Comparison Ready to buy: Yanmar YT347 or JD 4044R

[raybender]

I ran across TractorByNet when researching to buy our first tractor. I am glad I did. I have learned a lot from the wisdom of the users, and looking for any thoughts as I close in a final purchase decision and as I use my tractor.

Background: my wife and I live in the Fingerlakes Region of Western NY. We have 110 acres (40 acres leased to local farmer for hay, 30 acres mature woods, 20 acres young forrest, 15 acres fallow and hedgerows and 5 acres around a 200 year old farmhouse.
I will be using the tractor to manage the woods, maintain and improve trails, transition ~10 acres of fallow field to a pine forest, cleaning up overgrowth in the hedgerows and around the house and grading/drainage work.
The final requirement will be to use a PTO generator during our relatively frequent power outages (~5 last year).
I was an indentured servant to my parent's concrete construction equipment and familiar with backhoes. My wife is eager to take on massive wild grape vines and overgrown landscaping. I received advice from my consulting forester to get a larger frame CUT with 40-50hp. For dirt moving and relocating I looked for a loader with good reach and quick hydraulics. For forestry work, I wanted good ground clearance and tight turning radius. A backhoe attachment is planned in the future.

I looked at the following tractors based on local dealers:
Kioti NX4510, Massey 1742, Kubota MX4800, Case Farmall 45C, Yanmar YT347 and JD 4044R.

The YT347and the 4044R stood out on ground clearance, loader capacity/reach, perceived quality and dealer reputation. Both use the same model normally aspirated Yanmar engine (47 hp or 44 hp). Both appear to have the same hydraulic pumping capacity and the loader and three-point are nearly identical in capacity.

Apples to oranges comparison: The YT347 has two remotes and very "car like" controls. It stresses its hydro mechanic transmission as being very efficient and straight forward to service. The 4044R has the options of rear/remote three point controls and ePTO.

Price difference after considerable negotiation with the dealers:
The YT347 (hydro) with loader, two remotes, adjustable link is available for $28K (cash, no trade).
The 4044R (hydro) comes in at $34K (cash or finance 0%/60 months, no trade) with loader, one remote, ePTO, adjustable links and remote three point controls.

I would appreciate hearing opinions on ePTO and remote three point controls.
I have noted many users who have ePTO like it. I have not run across strong opinions on remote three point controls.
Down the road, there are more "green" used backhoes/implements than those for Yanmar.

I am leaning toward the JD; I think I will appreciate ePTO for mowing and generator use. The rear 3 point controls are slick, but my wife reminds me that $6K can buy a lot of implements.

Thanks to all.

 

[ericm979]

My Branson has E PTO and I never use it. The engine rpms would be below the "green band" that Branson wants it to run in to keep the DPF happy. Yanmar and Deere may be different there. I don't mind running it at 2400 rpm instead of 1800. It's only using as much fuel as it needs to make the power required, plus whatever the extra friction and pumping losses are from the higher rpm. I have a stand alone generator so no need to run the tractor or that. We spent a total of two weeks on generator during last winter's epic rains. Generators are a lot cheaper now than when I got mine 20 years ago.

For a cab the remote 3pt would be cool. On my open station Branson I can reach the 3pt lever from the side, over the fender. I have the factory remotes connected to top and tilt cylinders and I use those much more when connecting implements than the 3pt. The telescopic lower links have a good amount of up and down play when telescoped out so I don't have to be exact with the 3pt (and I can lift the arms manually if needed). I can reach the remote levers from behind the tractor. I love top and tilt especially for box blade work. I got three remotes and the third's connected to a grapple at the moment.

Check out the price of a backhoe with the tractor vs later. It might be a lot more expensive to buy the factory one later.

 

[Wagtail]

If you're happy between the two (or any other 'colour' tractor) then I would heavily weigh in the dealership factor. Who has the best reputation for parts/service/support?

Purchasing the right tractor for your needs is an important factor, but a great dealership will be needed (piece of mind if all goes right ) for the future. Unlike a vehicle dealership (in & out... see ya later), tractor dealerships are 'long term'.

Ask your neighbours & at the Pub (local watering hole). Word of mouth goes a long way.

 

[mike69440]

I ran across TractorByNet when researching to buy our first tractor. I am glad I did. I have learned a lot from the wisdom of the users, and looking for any thoughts as I close in a final purchase decision and as I use my tractor.

Background: my wife and I live in the Fingerlakes Region of Western NY. We have 110 acres (40 acres leased to local farmer for hay, 30 acres mature woods, 20 acres young forrest, 15 acres fallow and hedgerows and 5 acres around a 200 year old farmhouse.
I will be using the tractor to manage the woods, maintain and improve trails, transition ~10 acres of fallow field to a pine forest, cleaning up overgrowth in the hedgerows and around the house and grading/drainage work.
The final requirement will be to use a PTO generator during our relatively frequent power outages (~5 last year).
I was an indentured servant to my parent's concrete construction equipment and familiar with backhoes. My wife is eager to take on massive wild grape vines and overgrown landscaping. I received advice from my consulting forester to get a larger frame CUT with 40-50hp. For dirt moving and relocating I looked for a loader with good reach and quick hydraulics. For forestry work, I wanted good ground clearance and tight turning radius. A backhoe attachment is planned in the future.

I looked at the following tractors based on local dealers:
Kioti NX4510, Massey 1742, Kubota MX4800, Case Farmall 45C, Yanmar YT347 and JD 4044R.

The YT347and the 4044R stood out on ground clearance, loader capacity/reach, perceived quality and dealer reputation. Both use the same model normally aspirated Yanmar engine (47 hp or 44 hp). Both appear to have the same hydraulic pumping capacity and the loader and three-point are nearly identical in capacity.

Apples to oranges comparison: The YT347 has two remotes and very "car like" controls. It stresses its hydro mechanic transmission as being very efficient and straight forward to service. The 4044R has the options of rear/remote three point controls and ePTO.

Price difference after considerable negotiation with the dealers:
The YT347 (hydro) with loader, two remotes, adjustable link is available for $28K (cash, no trade).
The 4044R (hydro) comes in at $34K (cash or finance 0%/60 months, no trade) with loader, one remote, ePTO, adjustable links and remote three point controls.

I would appreciate hearing opinions on ePTO and remote three point controls.
I have noted many users who have ePTO like it. I have not run across strong opinions on remote three point controls.
Down the road, there are more "green" used backhoes/implements than those for Yanmar.

I am leaning toward the JD; I think I will appreciate ePTO for mowing and generator use. The rear 3 point controls are slick, but my wife reminds me that $6K can buy a lot of implements.

Thanks to all.

YT347 but I have only seen not operated either machine. I suggest you get some long seat time on each actually using the machines.

 

[Tractorable]

That's a smokin deal on the YT347, I'd go for it in a heart beat.

The Japanese Yanmar YT3 series has the iHMT transmission which puts down more power than an HST and is a more serviceable cartridge-style design. Auto throttle, integrated 3rd function, two rear remotes, cruise, A/B mode, etc all standard. It's one of the finest machines currently on the market.

Word on the street is that there are good deals on the YT347 because for $2K more you can get a YT359. Heck, you could get a YT359 and have cash left over for implements for the cost of the JD.

I like that Yanmar and Kubota are both 100+ year old Japanese companies that build the entire tractor, including the engine, from the ground up, and put their own name on it.

 

[raybender]

Thanks to all for the input.
I will be talking to the Yanmar dealer about a YT359. For a couple of grand, I would definitely consider moving up.
That said I will spend some "serious seat" time to make sure it feels right.

Fortunately, both dealers have good reputations, either will likely be good partners.

Jim

 

[Jstpssng]

Thanks to all for the input.
I will be talking to the Yanmar dealer about a YT359. For a couple of grand, I would definitely consider moving up.
That said I will spend some "serious seat" time to make sure it feels right.

Fortunately, both dealers have good reputations, either will likely be good partners.

Jim

:welcome: to the forums!!
And good luck with your tractor. Both JD and Yanmar make good machines.

 

[Tractorable]

Thanks to all for the input.
I will be talking to the Yanmar dealer about a YT359. For a couple of grand, I would definitely consider moving up.
That said I will spend some "serious seat" time to make sure it feels right.

Fortunately, both dealers have good reputations, either will likely be good partners.

Jim

Awesome, one nice thing about the YT359 is it makes its power with displacement instead of a turbo.

 

[raybender]

I spent some time on the tractors today, and came to the conclusion that the ePTO and rear 3-point hitch controls on the 4044R were not worth $6k. Reading the comments here and talking to the dealer, I did decide that is was worth paying the extra $2K for the YT359. A YT359 it is.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[Tractorable]

Congrats! The YT359 is a super nice machine and Yanmar is a great company. Be sure to post pics here when you get it.