Yanmar/John Deere connection

lepepix · May 11, 2003

Its my understanding that Yanmar makes some of the John Deere tractors is that still true? What HP ranges do they do?

Also, not knowing much about Yanmar tractors where can I read more?

LeRoy

Tractors4u · May 11, 2003

Yanmar started building tractors for Deere with the 50 series; 650, 750 and so on. Those eventually became the 70 series. Yanmar also supplied the engines for Deeres 55 series hydrostatic tractors and diesel garden tractors. Deere started building their own compacts a few years ago at their factory in Augusta GA, but they still get their engines from Yanmar. You can still get a 100% Yanmar built John Deere though. John Deere kept two models from Yanmar and they are the JD790 and 990.

As for a good place to read about Yanmars, I would say this forum is it.

lepepix · May 11, 2003

Thanks for the reply, was also wondering about seeing a lot of used Yanmars on the dealer sites. Is the imports limited to just used tractors or do some have new products? Any place to get brochures?

LeRoy

Anonymous Poster · May 11, 2003

Yanmar did sell new in the US in the past, but not now. The YM followed by 3 digits indicate a US model, the remainder are grey market. Support for the US yanmars is good. Support for the greys is through networks such as this. JD dealers aren't much help although a few will try. Yanmar is trying to cut off parts for greys through the US dealer network in this country--perhaps because of lawsuits as the grey market ones don't have the required US safety equipment (Roll over protection structure--ROPS, seat belts, or PTO shields). Parts are certainly available and some models have very close US models and these models are easier to get parts for (although you may have to claim you have the US model and provide a serial number). Grey market tractors tend to be cheaper and if a widely made model parts should be easy to get--although you might need to do the work yourself or make friends with a tractor mechanic. Certainly the parts are available, but sometimes it takes time. A few models were hardly made and parts are a real problem--ask people on this board before you buy. The F series tractor are newer than the YM tractors. Many models use very similar/common parts. Also, JD parts sometimes cross-over and I think there is a JD website that crosses over yanmar parts number--of course you have to have the yanmar part number. Mostly you get a parts manual (in Japanese with Arabic numbers) and look at the pictures to get the part number.

If you want a new tractor, people are saying good things about Bransons, or you can sell one of your children for a JD.

Greys have the good points--mostly the price. You need to be careful about "reconditioned" or "factory reconditioned" as you have no idea what you are getting--maybe just a paint job and a rolled back hour meter. Many people worry about the vietnamese reconditioned tractors for this reason.

If you deal with a reputable dealer (and those on this board know who is who) you can get a good tractor for a reasonable price. Ask about a dealer on this board, put your e-mail up and you'll get private responses for negative feedback--the good responses will be posted for all to see.

Bigger machines tend to have more hours. This is not necessarily bad. lack of use is almost harder on an engine than lots of use.

professor · May 11, 2003

I was under the impression that Yanmar is building the complete new JD series (4010,4020 etc). /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Tractors4u · May 11, 2003

<font color="blue"> The YM followed by 3 digits indicate a US model </font>

Actually some of the later model grey market Yanmars had 3 digit model numbers such as F165 or FX175.

Anonymous Poster · May 12, 2003

Yeah, the rule doesn't hold for the F series. Were there any F models that were not grey?

Tractors4u · May 12, 2003

As far as I know there were never any F series that were not grey markets.

pennwalk · May 12, 2003

Don't forget the early Japanese 173, 273 which were recently pictured here.

Chris

gbirky · May 12, 2003

My understanding is that Yanmar is still building the smallest of the 4000 series - 4100, or whatever is current (4110?). I don't know what the 4010, 4020 are. The 4200 and up are made by JD in the U.S. with Yanmar engines.

The YM177 is a relatively popular earlier YM 3 digit gray market tractor.