Looking at a Yanmar YM169

[PM Wells]

I am thinking about getting a Yanmar YM169 2wd tractor. I think these are around 16 hp 3 cyl diesel, gear drive, 3 low 3 hi. Anyone have one or know about them? Thanks

 

[bmaverick]

It's more like an SCUT, but better with a 3-cly diesel. Is your land flat in NC? Then 2WD wouldn't be an issue.

The engines of the YM169 and your YM226 are really close. Is the YM169 in good condition? Does it come with a FEL or some other extras?

Do you have kids and grandkids to pass down the machines later? Wish my Pa had kept his 8N years ago, I would have loved to keep that in the family.
Some people pass down their muscle car or truck, I like to pass down my useful working machine.

 

[PM Wells]

The land around me is not very steep, I was thinking about putting a five ft finish mower behind it, because of it's size it seems like it would be like a big lawn mower with tractor features. Never had a tractor with a 16 hp engine, well I will take that back, the Farmall cubs had less hp.

 

[winston1]

I am thinking about getting a Yanmar YM169 2wd tractor. I think these are around 16 hp 3 cyl diesel, gear drive, 3 low 3 hi. Anyone have one or know about them? Thanks

That is one of the few models that have an on line pdf service manual but as far as I know the parts manual is not on line.

 

[PM Wells]

Thanks for that info, I will look into that.

 

[California]

My experience with the YM186D (similar chassis, a little heavier) is all positive. It's certainly more maneuverable than a larger tractor.

For mowing 2wd should be fine. It's light, don't expect huge traction to pull a disc etc.

Also the operator station is tiny. Try it and see if this is an issue.

I think you'll like it.

 

[PM Wells]

Went to look at the YM169, one thing I noticed was it seemed to be a little hard to start. If you pull out the decompression rod the engine would spin freely then push it in the engine was hard to turn over almost like the battery was down or starter was dragging. I checked battery and it was fully charged about 15 volts. any ideas on why engine turns slow under compression. It would start if I decompressed engine and then back under compression.

 

[CoyPatton]

Went to look at the YM169, one thing I noticed was it seemed to be a little hard to start. If you pull out the decompression rod the engine would spin freely then push it in the engine was hard to turn over almost like the battery was down or starter was dragging. I checked battery and it was fully charged about 15 volts. any ideas on why engine turns slow under compression. It would start if I decompressed engine and then back under compression.

When it started, did it have good power? If so, it may well be the starter.
I looked on line at a 169 in NC for my son in the Hickory area. He has some fairly steep hills, and I was concerned for him and hills about traction and keeping the front on the ground. Otherwise that looks like a near size.

 

[PM Wells]

It did seem to run good and sounded good, I am thinking starter too. These YM169 tractors are very small, not a lot of room on board. I would say a small frame person would be ok with it, and the front is light, would need weights for sure. This one has big wide tires on the rear, don't know the size, that would help out on hills.

 

[CoyPatton]

It did seem to run good and sounded good, I am thinking starter too. These YM169 tractors are very small, not a lot of room on board. I would say a small frame person would be ok with it, and the front is light, would need weights for sure. This one has big wide tires on the rear, don't know the size, that would help out on hills.

As I saw I was looking on FB marketplace. Not sure where the 169 was located now. Probably within 75 miles or so of him. His mailing address is Claremont. Just a few miles east of Hickory, NC. He is trying to control runoff water on his hill side and the light weight concerns me with him, off hand I am not sure I even shared that one with him.