Tractor and implement need questions

[ikymojoe]

Hello,

I have been shopping for a tractor and discovered the gray market. I would love to buy a John Deere but the budget will not allow it. Anything used (in my budget) via John Deere is either too large or too old. Plus I need to maximize my dollars!

That being said, I am shopping in the gray market. I have horses and need a front end loader (moving dirt, hay and shavings), and a 5 ft. finish mower. I have a friend that advises me to not get anything less than a 28 hp and 4wd. This friend also advises me to buy a tractor that parts will be available. I am convinced that parts will be available for these gray tractors. However, I am not conviced of the need for a 4wd.

Now onto general questions:

Are parts expensive due to it being gray?
Will a regular Woods or Landpride finish mower work with a gray market tractor?
Would y'all recommend 4wd?
Any dealers in Northwest Florida?

Sincerely,

Ikymojoe

 

[BruceR]

Ikymojoe,

Welcome to TBN. A gray would fit your needs. Just beware of "factory reconditioned" models with new hour meters.

If your heart is set on JD then get a Yanmar. Most, if not all smaller Jd's from the last twenty years say Yanmar under the hood. Part for Yannies are readily available. This is not the case for all brands. Also, Yanmars were marked in the US for a time, English Manuals are available for many models.

I'm not sure you would need 28hp. Grey market tractors are measured in PTO hp insted of engine hp. For example, my YM2000B has 20 PTO hp which equals 24 engine hp. If you want a FEL, then four wheel drive is advisable. Parts for any tractor are expensive.

Woods or Landpride finish mower should not be a problem. A very few tractors did have a PTO which turned in the wrong direction, but this is not an issue with the Yanmars.

Good luck, and stay away from so-called Recon units, Fresh paint and new hour meters is the same as smoke and mirrors.
Bruce

 

[kenmac]

Power shift is a must with loader.With the experence I've had with my tractor, I would highly recomend 4 wd. 4 WD. can get you out of some tough spots. It's not a must with loader but, it makes it better. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Joe1]

I bought a used JD instead of a gray market tractor becaue I was concerned about getting major service or repairs done on the tractor. As I understand it, many or most dealers will not service a grey market tractor because they cut into their new/used business, and because parts can be difficult to obtain in some instances.

Let me repeat that this is my understanding, so if I'm wrong, I hope/know the grey market owners will politely set me straight.

 

[BruceR]

Joe1,

While you won't get any Yanmar service at a JD dealership ( for the most part they deny any knowledge of the name ), I don't think service and repair is a major issue. There are plenty of independent shops that are happy to have the business.

Other than a few models ( YM2200, YM2700, YM147 ), parts are not an issue. Rumor has it that owners of some older JD's are being referred to Yanmar now to try and obtain their parts.

Bruce

 

[ikymojoe]

Kenmac,

Thanks for your reply. Did you buy from a dealer in Alabama?

Anyone you recommned?

 

[kenmac]

yes, www.fredricksequipment.com

 

[mark777]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Joe1,.....While you won't get any Yanmar service at a JD dealership ( for the most part they deny any knowledge of the name ), I don't think service and repair is a major issue. There are plenty of independent shops that are happy to have the business. ........Bruce )</font>

BruceR, Never heard that said any better.

Plus the fact that if you're the slightest bit handy with a wrench, the tractors are very simple to repair and maintain.

Mark

 

[PWGflyboy]

Interestingly enough, I was checking out new tractors at the local JD house yesterday and 2 guys pull up with a YM3810D. When they pulled up the the shop, 3 mechanics come out and push it off the trailer since she won't run. They wrote up a service order and put it in line for the repair shop just like all the green tractors. After lurking here for a while, my impression is that just would not happen.

Of course, the sales guy didn't think much of the Yanmar but the service folks didn't seem to mind working on them a bit.

 

[kenmac]

If you need the money ,don't matter if it's chevy or yugo.If the jd dealers don't want the money some independent shop will take it. Doesn't matter to me who repairs mine if I can't .