YanMar vs Iseki

[kfin]

I know this is a YanMar forum, but I have to ask anyway. Are there any major differences in these two tractors for my use. My use is a little food plotting and some brushhoggin, possibly a FEL at a later date. Any reason to buy one over the other? Parts availability, maintenance issues?

Which models would be comparable in the mid 20 to low 30 hp with 4wd?

Thanks,

 

[mark777]

I have used an Iseki and it was nice.

There is a vast series of Yanmars from very small to Turbo 4 cylinder models, along with a great selection most models imported today are very well supported. Most parts are not an issue and in many cases can be had in normal 2 day shipping. There are other options like power shift etc..but what is probably most important about ANY import tractor is the dealers and support they offer after the sale.

If you're looking for mid 20's HP you might consider the YM2210 as a good starting point.

Mark

 

[kfin]

That is exactly the tractor that I was looking at, YM2210D. After lots of looking, reading, and so forth I had kind of settled on that one, but now I have been looking at the Iseki models also.

Just trying to get a comparison of a similar model.

Thanks,

 

[EFC]

A comparable Iseki model in age and horsepower would be a TS2202F. Both 2 cylinder diesels.

Buck

 

[LMTC]

Simple issue to us....I have yet to see a parts catalog or any consistent parts source for Iseki from which most parts can be obtained. All machines eventually need parts. We have a catalog of aftermarket parts for the Yanmar models we sell that is 158 pages, and several thousand parts, most available for immediate shipping.

Thirteen years ago we sold most of the grey market Japanese brands. Once we realized the situation with parts availability, we stopped selling everything except Yanmar. Some dealers have a decent parts flow with their suppliers for certain non-Yanmar models, but what happens if that dealer closes shop? Most of us are not going to spend time hunting and pecking for obscure parts....it simply doesn't pay in most cases. The parts catalog we use for Yanmar aftermarket parts is used by most dealers of the grey Yanmars in this country, so availability extends beyond the individual dealer.

 

[svcguy]

I have two tractors, an Iseki TU205F and a Yanmar YM240D. Both tractors are excellent units. In all honesty, the Iseki appears to be a bit more sophisticated (with more features) but it is also newer. While I really like the Iseki, it is absolutely brutal when it comes to finding parts. For example, the cost for a clutch plate is about 3 times the cost of my Yanmar and everything is 4 to 6 weeks away. I have to agree with LMTC, if I was to do it all over again, I would have two Yanmars. This is not a slight on Iseki tractors, because they are well built machines - but securing parts is a problem.

Tom

 

[lens12]

Yanmar has the best parts availability overall. There are some models of Iseki that have better parts availibilty than some Yanmar models. And both brands have parts that are no longer available. It boils down to buying a GOOD quality tractor from a knowledgeable dealer that can support the tractor & taking care of it.. As to the price & delivery time for Iseki parts, there is a lot of difference between parts suppliers on this. I had a parts inquiry yesterday in which two suppliers quoted a price of $200-300 & 4-6 week delivery, while another supplier quoted $140 & 10 day delivery. Most of my parts from Japan arrive in 10-15 days if they are in stock in Japan..

 

[kfin]

Thanks for the informatin so far. It seems to be the same theme from everyone...........great tractors, but the parts availability is a major issue.

I will keep working on getting my YanMar then.

 

[skipstein]

Hello;
I am looking between a YM 135d and the Kubota BX23. Any thoughts on which is better...
Thanks,
Skip

 

[California]

1980 vs 2010 (?). Capabilities are similar. I think the Yanmar has more ground clearance and takes ordinary implements (in small size) while the BX is mostly its own little world of implements. But there are a lot more BX's in the US so its implements will be easier to find.

The significance of the old Yanmars is quality so good they are the equal of a late model tractor at far lesser price. Either should have similar life expectancy purchased used.

If the prices are similar take the Kubota for its more modern specs and local dealer support, contrasted to mailorder DIY support and the possibility of downtime waiting on parts for the Yanmar. This difference is significant if you earn your living with it.

 

[Gunny]

It didn't take me long during my last tractor search to figure out (in my mind at least) that the BX models are basically just a lawn tractor on steroids. Low ground clearance, they're not that heavy (less traction when you need it) and you're restricted in implement choice

If that's what you're looking for, go for it, but if you want a tractor to do some real farm type work, look upward or elsewhere

 

[Industrial Toys]

I have heard bad stories trying to get support/information on either, not saying they are bad tractors. Both have typical Japanese quality.

I had a JD 770, a Yanmar, excellent tractor, with parts/service available.

 

[clemsonfor]

Hello;
I am looking between a YM 135d and the Kubota BX23. Any thoughts on which is better...
Thanks,
Skip

I would post your own thread where you are comparing these tractors insead of piggy backing on a totally unrelated zombie thread.

California sums it up well. But is the 135 in the same class as the bx23? i would think the 23 would compare more to a 1500 or 186 size tracor or even 1700 or 2000. dont they have 20-24HP? or is the 23 a 23hp or 20 hp?

 

[clemsonfor]

I have heard bad stories trying to get support/information on either, not saying they are bad tractors. Both have typical Japanese quality.

I had a JD 770, a Yanmar, excellent tractor, with parts/service available.

Bad support on a kuboda bx23??? Thats a tractor made in the last decade by probably the largest and most popular brand or scut out there?

Yanmar certain parts can be more unobtainible, like gears and axles or housings for example???? But most people do not get into repairs that are that involved, but anything else is availible from Hoye but just has to be mailordered.


As to a previous poster saying there glorified lawn mowers i would agree more on that level for deep field work and bushhogging where youwant to be over the grass height in a field but there not that light i was thinking when i looked at the BX specs a while back and the similar baby JDs they were close to or heavier in weight of my YM2000 tractor that is significatly taller than them.

 

[rgr33]

Never had an Iseki or Yanmar, but the motor on my JD 950 is a 34 year old Yanmar. Never had a wrench on it other than filters and fan belts etc.
I would have no hesitation pulling the trigger on a used Yanmar if it was a good deal.

 

[California]

Everyone here in the Yanmar forum will tell you based on personal experience that Yanmar's quality is excellent.

Because YM135D is a US model, its unlikely that a used one has had the bogus 'lipstick on a pig' reconditioning sometimes seen on tractors imported after a first lifetime in Asia. (and often misrepresented as low hours, new, or under 10 years old). That bogus reconditioning is about the only thing to be wary of, on a 35 year old Yanmar.

You might start a new thread inquiring in the Kubota forum, then decide if it is cost effective to consider a BX at what I expect will be far higher price for similar capability.

Anybody know what is the Japan-market Yanmar model same as this US YM135D?

 

[bcp]

Slightly off the main topic, but the BX has standard CAT 1 hitch dimensions. Maybe the earliest had CAT 0.

Bruce

 

[California]

Does the BX lift high enough for standard implements? I thought that was something that limited what could be used on this model.

I've seen BX's often on urban construction sites (homes, apartment complexes, etc). They seem ideal in that application. In particular the Hydrostatic transmission and power steering are great for zooming around here and there.

Long ago (70's) I rented a tiny 4x4 Kubota small enough to go through the garden gate, for a backyard renovation project. It worked great. Then next weekend all they had was a similar 2x4 Yanmar, probably a YM135 - and while they were very similar I preferred the Yanmar. It just seemed more natural to operate, so slightly more productive. (both had geared transmissions & no P/S).

 

[bcp]

Implements won't lift as high as a larger tractor, but they will work OK. If I level the frame on my rear blade so I can change angles while keeping the blade level, the blade will only lift about a foot and a half. When I need more lift, I can shorten the top link and get several more feet up, but the frame isn't level then.

Bruce

 

[California]

Implements won't lift as high as a larger tractor, but they will work OK. ....

That sounds entirely usable, then.

My Ym186D is about the same size as the YM135D we're discussing here but fatter tires etc. Implement lift is a little limited on a tractor this small, but just something to note, not a limitation in the work you can do. Photo - rototiller lifted. This Yanmar tiller was intended for the larger YM2000/YM240.