Rhino tractor... any info? (1st x buyer!)

[n82opth]

I am shopping for my first tractor and trying to gather as much info as possible before buying. Two tractors that appear to be in my price range with the most for my money are Rhino, sold by Hobbyhorse, and Yanmar grey market tractors. I'm leaning towards the Rhino because it's a new model as opposed to a used grey market. But, I've never heard anything about them. I was told by the seller (not a surprise) that they outperform the JD and Kubota. Does anyone know anything about this tractor or can offer advice? I'm open to suggestions on other tractors as well. I just want a good investment. I have 7 acres of land to clear and eventually convert into beautiful Japanese gardens. I have to move a lot of rock and dirt and do some clear cutting of brush. Thanks!

Tod

 

[Anonymous Poster]

<font color=blue>. I just want a good investment...and beautiful Japanese gardens.</font color=blue>

Of the two brands you've mentioned, Rhino {Chinese quality /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif }and Yanmar {Japanese quality /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif }...

To meet your above stated requirements, everything points to Yanmar, past history, reliability, parts availability give Yanmar the overwhelming lead.

and using a Yanmar would give you a exceptionally beautiful Japanese garden ... /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif

 

[hoghead]

While these tractors might do what you want, the long term implications of being chinese and grey market would weigh heavily against them in my opinion. I mean, if you ever had to get them worked on, or have to get parts, then you will wish you had never bought them. For my money I would stay with green,orange or blue paint, if you are talking new.There are a lot of good used ag tractors that would the job for you if you want to save money.But i would still go with something I could get parts and service for..Just my 2 cents

Hoghead

 

[Bird]

n82opth, if you use the "search" feature at the top of the page for Rhino, you should find some old messages and discussions about them, and you can do the same for the Yanmar. I've never heard anything good about a Rhino, and suspect if you buy it, you better like it because you'll probably never be able to pawn it off on anyone else. And the Rhino tractor (chinese) is not related to the Rhino implements which are good implements. As for the Yanmar, I'd be afraid of any grey market tractor myself, but Yanmar is a good brand, makes some of the John Deere models, etc. and you'll find a lot of people happy with their grey market Yanmars.

Bird

 

[jyoutz]

DO NOT BUY A RHINO TRACTOR. My neighbor bought a new one about 5 years ago. It runs, but just about every seal that holds in fluid of some sort is leaking. He can't find any parts for it, not even an oil filter, without ordering it from some place on the east coast. Naturally the local dealer who sold it to him and would be there for parts is now out of business. He's tried to sell it for less than half what he paid for it-no takers. You'd be far better off with the Yanmar. My John Deere 4100 is built by Yanmar. They have an excellant reputation and proven track record. Yes, parts are slightly harder to come by than the big 3 made for US sales company's parts. But most every part of the US has dealers whom will get you parts for grey market Yanmars, Kubotas, Iseki, Mitsubishi and Hinomotos.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Rhino.no , Yanmar yes.. any info? (1st x buyer!)

A Yanmar & a Rhino are 2 different animals. Rhino was distributed in the US by the Alamo Group. They moved quite a few tractors, but decided it wasn't a good investment & closed shop leaving all the customers without a good source for parts. I'm very leary of Chinese tractors. They aren't the quality of the Japanese tractors. And parts support is very quesrionable.
I must state , I'm an authorized Yanmar parts & servvice dealer. Yanmar parts are readably available. People that state otherwise are just not informed about the parts availability. Parts for the grey Yanmars have not been a problem as long as you get connected with a Yanmar dealer that deals in grey parts. I can't say that for the other brands. Yanmar made the JD650- 1650, the 55 series, 970, 1070, 790 , & 4100. I may have missed a model. Buy on quality , not price. There is a lot of junk out there. For more information on Yanmar parts & manuals , feel free to contact me at sheaftractor@coiinc.com or 815-284-3226.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I'd ditto what has been said, I have only seen the results with one Rhino, everything possible (and impossible) has broken or failed in some way. My Ford NH? I couldn't manage to break things that DESERVED (from what I was doing) TO BREAK!

Yanmar is on the same quality level as JD NH KU. I almost bought one when I bought my FordNH, it was just a matter of particular model features that put me on the NH versus the KU JD or Yanmar. They have a much weaker dealer network, so does BMW compared to Ford. Are Yanmar's still red? I know the new CASE (er NH) copies are Red. We need more colors!

del

 

[cowboydoc]

In my opinion I wouldn't even mess with a grey market tractor, ever, for any price. The reason being is they are not of the same quality as the major brands, KU, NH, Case, JD. There is a reason that they are cheaper. You get what you pay for is true to the T, in this case tractors. I have had numerous friends who have bought off market tractors and have yet to hear of any who didn't regret the decision. Most go back and buy one of the major mfg. If you ever try and sell one of them you are going to have a tough time and not get much out of them. There are going to be reliability issues, parts issues, service issues, etc. If you can deal with all of that then buy the off brand. Otherwise buy a good name brand and you may have problems but at least you won't have to go looking through a needle in a haystack to find the few dealers who can help you.