New owner of a model on the 'Models to Avoid' list - Yanmar FX235D

azeller22 · Apr 14, 2017

Hello,

Bought this tractor at an online auction and had no idea what I was getting myself into

. I've owned John Deeres and Takeuchis with awesome, fuel efficient Yanmar diesels. Got it home and realized the 3pt lift arms weren't working and none of the lights. Tore it down and cleaned and re-greased electrical connectors, fixed some instrument panel wires and repaired an electrical connection that was melted. Now all my lights work, the toggle lifts the arms, and even the horn works. All I have left to sort out is the fuel gauge (no continuity between the sending unit terminals), the manual lift lever, and figuring out how to make the tilt and UFO work (not that I need it, but would be cool to get working).

I would love to know if there is anybody left on this forum that owns/uses an FX235 or similar FX model. I've made contact with tractorErnie because he owns three, but not sure he has the time to deal with me since he's retired

I'd also like to know what the Japanese translates to on the UFO controller

TBN Support · Apr 14, 2017

:welcome:
Welcome to the forum!

:tractor: I'm going to move your thread over to the Yanmar section to see if we can find any FX235 owners for you.

kenmac · Apr 14, 2017

lets hope ernie can ,or will help you out. I can't remember anyone having a yanmar with these controls here in a long time

Wagtail · Apr 14, 2017

G'day Mate and welcome to TBN from Downunder.

Enjoy the site and best of luck with you 'new' acquisition.

treedawg · Apr 14, 2017

That's a great looking little tractor.

If you don't mind me asking what did you pay..??

td

clemsonfor · Apr 14, 2017

Oh man!! Good luck. Hoye may be of some help, but like they say unless you can read Japanese are an electrical engineer and like to sort this type of thing and a glutton for punishment good luck!!!

The beauty of the old yanmar is the simplicity and ease of maintence. That "upgraded" model does not quite fall inot that category since nothing was published in English and few units are here. Good news is that it's still the same quality of tractor, parts just may be scarce. It was ahead of its time when it was produced.

Good luck to you. If it were me I would get it running good enough and sell it. We will then see that poor soul on here with the alost exact same post!! Haha

California · Apr 14, 2017

Heck I would expect to run it for years as simply a tractor after making those initial repairs.

However - I think there's little hope of putting the UFO features into use. I think I've read here that the tractor needs feedback from the implement to tell the UFO what to do. Good luck with that!

WYdirt · Apr 14, 2017

Nice looking little tractor, this forum definitely needs a "ask a Japanese dude" button! I wish I could help, welcome and good luck!

quicksandfarmer · Apr 14, 2017

Google translate lets you draw Japanese characters with your mouse.

kenmac · Apr 14, 2017

I remember a poster long ago that had one of these and discussing those ufo controls. Don't remember who he was. One day he left and never returned.
If I stop postion, you'll know I have expired

Wagtail · Apr 14, 2017

I'm wondering if a nice email to YANMAR (with the attached pictures) asking for a translation to English would be the best way.

Failing that, a somewhat local Japanese language school/college asking the same. There are enough English language schools in Japan, curriculum at least, that it could provide answers.

kenmac · Apr 14, 2017

He would have to e mail yanmar japan. I doubt they would answer. they don't want to support us in any way. Could fredricks help with a japan contact ? Don't know. may be worth a call to them

WYdirt · Apr 14, 2017

Maybe this post from the past will help you? http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/yanmar/82142-fx235-question.html

California · Apr 14, 2017

WYdirt said:
Maybe this post from the past will help you? http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/yanmar/82142-fx235-question.html

Good find! It seems that John47 who posted re his FX235 in that thread is still around, logging onto TBN to post once in a while. And he also seems to be a Ham radio enthusiast, ie knowledgeable in electronics. If you send him a PM he might eventually see it. Possibly others in that thread could provide information also.

kenmac · Apr 14, 2017

Mickey FX is who I was referring to. Seems like he hasn't been around in a while.

6-5-16 is the last time I see john posted

California · Apr 14, 2017

Wagtail said:
I'm wondering if a nice email to YANMAR (with the attached pictures) asking for a translation to English would be the best way.

Failing that, a somewhat local Japanese language school/college asking the same. There are enough English language schools in Japan, curriculum at least, that it could provide answers.

You guys in Tasmania may have a friendly relationship with your local Yanmar dealers but for the gray market models imported to the US without Yanmar-US's permission, the relationship to those is literally unacknowledged *******. Even the early US-version Yanmars aren't recognized by former Yanmar-US showroom dealers, in my experience. My local Deere agency with a 'Genuine Yanmar Parts' sign out front had a tantrum when I asked him if he could support my YM240. He ranted about gray-market Yanmars and I couldn't get through to him that his own dealership may have sold my tractor to its first owner. 14 years later and after that Yanmar lawsuit against gray-market importers, I doubt his attitude has improved.

I like the language-school translation route.

clemsonfor · Apr 14, 2017

I remember that. Bit that's about it. Ha. My memory seems about as good as yours

Wagtail · Apr 15, 2017

California said:
You guys in Tasmania may have a friendly relationship with your local Yanmar dealers but for the gray market models imported to the US without Yanmar-US's permission, the relationship to those is literally unacknowledged *******. Even the early US-version Yanmars aren't recognized by former Yanmar-US showroom dealers, in my experience. My local Deere agency with a 'Genuine Yanmar Parts' sign out front had a tantrum when I asked him if he could support my YM240. He ranted about gray-market Yanmars and I couldn't get through to him that his own dealership may have sold my tractor to its first owner. 14 years later and after that Yanmar lawsuit against gray-market importers, I doubt his attitude has improved.

I like the language-school translation route.

I was just throwing out suggestions. I wasn't aware of grey market Japanese tractors though, but it makes sense especially regarding post-war Japanese products.

Come to think of it, some of the Universities would have language departments/colleges that may assist.

California · Apr 15, 2017

Wagtail said:
I wasn't aware of grey market Japanese tractors

Are the Yanmars you see there the 'export' version sold by dealers representing Yanmar corporation, with English manuals and labels? What we see here now is some of those sold here originally before Yanmar abandoned the US market, but outnumbered by Japan-market versions imported used/clean condition in some cases, and often the condition of the used imports is 'reconditioned' in VN after what may have been a second lifetime of use there. Yanmar-US won't discuss or sell parts for anything but the English-language 'export' version Yanmars that they originally brought over.

After a fatal rollover of a VN recon some 10 years ago Yanmar-US sued all the gray market importers and drove most of them out of business. Fredricks is (I think) the sole exception, they already had an agreement with Yanmar to properly recondition and add US-spec safety gear on their recons so they were allowed to continue.

Yanmar returned to the US market recently and is now selling their current models here, again, after some 20 years absent.

How does this compare to what you see there?