Help selecting right model for my application

MarkLeininger · Aug 17, 2004

I've been looking at Kubotas for about 6 months and finally decided to pursue a less expensive solution. There seem to be a large number of model numbers of Yanmars. I'd appreciate some help narrowing my search to those models in the right horsepower range and that have the best reputation and parts availability.

We have a 5 acre pasture, it's flat but not real smooth (west of Chicago about 30 miles). I mow it about once a week during growing season. We mow another acre around the house. I need a FEL for horse related stuff, not heavy just moving wood chips, manure, some dirt, carrying things in the bucket. I think power steering is important because my wife is small and she would be using this some of the time. It's not clear if we need 4WD. I've used a lot of larger tractors but have never used 2 cylinders, so I'm not sure if they're too rough, noisy, whatever, so maybe we need a 3 cylinder model. I have a Swisher 60" trail mower I pull behind the garden tractor and would want to continue to pull behind a RFM to get a wider cut (no trees). I also haven't seen any yanmars with turf tires. Are they not available?

Thanks for any input

blackd · Aug 17, 2004

Agree on the power steering if you are going to use a loader & your wife will also use it. Furthermore, you might look for a powershift instead of regular xmission. Not too many of the smaller grays have power steering (PS). You might find PS in the larger F series, FX30D. If you haven't figured out the model codes: F - model, X - Powershift, 30 - HP at PTO, and D - 4WD. In the Y series, YM2020D Powershift is usually defined with the 3 & 4 digit in the model # usually 10 or 20.

Darrell2 · Aug 18, 2004

Mark,
I use a Yanmar YM2310D 4-wheel drive for identical applications that you list. I would highly recommend the 4-wheel drive. The 27 (approximate) horsepower is very adequate for our needs including mowing 6 acres with a 5 foot Bush Hog and working a riding arena with a springtooth. My wife spends more time on it than I do when it comes to arena maintenance and Power Steering has never been an issue. Thats my 2 cents worth. Good luck in your search.
Darrell

MarkLeininger · Aug 18, 2004

Darrell
Does yours have turf tires? If not, do you use your lug tires on the lawn around the house and do they tear it up? Also do you happen to know what yours weighs?
thanks

Darrell2 · Aug 18, 2004

Mark,
I have the Ag or "Rice" tires on my Yanmar. I would not recommend them for more than occasional use on the lawn. If I drive mine on the lawn I take wide careful turns because the Ag tires WILL tear up the grass. There are a number of threads regarding changeover to turf tires. I think they were an option on the US market Yanmars. The 2310D weighs in the neighborhood of 2250-2300 lbs. I'm not familiar with the newer FX series etc. but one of those should work for you. The horsepower range of our Yanmar is a very good fit. Hope this helps.
Darrell
Darrell

F15DOWNER · Aug 18, 2004

I have an F15D and I had Hey wheel make me rims for mine and I put implement tires on for turf's. Not much traction but it doesn't tear up the joint and it was much cheaper for tires.
I think I paid $75 each for the rears (18") and $40 for the fronts.
If you don't match the rolling circumference on a 4WD it will cause drivetrain windup problems. Mine doesn't match but I don't use 4WD for mowing anyway.

Soundguy · Aug 18, 2004

I also agree.. 4wd and powersteering make a great combo on a loader tractor... or at least one of them at minimum

Turfs on a 4wd will require you to keep the same roling circumference and ratios.. so you may have to hunt for rims/tires. Not so difficult on 2wd.. but then again with a loader.. if you go 2wd.. DEFFINATELY get power steering.

Soundguy