Yanmar YM2010 4.50 star(s) (2)

Yanmar YM2010
Model Year: 1980

This is a gray market tractor I bought in 2003. From reading on this site and Yanmar America's site online I have learned that this was misrepresented to me at the time of purchase as a "late 90's or early 2000's" tractor. However, it has lived up to every expectation I had. This little guy has worked his butt off taking care of our horse operation on our small acreage in oftentimes extreme heat, prepping our arena, hauling hay, grading the driveway, you name it. I have an oversized front bucket that can tip him over if overloaded but that hasn't been any reason for this guy to quit. He has a small leak (coolant) at the rear of the head gasket (all external). This is the only issue, other than tires I have had in over 8 years of regular operation. For a small tractor it has amazing power and durability. Had I learned 8 years ago what I know now, I probably wouldn't have purchased this guy, but I don't regret it now and have often told my wife before I knew it wasn't what I thought I bought that this was the best toy she could have bought me.

Pros: Low, low maintenance.
Cons: Difficulty finding tires (proper size for 4wd).

Yanmar YM 2010
Model Year: 0

I didn't know what a "grey-market" tractor was until I started looking for a small compact tractor to use around my 18 acres. I looked at Kubota, which is used by most nurseries in this area. Because of their popularity with the nurserymen, they were highly valued and over-priced. I found a Yanmar dealer near me and looked over several of their used models. Finally settled on the TM 2010 because of its "power-shift" transmission and three cylinder diesel engine. I have nothing but praise for the machine. It starts every time, even after sitting for long periods, runs for days on five gallons of diesel fuel and pulls every piece of equipment I own with ease. I routinely use it to mow over 8 acres, plow,disc, and till a small garden, pull trailers to haul brush and carry wood, and move dirt with a pond-scoop and box-blade. It is extremely versatile and very reliable. My only complaint is that it doesn't have hydraulic outlets. If it did, I would have already gotten attachments like a front end loader. I might also like to have a ROPS installed. However, like the owner's manual states, the Japanese tractor industry expects operators to know and be familiar with equipment operation and limitations, unlike the US industry which relies on government regulation to "idiot-proof" vehicles and equipment. I never pull anything or attach to a piece of equipment that could result in the tractor flipping backwards or operate it on grades that could cause a roll-over. Common sense will keep you safer than all the safety devices. Follow the maintenance schedule to grease the fittings, check all fluids before operation, and run the engine at proper load and RPM and this machine will last a lifetime. I do change oil every year with a new filter and Rotella semi-synthetic oil for the engine. Fuel used is farm-diesel purchased from the local Farmers Co-Op. I try to buy when price is down, so I have a sixteen gallon barrel with pump and fuel nozzle to store the fuel. This may last up to three months or more depending on mowing season.

Pros: Extremely reliable, versatile.
Cons: None related to use or design, just desirable to have hydraulic outlets.