Loving the Lx490 but have a concern that perhaps can be addressed

[Raised on a Deere]

Ok, I'll check in on the LX.....I had a 490 for around a year. While it was a great machine, I already had 2 other hydro tractors, and the majority of my operations are in the woods....so I traded it back on the LX4900. I've got almost 50 hours on it, not a hiccup at all.....and a very strong capable machine. I've been involved with Cubs and Yanmars for years, and the LX series is a great lineup. I've got a great network of dealers, and I firmly believe Yanmar is here to stay.

As for the ground clearance, I've had no issues to date, and I'm always in the woods around brush, stumps, logs, etc. I have bent the tines on my grapple, though....lol

I'll have to get off my duff and get a pic of the step I installed on the right side of the tractor. It does act as a line guard, and I now have the ability to mount from either side, which really makes a difference.

Enjoy it!

Please get off your duff. I ordered a step from Yanmar for $12.Can't believe I forgot to order the grab handle as well. Pictures looked like I might have to do some fabrication.

 

[scoutcub]

Ok, I'll get some pics this week.....

 

[Raised on a Deere]

Scoutcub, what grapple do you have and would you do it again knowing what you know now. I need to handle brush but not roots.

 

[scoutcub]

Yea....what a great price for the step, eh?? I was also pleasantly surprised when I ordered mine.


As for the grapple, I have a versatech. They make lots of lower cost SSQA attachments, I also have a set of forks and a stump bucket from them. Good solid construction, but not overbuilt or "heavy duty". There have been numerous threads on grapples, and the overriding opinion which I agree with is not to have too heavy of a grapple unless you're doing extreme work (constant big logs/stumps, etc). The extra weight will rob you of payload, not to mention you need to watch your CG when moving longer heavy logs around. The 66" versatech I have weighs around 3-400 lbs, about as much as my standard bucket. It does a great job with my mix of brush, logs, and stumps. I bent the tines moving old dead logs onto my burn pile, they start twisting around and between the weight and power of the tractor, will easily bend metal.....

The one downside is can see is the hydraulic lines/couplers are a bit exposed for branches to catch on, I haven't addressed that yet....perhaps some type of cage guard to protect them.

There are lots of these versatech implements around....check local equipment auctions...I got mine from Ritchie bros, paid 700 out the door.

I would get the same thing if I had to do it all over again!

 

[Raised on a Deere]

Great information on the grapple. knowing the approximate weight of the bucket was key for me in looking at Grapples. I will be doing mostly brush and very few logs. Don't need the most durable but something that can hold up using care. I love the idea of $700 rather than $1700. Means I can go ahead and round up a boxblade with rippers.

I am delivering the check this morning to the dealer and the rear hydraulics are being installed. Rim Guard appointment set up but still looking for bio Balast to save a few dollars. Got to check whether my valve stems are metal. Rim Guard says the rubber ones will start breaking down the rubber ones in just a few months and that the core will let go and blast me one day when checking pressure.


Any hints on accessories I can include in the check to the dealer so I can make this one money I am purchasing 50 hour service items and next two oil changes in the check.

 

[Raised on a Deere]

Great information on the grapple. knowing the approximate weight of the bucket was key for me in looking at Grapples. I will be doing mostly brush and very few logs. Don't need the most durable but something that can hold up using care. I love the idea of $700 rather than $1700. Means I can go ahead and round up a boxblade with rippers.

I am delivering the check this morning to the dealer and the rear hydraulics are being installed. Rim Guard appointment set up but still looking for bio Balast to save a few dollars. Got to check whether my valve stems are metal. Rim Guard says the rubber ones will start breaking down the rubber ones in just a few months and that the core will let go and blast me one day when checking pressure.


Any hints on accessories I can include in the check to the dealer so I can make this one money I am purchasing 50 hour service items and next two oil changes in the check.

Right side handle is $114. Went ahead and ordered the parts and I install.

 

[scoutcub]

Hmmmm.....isn't the 50 hour servicing kit Included in the LX purchase? Mine was......better check with your dealer.

 

[Katahdin]

The only accessories I felt like I needed was rear lighting, but I wired that in myself using two of these:
Amazon.com: Genssi LED Off Road Light 4X4 Work Light Waterproof 27W 12V 6000K (60 Deg Flood): Home Improvement

The LX rear lighting kit uses halogen bulbs, the LED lamps in the link above will be brighter, and cheaper!

You may want to check on that 50hr service, Yanmar had been giving that away for free. (The dealer bills Yanmar). It could be that promotion is now over, but it's worth asking. For my last oil change I used an oil filter and Rotella 10W30 from NAPA.

I think you'll really like your LX, mine saved my Jeep TJ yesterday! I was down at the gun club showing a perspective member around when I got the jeep stuck several hundred yards down an unplowed road to the archery range. The snow was very icy and it was just above the axles. My jeep was in 4x4 but it has an open rear diff and was going nowhere. The person I was with had a Tacoma parked elsewhere at the club, but he didn't trust the his factory tires to pull me out. Anywho, we took his Tacoma to go get my LX two miles away. I drove the Yanmar back to the club and it had no problem yanking the jeep all the way back to plowed ground. I was embarrassed I got my jeep stuck showing the guest around but I think he (a Kubota owner) was pretty impressed with the tractor and the gun club, so its all good.

 

[Raised on a Deere]

OK LOL you had fun with your tractor. On the 50 hour service the tractor will be a long way from the dealer so I just asked him to order the stuff so I would have it to take with me when I pick up the tractor. I will ask him to not charge me for the filters based on what you have said and also I have since heard from others. He never mentioned 50 hour service.

The RH handle required a fabricated brace that bolts to the tractor frame to support the fender in that area. That is why it cost $114

 

[Katahdin]

Assuming the free 50hr service deal is still in place, you're probably not going to be able to pickup up the fluids and filters the same day you bring home your tractor. I did my own 50hr service, but the arrangement I worked out with my dealer was to pick up the fluids and filters a couple months later when the service was due. It would raise some red flags in Yanmar's record keeping if the 50hr services were occurring the same day the tractor was purchased.

I did pay some money when I picked up my service kit, ie the hydraulic fluid service is about 8 gallons. The dealer gave me two full 5 gallon buckets of Yanmar TF500/J20A hydraulic fluid and I paid for the two extra gallons.