Yanmar ym187D. What to look for?

[arnoldziffel]

I'm considering a Yanmar ym187D. With powershift. Approx. 900 hours.

I know almost nothing about this model. I'd be using it to finish mow a 5 acre field.

What are the things specific to this model that you would recommend to check or test?

Thanks.

 

[winston1]

I can't think of anything specific to that model. Just check out things you would on any used tractor. Are you getting a finish mower with it and what size mower? That is a lot of grass to finish mow.

 

[arnoldziffel]

It does not come with attachments.

I'd be buying a finish mower for it. What size mower would be maximum for it?

 

[winston1]

It does not come with attachments.

I'd be buying a finish mower for it. What size mower would be maximum for it?

Based on personal experience and a little googling on finish mowers I would say you are right on the edge of a 5'. I think a 5' could bog you down in tall grass. I also think the 187 would handle it if mowed regularly. I mow with a 5' Woods finish mower with my 2002d, 20 pto horsepower. The 187d has about 15 pto horsepower. I can also tell you high lift blades require quite a bit more horsepower. I buy oregon mulching blades for my Woods and cut off about half of the lift edge. Can't tell the cut is any different, not near as much dust and less horsepower to pull.

 

[California]

That is a desirable and rare model. There aren't any weakness aside from finding one that has been beat to death.

Just do it, if it doesn't have any obvious problems. You can easily find that it has already sold.

 

[arnoldziffel]

$7,500 too much to pay for it?

If yes, what is ball park for a clean machine?

 

[winston1]

In our area that is to high. That would about right with a loader around here.

 

[Ductape]

No common problems with them that I'm aware of. I had it's close brother, the 186D. I ran a 5' woods belly mower on my with no problem. I will say in tall grass you will not want to take a full bite. As long as you mow regularly, I feel you would be fine with a 5 footer. Around here that price is way high. it wouldn't bring that even with a loader. With that being said, an unusually clean one will bring a premium price. On my 186, there was only a 3 digit hr. meter, so if it showed 900 hrs it may actually have 1900, 2900, 3900, etc...... so just be aware.

 

[careyo63]

I use a 5' Frontier/Woods on the YM2000. and on regular cuttngs I never have to run over 2000 rpms. 1st gear PTO. I believe I Tach Out at 2800. You'll probly need to add front ballast depending on the weight of it. Esp. if you have to lift it often.

 

[California]

$7,500? It looks like these have ascended into cult favorites like a 57 Chev.

These deserve that status, but for me I wouldn't buy anything that I have to baby to preserve its appearance and resale value. Its just a working tool after all.

For a price comparison there was a clean one (or was it a 186D?) on ebay around $6k for many months.

The previous model YM186D will do the same work, its nearly identical. YM187D was an upgrade with slightly longer wheelbase so more comfortable for the operator, and transmission said to be upgraded. I don't see anything about my 186D's transmission that could be improved. It does feel tight to dismount, no other problems.

Maybe the guy is bluffing on the price. Offer him $5,500. Seems to me that would be top dollar unless it looks showroom new.

 

[careyo63]

Maybe the guy is bluffing on the price. Offer him $5,500. Seems to me that would be top dollar unless it looks showroom new.

Esp. on CL. You ALWAYS ask Top Dollar. It's easy to Come Down on the Price But Really Difficult to go up.

 

[arnoldziffel]

$7,500? It looks like these have ascended into cult favorites like a 57 Chev.

These deserve that status, but for me I wouldn't buy anything that I have to baby to preserve its appearance and resale value. Its just a working tool after all.

For a price comparison there was a clean one (or was it a 186D?) on ebay around $6k for many months.

The previous model YM186D will do the same work, its nearly identical. YM187D was an upgrade with slightly longer wheelbase so more comfortable for the operator, and transmission said to be upgraded. I don't see anything about my 186D's transmission that could be improved. It does feel tight to dismount, no other problems.

Maybe the guy is bluffing on the price. Offer him $5,500. Seems to me that would be top dollar unless it looks showroom new.

Sorry, I should have been clear that asking price was not yet established when I posted. I just wanted to know how high might be too high.

As it turns out the asking price is only $4,100 and there may be some wiggle room.

 

[winston1]

Now your talking! :thumbsup:

 

[California]

Jump on it. Somebody will.

 

[arnoldziffel]

I'm almost ready to buy this Yanmar. However, I can't help wonder if I should not consider a newer alternative such as a Mahindra 2015 OR a Kioti CK20. The Mahindras are often in the $6,000 to 8,000 range and the Kiotis somewhat more.

I'm taken by the vintage look of the Yanmars but I need to use good judgement too.

I'd just be mowing with the machine.

Thoughts?

 

[Ductape]

That is priced right. I also loved the look of my 186..... its how a tractor should look. Up to you if you want a newer machine, but the Yanmars are a good reliable machine with a good following. I wouldn't hesitate to spend that money on a nice 187.

 

[California]

I can't help wonder if I should not consider a newer alternative such as a Mahindra 2015 OR a Kioti CK20. The Mahindras are often in the $6,000 to 8,000 range and the Kiotis somewhat more.

I'm taken by the vintage look of the Yanmars but I need to use good judgement too.

Thoughts?

Yanmar's PowerShift transmission is handy for close work like mowing around trees, buildings, etc. Mahindra's hydrostatic transmission should be good for this too but it robs a lot of the hp so you need a bigger model to get as much pto hp. And pto hp is what you need to turn that mower.

I have made this comparison too, and felt the additional cost of a Mahindra with hydrostatic was not justified. A manual transmission version might be closer in cost to the Yanmar but you are giving up too much with that compromise if you need to do close work. One argument to pay more for a Mahindra is its power steering, which is not likely to be found on the Yanmar. But these are so light that PS is just a luxury, not a need.

I would bet on the Yanmar to have lower total cost over the next ten years of use. They are that well built. Simple comparison: say you bash a headlight. Yanmar's is simple and can likely be found on Ebay. I think the Mahindra will have an expensive component that is unique to that model, so will be harder to find as the years go by.

 

[arnoldziffel]

I've had an interesting Yanmar adventure this week.

I've done a lot of reading, spoken with two tractor mechanics, spoken with Yanmar "dealers" and interacted with Yanmar owners on the internet. (Thanks to those of you who have helped)

I'm by no means an expert but I've developed a level of comfort I didn't have a week ago. It seems that the 187d models are respected but not well supported parts wise. (The theme I hear is that "four digit" models have good parts availability but not the "three digit" models.) My biggest concern seems to be that the four wheel drive system is not as robust as I would hope. New replacement parts for the front driveline, I've been told, are not available. Therefore some owners end up using the tractor as a two wheel drive machine and give-up on the four wheel drive. I can't do that.

I can't justify the purchase of a machine without decent parts support. Thats not a fault of the machine, it just reflects the reality in which I live. I don't have the time to track down used parts at salvage yards -- if there are any.

I'd be the perfect owner of this machine and I know it is very well suited to my need. Too bad.

Before I pull the plug on this purchase, am I wrong in the above conclusion? Can you provide me with some reliable source of 187d repair parts, most particularly parts for the four wheel drive?

Again, thanks for the help.

 

[jerrybob]

I have a 186D........been able to get parts through Hoye Tractor. They even had manuals for my model. They are good to do business with and very timely. Through my own dumb mistake.....I broke a pinion drive shaft a few years back......Hoye could locate one for me but it was more than I wanted to spend. Took broken pinion drive to a local machine shop and had them repair it. Good as new....tractor has never skipped a beat. Good luck.....whatever you decide.

 

[Pete Judd]

I have a 186D paid 3500 a few years back, with a 5 ft BH. The only part needed has been a new seat. The filters come from NAPA in the next town over to the west, oil from wally world, and Hyd fluid from TSC. I pull a 5ft finish mower in 2/2-2/3 with no problem. 7500 seems real high to me.