Buying Advice

mtnland · Jul 23, 2021

Do not currently own a tractor, but want one. Have small mountain hunting property (currently 30 acres, looking to acquire additional 30) that is steep and need to maintain roads, general clearing in places, etc. (4x4 important). No interest in spending big money on newer machine that you can barely add fuel to without taking to a shop somewhere. I've been looking at old Ford 8n and the like (thinking maybe I could figure out way to get by with 2x4) and this morning came across information on Yanmar, and the more I've been reading about the bullet proof nature of these machines, seemingly older models in particular, the more intrigued I'm becoming. Any advice on models to research further (or avoid) and expectations on pricing, parts availability would be appreciated. I've been on a couple of social media buying platforms and have seen few examples of 4x4 machines in seemingly good condition with pricing from $3000 to $6000 but do not know what is realistic. Any insights appreciated. Thanks

Grandad4 · Jul 23, 2021

Someone has been telling you modern tractors are dainty little things thing that can't work without breaking down, I guess. Well that's just a load of bull. Mine ran perfectly for 15 years doing rough work without a single down day. I can't count the number of times it stepped in to bail out the neighbor's old-school rig that was either stuck, wouldn't start, broken down halfway through a job or just couldn't do the work.

Mine wasn't a Yanmar either. The Yanmars are nice units, but they have basically the same capability, features and reliability found in their mainstream competitors

There is just as much brand-loyalty blarney among tractor fanboys as with car people, so look at all the major makes and judge for yourself what you like.

Good luck!

rScotty · Jul 23, 2021

There is a forum specifically for these older Yanmars right here on TBN.
Take a look there.
A lot of Yanmar owners post there. I'm one of them and have had several Yanmars since they first became available.

Old Yanmars were one of the best BASIC tractors every built. Part of that was because Yanmar is a huge marine diesel company that is privately owned - not a corporation and preferred to make their own parts ranging from blast furnace for castings right down to electrical components.

Being a large profitable marine diesel company allowed them to make tractors as a sideline. However, they were expensive tractors. Being expensive allowed them to concentrate on a rugged & repairable modern design. Many compact tractors today use features that Yanmar popularized in the 1970s. All this is why Yanmars are still around and popular.

The downside is that just like the 8N Fords, you will go through a lot of junk before you find one that is still put together properly with OEM parts some 50 years now since they were built. That's something to beware of with Yanmars. Scammers have latched onto the popularity.

And the world changes. Yanmar quit importing into the USA about 1990, and the rest of the compact manufacturers were quick to move into that market. Kubota especially, but others too.

In my opinion, any known brand tractors with parts availability imported in the 1990 -2010 eara that have manual or shuttle transmissions, power steering, factory FEL, and especially the Yanmar front axle design are worth looking at.
Not just Yanmars, but any good solid tractor from that pre-emission era.
rScotty

bearthebruce · Jul 23, 2021

There a ton of threads in this particular area of the forum that discuss your exact points. Rather than beginning yet another thread, perhaps reading through those that already exist would be prudent?

Used machines will be priced all over the map right now. They are in high demand because new machines are in short supply.

Hilly? I say you need 4 wheel drive. I run a 2005 Massey Ferguson on a property like you have described - albeit a few more acres at 210... Hills and 4 wheel are important.

The more hours on the machine, the lower the price should be. That said, one needs to be certain they are looking apples to apples when comparing.

I have no opinion on brand. I like the Massey we have because I can maintain it and keep her running. She only has 400 hours on her because she sat unused for at least 5 years and maybe even more than that. She has one minor problem: a slow hydraulic leak under the rear. It's not worth tearing her down for a small leak.

Our Massey is a gear/clutch synchro tractor - not HST. I think you can go either way but you should drive both and decide which you like better on hills. Operating them will be different.

Good luck with your search.

jeff9366 · Jul 23, 2021

Have a 30 acre mountain hunting property that is steep.

I've been looking at old Ford 8n and the like (thinking maybe I could figure out way to get by with 2x4)

Tractors only have brakes on the rear wheels. With 2-WD and a gear transmission you have minimal braking capability going downhill, when tractor weight shifts from the rear wheels to the front wheels. 4-WD provides something like four wheel braking going downhill.

Non-power steering gets old fast.

mtnland · Jul 23, 2021

bearthebruce said:
There a ton of threads in this particular area of the forum that discuss your exact points. Rather than beginning yet another thread, perhaps reading through those that already exist would be prudent?

Used machines will be priced all over the map right now. They are in high demand because new machines are in short supply.

Hilly? I say you need 4 wheel drive. I run a 2005 Massey Ferguson on a property like you have described - albeit a few more acres at 210... Hills and 4 wheel are important.

The more hours on the machine, the lower the price should be. That said, one needs to be certain they are looking apples to apples when comparing.

I have no opinion on brand. I like the Massey we have because I can maintain it and keep her running. She only has 400 hours on her because she sat unused for at least 5 years and maybe even more than that. She has one minor problem: a slow hydraulic leak under the rear. It's not worth tearing her down for a small leak.

Our Massey is a gear/clutch synchro tractor - not HST. I think you can go either way but you should drive both and decide which you like better on hills. Operating them will be different.

Good luck with your search.

mtnland · Jul 23, 2021

Thanks for the response and feedback. I'm in Montgomery County, VA, if you know of, or become aware of, local tractors for sale that may be of interest, please let me know. Thanks

shooterdon · Jul 23, 2021

As with most things, you get what you pay for. I bought an old 855 JD and it took over a week for the dealer to find a front end part and it was pricey. My $3500 bargain wound up at about $6000 after the dealer took care of most, but all, the issues it had.

If you can wrench on stuff yourself, buying used is not as risky but I am not interested in doing that. Traded the JD for a variety of reasons but glad I did. I need a reliable tractor and wanted someone to service it.

I doubt you will buy a trouble free tractor in the $3-6000 price range. That is OK if you are not dependent on it and can wait to get it fixed. Mountains and tractors are not a good mix and less so if you are inexperienced. Read a lot about operating a tractor in those conditions.

Good luck with your search. and be safe.

bearthebruce · Jul 23, 2021

@mtnland I see you are not far from our property location. Local dealer in Floyd sells Mahindra - he has no used machines right now.

Our nearest Massey dealer is closer to you in Salem. He also sells New Holland. I went by his location not that long ago - maybe 6 weeks - and not only does he not have many new machines, I did not see any used ones there either. The new machines he has are big. Not sure you want big...

For a used machine, I think you are going to have to look online for private sales. You will have to judge whether or not the sale is a good sale. Like @shooterdon suggested, check that used machine for hidden problems.