Buying Advice Thoughts on an old refurb Yanmar?

[breedtractor]

I'm new to tractor buying, and have a budget of ~$11k. I acquired some property mainly used for recreation, but it has 15 acres of open, hilly pasture that I'd like to keep bush hogged.

There's a local Yanmar refurb tractor (Grey Market) that I looked at the other day which runs and drives well. It was the first time I'd ever driven a tractor, and it was much different than a car!

They want $12,900 for the 2610d, which comes with a loader. Everything looks brand new, tires, engine components...just not sure if this is the way to go.

TBH, I'd rather buy a refurbed tractor that has had things rebuilt, than a used tractor that hasn't gone through the cleaning and once over. At least that's my train of thought.

Looking for other thoughts/opinions/experiences!

 

[herm0016]

where are you located?

for 12000 i think you could get something that has good support
example:
Yanmar 424 Tractor/loader 4WD - farm & garden - by owner - sale which is admittedly a good deal.

or this Koti:

Kioti Model 1914 2 HP 4X4 Diesel Tractor - farm & garden - by owner...

i would hold out for something with hydrostatic drive or shuttle shift i think.

44 hours on a 2017!

217 Mahindra Tractor - farm & garden - by owner - sale

if you did find something here, i could do look/transport to where ever you are for a price. If i had the cash, i would be looking at that mahindra ASAP.

 

[jeff9366]

Yanmar model 2610d is a 40year old tractor. How available will parts be for something of that vintage, grey market?

How skilled are you as a mechanic?

Do you have a truck/trailer to potentially transport a tractor for repair?


Yanmar YM2610

1979 - 1981
YM10 Series
Compact Utility tractor
Series: YM2310 ← YM2610 → YM3110
YM2620 ↓
Production
Manufacturer: Yanmar
Type: Compact Utility tractor

Variants
YM2610: 2WD
YM2610D: 4WD
Yanmar YM2610 Power
Engine: 26 hp
19.4 kW
Yanmar YM2610 Engine
Yanmar 1.3L 3-cyl diesel

Engine Detail
Yanmar 3T80-D
diesel
3-cylinder
liquid-cooled
Displacement: 78 ci
1.3 L
Bore/Stroke: 3.15x3.35 inches
80 x 85 mm
Power: 26 hp
19.4 kW
Starter volts: 12

Mechanical
Chassis: 4x2 2WD
4x4 MFWD 4WD
Cab: Open operator station.
Transmission: 15-speed partial power shift

Power Take-off (PTO)
Rear RPM: 542/685/1005/1268

Dimensions
Length: 118 inches
299 cm
Width: 53 inches
134 cm
Height: 74 inches
187 cm
Weight: 2712 lbs 1230 kg
Page information
Last update: February 21, 2020
Copyright: Copyright 2020 TractorData LLC
Contact: Peter@TractorData.com

 

[airbiscuit]

That would be a good deal at $6,000. For the money they are asking, you can get something 25 or 30 years newer.

 

[Roadworthy]

I'd steer away from old grey market. If you really want that tractor you might go $4000 to $5000. Grey market means Yanmar doesn't support them. Who supports the tractor after the sale? Does the refurb seller have a service department of any sort or size? I bought a grey market tractor but the dealer was "too busy" to support it after the sale. Parts will break. If you're mechanically inclined you can repair it IF YOU CAN FIND PARTS!! If you're a machinist you can make some of them. You're not going to make a hydraulic pump, though. Refurbished doesn't mean much in a tractor that old. It probably doesn't mean much in a newer tractor either. Visit a few local tractor dealers. See what they have in the line of trade in tractors.

 

[JDAOWNER]

I AGREE, STAY AWAY FROM GRAY MARKET.

 

[airbiscuit]

Buying a Grey Market Tractor isn't necessarily a bad choice. It is however, a choice with increased risk. My first CUT was a 15hp Shibaura (Shibaura SD1500). I bought it for $2,500 which was my discretionary budget at the time for a "toy". I knew there was a risk to buying a gray market tractor, but I knew Shibaura had a good reputation for building New Holland CUTs, and filters and such were available at auto parts stores.

I knew there was a risk that it might break and I wouldn't be able to find parts for it. That said, for $2,500 I could have a CUT and do all kinds of fun trail making, or I could do nothing. I was willing to take a $2,500 risk. I used it for 4 years without incident, and sold it for what I paid for it. During that time, I got a lot done.

That led to buying a 24hp John Deere, which led to buying a 34hp New Holland, which led to a 40hp New Holland. Each sold for what I paid for them, and it all started with a $2,500 grey market tractor. I took that risk because there weren't other options available at that price. In this case, there are lots of newer and better options available for $12,900. At $5k or $6k, it might be worth the risk as a starter tractor. YMMV

 

[breedtractor]

They offer a 1 year warranty...didn't think that was that bad considering buying a used "new" tractor.

I just can't find newer, used tractors that aren't all beat up with potential mechanical problems. This looks like a good option, even at the pricetag.

Can't post the link, but it was from Fredricks Outdoor in Alabama. Any experience with them or heard anything? I've found a lot of positives online about these...maybe not so much grey market kubotas.

 

[herm0016]

alabama? 218 Kubota Bx238 diesel tractor w loader, bush hog - farm & garden...

this is a decent deal.

where are you from? we will find you lots of tractors that are going to be better buys than the gray market stuff.

John Deere 411 4wd Tractor with Loader and Belly Mower - farm &...

a warranty is no good if they cant get the parts either.

 

[breedtractor]

KY.
Looking for something in the 30hp range for ~11k. I've realized that good used ones I've seen on tractorhouse go quick...I've followed up on 3 today that I saw yesterday and all sold this morning!
Guessing there's probably not a shortage of good used tractors, though I'd need to drive a ways to pick one up?

 

[airbiscuit]

They do go fast. Do this search daily ...

https://www.tractorhouse.com/listings/farm-equipment/for-sale/list/category/1111/tractors-less-than-40-hp?PF=3000&PT=12500&SortOrder=441&scf=False&CTRY=USA&ST=Alabama&ST=Georgia&ST=Mississippi&ST=Tennessee&LS=10

 

[jeff9366]

Add your KENTUCKY LOCATION to your T-B-N PROFILE so location shows with every post you make.

 

[dodge man]

That sounds like a lot for a gray market tractor. What exactly did they do to it, blow a new coat of paint on it? You can get a name brand tractor for your budget. Tractors get used outside and can start to look a little rough with a few hundred hours but still great mechanically. Don't be blinded by the shiny painted the refurbished one.

 

[breedtractor]

Also looking at a 1996 Kubota L3600 with 1300 hours for $11,500 which comes w/ bush hog and box grader. It's lived outside, so to your point, the paint isn't as shiny. Leaning toward that now. Any concerns with that model year?

 

[Richard]

I was once going to repaint my backhoe, then sell it (I never did)

My brother in law made a very interesting point to me.... he said if I DID repaint it, to continue on using it to allow it to get bruised/nicked up... My facial expression must have said it all as I didn't understand.

He said anytime he sees a pristing, recently painted machine his first default thought is "I wonder what they're hiding???"

 

[herm0016]

That sounds like a lot for a gray market tractor. What exactly did they do to it, blow a new coat of paint on it? You can get a name brand tractor for your budget. Tractors get used outside and can start to look a little rough with a few hundred hours but still great mechanically. Don't be blinded by the shiny painted the refurbished one.

That machine is a big step up from any of the 25ish hp machines.

 

[s219]

$13K for a 40 year old tractor, gray market no less, is ridiculous.

 

[Maxify55]

I bought a '79 Zen-Noh 2210D (Japanese Yanmar) back in '07.
I worked that thing like it was a rented mule for 6 yrs.
I PM'd it regularly and made some moderate repairs along the way, myself.
When I moved up to my current '12 LS, my next door neighbor couldn't believe I hadn't killed that thing &
bought it from me as the dealer had no interest in it at all as a trade in. Go figure?
He owns it to this day and loves it.
I hear that "Ole Yanmar Clap" across the way from time to time and reminisce.

Would I recommend doing it?
Only if you like "Sweat Equity" & spending time learning about turning wrenches on your own stuff.
BTW: It never breaks down when you have lots of time on rainy days and little else to do.
If you like being on your back in a fire ant hill when it's well over 100 degrees and fixin' blow up a hurricane...
Then buy it!
You'll love the experience.

 

[Randy Gann]

Last year I purchased a 2005 Massey 1528 with 1520 loader with 5 ft bucket for $9,000 from a Massey/Kubota dealer about 100 miles from my home. Tractor is 28 hp, geared with 3 ranges, R4 tires had 400 hours and looks brand new. Tractor had been well cared for by prior owner and lightly used. Previous owner purchased originally from same dealer and traded for bigger tractor. The price included delivery. So good deals can be found on tractors in great condition. You have to be diligent in your search and quick to respond when the right tractor comes up for sale. I had no problem buying a geared tractor as I do a lot of mowing and not much loader work. You mention spending $12,000 for a 40 year old grey market tractor but for a few thousand more you can get a new tractor. Smith’s Enterprises in N.C. has TYM T264 package with tractor, loader, 5 ft rotary brush cutter, 5 foot blade and 18 ft trailer for $17,555. So tractor only should be only a few thousand more than the grey market tractor.

 

[airbiscuit]

Okay, now that I know you live in Kentucky, here is an updated search you should look at daily. If I knew your zip code, it could be sorted by closest first.

https://www.tractorhouse.com/listings/farm-equipment/for-sale/list/category/1111/tractors-less-than-40-hp?PF=3000&PT=12500&SortOrder=441&scf=False&CTRY=USA&ST=Kentucky&ST=Ohio&ST=Virginia&ST=West+Virginia&ST=North+Carolina&ST=Tennessee&LS=10