I need the truth....

[Anonymous Poster]

I've been looking to buy a tractor. By far the best deals are the "grey market". BUT I need some questions answered......PLEASE. 1. Whats the life expectancy say on a tractor with 1k hours on it? 2. When "year" were the majority of these tractors made? 3. How hard is it to find parts and support for them? 4. If the parts can be found how are the prices campaired to parts for "made for America" tractors? I had a Kubuta dealer tell me today its near impossible to find parts for the "grey" Kubuta's out there.

 

[Tractors4u]

Life expectancy? Typically these tractors will go 4000 or 5000 hours before they need the engine overhauled, new rings and such.
Year made? Most of the models out there are from the late 1970's up to the mid to late 1980's. I have a chart with the various year models but I don't have it on these computer. If you see an ad for a 1997 Yanmar, be skeptical. The 90's models of greys are very few and far between.
Parts support depends on the dealer you buy from. Now if you let your fingers do the typing you will find some via the internet pretty easily.
Price? It just depends on the brand of grey market tractor. Have you priced parts for a new Massey or Deere lately? They aren't cheap either.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I've found several dealers on the internet that claim to have any and all parts one might need. I also know that JD and MF parts are expensive BUT how are they compaired to Yanmar parts? I also know its pretty easy to go to the local MF or JD dealer and get the parts. I'd love to buy one of these grey tractors because of my budget. I'm doing on going research, so I don't spend $7-10k+ for something I won't be able to afford to fix if it breaks. I'd like to hear from owners, the truth be it good or bad. Thank you for the responce.

 

[pugdaddy]

I recently purchased a grey market yanmar(2420). Some observations based on my research and experience. I looked at over 100 tractors at over 10 dealers and spend hours online. First, I would buy from a legitimate dealer who has access to parts. I would stay away from the 'reconditioned" tractors especially those done overseas. Get one that shows legitimate use but care in maintenance. Yanmar seems to have the best parts availability and are great tractors. Hinomotos are great tractors also but I was concerned with their parts availabilty. I selected a model that had a close crossover to a USA model and I liked the power shift. I got manuals on ebay. So far no problems at all. I found a wide range in condition in the tractors I looked at as well as wide range in the knowledge of the people selling the tractors. So I didn't buy online even though I usually buy major items online. Given my usage I didn't see the lack of ROP's and seat belts as a major issue. If you get a sound tractor from a knowledgable and honest dealer, I don't think you can go wrong. I think a yanmar with a close American cousin would be the safest option. There are a number of very knowledge and apparently honest dealers who post here.

 

[Calpyro]

Hello,
I feel your pain. When I first shopped for a tractor, I went through some of the same pangs of uncertainly that you are having. However, I bought a Grey Market Yanmar, and now I feel that it has been one of the best purchases of my adult life.
I was careful to pick a solid unit. I maintain it well and I have not needed to fix it. However, from the research that I have done, I feel confident that I can get most of the parts that I may ever need. Buy a good solid tractor from a reputable dealer who will help you fix it. If you decide to do something stupid and break it you will have someone who is knowledgeable with the tractor to help you.
Your friendly Kubota dealer has an agenda. If he sells you a tractor he makes money. If he needs to slam the Grey Market dealers to make a sale and twists some facts in the process, well let him do so. Some Grey Market Tractor dealers will tell you anything you want to hear to make a sale as well and the truth may suffer. The REAL truth is often somewhere in between. There are a lot of satisfied owners of Grey Market tractors in the USA like me who have saved thousands of dollars. I would not do anything different. Tractors are a great tool and a bundle of fun to play with, but to me I refuse to spend the better part of twenty grand for a new tractor.
If you need any more info, email me and I will try to give you the straight scoop.
Thanks,
Cameron

 

[jimstractors]

Here is a PDF file of the Yanmar specs. It may not be exact, but it's close. There are a lot of knowledgeable dealers on the site, and most can get or refer you to parts, if needed. Filters, seals and tires are all available locally. NAPA and WIX have most the filters and seals.
Jim

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I have to agree with all these posts. I bought my first Yanmar about two months ago but it was after a bunch of research. I've bought a few maintenence parts as well as a few oddball things with no problem so far. I don't farm a thousand acres so I wasn't gonna spend big money to just play around the house.

A couple friends of my dad have kubotas (American ones) and when they saw mine and found out what I paid for it, they were shocked and a little ticked off i think. One of 'em is selling his and looking at a grey Yanmar.

 

[gws]

I think you also need to ask yourself what do you need out of a tractor? I personally wouldnt recomend a grey for use in a commercial application where my business was based on the tractor I used. While grey yanmar's are great tractors and will meet your needs, they often dont have the safety hardware OSHA or an insurance company requires. While parts are available, walk in service usually is not. Can you take several days of downtime waiting for parts? As a "hobby" use I can.

If your looking for a good "hobby" home use tractor then Yanmar's are great. I didnt like the kubota's grey's because parts did seem to beharder to find and I didnt find any good "support groups" for them. There are a number of yanamar groups on the internet and parts are available.
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I've been looking to buy a tractor. By far the best deals are the "grey market". BUT I need some questions answered......PLEASE. 1. Whats the life expectancy say on a tractor with 1k hours on it? 2. When "year" were the majority of these tractors made? 3. How hard is it to find parts and support for them? 4. If the parts can be found how are the prices campaired to parts for "made for America" tractors? I had a Kubuta dealer tell me today its near impossible to find parts for the "grey" Kubuta's out there. )</font>

 

[dkb1215]

I also feel your pain, and like you listened, read info on the internet and visited a lot of dealers of used grey -- and not so grey tractors. My budget was a maxium of $7000.00 also or so I thought. I had a Yanmar 1510D, but after two weeks of using it I knew I wanted something Bigger and more Modern with the features of some of the newer models that I drove. I know everyone does not have deep pockets I certainly don't. My wife always said buy right the first time and you will never regret your decision so I bit the bullet and spend another $5000.00 and extra $45.00 a month $120.00 total per month for my new Branson 3510 35hp tractor. I got my tractor from Lazenby's equipment in Hampton, Fl. , Scott has a ton of Yanmars, some Kubota's, Older Fords andd some Massey Ferguson's and he stocks parts for what he sells.. If you can swing it BUY NEW, if not buy the BIGGEST TRACTOR you can afford , you can never have enough horsepower and Creature Features. My 2 cents worth. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

David Blankenship
Gainesville, Fl

 

[Anonymous Poster]

WOW, thanks for the responce's! dkb1215, would you happen to have a phone # and or a web site for Lazenby's equipment in Hampton, Fl.? I'm trying to find good "dealers" here in Florida that have been used by others and have had a good experience with. As far as my usage I have 3 acres of land. I think if I go Yanmar it will be the 2010 w/loader. I don't see me really needing anything larger.

 

[SteveM]

I will reply to this post, but qualify myself by admitting i do not have a grey tractor - rather, i have now had two- quasi-grey tractors (my phrase). I like buying odd ball cheap tractors, so I focus on US brand machines that are no longer supported. As an example, my current ride is a Massey 210-4 which is a Hinomoto E234 painted red. Massey did not sell this machine for very long, and dealer support is thin. So I lurk around the grey sites for help and support. I found that walking into the dealer is useless when you own a grey. They will insult you and blow you off, or insult you and try to rob you blind. If you buy grey you will be forced to use your own research and intelligence to solve problems.

The biggest thing I would recommend is establishing a service point for your tractor - a place where major repairs can be made in the unlikely event something really breaks. This might be a local mechanic who will fix it if you provide parts, or it might be the grey dealer you buy from. It could be a handy friend. Either way, figure this out BEFORE you buy.

Under most hobby farm conditions, these tractors will last forever with minimal repair. But sometimes a gear or shaft will break, or you will need a head gasket, something serious - you need to have this scenerio worked out ahead.

I know that parts for my Hinomoto will be expensive if needed, but I have figured out some places to shop, at least. I also found a shop that will fix any tractor if provided with parts up front.

Lastly, if you are financing your 7,000 - please look at the new units. with low rates you may be able to get something new with warranty for a similar payment.
Good luck and dont be afraid of grey

 

[Calpyro]

I have found a Local John Deere dealer that will repair my Grey Yanmar if I get into trouble. All he wants is not to hassle with finding parts. If I were to have a problem, he wants is for me to find and buy the parts and he will do all of he repairs for his standard fee. It is amazing what you can get if you ask....
Thanks,
Cameron

 

[Soundguy]

1k hours on a well maintained tractor is next to nothing... Heck.. my '97 NH 1920 is right at 800 hours.. and that is mostly rotary cutting. Tractor is minus some paint due to scrapes with brush.. but is in otherwise great condition.

Hours and year mean less on a tractor than care / use. I have a 1952 ford 8N I just refurbed. I wouldn't work it too heavy, but it is fine for light pasture duties. On the other hand, I also have a 1954 ford NAA that is strong like bull. I would say it is right around the same power as my NH 1920.. though being gas 4cyl, it is much less fuel efficient than the diesel 4 cyl.

I wouldn't hesitate to work the snot out of my naa, cause I know it can do it. Let me tell you.. when i got it it was rough looking too... lichens growing on it.. it always sat outside.. farmer mostly left it in the pasture wherever he finished with it.

Except for a few minor adjustments and less than 50$ of parts to repair it, most of my work and $ on the NAA was body / cosmetic in nature... and that tractor is 49 years old as has who knows how many hours on it.

Yanmar has a good rep, and probably the best parts availability of the grey market units. One thing to consider, yanmar makes alot of marine deisels, and also does alot of the power plants in compact JD's... both of those situations demands good quality engines.

Look for real sings of use / abuse, and look a tthe quality of repairs. Look for welds, and at gaskets to see what was replaced...a good thing to look for is gasket material or silicone mased out of joints.. lets you know someone has been inside... you'll have to judge from the appearance of the repair whether the person was carefull or if they just threw it together to sell. Generally the more concerned an owner is with his machine, will show in the quality of the repairs.

As for parts prices... I think they are all high... all models/ makes /brands. Air filter prices for my NH are scarry.
Ironically I would figure all parts for my antique machines would be sky high.. but many are real cheap.

A good used machine that is well maintained will serve you many more hours than one that is abused / not maintained.

My yanmar 1700 earned its keep while I was building my house a few years ago... moved lots of dirt and drug lots of pasture.

Soundguy

 

[dkb1215]

I am not sure if you can list dealers in these posts but Scott Lazenby's number is 904- 964-4238 and his web site is www.lazenbysequipment.com their are good dealers in the southeast and elsewhere, but I would try to find one close to where you live. If you are gifted with mechanical abilities and like to read repair manuals, used grey and domestic tractors will save you a bundle. If you live close to Gainesville Fl come by and I will show my tractor and what I been doing with it lately. My email is dkblank@gator.net best of luck on your search.

David

 

[hosejockey2002]

It's kind of funny how the dealer told you that the grey Kubotas are hard to get parts for. Maybe it's true. One of the larger green tractor dealers around here had a grey Kubota on it's lot for sale a while back. I wonder if they would support it for parts and repairs. With all the crying about liability and how "unsafe" these grey market tractors are that you hear from the big dealers, I wonder why in the world that a major John Deere dealer would sell a grey market tractor. I'm assuming that this one was grey. It was a Kubota B6000 and all the labels were in Japanese.

 

[buppy69]

I have 3 Hinomotos. My local combined MF and John Deere dealer is very helpful in looking up and trying to find parts the few times I've needed them. John Deere's website even has a place where you can type in the Yanmar part number and if there is a crossover part it will give you the JD number and you can even order it off this site and pick up at your local dealer. I've found a lot of electrical parts (sending units, starters, alternators, tach cables) at NAPA. As far as being without it if it breaks, that's why I have 3 and still don't have the money in them that I would have with one Kubota.

Eugene

 

[YanmarFever]

John Deere's website even has a place where you can type in the Yanmar part number and if there is a crossover part it will give you the JD number and you can even order it off this site and pick up at your local dealer

Buppy, can you supply a link for us to the page you were disscusing here
Thanks Ernie

 

[Bob85355]

A posting on this forum occasioned some email between a fellow YM1500 owner. He'd bought one and was seeking info. One of his last questions was that since I'd had mine for 4 years, what were the major problems I'd had with it. Easy, none. Been trouble free. I have found some ex John Deere people who will repair it if and when it ever needs it provided I get the parts.

IMHO Yanmar is a very good product at a very good price.

Bob

 

[jimstractors]

Ernie,
Here is the link that I use:
http://www.deere.com/en_US/parts/partscountry/index.html?sidenavstate=01

Jim

 

[dmccue]

I went through a similar thinking process about a year ago, while looking for my first tractor. After researching the Internet and learning that some of the JD parts could be used in a Yanmar tractor, I chose that route, since there is a JD dealer down the street from my house.

From only pictures on the Internet and a brief telephone conversation, I purchased a YM2000 tractor from eBay.

I have not been dissapointed with my purchase. I have completed some minor paint touch-up and changed a filter or two, but nothing major. To me, part of the enjoyment of ownership of a grey market tractor, other than the obvious lower purchase price, is the use of the Internet and all the valuable information available in the discussion forums to assist you to obtain a part or repair your grey tractor. One would not be as appreciative of this info if they owned a brand new tractor and might miss out on some of the "excitement" of owning a grey tractor.

I have attached a pic of my Yanmar 2000