Buying Advice Are TYM tractors junk?

[greginfinity]

It is tough to find a lot of information on these tractors, which may be the first sign to stay away. But the T394 with a cab can be had for such a great price that it is hard for me to stop looking at it. Comparable tractors from Kubota and JD are around $10k more near me. I have done a lot of searching and it seems as though a lot of people are perfectly happy with them, and some complain about parts availability. The T394 has a yanmar engine which I assume is pretty common.

This would be for relatively light duty usage on 6 acres. Mostly clearing woods, building smaller gardens, maybe snow plowing, and helping save my back with various projects. I was looking at just getting a SCUT but they almost seem like they are the worst compromise. They don't mow as well as a riding lawn mower, and can't really lift that much, and are pretty expensive.

Thanks for any advice!

 

[Hay Dude]

It is tough to find a lot of information on these tractors, which may be the first sign to stay away. But the T394 with a cab can be had for such a great price that it is hard for me to stop looking at it. Comparable tractors from Kubota and JD are around $10k more near me. I have done a lot of searching and it seems as though a lot of people are perfectly happy with them, and some complain about parts availability. The T394 has a yanmar engine which I assume is pretty common.

This would be for relatively light duty usage on 6 acres. Mostly clearing woods, building smaller gardens, maybe snow plowing, and helping save my back with various projects. I was looking at just getting a SCUT but they almost seem like they are the worst compromise. They don't mow as well as a riding lawn mower, and can't really lift that much, and are pretty expensive.

Thanks for any advice!

Been running tractors for farming, excavating, snow removal an large area mowing for almost 40 years. Never owned any of the Branson, TYM, type of tractors. For your situation, it would work and I can see the appeal. I dont think you need a high end brand to accomplish your tasks. Yes, Yanmar makes an excellent tractor diesel.
The only place it could get you in trouble is dealer support (should that brand become unavailable because dealers close) and resale value.
However, since youre not investing as much up front compared to the legacy brands, you are ahead on your hard earned money.
Im wired differently. Id buy a legacy brand and cheap out somewhere else, or buy a used legacy brand before a new tractor made by a company thats trying to get a foothold here. Too risky for my liking (see Branson).

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

There are plenty of other brands, Branson, Massey, Kioti, LS, New Holland, in addition to TYM. They all have pros and cons, all have different pricing. Do your homework, see what else is out there. I bought my LS for many thousands less than Kubota and JD! I think I got more tractor with more options for a lot less!

 

[fried1765]

Been running tractors for farming, excavating, snow removal an large area mowing for almost 40 years. Never owned any of the Branson, TYM, type of tractors. For your situation, it would work and I can see the appeal. I dont think you need a high end brand to accomplish your tasks. Yes, Yanmar makes an excellent tractor diesel.
The only place it could get you in trouble is dealer support (should that brand become unavailable because dealers close) and resale value.
However, since youre not investing as much up front compared to the legacy brands, you are ahead on your hard earned money.
Im wired differently. Id buy a legacy brand and cheap out somewhere else, or buy a used legacy brand before a new tractor made by a company thats trying to get a foothold here. Too risky for my liking (see Branson).

^^^^^^ WHAT HE SAID

 

[jmc]

OP, seems like you covered it all. You should work for TYM.

 

[cruz54982]

It is tough to find a lot of information on these tractors, which may be the first sign to stay away. But the T394 with a cab can be had for such a great price that it is hard for me to stop looking at it. Comparable tractors from Kubota and JD are around $10k more near me. I have done a lot of searching and it seems as though a lot of people are perfectly happy with them, and some complain about parts availability. The T394 has a yanmar engine which I assume is pretty common.

This would be for relatively light duty usage on 6 acres. Mostly clearing woods, building smaller gardens, maybe snow plowing, and helping save my back with various projects. I was looking at just getting a SCUT but they almost seem like they are the worst compromise. They don't mow as well as a riding lawn mower, and can't really lift that much, and are pretty expensive.

Thanks for any advice!

I have a TYM T503 with 500 hours and love it. never a problem and strong with a small footprint makes it very handy. the one knock on TYM has been their customer service but I haven't needed them.

 

[cruz54982]

TYM bought Branson and also rebrand some of Mahindra's models for them.

 

[sspenst]

Yes they did that. the Mahindra 2600 series is built by TYM with Mahindra engines. also the EMAX series is built by TYM i think, the engine i think in them are Kujuke i think. i also looked at TYM too but same thing, no dealer support around me for at least 1000km....
i have the Mahindra 2638 HST cab(same as TYM 394) and so far its good, previously had a 3016 i traded in on the 2638. only 45 hrs so far but you can look on the mahindra forum on here and there is lots of happy people. of course there's problems with every brand.... if you can pull some wrenches once in a while then it will save you hundreds on major services. best advice i can give is SIT ON THE MACHINE AND DRIVE IT!!! i thought orange was in my future but once i drove one it didn't fit me right.....

 

[hosspuller]

All machines break or wear out. Dealer support and parts are what keeps machines working. If you're considering a TYM check their dealer network. While Deere, Kubota, et al are established and support machines 50 ,75 years old... the new machines chock full of electronics are a near future scrap heap. Once the computer is not supported, a failed controller turns the useful tractor into a parts donor.

 

[Jackson53]

TYM tractors are not junk – I swapped a Kubota for a TYM based on a “fit for purpose” requirement and then looked at what was the most “cost effective” .

Suggest you make a list of what implements you require or might use in the future and then size the tractor to suit.

Don’t pick the tractor and then buy the implements because you will suddenly find you are restricted because of HP, weight, hydraulic capacity and flow, etc, to certain sizes, types, of implements.

After checking out the different tractors I narrowed down the choice of tractor to the Kubota, Kioti and TYM.

In the end, picked the TYM because it is more user friendly from an operator point of view – has separate forward/reverse pedals rather than the heel and toe pedal, better operator platform and joystick operation as well as being very user friendly for women to use.

I purchased the TYM313 with FEL and has a couple of remote hydraulic outlets at rear.

Also purchased the following implements
Rotary Hoe
Slasher
Landscape Rake

A couple of things to remember:-

Match the size of the implement to the tractor to ensure that both the tractor and the implement operate at the optimum speed. Every rotating implement has an optimal operating speed.
If the information for the lift capacity of the FEL is at the pivot point and NOT at the centre of the bucket then you need to apply a derating factor of approx. 20% - 25%.
Depending on depth and soil conditions make sure you allow for tractor HP required to pull a single tyne ripper. For example, working depth of 500mm requires tractor range 25-50 HP
Suggest you purchase a slip clutch (or friction clutch) with each of your rotating equipment (rotary hoe, augur, slasher, etc). Better to have a slip clutch rather than a shear pin. Save you lots of time and effort in the long run.

 

[ptsg]

Don't disregard the models with the Kukje engine as well. Kukje is the parent company of Branson and Cummins trusted them enough to have them build the engines. So yes, these Kukje engines are basically a Cummins engine.

As said before, no TYM is not junk.

 

[Motorboatin]

It is tough to find a lot of information on these tractors, which may be the first sign to stay away. But the T394 with a cab can be had for such a great price that it is hard for me to stop looking at it. Comparable tractors from Kubota and JD are around $10k more near me. I have done a lot of searching and it seems as though a lot of people are perfectly happy with them, and some complain about parts availability. The T394 has a yanmar engine which I assume is pretty common.

This would be for relatively light duty usage on 6 acres. Mostly clearing woods, building smaller gardens, maybe snow plowing, and helping save my back with various projects. I was looking at just getting a SCUT but they almost seem like they are the worst compromise. They don't mow as well as a riding lawn mower, and can't really lift that much, and are pretty expensive.

Thanks for any advice!

Would you consider an RK tractor? There is a fair amount of information out there about RK and all the RK tractors are nothing more than a re-branded TYM

 

[ArlyA]

I operated a YTM rental unit for most of a summer doing dirt work. It did break down. I wouldn't purchase one.

 

[nards444]

I dont think they are junk. Like others have said they own/make tractors for Branson, RK, Mahindra. On top of that they have been making tractors under other brands and parts for 40 years. I looked at them and could have gotten the 394 and the 454 for the same price as my kubota 2650. As far as quality they were nice and their specs were good. I did notice some of their plastics and such seemed cheaper than kubota. I would have went with them but the dealer here was a guy out of his garage and had to cart the tractor around to get it fixed, which I would have been ok with if TYM parts were easy to find online and such, they just werent.

 

[fried1765]

I dont think they are junk. Like others have said they own/make tractors for Branson, RK, Mahindra. On top of that they have been making tractors under other brands and parts for 40 years. I looked at them and could have gotten the 394 and the 454 for the same price as my kubota 2650. As far as quality they were nice and their specs were good. I did notice some of their plastics and such seemed cheaper than kubota. I would have went with them but the dealer here was a guy out of his garage and had to cart the tractor around to get it fixed, which I would have been ok with if TYM parts were easy to find online and such, they just werent.

I certainly do not believe that either TYM or RK tractors are junk.
That said, they are not a mainstream marketed/purchased tractor.
Cabella's tractors (now gone) is what comes to mind, and particularly so for RK.

You get a great price up front, but when you decide on a brand change/upgrade, a few years down the road,.... look out.
Another brand dealer will probably not even take it in trade, and the private resale market will likely be VERY weak.

 

[nards444]

I certainly do not believe that either TYM or RK tractors are junk.
That said, they are not a mainstream marketed/purchased tractor.
Cabella's tractors (now gone) is what comes to mind, and particularly so for RK.

You get a great price up front, but when you decide on a brand change/upgrade, a few years down the road,.... look out.
Another brand dealer will probably not even take it in trade, and the private resale market will likely be VERY weak.

Yeah while true you will get less at resale maybe, but you also paid less, people seem to forget that. For me the tractor will be a long purchase or life time purchase, maybe 20 years down the road something new as a retirement gift. TBH with machines like this I take care of them and definitely want a return when I am done. But if I get a good ten, 15, 20 years out of it i am just happy to get rid of them and move on, a few bucks here or there, doesnt really matter to me.

 

[fried1765]

Yeah while true you will get less at resale maybe, but you also paid less, people seem to forget that. For me the tractor will be a long purchase or life time purchase, maybe 20 years down the road something new as a retirement gift. TBH with machines like this I take care of them and definitely want a return when I am done. But if I get a good ten, 15, 20 years out of it i am just happy to get rid of them and move on, a few bucks here or there, doesnt really matter to me.

Many start out with that line of thinking, but times and situations, often change.

 

[5030]

All junk if you beat on them and don't maintain them properly, none are exempt from abuse and neglect.

 

[NC419N]

Some of us are old enough to remember when folks called Kubota import Junk
Just cause it痴 not the 杜ain stream don稚 mean it is a inferior product. There have been lots of innovations brought to us from the import tractors with that said the TYM is a good product at a fair price like several other brands out there. For the jobs you outlined it should be a great fit

 

[Hay Dude]

Some of us are old enough to remember when folks called Kubota import Junk
Just cause it痴 not the 杜ain stream don稚 mean it is a inferior product. There have been lots of innovations brought to us from the import tractors with that said the TYM is a good product at a fair price like several other brands out there. For the jobs you outlined it should be a great fit

The only people I ever remember saying that either sold or owned green tractors. :laughing:
I remember my pop buying his first Kubota Right after the first dealer was selling them in PA. They were also a Deere dealer. The comparable Deeres were 2WD and gas engines. The Kubotas had available 4WD and all had Diesel engines. We bought a L285DT with a backhoe and did more work than you could ever imagine with it.
Deere tried playing catch up on those little utility tractors for several years. Still don?t know if they caught up :laughing:

We never thought Kubota was junk, even when they first came out.