Might be a new (to me) 1401D owner.

[dieselfuelonly]

Hi guys, I originally had this post in the main buying/pricing section but I thought I might get a bit more responses here. Tell me what you think.

Also, quick question about the compression release. If I understand correctly it releases the compression to let the starter have an easier time getting the engine to turn over, then once turning over you stop the compression release and it fires?

Now where is this located and how do I use it? Just a little confused. Thanks for any help!

Anyway, here was my original post:

Well guys, I went to look at a tractor today and I am going to pick it up on Saturday! I'm really excited.

Its a Yanmar 1401D, 4WD with a bush hog, tiller, carryall with a sprayer pump & tank mounted on it, and a scoop (not sure what it is officially called, you pull it from behind the tractor.)

The guy seemed pretty knowledgeable about the stuff, he said he would throw in the manuals that he got (English version) for the tractor, the tiller, and the bush hog. He also had the boxes for the NAPA filters that he uses so I can know what to buy ones with when it comes time to replace them. I think he is the second owner. The tractor seemed to have a lot of the original stickers on it in what I guess was Japanese. Is this a good sign that it is not a remanufactured unit?

I was driving it around the yard and doing a little bush hogging to test it out and the coolant temp light came on. I was thinking on great, I came all the way out here to see this broken tractor.

But I shut it off and and found that that one of the hoses that went to the drain for the radiator had sprung a small leak. It was cracked and worn. There was no evidence of the leak being there previously. It will definitely need to be replaced. Judging by the reaction of the guy when I told him that the light was on I just have to believe that it was just awful timing that I had come to look at the tractor and the hose springing a leak. At least I know that the warning light works.

Anyway, I was going to replace it and make sure that fixes the problem before I buy it, and if that fixes the problem (which I'm sure it will) then it'll be coming home with me on Saturday.

Other things it will need is possibly just a voltage regulator, or maybe the alternator needs to get rebuilt. The starter seems to have a "dead spot" so that may just be the contacts or I may need to get a new/rebuild the current one too. He said he would take off $50 since the battery would need to be replaced too.

Mechanically however everything worked great. The motor didn't have any blue smoke, just a tiny little black puff when I revved it up quickly which from my experience with diesel trucks is totally normal.

Anyway, I'm pretty excited, and it looks like a pretty good deal for $2,700. I don't think he wants to go much lower than that, but I haven't seen if I can talk him down at all yet so who knows, but its well within my price range so even if I can't go lower I think its still OK.

Here are some pictures that the owner sent me before I went and looked at it:

 

[mark777]

DFO,

What a steal!

Figure the charging system, V/R or magneto and the starter WILL need repair and something not right with the cooling system 'going into this deal' and you wont be disappointed. Be sure to operate the tractor in 4WD, all gears and in both high and low ranges. I would also suggest, when the tractor is cold, to reach in and gently rock the fan face to see if there is any play in the water pump, loose or worn belt and physical condition of the hoses.

No telling what the hours are...even if you would have reported it, as it's a three digit hour meter that rolls over at 999.9. but your pictures indicate the tractor well taken care of appearance wise. Perfect sized shredder for the 1401D BTW.

I have a 1401D and it's my favorite go to little rig, when I rake, back blade and use the tiller. It is a model that forces you to constantly jump off and check the fuel...and wonder why there's so much left. A real fuel miser.

During the first cold start of the day....Pull the throttle handle back 2/3rds, pull the compression lever out fully, engage starter and let it spin up until the oil light goes out (making sure all internal oil passages are fully lubed to prevent dry start up), release compression lever and engine will fire right up.

Good luck and congratulation should you decide to buy it.

Mark

 

[Ductape]

DFO,
I'm with Mark. That is a GREAT deal. Heck, i don't know what part of the country you are in, but if you are in the northeast, i'll give you $700 for the tiller and brush cutter..... you'll only be into the tractor for $2000 !! OK... i know you won't want to sell the implements, but you get the point. I followed your saga in the general "buying/pricing" section, even offering a little advice of my own. The YM series tractors are bulletproof, and you can find any part you should ever need for it. Parts are just a phone call away. The guys who are afraid of the grey market Yannies, are only afraid of them because they are unfarmiliar with them. I'd would just recommend you add a ROPS to the tractor before you go to work.

Scott

 

[dieselfuelonly]

Sorry, but where IS the compression release? I'm really not sure where it is.

I think its good that I found a 4WD tractor, I see why you guys say it is so nice to have. He had it under that covering you can barely see in the picture with the gravel so he could pull his truck up to it to jump start it. After we got it started and I started to back up I could see how easily the rear wheels would spin in just the gravel even with the weight of the bush hog in the back. Don't even want to think about what it would be like in the mud .

Is there a fuel gauge that I could put on the tractor? What about some type of gauge like the drawing attached?? (Sorry just a quick drawing in paint.)

Sorry if it doesn't make sense.

Anyway, thanks for the help!

 

[Ductape]

My compression release is to the on the left side of the steering column, directly opposite the ignition switch. Just a small lever that sticks out from the dash.... spring loaded, so when you let go of it, it will return on its own.

 

[dieselfuelonly]

Ok thanks! I'll look for it when I go to pick up the tractor.

 

[mark777]

............After we got it started and I started to back up I could see how easily the rear wheels would spin in just the gravel even with the weight of the bush hog in the back. Don't even want to think about what it would be like in the mud .

Is there a fuel gauge that I could put on the tractor?

Anyway, thanks for the help!

A fuel gauge 'Cap' style is available...believe I've seen them at LMTC and Hoye tractors.

I'm with Ducktape RE ROPS, very good idea and should be your next purchase when you can.

One other item certainly worth mentioning, and that's the compact size and weight in relation to power. Don't be lulled into a false sense of carelessness...as this tractor can hurt or kill you as quick as any that are much larger. I have seen a few HOP on and treat them like a garden tractor which will lead to catastrophe in very short order.

Mark

 

[dieselfuelonly]

Yeah, upon first glance they don't look all that big, but upon seeing how at mid throttle 3rd gear in high range it will make the front end get REAL light when you let out the clutch you realize that you are dealing with a totally different machine.

Thanks for the tips!