Garden tractors? At a cross roads, need some other heads to bounce ideas with

[Yander]

You need something like this with a 3pt. hitch and a belly mower to get you by until you can get the money to fix the big tractor. This won't let you down, and it isn't a throw away tractor either. It is about a half hour or 45 minutes from you. He may take less since it has been for sale a minute.

 

[Yander]

I found a TYM dealer in state. I have an appointment with them tomorrow mid day, but they're clear on the other side of the state. Off to Kubota Monday. We'll see where things go.

There is a Yanmar dealer in Marion, Ohio, now, and one in Mt. Vernon. I've bought tractors off both of them. The YT359 punches way above its proverbial belt (engine HP). You should drive over to Mt. Vernon, a much more knowledgeable dealer than Marion, and ask for Dwaine. He will then explain why you should stop looking at Kubota and buy a Yanmar. Do look at TYM, but before you buy anything, look at Yanmar. I have the SA425, and we just purchased the YT347c for the farm. It is an exceptional tractor, and I've only got 4 hours on it, I can tell you that.

The iHMT transmission is like driving a car, but it has the characteristics of a gear tractor: it is a shuttle-shift with clutchless drivability. It has a clutch, but you don't need to use it.

If I'm remembering correctly, we got the YT347 for around $45k, with a cab. You're not getting into a comparable Kubota, JD, or Massey for that price. Those are the only three tractors that I think compare to Yanmar in build quality. The TYM is a good tractor for the money, but I disagree with the guys on here who think it is as good as a Japanese tractor. It just isn't there yet IMO.

I priced a TYM back in the summer and they wanted $35k for the equivalent cab model as our YT347. Yes, 10k less but it isn't as nice a tractor. We were paying extra for the Yanmar reputation, warranty, and the iHMT transmission.

I will say, I would by the TYM over a Kubota or JD, not because I think it is a better tractor, but because I think the value is better. If Yanmar hadn't had the iHMT transmission, we would have ended up with the TYM.

 

[FlyFishn]

I spent some time at the Kubota dealer this afternoon again. I took our brush hog and rear blade. We did not unload them, but I am hoping as we get a bit closer before going through with a deal we can hook the brush hog up and verify it will run OK on which ever we go with - those being the B2601 and LX2620. I was hoping for that today but we didn't have time. They seem confident either machine will run it, I want to prove it and know for sure.

Either way we go, as far as machine set up, everything is available - its just a matter of the parts all transferring (what they dont have at this location) and the shop plumbing the hydraulics. That shouldn't take more than 2-3 business days Id say.

 

[FlyFishn]

I will say, I would by the TYM over a Kubota or JD, not because I think it is a better tractor, but because I think the value is better. If Yanmar hadn't had the iHMT transmission, we would have ended up with the TYM.

Where we are at a snag with TYM is the financing. The manufacturer financing won't cover implements, essentially. And we need loader attachments off the bat - 3ord function for the loader might be able to be in their financing, but a grapple, forks, 3pt adapter, etc would have to be a separate deal. That is too hard for us to do right now.

Kubota is very patient. I can't express that point enough. We're in a tough spot and the dealer is very good to us as we're working through this. That is worth a lot right there - and having them, essentially, down the street when we need them in the future.

 

[airbiscuit]

FWIW, I had a John Deere 850 (PTO 22 hp) that ran a 5' rough cut mower just fine. Ditto for a 5' or 6' rear blade.

 

[airbiscuit]

LX 2610 5' rough cut mower

 

[airbiscuit]

 

[FlyFishn]

Its looking like the LX2620 is what we're going to go with. I won't get in to much of the detail here, but that's the direction we're headed now. In short, by the numbers I can't justify not going that direction - everything is a notch "bigger" for not much more. Deck, loader, engine, chassis - all a bit bigger/stronger.

 

[airbiscuit]

That is a great decision! You are going to have a smile for months.

 

[Carl_NH]

Excellent choice - glad you decided on the LX and bigger machine.