Best Buy? YM 1401 vs. YM 1610D

gjasonb · May 6, 2004

I have located two tractors, I think either would suit my needs.

1. A YM 1401 2wd straight from Japan with 500+ hours with a used tiller and new scrape blade for $2700.
or
2. A newly reconditioned YM 1610D 4wd showing 5 hours on the meter for $3200

The tractor will be used for yard work/mowing on my small lot of 1.5 acres some of which has some steep grading. I am leaning towards the 1610 because of the power shift transmission.

Which is the overall better value for the prices mentioned?
Are these prices reasonable?

Anyone near KY that has a YM 1510 2wd for sale that can come near the deal of the YM 1401 above?

jimstractors · May 6, 2004

I would be cautious of "reconditioned" tractors.
Reconditoned can mean different things to different folks.
Powershift is nice, but so is 4wd if you have lots of hills, mud, etc.

California · May 6, 2004

Reconditioned?

I occasionally stop by a place that imports containerloads of tractors that were reconditioned in Vietnam.

In another thread, I've been posting about my frustration buying minor parts there to recondition my US-sold Yanmar, only to find that almost none of the parts I bought were authentic for the apparent year model of the 'reconditioned' tractor I saw them stripped off of. The parts I got were authentic Yanmar, but years older than I expected and therefore incompatible. At least they accept returns graciously, perhaps because I bought my new mower and scraper box there.

Another thing I observed was makeshift reconditioning - for example with radiator removed, a nicely painted radiator hose was revealed to have electric tape wrapped over the original braided-cover hose. Or an hourmeter (always low hours!) with the PTO redline at a higher rpm than is correct for this model, indicating that hourmeter came off an unrelated model. I wonder if the reconditioners buy any new parts at all. The only reason this business model works is because Yanmar (and some others) build such a reliable product that few components are worn out after 20 years, so combining used parts works surprisingly well.

All warranty service for customers is performed by stripping parts off a similar tractor in stock - they don't have a parts inventory except 'on the hoof'. I asked the owner if they send the carcasses of those occasional stripped tractors back to Vietnam to reassemble again, and she said no, they are sent to the local equipment auction for a no-recourse sale.

I think there are many reconditioned tractor dealers who buy from importers like this and add value by replacing hoses, belts, fluids etc then selling with a good warranty. As a new buyer I strongly suggest you find one of these value-added dealers who includes a solid warranty. Their product won't look any different than a merely reconditioned tractor but that setup and warranty are well worth it.

As for your choices, 1401 or 1610D - that's a tossup. Consider that you need a low center of gravity and increased width for those slopes. Plus probably 4x4. I think I would look for a 1401D.

gjasonb · May 6, 2004

What about a YM 1510D? It's about the same size as the 1401 but has the power shift. That seems like it might be the perfect fit. Anyone in the region near KY have one of those models available?

mowingcorey · May 6, 2004

I bought my 1401D from a dealer southeast of Indianapolis. He may have what you need/want. I can get you his number if you'd like.

LMTC · May 6, 2004

Look for a reliable dealer who has been at it for a while and who can offer customer references. A few hundred dollars saved now, while a fair bit of money, may seem immaterial down the road if your tractor goes belly up. A 1610D for $3200 is absurd. It costs more than that for a dealer to put a GOOD one on the ground here. Either a purely random great buy, or a scrap pack tractor assembled in VN from parts units.

Inspector507 · May 6, 2004

One of the people who responded to you already is a Yanmar dealer and a very straight forward one at that. The stock he has is the cream of the crop and is not far from KY. He has a YM1401 for a few pennies more than $2700, but his is ready for work, not repairs.
The 1610 with 5 hours is undoubtedly a Vietnam reconditioned one. I'd run away from that one.

Tractors4u · May 7, 2004

A friend of mine in North Alabama sells Yanmars and his dad usually has a few at his place in Sonora KY which is just off I-65 south of E-town. Call Fredricks Equipment and talk to Tom. Ask him if his dad has any in the size you are looking for. Tom turns out some nice tractors.

I guess it would help if I gave you the number. 256-773-9951

gjasonb · May 7, 2004

I haven't even seen the 1610D in question yet. I have talked to two people who said it looked and ran like new. If it is a Vietnamese remanufactured tractor how can I tell? What are some of the indicators of faulty work that woud send out a "red flag" to avoid this one?

California · May 7, 2004

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( remanufactured tractor how can I tell? )</font>

First impression: An original fuel tank is unpainted plastic and you can see the fuel level. On a rebuilt tractor the tank is painted shiny black.

Up close: Look for hoses and wires painted same color as the engine.

Warranty: Rebuilt should include a substantial warranty.

Research: Look for past sales on ebay. A true rebuilt would have a premium price and the seller would have good feedback. This one seems priced too low; maybe an as-is price.