I'm thinking of buying one of the gray market used compact import tractors from SE Asia, but how can I solve the use limitations? Where are belly mowers available? It seems the wheel base of most is too short for a belly mower and there's no mid-pto. Additionally, the rice lug tires would really tear up lawn turf. If i try to replace them, turf tires would require new rims - if rims to fit could be found. Wouldn't I loose my original cost advantage in buying tires and rims? Where are loaders available? As these tractors were designed for rice paddy use, is the structure of the tractor strong enough to handle a loader? Many come with a roto-tiller attached, but will this tiller work in our US soils? What about tractor parts availability? Who carries parts? Do these imports with all sorts of far eastern names have close cousins that were marketed in the US under names we recognize? Of course there's Deere-Yanmar, Ford-Shibaura and a Kubota is a Kubota but what about the others? Any insight or experience would be appreciated. Thanks.
Gray Market Compacts?
- Thread starter lfnle
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Tractors4u
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You have asked for an encyclopedias worth of answers there. I would suggest looking in the grey market forum and use the search feature for certain things. Also check the Yanmar forum for many answers. Greys are not for everyone. Here are a few of my opinions. The tractors are not made any lighter for use in the rice patties. They are heavy enough for loaders, but what you do with the loader is another issue. Koyker, Kelly, Great Bend and Allied make brackets to adapt their loaders to many grey market models. You can break an American brand compact tractor with a loader if you don't know what you are doing. Tillers; the tillers work great in most American soils, but as with any tiller your mileage will vary. Rocky soil and soil with a lot of roots will impact performance. Mowers; Most people who buy these tractor use a rear mount finish mower. I have yet to see a mid PTO on a grey. There is one guy who frequents the Yanmar forum that put a front PTO on his Yanmar and runs a Yanmar belly mower on his little Yanmar. If my tractor were used only for mowing I would want a belly mower, but it is used for other task so I don't want the hassle of removing a belly mower or risk damaging the mower when using the tractor for other tasks. Turf tires; There are turfs that will fit the narrow wheels. As for tearing up your lawn. I used a Hinomoto 2304 4X4 that I believe was around the 2500 lb range for 2 years without damaging my lawn. I would suggest researching until you are sick of researching and you will discover that all the points have been touched on before. You will see solutions people have come up with. Like I said a before, a grey market tractor is not for everybody. In fact a tractor is not for everybody.
Soundguy
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Last message was good advice.
What you want is going to depend directly on what you want to do.
The tire issue has been gone over on some of the boards like crazy. It is a cost/benefit ratio for the traction vs turf damage. Many of the grey market tractors have more HP than their weight / tires make use of. Turfs compund that, but generally don't footprint lawns. If you pull in soft areas or need extra pulling power, ags, industrials, or the infamous rice tires are the way to go.
Another thing to think about the greys... If you get one, make sure you can turn a wrench, or have a mechanic or dealer that will work on it for you. Many american model dealers won't work on grey market tractors.
good luck!
Soundguy
What you want is going to depend directly on what you want to do.
The tire issue has been gone over on some of the boards like crazy. It is a cost/benefit ratio for the traction vs turf damage. Many of the grey market tractors have more HP than their weight / tires make use of. Turfs compund that, but generally don't footprint lawns. If you pull in soft areas or need extra pulling power, ags, industrials, or the infamous rice tires are the way to go.
Another thing to think about the greys... If you get one, make sure you can turn a wrench, or have a mechanic or dealer that will work on it for you. Many american model dealers won't work on grey market tractors.
good luck!
Soundguy
