Buying Advice YM240D. Good deal?

[Scooter86]

Hi all, I am looking at an 1982(?) Yanmar 240D. I am a tractor rookie and have basically zero knowledge or experience purchasing or operating anything beside small garden tractors.

The listing offers the following info: "4x4, gear drive, 3 pt hitch, PTO, 25 h twin cylinder diesel, 1178 hours, no power steering for $5450." Photo from the listing attached.

I live on a 1.5 acres that backs up to a river. I intend to to use the tractor to maintain a dirt path from the house to the river, including some digging to make minor adjustments to the grade and route of the path. Beyond that I foresee using for landscaping purposes (moving medium sized boulders, prepping ground for concrete walkway/patio and moving some dirt to fill in low spots in the yard) nothing too major.

Would this tractor be up to these tasks? I understand Yanmar is known for building quality diesel engines. Any advice, suggestions, or pertinent info is much appreciated.

 

[fried1765]

Hi all, I am looking at an 1982(?) Yanmar 240D. I am a tractor rookie and have basically zero knowledge or experience purchasing or operating anything beside small garden tractors.

The listing offers the following info: "4x4, gear drive, 3 pt hitch, PTO, 25 h twin cylinder diesel, 1178 hours, no power steering for $5450." Photo from the listing attached.

I live on a 1.5 acres that backs up to a river. I intend to to use the tractor to maintain a dirt path from the house to the river, including some digging to make minor adjustments to the grade and route of the path. Beyond that I foresee using for landscaping purposes (moving medium sized boulders, prepping ground for concrete walkway/patio and moving some dirt to fill in low spots in the yard) nothing too major.

Would this tractor be up to these tasks? I understand Yanmar is known for building quality diesel engines. Any advice, suggestions, or pertinent info is much appreciated.

Though it may not make a difference in this particular situation, listing your GENERAL LOCATION in your profile can be helpful with valuation, and other questions.
As an example: If you live in Oregon or Maine, that Yanmar may have more (or less?) value than in Alabama or Texas.

 

[California]

YM240D is a competent and indestructible model. In 2003 I bought a YM240 (2 wd) in near abandoned condition. After a month of fixing and replacing grossly neglected stuff like the dash warning lights dangling down by my knee and loose bolts everywhere, the tractor turned out to be solid and it's needed near nothing beyond ordinary maintenance - same as a new tractor would require - ever since. It still looks thrashed but the reliability is flawless. See my sig photo at the bottom of this post.

That's a fair, typical price. You might see what else is available in that price range. Power steering is the one thing I miss having.

Also, all of these Yanmars are narrow so put a ROPS on it! And water ballast in the tires will help resist tipping. Your application improving the path down to the river is going to include some dangerous side slope activity and if you slide a little sideways it could get a even steeper. People die in rollovers. Again, get a ROPS.

You'll love it.

And welcome!

 

[Scooter86]

Good advice. I'm located near Grand Rapids, MI. This is now indicated in my profile as well.

 

[Scooter86]

Thanks for the input California. I have been doing a some reading regarding the power steering (or lack there of). Seems like opinions are somewhat split in terms of how "necessary" power steering is. My thought was it would certainly be nicer but not an absolute necessity. Good advice on the ROPS, considering the additional cost perhaps it is time to keep looking.

 

[winston1]

If that tractor is in good condition with loader and 4 wheel drive it would be a good buy here in East Texas. 4 wheel drive and loaders make tractors expensive.

 

[California]

I get by without power steering but its definitely an Old School experience if I have a lot of loader work to do. Thankfully that's a minor part of what I use that Yanmar for.

Maybe split the cost of the ROPS with the seller? Estimate a little under $800 total for the ROPS.

 

[rScotty]

Thanks for the input California. I have been doing a some reading regarding the power steering (or lack there of). Seems like opinions are somewhat split in terms of how "necessary" power steering is. My thought was it would certainly be nicer but not an absolute necessity. Good advice on the ROPS, considering the additional cost perhaps it is time to keep looking.

How necessary power steering is sort of depends on what you do with the loader. If it's mostly for hauling trash and tools then no problem. And you can even do some dirt work IF you aren't trying to move the dirt very far. If you anticipate moving dirt or rocks any distance then power steering is your friend - especially traveling over uneven ground.

Our first couple of tractors didn't have power steering. To move a loader bucket full of dirt any distance required putting the bucket on the ground with enough down pressure to lighten the front axle, then make the necessary change in steering, and then raise the bucket off the ground and take off -- all the time fighting with the wheel and the wheel brakes and the slope to keep heading in the right direction. Go ten yards and repeat. We got the work done, but it's a young man's game. They were OK tractors for their price and sure beat doing work by hand....but the lack of power steering is why we don't have them anymore.
rScotty

 

[clemsonfor]

That's probably what the tractor should sell for. Make sure every works, like all the main things. Like engine is not knocking and transmission runs and shifts all gears.
As California said they are strong and durable tractors. It would be perfect for 1.5 acres of what you need . To let you know the color is totally wrong but that does not really matter. There a lime green color, look at California signature at his tractor .

I have the grey model (ym2000) of this tractor that basically is identical except color and throttle position ( faster pulls down instead of pushing up) and your has an internal over run clutch. I love the tractor and done work way beyond it's size

 

[clemsonfor]

It also appears that the front tires are turned to be in the wide position, you will need to swap those back, because there not designed to be run that way and it puts extra in needed stress in the very venerable front spindles especially with a loader. They are available now thanks to hoye making them but at one point we're not. Maybe it's the HD version they make, but there still to be had.
The rear tires on the other hand are designed to be run in the wide position as those are