Hello this is my first post I currently own a 1950 ford 8n tractor that im thinking of selling and buying a comparable sized tractor with loader .. I've been looking and I've run across a few that fit what I'm looking for in price.ive found a very nice early 80's two owner yanmar 1510d diesel 4wd with a like new koyker loader under 400 hours im very interested in this tractor but it kinda scares me a little i know from what research ive done its close in horsepower but a lot smaller in size what im trying to figure out is my 8n does everything I need it to do I've got a little over two acres at my business it drags box blade in the gravel , runs a 5 foot bush hog every two weeks all flat ground , runs my post hole digger with all size augers but I have alot of need for a small loader for different things like moving dirt filling low spots landscaping etc at home and so on ...will this smaller bodied yanmar achieve all the tasks my 8n does now ? Is there any advice or insight on this tractor you can give.....thanks in advance for your time
Newbie looking for advice on 1510d yanmar
- Thread starter Towman
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California
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Welcome! ... Random thoughts:
The YM1510D is not nearly big enough to put in place of the Ford and run its implements. Your Ford weights twice as much just to start the comparison. I have a YM186D, the US version of the 1510D. It's an excellent small tractor but it should be compared against other 18 hp / 1500 lb units, not the Ford at (am I right?) 2800 lbs plus likely some ballast for traction, and 27 hp.
I think the horsepower difference you will 'feel' as an operator is even greater than the difference in their numbers. The little Yanmar's torque curve is like a lawn mower, wimpy at low rpm then strong when it's screaming fast, totally different from the Ford that will pull strong from just above idle.
My larger Yanmar, 24 hp, isn't big enough to run an 8N's implements. At least it has that torque-from-zero-rpm feel of a classic tractor. Both Yanmars work hard to run a 4 ft rotary mower. (But I'm often mowing uphill and lose some hp to that.) Neither can pull my 5.5 ft disc which I assume was intended for an 8N size tractor.
For your size of operation the 1510D's capability is fine if you get a mower and scraper matching its size. You will probably be more productive and have a lot less repairs.
But if you are asking for a comparison, just recognize those are two unrelated size categories.
Me, I would buy it. I love my YM186D and I think its excellent.
The YM1510D is not nearly big enough to put in place of the Ford and run its implements. Your Ford weights twice as much just to start the comparison. I have a YM186D, the US version of the 1510D. It's an excellent small tractor but it should be compared against other 18 hp / 1500 lb units, not the Ford at (am I right?) 2800 lbs plus likely some ballast for traction, and 27 hp.
I think the horsepower difference you will 'feel' as an operator is even greater than the difference in their numbers. The little Yanmar's torque curve is like a lawn mower, wimpy at low rpm then strong when it's screaming fast, totally different from the Ford that will pull strong from just above idle.
My larger Yanmar, 24 hp, isn't big enough to run an 8N's implements. At least it has that torque-from-zero-rpm feel of a classic tractor. Both Yanmars work hard to run a 4 ft rotary mower. (But I'm often mowing uphill and lose some hp to that.) Neither can pull my 5.5 ft disc which I assume was intended for an 8N size tractor.
For your size of operation the 1510D's capability is fine if you get a mower and scraper matching its size. You will probably be more productive and have a lot less repairs.
But if you are asking for a comparison, just recognize those are two unrelated size categories.
Me, I would buy it. I love my YM186D and I think its excellent.
MJPetersen
Veteran Member
I have a 1510d and absolutely love it. It is a great little tractor that has a super tight turning and maneuvering capabilities. With the 4wd and powershift trans it makes a fantastic small loader platform. However, California is right in the implement category it probably will not pull what the old ford will. But it will do as much work in about the same time as the ford with the proper implements. And it will do it a whole bunch more economically.
Mike
Mike
284 International
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Like California, I have a 186D (The US market version of the 1510D) and a YM240/2000. Again, the US vs the Japanese versions of the same tractor. I also have an IH 284, which is basically a 25 year newer version of the 8N; the numbers are about the same in performance, though the Ford is heavier. Everything he said is true. The 1510 is not going to replace the capabilities of your 8N. I've tried the same implements, in the same field, behind these different tractors. When it comes to pulling a disk, scraper, plow, or other device that engages the ground, weight is crucial. Once the machine weighs enough to pull the implement, one needs sufficient horsepower and correct gearing to establish a proper speed. The 1510/186 simply cannot perform like the bigger 284/8N will in those tasks.
There is simply too much difference in size, weight, and horsepower for the 1510 to be an adequate substitute for your Ford, unless you really are only using the thing to smooth gravel, auger post holes, and pull a mower. The mower situation is resolvable, if you are willing to downsize the cutter a foot or so. If your lot is flat, though, and the cutting is light, you might be able to get away with it. Smoothing gravel is much different than trying to scrape up and rip the soil, so you may be ok there, too. The auger requires almost no horsepower at all, and the biggest problem will be if you can reverse the pins on it so the lift arms will fit, and if the auger bit is short enough that the little Yanmar can lift it clear of the ground.
Just to be clear, the 1510 is NOT close in horsepower to the 8N. The Ford is significantly more powerful, and even though it is gasoline powered, the horsepower rating is similar in process and veracity to the 1510's. The 8N puts out 25-odd horsepower through a belt, while the 1510 is 15 hp through the PTO shaft.
I'm not trying to be discouraging or shoot down your ideas. I really like the little Japanese diesel tractors of the late 1970s/early 80s (as a look around my yard will attest) but you're comparing wrenches to screwdrivers. The 1510 would make a handy little tractor for the chores you're mentioning, but the small size and other traits that make it nice for one thing inhibit it when lifting an auger clear of the ground, running a big mower, and so forth. Similarly, the 8N does a nice job of running a mower, disk, cultivator, scraper, and similar things. They don't make very good loader or tilling tractors relative to some other choices.
Generally speaking, small tractors will do the same things large tractors will, just more slowly. So, you can probably get away with it if you're careful and willing to make some changes to your equipment list, if necessary.
As MJPeterson said, the fuel economy on these is really good, too: You'll probably see 40% reductions in the volume of fuel you burn per hour, if not more.
There is simply too much difference in size, weight, and horsepower for the 1510 to be an adequate substitute for your Ford, unless you really are only using the thing to smooth gravel, auger post holes, and pull a mower. The mower situation is resolvable, if you are willing to downsize the cutter a foot or so. If your lot is flat, though, and the cutting is light, you might be able to get away with it. Smoothing gravel is much different than trying to scrape up and rip the soil, so you may be ok there, too. The auger requires almost no horsepower at all, and the biggest problem will be if you can reverse the pins on it so the lift arms will fit, and if the auger bit is short enough that the little Yanmar can lift it clear of the ground.
Just to be clear, the 1510 is NOT close in horsepower to the 8N. The Ford is significantly more powerful, and even though it is gasoline powered, the horsepower rating is similar in process and veracity to the 1510's. The 8N puts out 25-odd horsepower through a belt, while the 1510 is 15 hp through the PTO shaft.
I'm not trying to be discouraging or shoot down your ideas. I really like the little Japanese diesel tractors of the late 1970s/early 80s (as a look around my yard will attest) but you're comparing wrenches to screwdrivers. The 1510 would make a handy little tractor for the chores you're mentioning, but the small size and other traits that make it nice for one thing inhibit it when lifting an auger clear of the ground, running a big mower, and so forth. Similarly, the 8N does a nice job of running a mower, disk, cultivator, scraper, and similar things. They don't make very good loader or tilling tractors relative to some other choices.
Generally speaking, small tractors will do the same things large tractors will, just more slowly. So, you can probably get away with it if you're careful and willing to make some changes to your equipment list, if necessary.
As MJPeterson said, the fuel economy on these is really good, too: You'll probably see 40% reductions in the volume of fuel you burn per hour, if not more.
Pete Judd
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I too have a 186D, love it, and mow with a 5 ft finish mower, and have a 5 foot brush hog as well. If you are mowing every 2 weeks, I think that you should be able to get away with the lower horsepower. I have brush hogged some very nasty area's but have gone slow. Good Luck.
jerrybob
Elite Member
Welcome Towman to the forum. The other guys provided lots of good, knowledgeable information. I also have a 186D Yanmar. Great little tractor, well made, durable and reliable. The only thing I would add.......you mention 400 hrs. I suspect this "grey" market tractor has more hours than that. Could be 1400 hrs. or more. That is not necessarily a problem......these little diesels go a long time......just check it our well. Good luck!
Smoody
Platinum Member
could be a grey, the koyker loader says otherwise, never know though. As far as comparable to any old ford, no yanmar is.
rmully
Gold Member
I had a 600 Ford and I worked well but it was mean on gas, always seemed I needed to make another run for gas. I sold it and bought a YM 2020 and the Yanmar will do everything that ford could do and more. Sell the Ford get a bigger yanmar than the 1510 and you should be very happy ...IMHO
California
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The VN importer here used only Koykers on their imports. Hopefully this might indicate a better grade of gray.
If the previous owner had this a while, any bugs have probably been identified and remedied. I wouldn't be afraid of this one.
thank for all the info so far!!!!!! another question ive got is what is a early 80s yanmar 1510d worth in way above average condition 400 hours with a 3-5 year old koyker loader everything works perfect?????im thinking 4500.00-5000.00 is that not enough or to much? i really havent found anything to compare it to and i dont want to be in it to deep incase it doesnt workout and i have to get rid of it and get my investment back the owner hasnt given me a for sure price on it he is wanting a offer......
