1st time buyer - 35 hp comparisons

[airbiscuit]

In my 50 years of owning tractors, I've never once had to take one back to the dealership. I do all my own maintenance and repairs. That's not to say that it's not important to have a good dealer.

If I needed to replace my New Holland, the Yanmar YT359 with the iHMT transmission would be at the top of my list.

 

[KBA CPA]

The price quoted for a bundle for the Ym342 which included the tractor, FEL, 1 rear remote (I think that’s standard), trailer, and box blade was $35,850 out the door.

After seeing the recommendations, seems like this is a lot more tractor than the YT235 for basically the same price give or take a grand.

 

[airbiscuit]

It's the one I would get, but be aware it's an 8 speed synchronized shuttle transmission and not a hydro. That's perfect for rough cut mowing and food plot work. Good, but a bit less good for loader work. It is a lot more tractor for a few $$.

 

[Yander]

Yes, it is much more tractor. It will lift almost double that of the YT235 and the PTO hp is 31hp which can run a 7' cutter. You may have to slow down in tall stuff but my experience is that you need about 4.5hp of PTO power for every 1 foot of Kutter. I know the rule of thumb is 5hp per 1 foot of kutter but I find if you are just mowing weeds you can get by with 4 - 4.5hp. You can always slow down a bit.

 

[Yander]

It's the one I would get, but be aware it's an 8 speed synchronized shuttle transmission and not a hydro. That's perfect for rough cut mowing and food plot work. Good, but a bit less good for loader work. It is a lot more tractor for a few $$.

Yes, this would be the tractor i would get and the one I will be getting eventually. OP didn't state his budget but this is what he needs for that size property if money isn't too tight.

 

[KBA CPA]

Yes, it is much more tractor. It will lift almost double that of the YT235 and the PTO hp is 31hp which can run a 7' cutter. You may have to slow down in tall stuff but my experience is that you need about 4.5hp of PTO power for every 1 foot of Kutter. I know the rule of thumb is 5hp per 1 foot of kutter but I find if you are just mowing weeds you can get by with 4 - 4.5hp. You can always slow down a bit.

Why is it that the PTO HP is so much less than engine HP on the 342? Seems like most other models are maybe 3-5 below but now 11HP below? Especially with the gear drive too

 

[scootr]

My Kubota PTO is 7hp below engine output. I think you lose some with the HST but, they are always lower than engine hp.

 

[jyoutz]

I'd go Yanmar. You won't regret it.

Yanmar makes a real solid machine and like Kubota makes the entire machine including engine. I would have considered looking at Yanmar, except there is no full service dealership within 500 miles. We have a local place that sells them, but tractors are more of a sideline and they don’t stock parts or do full service. If you have a full service dealership, this brand should definitely be a contender.

 

[jyoutz]

Some tractors come with turnbuckle 3pts with fixed ends (Old School)
others come telescoping stabilizers with extendable ends (waaaaay easier to hook up implements)
pay attention to that - I would never go back to turnbuckles.

Second that thought.

 

[KBA CPA]

Not to keep stirring this up, but went go to my local Yanmar dealer (he told me he didn't have a YM 342 in stock yet, but one is coming in soon) and sat on a YT 235 and YM359. The differences are crazy. Even though the YM series is an "economy" model, I find that the only thing the YT beats it on is the hydrostatic transmission. Everything else seems to be in the YM's favor.

My main concern now as I'm trying to move on with this is looking for aftermarket items or upgrades. A few things I had in mind are: some sort of cover or protector for the fuel tank being by the steps of the operators station, a plate with D rings to bolt onto the front of the tractor for tie downs, 3rd function kit for the FEL.

There may be more, but I'm just brainstorming. If anyone can link a decent site they use for any of these items, please let me know. Also, it seems like even though these tractors have been out for a few years, there isn't much information on them. Maybe no news is good news on the internet as that means little complaints or it could mean hardly anyone even has these things. Should I be worried with this purchase? There are about 4 dealers in the state so hopefully not all of them flop....