Larger Yanmar Tractor Opinions

[BatesBunch]

Fellows,

I wanted to get your opinions on a larger tractor purchase (maybe I should say... hypothetical purchase).

Let me preface this with the fact that I own (recently refurbished) a YM1500D (Green). I also refurbished a Kubota Model 1200 Loader and modified it to fit my 1500D. It works well and all that is lacking is to rebuild the bucket itself. I have the loader mounted a little too far forward and also believe it to be a little too heavy for the 1500D, so I haven't used it a whole lot since it was installed. I also have an older Kubota backhoe to refurbish, but know that it is a lot more that my little tractor needs to be subjected to. I would install the loader on the larger tractor if it sized up right.

I have recently came across what appear to be two pretty good deals on Craiglist.

The first is a YM3110D (with ROPS and without loader). 37 HP. It is listed with a bush hog, box blade and finish mower. The asking price was $5000, but it can be had for $4500 and is still available. I have requested additional pictures as it is a 2 hour drive from here. The tractor appears to look good in the posted pictures with only faded paint. The ROPS looks as though it is a UTDA ROPS (based on the design as compared to the one that I just purchased/installed on my tractor). There was not a good picture of the bush hog, but the box blade and finish mower both appear to be in very good condition.

The second is a little closer and slightly smaller. I haven't confirmed if it is even still available, but just wanted to use it for comparison. It is a YM2500 (no ROPS and without loader). 30'ish HP? It is listed with bush hog and grader blade for $2500. The entire package looks to be in lesser condition than the 3110d package, but the price looks good.

$2000 more for a larger HP tractor with 4WD and a PowerShift transmission. The 3110D also comes with an additional implement (finish mower). I guess I am really leaning toward the 3110D if I had to choose between the two (and supposing that the 2500 is even still available).

Questions:
1) I have heard many good things about the PowerShift tranny that the '10 series tractors have. I have only dealt with my gear drive tractor. Would the PowerShift be a notable improvement? Is it more efficient with loader work?
2) Would either of these tractors be too big for a small 5 1\2 acre homestead?
3) Am I looking at the 3110D package correctly in that it has at least $1500 in implements included, putting the tractor itself at $3000?
4) Would a larger tractor be any less maneuverable seeing that I am used the smaller tractor?

Note that I really am not sure about the idea of giving up the 1500D either.

I like the simplicity of the older tractors and don't like the idea of having to deal with a computer on a tractor (like newer ones have for emissions, not that I can spare the cash that a new tractor costs anyway). I also like the reliability and durability that seem to go along with the older Yanmars.

I am also looking at the fact that there doesn't seem to be many of the older Yanmars being imported anymore and that prices on available tractors doesn't really look to be going down either.

Your opinions/input/insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Harley

 

[California]

Unless money is real tight I would choose the 3110D. With Powershift and 4x4 that's a lot more tractor for the money. The 2500 is just a double-size twin to your present 1500D in terms of capability.

Powershift really is a huge improvement. I love it on my little YM186D. It makes manual transmission seem badly obsolete.

As for whether either is needed for 5 acres - kinda overkill. But lots of fun to operate. I still would do it.

 

[winston1]

I ditto California. Just a note, the 2500 is a very close cousin to the John Deere 850.

 

[careyo63]

I ditto California. Just a note, the 2500 is a very close cousin to the John Deere 850.

The 2500 has 5 PTO. Gears and 2 shift levers to select them. Royal p.i.t.a. if your not knowing how to select the correct 540 for US. Implements. I used one for a couple of yrs. and still would have to look down at the decals to select the correct one. The Throttle Lever works opposite or backwards. Those are the only difference I can recall.

 

[Eyecatcher]

I had a 336D with FEL. I think this is pretty close to the 3110D. THE D IS IMPORTANT. That designates 4 wheel drive, and believe me, you don't want a FEL w/out 4wd. The 336D had manual xmission w/shuttle shift. My new EX450 has manual w/ synchro shuttle shift. There is no comparison. The 336 shuttle arrangement was 1000% more convenient. If you already have FEL, jump on this tractor, you'll love it. Wish I still had the 336D.

 

[kenmac]

,,,,,, 3110D . Factory ps would be icing on the cake. If it's in descent condition, 4500 + implements would be a very good price. @ 5.5 acres ,,, you'll be ok

 

[Gary Fowler]

I had the 4220D and loved it. Lots of power and the powershift was amazing, actually much better than an HST in my opinion. Mine was a Vietnam rebuild and the only problem I had (after I got all the mud/crude out of the hydraulic reservoir) was the FEL bolts would not stay tight. Every time I used it I had to tighten up all the bolts that had backed off. Tractor itself always performed flawlessly. Size wise, if was good, not too larger for even 5 acre tract.

 

[kemary]

I have a YM2500 and would definitely buy the 3110D out of the 2. The YM2500 is a great tractor for what it is but the powershift transmission and four wheel drive would make the 3110D worth the extra money. Both of the tractors listed are good deals. The non syncronized transmission on the YM2500 is a pain in the b@tt when mowing or raking hay and if you want a loader the powershift is the way to go. Both tractor are about the same size physically.

 

[BatesBunch]

Thanks for the replies. I am definitely leaning towards the purchase of the YM3110D and attachments (I was already favoring that position with the initial post). Again, not really a need, but almost too good to pass up.

I have included a couple of pictures of the tractor and attachments that the owner sent to me yesterday. It looks to be in good condition and both the finish mower (Bush Hog EFM600) and box blade (United 560HD) look to be in great shape. I don't have pictures of the Land Pride 5' bush hog, but he says that it is a little older than the other implements and in working condition. He has only used the tractor to mow and maintain the driveway for the past three years. He stated that there are no problems with the tractor and that everything works.

Thanks.

 

[kenmac]

you need to grab that ! It would be icing on the cake if it were ps

 

[BatesBunch]

Well fellows, I went and looked at the YM3110D yesterday afternoon. The tractor and attachments came home with me.

No power steering (no icing on the cake, kenmac). It has been sitting outside, so it is weathered pretty good. Rear tires are cracked around the lugs, but that is normal for these older tractors. Overall it was in good shape and runs good. We pushed against a tree to prove 4WD with good results. The lights do not work and I'll eventually mess around with troubleshooting them.

One of the first things that I noticed was that both front hubs had a lot of play when he first pulled out with the tractor. We pulled the right front wheel to further investigate and suspect worn bearings. Checked front axle oil - left hub and center of the differential were alright, but the right hub was full of water (with some oil residue). Owner greased the tractor regularly, but was unaware of the oil filled axle. All other fluids and levels were OK. We talked and he asked how much it would cost to fix the front knuckles. I made a very rough, off the cuff estimate for bearings and seals and he came down a little more than the estimated cost for parts on the package. I may have been a little low on my estimate, but have sources for bearings and metric seals down around New Orleans that had better pricing than the aftermarket parts sources when I rebuilt my YM1500D knuckles a while back. The knuckles will be the first project (after a good cleaning).

I haven't ever been around the Power Shift transmission. There is a definite 'whine' but I have read that is normal. It shifts well and seems to have no obvious problems.

Both of us were on the fence as it was not a need for me, nor a need to sell for him. I thought that the price was very reasonable. It came with a Bush Hog brand EFM600 (5') finish mower, United 560HD (5') box blade, Land Pride 5' bush hog (older and the deck is starting to rust through, although it still has a lot of the original paint and some of the stickers left on it) and an older boom pole that was in good condition (the boom pole was a bonus that I didn't know about until yesterday evening).

There is a UTDA sticker on the hood. It has a foldable ROPS, seatbelt and clutch/start safety switch installed.

It is definitely a lot of tractor as compared to my YM1500D (Green)!

 

[kenmac]

I think you'll like it. I have replaced the front seals a couple times on mine and 1 side still weeps a little oil. Guess I'll just let it weep. About the UTDA decal. I believe Fredricks use to have a dealer for his tractors in somewhere in Mississippi a few yrs ago.you will get a little whine. I guess it's normal, mine has always done it, If you ever put a loader on , you may be able to add some type of PS . Mine would be difficult to turn with a bucket full without PS... Like I said , I think you'll enjoy the larger tractor....Congrads !!!:thumbsup:

 

[Roonabeck]

It is definitely a lot of tractor as compared to my YM1500D (Green)!

A 3110D should either run a 5' finish mower really really fast, or be capable of running a much larger one. My 1510 runs a 54" finish mower without any problem, and has half the PTO horsepower. And powershift is great.

 

[buickanddeere]

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