New To Me YM1700BD

   / New To Me YM1700BD #1  

BigJohn44

New member
Joined
Aug 9, 2024
Messages
14
Tractor
Yanmar YM1700BD
Inherited this tractor. It has 417 hours on it, and it is clean as a whistle! It really is a beauty. I am interested in any and all info you all can share with me on this particular model. I don't know much about Yan Mars, but grew up with Deere and a Pasquali. Intend to use it around my farm, wnow removal, light logging, etc. I have ordered a reprint of the manual, but figured I would start with y'all here first! Thanks so much for any and all info in advance!
 
   / New To Me YM1700BD #2  
Welcome! (And congratulations on your inheritance!)

Where are you and your Yanmar located?

All the best,

Peter
 
   / New To Me YM1700BD #5  
Welcome, but you can't come on here talking about how clean your Yanmar is without a pic! It is just unacceptable behavior. The Yanmar tribe will have issues! ;)
 
   / New To Me YM1700BD
  • Thread Starter
#6  
Trying to post some but they're too big apparently. Stay tuned! Thanks for the link TractorTYMe! How do you know it's remanufactuiwd? And by whom?
 
   / New To Me YM1700BD #7  
Trying to post some but they're too big apparently. Stay tuned! Thanks for the link TractorTYMe! How do you know it's re-manufactured? And by whom?
You have a YM1700BD. Originally made in 1977 thru 1982. After it was used in Japan, it was sent here as exported to the west coast. From there, a small outfit would then work on the machines to restore the machine. Some outfits were better than others.

Tree Frog chronology.jpg
 
   / New To Me YM1700BD #8  
After it was used in Japan, it was sent here as exported to the west coast. From there, a small outfit would then work on the machines to restore the machine. Some outfits were better than others.
Well almost. Most of the Japanese Yanmars brought over several years ago were first 'reconditioned' and repainted - museum quality paint job - in VN. Likely following a second life there.

Photos I copied off Tractorco's website back before Yanmar-USA sued the US importers and mostly shut them down:

build-station-jpg.805658


enginerebuilds-jpg.805659
 
Last edited:
   / New To Me YM1700BD
  • Thread Starter
#9  
Oh wow! That's crazy I had no idea. So you're saying my low 400 hours probably isn't accurate? How can I tell if mine was refurbished by the good guys!??
 
   / New To Me YM1700BD #10  
Oh wow! That's crazy I had no idea. So you're saying my low 400 hours probably isn't accurate? How can I tell if mine was refurbished by the good guys!??
You say inherited, do you know when it was purchased in the US? Most of those were brought over about 1998 to 2010(?), at which time Yanmar-USA lost a liability lawsuit, and choked off import of used Yanmars that had never passed through their hands. Only Fredricks in Alabama escaped that lawsuit, and continues to import/refurbish top quality used Yanmars. If you happen to have one of theirs, you won the jackpot!

Yanmar quality is so solid that a rebuild anywhere likely comes out as good as new.

There have been cases posted here of 'Frankensteinmars', assembled with parts from various models, but you are not likely to encounter that with a YM1700 because there were so many of them.

Those shop photos likely show swapping parts around to build tractors where everything is within spec.

The only thing to watch for on your 1700 is to keep the radiator clean, flushed if needed, and get the coolant proportions right because it is 'thermosiphon' with no water pump. Like a Model T, hot/cool water circulates by just gravity. Keep the cooling system within spec and don't worry about it, it was designed by geniuses to work just fine. And it does.

If your paint doesn't look 40 years old then that 400 hours is likely meaningless. The hour meter is just to keep track of periodic maintenance. If it's 400 hours since overhaul and new paint, then that 400 hours without problems proves that the rebuilders got it right.

One more point, your same model imported and sold by Yanmar-USA is named YM195. Some slight differences to meet US safety specs. And the next larger YM2000/YM240 (Japan/US) Yanmar is a near twin to your YM1700, just larger displacement and hp, so all the service manuals are relevant to all four versions.

You'll love your Yanmar. We all do.
 
   / New To Me YM1700BD
  • Thread Starter
#11  
Oh wow California! This is absolutely perfect. Thank you for this info!
 
   / New To Me YM1700BD #12  
Trying to post some but they're too big apparently. Stay tuned! Thanks for the link TractorTYMe! How do you know it's remanufactuiwd? And by whom?
I use a free down load. Search Pic. Resizer. Really easy I have problems also with pics..
1700BD. interesting for sure. Welcome to TBN... YM1700BD 19Hp. 2Cyl. only in 1979? I knew it was rare but just 1 production Yr... How :cool:
 
   / New To Me YM1700BD
  • Thread Starter
#15  
Finally was able to get a couple
Of pics up. I'd appreciate any and info any of you could pass on to me now that you've seen a couple Of pictures. Happy to put some more up if you'd like to see some specific things. Thanks in advance, again!!
 
   / New To Me YM1700BD #16  
Had to look hard but you can see the Red Yanmar on the Hood side decal. Just before the YM 1700BD. Behind the Loader arm. I have that same Decal for the YM2000 I was able to remove. Intact! Muffler side was in terrible shape. I say 1977. Pretty sure without much doubt your 1979 so that's Org. Very :cool:
 
   / New To Me YM1700BD #18  
Nice location. Not far from Fredricks Equipment which is a big plus. The parts for the YM1700 BD should be well supported by them.
 
   / New To Me YM1700BD
  • Thread Starter
#19  
Had to look hard but you can see the Red Yanmar on the Hood side decal. Just before the YM 1700BD. Behind the Loader arm. I have that same Decal for the YM2000 I was able to remove. Intact! Muffler side was in terrible shape. I say 1977. Pretty sure without much doubt your 1979 so that's Org. Very :cool:
I don't understand why you had to remove the decal?? And you think mines an original 1979? Am I hearing you correctly? Where do you think it would have been imported from when it came to the US?
 
   / New To Me YM1700BD
  • Thread Starter
#20  
Nice location. Not far from Fredricks Equipment which is a big plus. The parts for the YM1700 BD should be well supported by them.
There's a Frederick's in Spokane!? Looks like all are in Alabama?
 

Tractor & Equipment Auctions

2401 (A60432)
2401 (A60432)
2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Ext. Cab Pickup Truck (A59230)
2013 Chevrolet...
2020 CATERPILLAR D1 LGP CRAWLER DOZER (A60429)
2020 CATERPILLAR...
KUBOTA SVL75-3 SKID STEER (A60429)
KUBOTA SVL75-3...
MARATHON 20KW GENERATOR (A55745)
MARATHON 20KW...
14C SCRAPER (A58214)
14C SCRAPER (A58214)
 
Top