YM3000 on Craigslist

[TNhobbyfarmer]

Pictures look good. Tires are great. Says it needs battery and starter. Asking $1000. Seems to good to be true. You know the old saying about that. Think its a scam? Worth taking a look?

 

[California]

It's worth a look, you never know. That price sounds like he gave up in frustration and just wants it out of there. "Take that, stupid tractor!"

Be prepared to jump it from your vehicle and maybe short across his starter if his key won't start it. Or even tow-start it. If it demos ok, jump on it before the rest of the world shows up! A starter is only $100, no big deal.

As you may know, YM2000 (same engine but two cylinders) makes a godawful racket like a rod about to come through the block, particularly before it warms up, but the racket doesn't mean anything. I assume this 3 cylinder version sounds similar.

These incredible deals come along, but rarely. I just got two nice welders (photo) for $25 total from an older guy who was downsizing from a place with a home workshop, to probably an assisted-living community. He simply had to be rid of them by moving day. I couldn't even check them before buying but at that price - why not gamble. They both turned out to be flawless after some minor mods - I replaced a plug on one cord to something more common, etc.

For me I would go look at that 3000. And hope it is the deal of the year. Don't be afraid to walk away if things go weird. Maybe when you get there phone your wife in his presence so he knows someone is looking out for you, since it could be a stop-n-rob offer, too.

 

[TNhobbyfarmer]

Are parts readily available for a YM3000?

 

[California]

Yes, Hoye tractor in Texas is what supports all of us in this Yanmar forum. YM2000 is their best-supported model, the 3000 with simply one more cylinder should be equally well supported. These things are like old VW's or Jeeps, there will be a broad stock of mailorder parts for years.

Hoye YM3000 section

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Added: YM3000 is from the era when Yanmars were built to be owner-maintained, in all corners of the world, by anyone with a simple kit of tools. There's nothing there that would ever need to be taken to a specialist. The starter will be common with many Deeres, the alternator/regulator are likely to be same as YM2000 which is the same combo as early 70's Datsun, etc so stocked at Autozone. Everything is just plain simple.

 

[winston1]

I too would go take a look if not already gone. :thumbsup:

 

[clemsonfor]

I would buy it no matter what. The parts should sell for 3x that even if you had to part it out. NOw if it had been through an engine fire after it threw a rod through the block and the trans locked up I would leave it!!!


Good chance its those Chinese or African scammers. "its probably boxed up waiting shipment and is from a bitter divorce or a son that died and its too painfull to look at"!!!

 

[Barry 1]

It looks good,hope they put a bucket over the muffler ! I would buy it if it was closer .

 

[careyo63]

I don't believe it runs. That thing has set for awhile. Quite awhile just looking at the oil filter. First thing I would do since the starter is gone would be try and move the Fly Wheel. But my guess It's a parts Tractor. With a new starter and battery the cost would only be a few Hundred. And running would get a quite few thousand more with just a few bolts to in stall them.... What basically 5..

 

[clemsonfor]

I don't believe it runs. That thing has set for awhile. Quite awhile just looking at the oil filter. First thing I would do since the starter is gone would be try and move the Fly Wheel. But my guess It's a parts Tractor. With a new starter and battery the cost would only be a few Hundred. And running would get a quite few thousand more with just a few bolts to in stall them.... What basically 5..

good catch on the starter!!! Could be it was bad and there just not resourceful enough to find one and every autozone they go in the people are like "we don't have parts or know what a yanmar is".

They probably just are not very PM conscious type people, and are only like "all I do is till my garden 2x a year for maybe 30 mins each time. That oil has no hours on it, I will change it one day."

 

[careyo63]

With the starter gone and my quick check shows it's a JD750 starter. That's why I said check the fly wheel real quick to see if it's locked up.

 

[TNhobbyfarmer]

I never got to look at it. It was sold before I could get there. Don't know what I missed but would have looked.

 

[California]

Seller: "Take that, stupid tractor!"

Buyer: "I'll spend $500 to get everything back to spec then have a $4,000 tractor for $1,500."

 

[TNhobbyfarmer]

Seller: "Take that, stupid tractor!"

Buyer: "I'll spend $500 to get everything back to spec then have a $4,000 tractor for $1,500."

Yep a good chance that is true. Unfortunately I'm not buyer in this scenario.

 

[graysonh]

Yep a good chance that is true. Unfortunately I'm not buyer in this scenario.

Just a newbie's:2cents: Just The YM155d I just bought could have been part of a package deal with a YM2200 for $5k. My tractor came with a tiller, woods finish mower, and spring tooth harrow for $3500. The YM2200 came with a very nice disc, a rotary mower (generic 5'), an auger, and another tiller -- so in this case the YM2200 and everything with it would have been a mere $1500. It needed a new rear tire (really both), battery, and a typical fluid service.

Due to so many other expenses I didn't really have that $1500, let alone the tire $$$, but I knew that I could turn around and sell it all for a lot more than I'd pay. But in the end I realized that it was just going to take too much of my time, and especially with a new baby, the time was worth more than the money. So unless you really needed the YM3000, chances are you're better off

PS California, that tractor's probably still over in Woodland and I have the guy's #

 

[TNhobbyfarmer]

Just a newbie's:2cents: Just The YM155d I just bought could have been part of a package deal with a YM2200 for $5k. My tractor came with a tiller, woods finish mower, and spring tooth harrow for $3500. The YM2200 came with a very nice disc, a rotary mower (generic 5'), an auger, and another tiller -- so in this case the YM2200 and everything with it would have been a mere $1500. It needed a new rear tire (really both), battery, and a typical fluid service.

Due to so many other expenses I didn't really have that $1500, let alone the tire $$$, but I knew that I could turn around and sell it all for a lot more than I'd pay. But in the end I realized that it was just going to take too much of my time, and especially with a new baby, the time was worth more than the money. So unless you really needed the YM3000, chances are you're better off

PS California, that tractor's probably still over in Woodland and I have the guy's #

I'm retired so I have time to mess with a project tractor, and if I turn a buck or two profit, that's gravy. Kinda wish I had gotten my hands on that YM3000.

 

[California]

PS California, that tractor's probably still over in Woodland and I have the guy's #

Oh man I wish I had time to play at fixing and selling tractors! This orchard plus this falling-apart old farmhouse (not my primary home) demand more time than I have. I'm still cleaning up after felling some eucalyptus trees that were volunteers in my last orchard rows and were beginning to shade the trees they were growing among. I hadn't noticed they were a problem, thought they were harmless, until now it took some engineering (cables and pulleys) to fell them straight down the orchard terraces and not smash a row of bearing apple trees. Everywhere I look there's something like that that demands my attention. This place was supposed to be a retirement hobby not endless responsibilities. I finally understand why every time I came to visit Dad here I had to work my tail off for him all weekend. The two Yanmars now are exactly what I need, a third would be a PIA.

Is that Rich in Woodland with the YM2200? He fixes and sells Yanmars on a small scale. If he's not the seller he has likely bought it by now.

YM2200 is sort of an orphan. That and YM2700 are unlike all other Yanmars so while good quality, parts are more limited. But at that price for all that gear, the combo would make a good buy for someone.