Yanmar 1500

[TNhobbyfarmer]

I am considering a Yanmar 1500 4wd. Hoye lists the 1500 as a preferred model for parts. I have never owned a Yanmar so I'm looking for input, the good, the bad, the ugly.

 

[California]

A top choice if 18 hp is sufficient. (My 18hp YM186D is sufficient for a 4 ft mower and 53 inch rototiller, no problems).

My only reservation is they are narrow and relatively tall so get a ROPS and ballast all the tires.

I think you will love it. Delightfully simple, the essence of a tractor and quite competent.

 

[Neat 1500]

Go for it, I should have bought the 4WD model when I had the chance as it has plenty of power just the 2WD lacks traction due to being light. I love my 1500 and like I've said many times before that she punches well above her weight :thumbsup:

 

[clemsonfor]

Yep the 1500 and 2000 are like the gold standard on yanmars. There are many parts available for it and many tractors rolling around and in salvage yards like Hoye if a part is NOLA. Hoye every year custom makes more and more hard to find or NOLA high demand parts.

Hoye has enough stuff for that tractor that you could build one from parts between salvage hard parts to new parts.

 

[TNhobbyfarmer]

The one I am considering comes with a 4' rotary cutter, 4' disk, and plow. I have not actually gone to see it yet. It is for sale by an individual. The one picture looks like it is in good shape, but I'm only going by a not so good picture. Let's assume average shape. Any ideas regarding an acceptable price?

By the way, it is green. I thought red was the default color for Yanmar. I assume it is a grey market unit that was painted green. Is it common for these tractors to be different colors?

 

[Hinomotoman]

The older Yanmars were painted green.

Eugene

 

[California]

There was a series 1 / series 2 in YM1500. I think the first ones had stamped bellhousing and the 2's are cast. And red paint started with series 2. There's no practical difference, just a few instances where you need to declare which series for ordering parts.

 

[clemsonfor]

Assuming in good shape you can buy that tractor alone around here for $2200 to 3000. With working implements that you have, assuming age on them and not brand new....and not top of the line stuff, $3000 to 4000 for it all?

 

[TNhobbyfarmer]

Assuming in good shape you can buy that tractor alone around here for $2200 to 3000. With working implements that you have, assuming age on them and not brand new....and not top of the line stuff, $3000 to 4000 for it all?

Thanks for the pricing information. The seller has it priced on the high end of your range. If I decide I am interested in getting it, I'll make a lower offer.

 

[California]

Does it have a loader on it? If so, it will sell quickly. With 4x4 and implements, and with no obvious need to repair anything, $3,500 to $4,000 + - depending on area.

If no loader - it took me a year to sell my first YM186D (similar size) without loader. Every call asked if it had a loader.

 

[clemsonfor]

Thanks for the pricing information. The seller has it priced on the high end of your range. If I decide I am interested in getting it, I'll make a lower offer.

I don't think a good shape 1500D with good implements would be too over priced even if listed at just over $4000. I forgot that it was a D. And yes if it has a loader go get it at that price now!

Other thing to consider is was this a VN recon machine. They are valued somewhat less by folks as the quality of them can be questionable. If it has been in service for years and has several hundred hours on it, its probably fine. Mine and Neats are both recons. I have not really had any issues with mine. Knowing what I know now, I should of spent the extra few hundred dollars on a fredericks machine but that is a moot point at this point. Things to look for would be, If it has a laoder it will be a bulldog or VN brand on a recon. It wont have a PTO safety shield on it. My paint is off color, its closer to Kubota orange and actually may be Kubota orange, than yanmar red, But all are not this way, there is a chance that my sheet metal was just mixedup over there and the painter was painting kubotas and they got mine as well. I have one fender cap that is red, you can see the difference. Hoses and belts might say LCI on them. The decals and paint tape job do not look as professional as the fredericks ones.

But like I said if it has been in service and he is using it that's a true test of its performance. It should crank easy, letting you know it as decent compression, have little or no blow by from the tube when its warm. Exhaust should be on the clear side to slightly grey when idling and when at operating speed. (you may know how to tell a decent diesel, not sure?) You can have the lift in the air with an implement and then shut off the tractor to see if it holds the implement in the air or how fast it lowers, this will tell you the condition of the 3pt system internals.

Like California said these are simple machines designed to be maintained by a farmer or farm mechanic on the farm with most of the tools he would have.

 

[TNhobbyfarmer]

No it doesn't have a loader. No I am not an accomplished mechanic. I do have a mechanic friend that will probably be willing to go with me as an advisor if/when I decide to take a look. I appreciate all the good advice from TBN guys. Hopefully this will proceed in a positive manner. I'm sure other questions will surface.

 

[Jimmy in NC]

We have had a JD 650 which is essentially the same as a 1500. No loader and mine is a 2wd. Since 1984 it has only needed regular oil changes and a handful of batteries. Great machine and with 4wd I'd be running to it.

 

[Jtullis13]

Ok guys i have read through this post and have some similar questions. I am also looking at a Green 1500d. It has 786 hours on it. Guy says it runs great with no known issuers. It's 6 hrs from me so I haven't seen it. The pictures make it look pretty nice. I'm not sure what it's worth. I know a red one refurbished is $5100. So know sure what this green one is worth and I have some ideas of the differences between the red and green, but don't know all of them, or if it's worth buying a green 1500d?.... Or look for a red one? Any input would be appreciated. Also does the green 1500d have a foot throttle?

 

[treedawg]

Ok guys i have read through this post and have some similar questions. I am also looking at a Green 1500d. It has 786 hours on it. Guy says it runs great with no known issuers. It's 6 hrs from me so I haven't seen it. The pictures make it look pretty nice. I'm not sure what it's worth. I know a red one refurbished is $5100. So know sure what this green one is worth and I have some ideas of the differences between the red and green, but don't know all of them, or if it's worth buying a green 1500d?.... Or look for a red one? Any input would be appreciated. Also does the green 1500d have a foot throttle?

Be very careful regarding the hours on a Yanmar.

The hour meter is not the traditional hourmeter to tell you total run time becuase it rolls over at 999 hours.

It's main purpose is keeping up with scheduled maintenance.

td

 

[Jtullis13]

Yep I totally understand how that works. I should have stated that it was approximate hours. Could be 2000 for all I know.

 

[clemsonfor]

It has those funny little external headlight pods on some years...right? Has a side air cleaner. Left side as sitting on tractor I think. And some had left side exhaust I beleive.

I not positive but I want to say it should have a foot throttle?

 

[Jtullis13]

Headlights I'm not sure about. Exhaust is on the right side and air filter is on the left side. I did call Aaron at Hoye today. Basically the green model has some minor differences. The brakes are harder to access, and the front axle is not as beefy as the red one. Keep in mind if planning on installing a FEL. Otherwise a good yanmar

 

[clemsonfor]

right , I was thinking there was something to do with either the brakes or the axles and how the rear was done but couldn't quite remember