Comparison Trying to learn about the old Yanmar Tractors

Spanky100 · Jun 16, 2015

I am into the learning phase for the vintage Yanmar Tractors. Likely will ask some questions that seem simple or misguided to most of the experienced group here. Appreciate any help and please include the additional information I am not knowledgeable enough to ask.

My end objective for the Yanmar is to get a small low cost tractor that could handle a 4 foot light rotary cutter (bush hog). I have two slightly rolling fields that are around 2 and a half acres each. I have these two fields bush hogged about 5 times a year. The friend that bush hogs it now uses a tired Ford 8N with a 5 foot bush hog. Usually the first spring mow is around 3 feet high grass/weeds and the following 4 summer and fall cuttings are usually about two feet high. I would like to get a 4 wheel drive but a 2 wheel drive with R1 ag tires will likely do the job. I have used a 18 HP 42 inch mid-mount deck riding lawn mower to cut the fields. Using the lawn mower I have to cut it more often as the riding lawn mower is challenged cutting more the 12 inches of grass/weeds.

My first though. Would a YM 1500D 18 HP handle a 4 foot light rotary cutter? Am I thinking too small or is there a better price point for a 20 to 24 HP YM Tractor that would be much more capable for not much more money? Open for other thoughts.

Do the YMs with traditional gear transmission have live rear PTO and live hydraulics for the 3 point? Is the Power Shift Transmission on the 10 and 20 series the same with respect to Live PTO and Live Hydraulics?

Thanks for your help.

Wayne

California · Jun 17, 2015

Welcome!

In my opinion - you want to step up one size from YM1500 to YM2000 for the mowing you describe. My YM186D (same hp as YM1500) is working its heart out to run a 4 ft mower in heavy grass, and it has the advantage of Powershift to bring the mower up to rpm before ever putting the tractor in gear and moving forward. Also I can upshift while moving. My YM240 (YM2000) is harder to get moving in a high enough gear to mow at efficient speed, if the start is uphill in heavy grass. I think a similar manual transmission YM1500 would feel underpowered.

And there should be little price difference YM1500 / YM2000. Contrary to what some may say, I feel 2wd is all you need for a 4 ft rotary mower - at least on a YM2000.

Here's my old thread comparing YM240 / YM186D for mowing.

Don't be bashful about asking beginner questions. Everyone here started from that point, asked the questions, and hopefully shared what they learned back with the group eventually.

Powershift allows operation similar to live pto, you let the clutch out to make a complete mechanical connection back to the pto but you don't have to shift the Powershift from N to 1 until you want to move forward. Powershift is about the same as an automotive A/T, with its input as the first thing after the conventional clutch but then its own internal clutches to engage RN123 without touching the clutch again. The hydraulic pump is driven by the engine and hydraulic pressure is available all the time regardless of what else is going on.

normde2001 · Jun 17, 2015

Get yourself a YM2000, (B) model if you can find it. It has plenty of power to do what you want and best parts availability of any gray market Yanmar. Start on page 356 and start reading.

clemsonfor · Jun 17, 2015

I would also find something like the ym2000. it or a 2001 or a 2000b like norm says or 2210 etc. the 24HP tractors would be where i want to start if i was you. the 1500 could do it but at times will be underpowered or slower and they basically cost the same as the 2000. I dont think you need 4wd for what you describe if truly rolling. now if your mowing and do it in boggy conditions it may be nice but these things in 2wd with the diff lock will pull through some nasty stuff.

I own both a 4ft and 5ft light duty bushhog. I have a ym2000 which is a 24hp at the engine and 20hp at the flywheel 2wd tractor. With the 4ft and 3 foot thick grass thats all it wants, put a decent hill in there and your rolling coal on it. I can use the 5fter if the grasss is not super thick and even 2ft tall is not a problem I think i will use it mostly from here out and when needed just cheat in a foot. It can easily lift it and easily spins it and all 5 foot in anything but the thickest grass.

careyo63 · Jun 17, 2015

I also have a 24Hp. Ym2000 the same as the 240. I use a 4Ft. BH. and a 5ft. FM.. The 2000 handles them both on my property easily. I mostly use the Rear Discharge Fm. but have 8 acres of wooded area I use a BH.. It's a old International I believe that's built like a Tank! And have no problems using it. My Woods Manufactured JD. Fm. I never Run my Eng. much over 2000rpms.. Now that I have my 2nd. gear on he PTO. working I only run about 1400-1500 Eng. Rpms.. It fits great behind the 2000!!! I mow at least 2.5 acres with it weekly and use maybe 1.5 gal of Diesel a month.

Here's a pick of the BH. since I had it out.

Spanky100 · Jun 17, 2015

Everyone

Thanks for the great input. Exactly what I needed to start my search. The YM2000 (*2000B, 2001. 2210) all sound like they would be better for my use. Any rough estimate what these tractors weigh without added weights or loaded tires?

With a YM2000 and a light duty 4 foot bush hog do I need a front weight? If so are front weights low cost and easy to find?

Thanks again

Wayne

California · Jun 18, 2015

YM2000 around 1850 lbs. I think 2210 is a heavier tractor, maybe 2300???

I would try mowing first without front weights. You may find the steering too light and imprecise.

'Real' suitcase weights like what were sold for it new are around $1/lb, or less, used. If you're lucky maybe half of that.

It's easy to fabricate something heavy to bolt on to the front bumper. Maybe go to a junkyard for a truck flywheel, or build a box you can pour 2-3 sacks of premix concrete into. One caution, don't build a wide bumper that will interfere with the very short turning radius these are capable of. And the heaviest part should be as far in front of the tractor as possible. You'll never notice if your ballast makes the tractor a little longer, but any additional width that interferes with turning radius will forever be a PIA if you have to work in tight spaces.

I see you already list a couple of tractors. Are any suitable for this mowing?

Turbys_1700 · Jun 18, 2015

Very good advise here. Just to chime in. I owned a 1700 for 14 years pulling a 5' rear finish mower. I think that it weighed in at around 1575#. Power was not an issue. I did pull a light duty 5' hog around some and it was too much for the tractor. A 2000 is a great tractor. Parts were not an issue for my 1700 and I would think that the 2000 would not have any issues either. They are very dependable machines.

careyo63 · Jun 18, 2015

California's advice on a bumper and front weight is what I based Mine on. Better then cheap FREE!!. It didn't take long to collect enough Old boat Anchors from the local lakes I would frequent Fishing to fill the pipe. If there was stumps with a lot of Ropes chances are there's a anchor. I easily found more then fish I caught. :laughing:
My FM weigh's 611 Lbs.. If I would lift it all the way off the ground It would get extremely light on the front end. The bumper I added Works perfect by just adding 50-55 Lbs. of Lead and keeping it short and out of the way.

clemsonfor · Jun 18, 2015

I use a 6ft Bush hog brand Finish mower on my ym2000. Its too much mower for anything more than biweekly mowing but i can make it work and will cheat in a bit as well. It will make the front light almost non steerable and the tire will come off the ground on a bump Bush hog lists this as 588lbs so i think yours might be a little lighter than that carey? maybe not as the 5ft bushhog weights 560 but still less.

Anyway my point to all that is that i have a solid 3" metal roundstock and a 3"ID pipe a bit shorter filled with lead. I have a total of about 200lbs hanging off the front of mine. This helps with the heavy disk when i ballest it out and the finish mower when i lift it.

I would say running a 5 or 6ft finish mower there is a NEED for front ballest on a ym2000

California · Jun 18, 2015

I think my 4 ft Howse rotary mower is around 450 lbs.

Since I have a front loader, I've never thought about ballast to offset it.

careyo63 · Jun 19, 2015

Here's the Specs. to the Frontier FM's.. 611 Lbs. is correct for the 60". It's up there and no wonder I had to add front ballast. Which I had to think about. That was the weight before of the Anchors when I started filling it. I got the sledge hammer out and Packed it solid with another I found after I started. It's at least 70lbs. There's some things on this model that's usually not normal on a FM. with the way there built I've noticed. A good example is the steel bar that supports the wheels. Just about every other one is hollow. And the metal they used on the deck is Hefty!! 8G. There's no doubt these specs. are correct Imo. Plus I scanned them out of the Org. Manual.

clemsonfor · Jun 19, 2015

I know the bar that is welded to the forks that holds the wheel on on this bush hog is solid like 1" round stock as well. Deck on it as heavierduty i think the the bushhog razorback 5ft light duty rough cutter i have.

I beleive you just you always here how heavy duty bush hog is etc. this finish mower is no light duty mower. its heavier duty than the light model cheap rottary cutters you see.

Dill22 · Jun 19, 2015

I have a Yanmar YM2000 tractor that Has worked great for me. I use it on a fifty acre farm. It pulls a 4 ft. Bush Hog easily. You can buy an attachment that fits on the PTO shaft at Tractor Supply or, Hoye Tractor Supply on the Web, that will convert the PTO to work as a live PTO does. It costs about $75.00. The YM2000 has 3 PTO speeds but you will need to use the slow 540 RPMs with the Rotary Cutter that is the speed most cutters are designed for. You will need weights on the front bumper. I know several people who have the small Yanmar's and they are a tough and dependable tractor.

Spanky100 · Jun 20, 2015

California said:
YM2000 around 1850 lbs. I think 2210 is a heavier tractor, maybe 2300???

I would try mowing first without front weights. You may find the steering too light and imprecise.

'Real' suitcase weights like what were sold for it new are around $1/lb, or less, used. If you're lucky maybe half of that.

It's easy to fabricate something heavy to bolt on to the front bumper. Maybe go to a junkyard for a truck flywheel, or build a box you can pour 2-3 sacks of premix concrete into. One caution, don't build a wide bumper that will interfere with the very short turning radius these are capable of. And the heaviest part should be as far in front of the tractor as possible. You'll never notice if your ballast makes the tractor a little longer, but any additional width that interferes with turning radius will forever be a PIA if you have to work in tight spaces.

I see you already list a couple of tractors. Are any suitable for this mowing?

California

Thanks for the information for the tractor weights and ballast weight suggestions. Truck flywheel is great ideal and would keep the width narrow. Plus I might be able to find one for free.

Reference to the other tractors. Currently have one tractor and one riding lawn mower. The Kioti CK27 HST is great for bush hogging. It will pull a 5 foot rotary cutter good. The problem (possibly I should call it an opportunity to get a new toy) is these two fields that I would like to mow are not at home where I keep the Kioti. The Kioti with the tractor, loader, and rotary cutter is around 4300 pounds, add the trailer weight and it is getting up around 8,000 pounds. Adding a smaller Yanmar keeps me from having to tow heavy and I can use a more fuel efficient car for the trips. The Cub Cadet is a 18 HP lawn mower. I have used but it is challenged when the grass/weeds are over 12 inches. In the end I have always liked the classic Yanmars from the past. To be transparent, I am trying rationalize a new toy. Please help.

Wayne

Spanky100 · Jun 20, 2015

California, Turbys, careyo63, clemsonfor, and Dill22

Thanks for your help to gather the information to progress toward a classic Yanmar. The Team here has me thinking a YM2000 is a great price point. I can use it with a 4 foot light bush hog.

Now the real issue is where to find one. Looking at Craigs List, Tractor House, local tractor dealers. So for the 2 good used ones close to me were high priced. One had a FEL which I do not need. I have two that are lower priced and will need work. Not opposed to minor repairs that would allow me to use the tractor while fixing little things but not looking for a winter project. I would like to cut some fields with it this summer or fall. I will keep looking.

If you have any good leads let me know. I travel from north Michigan to southern Ohio with a few trips to Kentucky and east Tennessee.

Thanks Again

Wayne

California · Jun 20, 2015

Spanky100 said:
... I have always liked the classic Yanmars from the past. To be transparent, I am trying rationalize a new toy.

I think we all here understand that.

You've come to exactly the right place.

Spanky100 · Jun 21, 2015

California said:
I think we all here understand that. You've come to exactly the right place.

I knew this group could help me part with more money. I have to keep checking to make sure my wife is not looking at the computer screen now that I am looking at a new toy.

Thanks

Wayne

kenmac · Jun 21, 2015

In case I missed it.. What's your price point ?? My friends at Fredricks will sell you a nice re furbished tractor with all the safety equipment ,and ship it to anywhere you want... I just didn't know your price point

Spanky100 · Jun 22, 2015

kenmac said:
In case I missed it.. What's your price point ?? My friends at Fredricks will sell you a nice re furbished tractor with all the safety equipment ,and ship it to anywhere you want... I just didn't know your price point

kenmac

I saw your equipment list showing the picture of you Fredricks Yanmar 3110D. Very nice machine you have with Powershift, 4WD, and loader.

I looked at their website and their re-furbished Yanmars look great. I even looked at their "Specials" hoping they were offereing a free upgrade to a 4 WD.

Reference to my price point. They were a little more than I was hoping for. Any chance they will work with you on pricing a little bit? Do they sell rotary cutters as I would need a 4 foot unit for the new toy. If you would like to PM me thru Tractorbynet we could exchange phone numbers and talk by phone a bit. Could I enlist you be my negotiator?

Thanks

Wayne