Buying Advice Opinions on YM2000

[CoyPatton]

Ran across one of these locally for cheap. Thinking about pulling the trigger on it

I regularly mow about 2 acres and bush hog another 2. Lots of hills on the bush hogging. Would a yanmar 2000 be better instead of a zero turn for all the mowing? I could see this tractor paired with a 4 ft finish mower....

Also, what would be reasonable for pricing on this model in todays market? Its definitely the 2wd model, unsure of hours but I hear its mostly irrelevant with these

If your ground is mostly level on the mowing, a ZTR can not be outdone for mowing in my opinion.
However, a ZTR is not a rough cut type mower. They can also have issues with steep hills. On any hill it is always best to go up and down the slope not across in any way. Also with a tractor you may need front weight to maintain steering capability.
As for hours, these yanmars will run for 1000’s of hours if not abused. So while hours are an indication of use, overall general condition is at least as much a concern as hours.
If too many things stack up, run away.
Issues:
water in oil
Oil in water
Water in hydraulic fluid
Any fluids being mire than slightly low
Lots of indications of leaks
Grinding gears
Non working items
3PH
Diff lock
Either brake

Not intended to be all inclusive, but to start a thought process when looking at the tractor

 

[rxdad2012]

If your ground is mostly level on the mowing, a ZTR can not be outdone for mowing in my opinion.
However, a ZTR is not a rough cut type mower. They can also have issues with steep hills. On any hill it is always best to go up and down the slope not across in any way. Also with a tractor you may need front weight to maintain steering capability.
As for hours, these yanmars will run for 1000痴 of hours if not abused. So while hours are an indication of use, overall general condition is at least as much a concern as hours.
If too many things stack up, run away.
Issues:
water in oil
Oil in water
Water in hydraulic fluid
Any fluids being mire than slightly low
Lots of indications of leaks
Grinding gears
Non working items
3PH
Diff lock
Either brake

Not intended to be all inclusive, but to start a thought process when looking at the tractor

Good stuff, Coy. Thanks for that!

Would $2,500 be too much to pay if everything works properly?

 

[rxdad2012]

I think YM2000 is right at the line where 2wd is sufficient if the loader is used only occasionally.

It's a bear to steer, loaded, and probably would bog down with no traction (loaded) in soft ground where a 4x4 would drive right through. But the advantages of having any loader are so great that these limitations aren't deal - killers, just nuisances to work around. This assumes weekend-farmer hobby use. Of course if you earn a living with the tractor then do it right and buy something with loader, 4x4, and power steering.

I think for a 35 year old YM2000, an existing loader adds little to your purchase price but 4x4 has a substantial premium.

I was looking for photos for another thread and found these that may be relevant here. My typical use is one trip with the loader doing something I couldn't possibly do without it. I think only once in 12 years have I gone back and forth for hours moving a quantity of material.

And of course its a tremendous time saver and back-saver. Here I removed roofing gravel while taking down a shed. Effortless, compared to carrying those heavy buckets down the ladder.

In summary I wouldn't buy a YM2000 without a loader. But 4x4 will be much harder to find and will have a cost premium for that feature.

Noticed your backhoe attachment on that Yanmar. Can you tell me what brand? Is it a 3 pt, PTO driven unit? Easy or hard to install? Thanks

 

[CoyPatton]

Good stuff, Coy. Thanks for that!

Would $2,500 be too much to pay if everything works properly?

That would be a bargain if it is all in working order!

 

[rxdad2012]

That would be a bargain if it is all in working order!

Unfortunately I was a day late on it. Sold yesterday. Stupid Facebook marketplace. I get burned on that all the time LOL
Oh well, I will just keep watching for another one locally....

 

[California]

If you want cheap and indestructible that's the one. Totally bulletproof.

However - If you are going up and down slopes continually something with PowerShift will be more agreeable. YM2000 needs a full stop to shift every time the slope changes - slight, steep up, down, level. If you have these changing conditions every few hundred ft, the stop to shift gets old. Here's an old thread where I discussed this:
https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/yanmar/170137-mowing-big-twin-ym240-vs.html

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Oops posted that before I noticed there is a page 2 in this thread. $2500 is a good price for these without loader, maybe $3500 and up with loader.

 

[California]

Noticed your backhoe attachment on that Yanmar. Can you tell me what brand? Is it a 3 pt, PTO driven unit? Easy or hard to install? Thanks

That's a Kubota k-650 hoe sold as OEM about 1980. The same hoe was sold as OEM by Yanmar as YBH600. Mfd in the US by ARPS. I think the same hoe but with swing-out stabilizers was sold as OEM Deere also. Search TBN on my name and 'backhoe' for numerous posts about it.

It's 3- point and comes with a PTO pump to mount on the tractor.

Many users and dealers say never put a 3-point hoe on a small tractor, the stresses will rip out the back of the transmission or split the tractor at the bellhousing. I have a loader subframe that goes clear back to the rear axle which apparently takes the stress off the bellhousing. Driving along and lurching over rough ground I'm cautious because all that weight hanging out there obviously stresses the top link mounting point. But I've run this for 15? years now without problems.

Installing it is the same PIA as mounting any heavy 3 point implement but not much different. Installing the pump first lets the hoe raise itself into alignment.

Typical use in my orchard.

 

[rxdad2012]

If you want cheap and indestructible that's the one. Totally bulletproof.

However - If you are going up and down slopes continually something with PowerShift will be more agreeable. YM2000 needs a full stop to shift every time the slope changes - slight, steep up, down, level. If you have these changing conditions every few hundred ft, the stop to shift gets old. Here's an old thread where I discussed this:
https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/yanmar/170137-mowing-big-twin-ym240-vs.html



======
Oops posted that before I noticed there is a page 2 in this thread. $2500 is a good price for these without loader, maybe $3500 and up with loader.

Good point, hadnt really considered that. Anything comparable to a little Yanmar that has a PowerShift feature?

I missed out on it by one day. Buyer got it for 2,200. Wow! Im watching for similar deals on facebook and craigs.

 

[rxdad2012]

That's a Kubota k-650 hoe sold as OEM about 1980. The same hoe was sold as OEM by Yanmar as YBH600. Mfd in the US by ARPS. I think the same hoe but with swing-out stabilizers was sold as OEM Deere also. Search TBN on my name and 'backhoe' for numerous posts about it.

It's 3- point and comes with a PTO pump to mount on the tractor.

Many users and dealers say never put a 3-point hoe on a small tractor, the stresses will rip out the back of the transmission or split the tractor at the bellhousing. I have a loader subframe that goes clear back to the rear axle which apparently takes the stress off the bellhousing. Driving along and lurching over rough ground I'm cautious because all that weight hanging out there obviously stresses the top link mounting point. But I've run this for 15? years now without problems.

Installing it is the same PIA as mounting any heavy 3 point implement but not much different. Installing the pump first lets the hoe raise itself into alignment.

Typical use in my orchard.

Thanks for in the info! I think that is the key--dont over work the tractor or push it beyond limitations

 

[California]

Good point, hadnt really considered that. Anything comparable to a little Yanmar that has a PowerShift feature?

YM1510/YM186 is the smallest. Too small for any 3-point hoe. Great for mowing.