Almost ready to purchase a Yanmar

mtimber · Sep 13, 2002

I am almost ready to take the plunge and purchase my first tractor. Just wanted some last minute advice. First, I always hear people say the average guy buys more tractor than he needs. Well, I have 3 acres and I plan to pull a 5' tiller and/or a 6' disk to work up the ground before I seed my yard. I'll also be using a 6' finish mower, 6' blade, post hole digger and possibly a FEL in the future. The tractor I'm considering is a YM2610. I have a friend nearby that uses a JD750 to do many of the same tasks with similar implements. He has told me that he wishes he would have gotten a slightly larger tractor. Am I buying too much tractor or should I take my friends advice? The price difference in this size range of tractor doen't really affect my decision.

One other question I have is about the hour reading on the tractor I am considering. Most of the larger tractors (YM 2500, 2610, 2500, 3110 range) I have seen generally have around 1000 to 1800 hours. This tractor (a YM2610) has 2400 hours. I consider this to be on the higher end for an early '80's Yanmar. I have hesitated with my purchase because of the hour meter reading even though the tractor checks out ok and is in fine working order. Will this number of hours hurt the value of my trator if I ever decided to resell or can I expect more frequent maintenance needs from a 'higher' hour Yanmar?

Thanks for the past advice and any other comments or advice for a first time buyer ready to take the plunge is welcomed.

normde2001 · Sep 13, 2002

Hi Mark, I would be a little bit leery of buying a tractor with 2400 hours. From all I have read, probably every post on every forum, that is right at the overhaul age on a Yanmar. I would try to stick to the 1000-1800 hour or less machines even if I had to get a smaller one. Also if you plan to get a FEL in the future you would want 4WD, which would give obviously better traction, but more weight to pull the heavier implements. Horsepower is never a problem with these things, it's always traction.

jimstractors · Sep 13, 2002

Well said Norm! We won't put a loader on anything but 4WD because of traction and safety reasons. There are plenty of Yanmars out there with lower hours than 2000+.
Jim
jimstractors@hotmail.com

EFC · Sep 13, 2002

2400 hours is miles from the rebuild stage. We have Yanmars at the ranch that have close to 10k hours on the engine. If you can’t get a minimum of 5k I would be shocked. With that said the first 50 hours that the machine was used will decide weather it is a 5k or more machine and we have no idea how it was used during break-in. At 2500+ hours it is the other items on the tractor that are getting worn out and you will start to see the peripheral devices fail (bearings, seals, water pump, starter ect, ect. Of course I see tractors with 500 hours that have the same problems. Size wise you that is a good machine and there is no question that if you found out it was too big you could sell it down the road. If the machine feels, runs and acts solid it wouldn’t scare me away.

lens12 · Sep 15, 2002

I agree with EFC. Hours aren't what is hard on a diesel . Starting is harder on them than running. The rule of thumb for farm tractors is 4000-5000 hours till overhaul for a diesel & 11/2 of that for a gas. The tractor with more hours was probably ran more hours at a time. I have a customer with 4800 hours on a YM155 that hasn't touched the engine.

stnickstoys · Sep 16, 2002

I too would echo what the others are saying. Hours are not a good indicator of use or of routine maintenance. Look the tractor closely, how much slop is there in the shifters, is there severe rust or dings to the tractor, are the tires in good condition, is the drawbar hole ovaled out from severe use, how much slop is there in the 3pt arm bushings and pivot points etc. Hour wise we had an Allis Chalmers 185 with over 12,500 hours before overhaul. We religiously changed oil at 100-150 hours, changed antifreeze solution every couple years, used block heaters in cold weather etc. All important things for making the tractor last. Good luck with your tractor.
Nick