

[Lions_TX]

You don't have any one in your area that is a mechanic ( independents that work on any tractors, diesels ) ? Even the deere dealer here will work on yanmars if I supply them with the parts. The Mahindra dealer near me sells/ works on yanmars. Seems that any mechanic with general working knowledge of tractors would work on any tractor if they could get parts.

Actually after thinking about it and my area i am sure i can get mechanical help and as i said in a previous post i am sure there are parts to be had around. The JD dealer here had nothing but green on his lot and mostly large equiptment. He didnt seem starved for work and probably is very reputable with the JD owners in his area. The day i was there i did see a couple of subcompacts but wasnt really looking then, i was there with a friend looking for a use 2 bottom plow. I am pretty sure they were out of my budget though. I had asked about working on a Ford, i might as well have told a good joke. Nothing but green. I guess its like some refuseing to work on the Viet rebuilds or others Yanmars.

Thanks for the feed back.
Lions

 

[Lions_TX]

I'm a tractor noob, I admit it. Fact is I'm probably the greenest greenhorn here, even more so than you Lions and you don't even own a tractor yet.

Well its good to know i am not the only green one here. I'm green to the board, green to the Texas area and green to tractors, it dont get much greener then that. I am learning that i have a lot to learn too. New, used, who knows, i have been looking at Yanmar for a while now. MMM's arent candy? hehehee... I hear that. I still get lost at times with the letter abbreviations. I'm just gonna keep reading and looking. I am sure sooner or later i will find something, the right thing. Orange? Hay Zenoh are orange i think!

The little kabota was a B7200. It was $2999 i think, i dont recall the hours but it was quite a few i am sure. I didnt really look to closely at it, i kinda got blinded by all the nice shiney blue ones around. Mabe i should give it a second look.

Thanks for the input and congrats on the new tractor.
Lions

 

[Jagmandave]

Lions TX,
When I bought my 1602D I had never owned or driven a tractor of any sort. I bought mine used from a neighbor of a friend of mine soley on his recomendation that it was a good brand of tractor to buy, as he had one. The big difference was that his was a US version and mine turned out to be a grey market. I did no research at all, talk about blind faith! I've had it 5 years now, and I don't use it as much as I did at first, it still starts easily and runs perfectly. I've had no mechanical issues at all. I did do some basic maint work (oil, air filter, top off fluids, grease job etc) as I had been told it was serviced regularly and found otherwise.
I would heartily recommend a used Yanmar to anyone, but stress the same caveats as the others, buy from someone you trust, buy the best tractor you can afford, be prepared to do some service work, and then use it and enjoy it and don't worry about it.............

 

[greatrandini]

Lions, I don't really get your math. I think you will find that gray market tractors are cheaper then comparable non gray market tractors. I found they were even cheaper then new chinese tractors. I have no problem with chinese tractors but they are no john deere, kubota, new holland, yanmar etc... Some of these kubotas are grays also, even some fords are. You need to do your math. I don't know what model tractor you are looking at but $11,000.00 should buy a heck of a lot of used gray market Yanmar......
Yanmar is going to build the new Cub Cadets now. If you want a new Yanmar wait just a bit and get a Cub Cadet but bring your wallet. Cub cadets have been made by the daedong (kioti) lately but now they are going to be Yanmars. I got a 26 hp tractor with a loader and new brush hog for under $6000.00 It is 2 wheel drive and has a power shift trans. It has been a few years ago but at that time my math said go for it.......

 

[phatgemi]

Lions, I have been rereading the posts, trying to convince myself that you actually need a tractor. I may be wrong but just in my humble, you are not yanmar material. I never saw listed what your requirements for a tractor were. What are you actually going to do with it?? I saw where you think you need a 19-24 HP, fwd and probably a loader. And on another thread I believe you said you have 3 or so acres. So what jobs are you actually going to do with your tractor??? I still think you would be better off buying something from you local dealer where you can be covered 100% support wise. You would be happier in the long run. Lighter in the wallet, but happier. Good luckl.

 

[Lions_TX]

What are you actually going to do with it?? So what jobs are you actually going to do with your tractor???

First of all thanks to everyone who replied i appreciate the feedback. Thanks for the honesty, thats why i ask questions.

FEL:The first task i would use a tractor for is to help me to clear and rough level a 1600 foot fence line and to clear a spot for a small barn. I have an earth tank thats about a 1/4 acre +or- in size that needs to be filled with an earth berm that surrounds it. I need to remove alot of small trees and pop out rotted stumps. I have a wet weather creek/sloth that has light erosion that needs to be filled and leveled to slow and stabalize the flow. I have several piles of dumped shingles out on the back acre that need to be put into a dumpster. There are also a couple of burn pits back there that need to be cleaned out and back filled. Eventually it will also be used to help move and stack small bales.

Blade or box blade: I need to maintain the 600 foot gravel and dirt drive. I will use it to level planting beds and general leveling of high spots.

Brush hog: The ride on mower i have was not designed to mow what i have as it is grass mixed with oak shooters, the mower can handle a very limited amount of what needs to be mowed, even a light duty brush mower would be much better then what i have now.

Tiller: Presently i have about 100 x 4 feet of garden space, that is now doubleing, by next year that will double again, more once i get a tiller. Over all of my lot is sand in in dire need of having organic matter added and turned in. I will also use the tiller in areas to bring some of the oak shooters into check if its feasible.

I have another run of fence line to clear of brush about 500 feet long. I need to lengthen the driveway about 200 feet to the present barn/garage and perhaps beyond to the back of the property eventually. I may eventually get something to get deep and break up the subsoil. I may eventually get a rake to help harvest leaves, sticks and other organic matter. I am also thinking of some type of utility trailer to help move various meterials like compost and dirt around.

I did think about a post hole drill but at this point i can dig my corners and mains supports in by hand and i plan on using t-post for the majority of my lines. I thought about a back hoe but for what its worth its more cost effective to sub that out or rent a machine when i am ready for heavy stump removal. I thought about a cement mixer but again i realized it would not be cost effective once figureing all factors. A ditch digger would be nice but that too would be cheaper to rent once i am ready to move my main water line and set up better water distribution, but i am sure the loader and blade will help make short of back filling.

I am establishing an organic micro farm/ranch. I already grow veggies and keep chickens. Soon i will have a couple of pens built so i can get a goat to help with the brush control in spots. Eventually once i have some larger areas fenced and a barn built i will get a calf or two. I suppose i could get a whole assortment of small tools like a tiller and a walk behind brush mower but the reality is i am not getting any younger and 3 and 1/2 acres it a pretty big size to be manually mowing. I could probably pay some one a few times a year to do my brush mowing and i am sure i can find someone to fill the pond but its about cost vs. what i end up with, availability and convienience.

Once the place is fully established i will build a slab framed house with a concrete safe room on the lot when i am sure i will think of a mess of ways to use the tractor. Presently i live in a double wide manufactured home.

So i hope that clarifies why i think i need a tractor. I dont think i need over 24hp and i dont really want anything smaller then 20hp but will settle for a little less as long as it can handle a small loader and decent brush mower efficiently for my purposes. So what do you think?

Thanks again.
Lions

 

[mark777]

I think you need a tractor. And one with every bit of 24 HP. including a minimum of 4WD, FEL and box-blade.

Mark

 

[vallyfarm]

oak is toxic to goats. Make sure those saplings are gone first. I'd be looking for a tractor at ltest 30-35 hp. From the sounds of your last post, you have quite a long list of heave jobs. A smaller tractor could do it, but like you said about your lawnmower, it couldnt do it for long. Just my thoughts, I would not go near a China tractor for you. They are made for light/homeowner use. If they are used easy thay may last, but youur list isnt easy. I have a lot of wrenching under my belt, I would be leaning towards a mid 50's to mid 60's tractor. These are almost bulletproof. If you can find a mechanic friend, that would be my route. 2wd would work for everything you've listed IF you go with a tractor with a little more weight/size/HP. The problem is the garden. You would want a creeper gear for rototilling, and few to none had that in older tractors of any size. I would lean towards a tractor of your original post for garden work, and a larger for chore work. If you tried to find one machine to do it all, I think you would find that it would do none of it well. Little more money for the extra tractor, but repairs on an overstressed machine can add up fast. So can planting on 5 ft row spacing in the garden instead of 3.5 ft. Almist all of my farm equip is 1953 or newer, and I run cows, goats, sheep, chickens, ducks, 3A of garden, raise my own grain and hay, and all with Farmall leter series tractors. Mike

 

[Lions_TX]

oak is toxic to goats. Make sure those saplings are gone first. I'd be looking for a tractor at ltest 30-35 hp.... Mike

Hi valleyfarm.
Thanks for the heads up on the goats. I did a little research and think i might have a few other toxic plants around. I was always under the impression that goats could eat just about anything, so much for believing everything you hear.
What jobs are what you think a smaller tractor couldnt handle? Mabe i could sub out some of the task. The fence line i have to clear is mostly clear and the tractor would just help speed the process along as i am pretty sure i could clear it by hand, but thats alot of work. As far as filling the tank, i planned on attacking it in small bites. I think at an hour or two a day, it would be mostly filled in a week or two.

Thanks again for the heads up and the input.
Lions

 

[Tractors4u]

Hi valleyfarm.
Thanks for the heads up on the goats. I did a little research and think i might have a few other toxic plants around. I was always under the impression that goats could eat just about anything, so much for believing everything you hear.

Thanks again for the heads up and the input.
Lions

I have never heard that oak was poisonous to goats before. I do know that wild cherry is, but only after the leaves have dried out. Supposedly as the leaves dry out there is some sort of chemical reaction. I have had goats for many years. If you want them to eat something, put a fence between it and the goat. It is like telling a child "no". They seem to always want what they can't have.