Iseki 35

freedomlives · Mar 4, 2018

Last month I went to look at some Japanese tractors at two dealers on the other side of Slovakia. One of them had an Iseki 35. That's all that there was written on it in English that I could see. Later internet searching turned up a Japanese exporter having an identical tractor, and there was the nameplate with the name TS35F as well as being made by TYM in Korea. It has an Isuzu engine.

The Slovak seller doesn't have the ad up with his anymore, but the identical one in Japan can be seen here: http://archive.is/pmj56

Only, the Slovak seller has cleaned his up, gotten a FEL on it, and at least he's been using it to keep the snow cleared at his business, so it definitely works.

Has anyone here ever heard of it? Is there some identical TYM model, or other manufacturer's model? I'm a bit wary to get it, although the seller offers a year warranty, if down the road I'm going to have trouble finding parts to fix it.

Kernopelli · Mar 4, 2018

I was not aware of the Iseki/ TYM partnership until reading this but I quickly found several references to TYM building Iseki licensed tractors. In searching the older TYM models, I can't find any that are listed as having an Isuzu engine though. I would try sending a private message to TBN member "tractorErnie" with these questions, he is a true walking " tractor encyclopedia" and can probably tell you something about that tractor. I would also ask about the F series Yanmar models you have looked at and get his input on his favorite Yanmar models.

freedomlives · Mar 5, 2018

I've PMed tractorErnie. Hope he gets on soon.

freedomlives · Mar 9, 2018

Well, the best I can figure out, comparing images of the TS3510 as well as White 2-35 to the Iseki 35 I saw is that they must be the same. Control panel, pedals, all of the structure looks the same, just newer style hood. So I'm inclined to suppose that at some point Iseki sold TYM the equipment and/or parts from making the TS3510, and they produced these tractors with an updated look.

I've been in contact with the seller, who today went to look at some tractors that just arrived in Poland, but he's also been coming down on his price for the Iseki 35. He's come down in price, and offered that he can throw in both a FEL and 3pt bale spear, in addition to the 4n1 bucket already on the loader. A low enough price would make up, I think, for lack of a reverser on it.

Traktor iseki - Namestovo, predam

freedomlives · Mar 20, 2018

And now I have it at my house! Just arrived tonight. Actually different, equally unknown model number -- SF138 -- on the manufacturer sticker. Maybe it is a TYM model number? The castings of the transmission have TYM on them.

freedomlives · Mar 21, 2018

And the engine is branded ISEKI. Not sure why I remembered Isuzu. My mistake! I found the number of the engine lower down, 3AB1, which further confirms the close relationship to the earlier mentioned tractors.

Kernopelli · Mar 21, 2018

freedomlives said:
And now I have it at my house! Just arrived tonight. Actually different, equally unknown model number -- SF138 -- on the manufacturer sticker. Maybe it is a TYM model number? The castings of the transmission have TYM on them.
View attachment 544801 View attachment 544802 View attachment 544803

Congratulations! Yeah, it appears to be an unusual model. The only Iseki SF models I can find are mowers. I also notice the serial number is very low... an indication there weren't many made? Just as a side note, I'd review some basic FEL operation safety, especially with the wife if she will be using it.

freedomlives · Mar 21, 2018

I would wonder if, at some point, the ROPS could have been swapped? Yet I doubt the ROPS from a mower would fit a tractor, but maybe they made them all the same?

Next to the seat of the tractor, the sticker with the chart of which gears are appropriate for which tasks and the max ground speed in each has written on it TS35F. Interestingly, I found a PDF listing all/many of the ISEKI agricultural machines as well as what engine was used and the years of production. There is a TS35F in that list, which was produced from the year 1998. Though its engine is listed as E3AB1, whereas the TS3510 has the 3AB1 engine. Maybe though the lower part of the casting would be the same?

I just had it out, moving some dirt in the yard around. I realize how a joystick would be a nicer interface for controlling the FEL than 3 levers! Just have to get in my head which lever does what. A decently full bucket of soil lifted without any problem.

One disappointment though is that I think it has power steering, but that also seems to not be working, or only partially working. When standing still the wheels are very hard to turn. When moving at all turning is OK.

Kernopelli · Mar 21, 2018

Looking at TS35F pics online, it appears that model has power steering. I would suspect either a weak pump or a relief valve bypassing. Does it only do this (steer hard) with a full bucket or does it make a difference if you have a heavy load on the front end or not?

freedomlives · Mar 22, 2018

The bucket being full didn't matter, but it was by then in somewhat thick mud when I noticed, since it was by then that I was making tight maneuvers where I needed to turn the wheels hard, ideally before moving.

There is also what seems like to me a lot of play in the steering. With the wheels pointed straight ahead, I turn the steering wheel to either side at least 20° before any steering happens, which seems excessive.

There is some sort of box on the steering mechanism with hydraulic lines going to it, and then two of those go in to the steering mechanism. That's why I'm sure it has power steering.

I just went out and checked. The line going out from the hydraulic pump has been opened, and now the hydraulic fluid first goes up to the controls for the FEL before returning to the circuit where it continues in to the transmission (for controlling the 3pt). Separate lines go to and return from the transmission housing for the power steering.

Is this really a good arrangement? When I've seen threads of people adding FELs to their tractors on here, I see them putting Ts in to the hydraulic lines so the FEL is in "parallel", not putting it in "series" (can these terms from electrical engineering be applie to hydraulics?).

Some other things need to be checked to-- I was surprised to learn that the diesel pump has two places that need engine oil poured in to them. In my car the diesel injection pump is lubricated by the diesel fuel, so this surprised me.

freedomlives · Mar 22, 2018

Here is where the hydraulic system is tapped in to:

This is the set of controls-- the far right hose is what connects to the pump output, and the far left hose continues on to the rest of the tractor's hydraulics:

Two angles on the hydraulic "thing" attached to the steering "thing" with the hydraulic lines going in to the steering:

I wonder if the screw sticking out on the right would adjust the tightness of the steering gear. The manual for the TS3510 shows something like that to be adjusted.

Lines going in to and out of the transmission:

For completeness, the hydraulic pump:

freedomlives · Mar 22, 2018

Other interesting thing-- on the front axle there is a stamp T50F - 000167. So the serial number there matches with the serial number on the ROPS. Interestingly, the photo label of the tractor in Thailand has T50F on one line.

Google searching "Iseki SF" turns up a lot of photos of lawnmowers for me as well. But on the other hand, the google translate app translates the top line of the sticker on mine as "full frame tractor", so maybe there was an extremely obscure series of SF138 tractors? It sure would be great if there were someone Japanese speaking, even better native, on the forum who could be our "spy" in to that world.

Kernopelli · Mar 22, 2018

freedomlives said:
The bucket being full didn't matter, but it was by then in somewhat thick mud when I noticed, since it was by then that I was making tight maneuvers where I needed to turn the wheels hard, ideally before moving.

There is also what seems like to me a lot of play in the steering. With the wheels pointed straight ahead, I turn the steering wheel to either side at least 20ｰ before any steering happens, which seems excessive.

There is some sort of box on the steering mechanism with hydraulic lines going to it, and then two of those go in to the steering mechanism. That's why I'm sure it has power steering.

I just went out and checked. The line going out from the hydraulic pump has been opened, and now the hydraulic fluid first goes up to the controls for the FEL before returning to the circuit where it continues in to the transmission (for controlling the 3pt). Separate lines go to and return from the transmission housing for the power steering.

Is this really a good arrangement? When I've seen threads of people adding FELs to their tractors on here, I see them putting Ts in to the hydraulic lines so the FEL is in "parallel", not putting it in "series" (can these terms from electrical engineering be applie to hydraulics?).

Some other things need to be checked to-- I was surprised to learn that the diesel pump has two places that need engine oil poured in to them. In my car the diesel injection pump is lubricated by the diesel fuel, so this surprised me.

It's interesting that your steering only steers hard when stopped, even with an empty bucket ( not much load on the steering) but works fine while moving with a full bucket ( much bigger load on steering). Hmmm, I gotta think more about that.

I don't know the first thing when it comes to your steering system but in past experience when I had a similar issue with "slop" (play) in the steering, it was due to worn bearings or bushings on the steering column shaft. I am certain it could be a number of other things too.....just cant speculate on that.

The system of plumbing sounds correct, this is how my FEL is plumbed. In general, you don't want to tee the pressure line from the pump, this can rob another function in the circuit.

There are a number of different injector pumps/ types and some have oil lubrication. Good catch on your behalf BTW.

Don't know if this will help you but I find parts diagrams invaluable. Iseki made a lot of Massey Ferguson's compact models. Sometimes searching the MF models can reveal a lot of crossover to Iseki models. I have used AGCO Parts Books or ( AGCO Parts Books enter site as "Guest") many times to figure out Iseki models. I would suspect if there is a "similar" MF model, it would be in the 30-40 HP 11XX or 12XX compact series.

freedomlives · Mar 22, 2018

Glad to hear that its normal for FEL to be plumbed in that. I need to learn about hydraulics.

I'm a bit irked by the paintjob on the tractor actually. There are several small informational labels on hydraulic components that got painted over, as well as one on the frame that I presume has more model number information. Maybe a heatgun will lift the paint. I was looking at some various paint strippers in the store today as well.

I guess this will force me to finally get proxy stuff set up for myself. The AGCO site doesn't allow guest access for people connecting from a european IP, and it doesn't function correctly using one of the free online proxies...

Another thing I found out today from the seller is what types of fluids the importer puts in-- ISO 46 hydraulic fluid and 15w40 engine oil. Neither of which fits with the recommendations in the TSxx10 series manual. How do you swap out hydraulic oils? Do you just drain the main reservoir and let what ever is in the lines mix with the new stuff?

freedomlives · Mar 22, 2018

I've just watched this video, which explains what is Power Beyond: How to Use the Power Beyond Facility in a Hydraulic Directional Control Valve (with improved audio) - YouTube

Looking at that, I get the impression that there should be a third connection on the bank of spool valves leading to the tank.

At least the FEL valves, being newly added, have the label with part number from a European manufacturer, so i can figure out how they're supposed to work.

Kernopelli · Mar 22, 2018

Concerning AGCO, have you tried going through Massey Ferguson UK Massey Ferguson and navigating to "Parts"? When I do it, it directs me to the North America guest parts look up....maybe it will allow you access that way?

I do have a return to tank line on mine. So your valve only has a pressure supply into the valve and a line running from the power beyond to the pressure pressure line running to the 3 point?

freedomlives · Mar 23, 2018

It doesn't work for me that way. I just set up a tunnel to a US server, so I'm in the parts catalog. The White 2-35 is the closest match for sure, at least with the power steering gear. The screw I thought might be for adjusting it is precisely that on the parts list.

Yes-- just pressure in to the valve and a line running out to the power steering flow divider. I'm not sure if the outlet port on the valve block is Power Beyond or just Tank. When I get home (at a restaurant having coffee and working on my laptop while my son has piano practice in town), I'll look up the part number on the valve.

What do you think of the hydraulic fluid? It seems like running heavier weight fluid than specified could cause problems as well, no?

freedomlives · Mar 24, 2018

Looked over the tractor again last night, particularly those labels that had been painted over. I noticed that the one on which I could see stamped numbers (so had to be metal) had loose, paper like edges. Or, in other words, masking tape. I guess it was Friday afternoon and whoever was charged with uncovering the stickers after spraying the body missed this one.

So according to the label on the frame of the tractor, next to the front axle, it is an "agricultural tractor (passenger type)".
Agricultural machine model name: T0014
Sales model name: TS35F
Vehicle model name: T50F

Why the label on the ROPS gives the model SF138 will perhaps remain a mystery.

thepumpguysc · Mar 24, 2018

You had better snap a pic of the injection pump & post it..
cuz if the fuel system doesn't have any oil in it.. the power steering wont matter much. if ya know what I mean..