Bota' or Yanmar...HELP!!!

[teach]

Bota\' or Yanmar...HELP!!!

I have a dilema. I currently own (I have had since last July) a 1983, Kubota B7100 manual shift, 16hsp, 4x4, 2000 hours, in good shape, runs great. I use the following implements; york rake, scraper blade, rear dirt scoop, forks (carry-all), 42" brushhog, rear tire chains, and I have, but have never hooked up, a front mounted snowblower (the scraper blade did just fine, even in the "Blizzard of '05"). BUT I don't have a loader or trailer! I found a dealer in Mass., about 2+ hours from where I am in RI, who has a loader for my tractor which will run me about $2,400 installed. BUT he also has a Yanmar, 186(?), 4wd, loader, 18 hsp, 1000 hours, a 9" posthole digger, and trailer for $7,500. I have 6 acres, largely wooded that I am working on clearing out, an upcoming landscaping project this spring (moving/spreading loam, moving stone for wall and a walkway), a 300' steep driveway to plow, and occationally use my tractor to skid trees out of the woods for firewood on some other property that I maintain. I have a Bota' dealer just up the road, but I don't know about a Yanmar dealer/mechanic, nor do I know much about Yanmars. Do I just buy the loader for Bota' or...do I buy the Yanmar?
HELP!
Teach

 

[sneaky_pete]

Re: Bota\' or Yanmar...HELP!!!

If it was my tractor and my money, I'd stick with the B7100. Either that or sell/trade the 7100 towards a more modern "big three" tractor with an FEL. My opinion only - there are probably lots of happy Yanmar owners out there too.

 

[notamustang]

Re: Bota\' or Yanmar...HELP!!!

Well if the money is not huge I would keep what you got and think about adding another tractor to your barn. Of course who says money is not a huge issue. If your tractor is serving you well why sell it. You can update your current with a loader or talk to the bota dealer and keep an eye out for what you want.
The loader is a good selling point and the trailer is nice too but you can get a trailer pretty cheap. Just my point of view so I wish you luck on your decision /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[ZackaryMac]

Re: Bota\' or Yanmar...HELP!!!

If the Kubota does what you want it to, and you are happy with it, and it's been reliable, then you have a good tractor. Adding to it will make it more versitile. You know Kubota is a good name, and it sounds like this one proves it to you. I'm sure Yanmar is an excellent tractor also, but is it BETTER than what you have?
Trailers are plentiful, and cheap if you look around. I was ready to spend $2000 for a trailer, then spotted a used one for $250. After a bit of modifying it for my use, it's great for what I want.

 

[teach]

Re: Bota\' or Yanmar...HELP!!!

Sneaky,
Thanks for the advice. Trading up to something "newer and modern in the big three" is probably not an option. Niether is keeping it and having two tractors. THe wife is barely ok with what I'm trying to do now as we still have a lot of work to do on our old house that we have been restoring for nearly three years now. Of course...she's right. Finding small used tractors (18-25 horse) with a loader in even half decent shape is pretty tough in Little Rhody. It seems like the smaller they are with a loader, the more they cost. My Bota dealer just up the street very rarely even gets used machines like this. The only reason I bought my Bota without the loader is because anything with a loader was either so beat up it wasn't worth buying or it was way out of my budget so I gave up and settled for my little B7100. This little machine has impressed me for it's size but a loader sure would come in handy. For one thing, it would give my tractor the weight up front it needs to keep the front end on the ground. Even with 3 suitcase weights on the front (which is all it will hold), it wants to float on hills with an implement on the rear. I'll sleep on it. Thanks again.
teach

 

[BrettW]

Re: Bota\' or Yanmar...HELP!!!

OK,
I mayget yelled at by some of you but I have both a Yanmar FF205 D and Kubota 7800 presently. The Yanmar I have is a 1991 4x4 straight trans machine. It came directly from Japan and known as a grey model. I have used it sparingly over the last few years but I can tell you this, it is one very fine machine. It is very well engineered and starts first try every time, never ANY hesitation. In several ways I like it better than the Kubota. It has about 26 hp, (US) and 22 hp on the PTO. There were 2 reasons I got a B7800.
1. I ended up needing a loader and the Yanmar didn't have a subframe.
2. I broke a part (running over a stump) and didn't like the wait to get it replaced. (this is something you accept with a grey market machine), there are several good internet dealers that can get just about any part / you just have to wait on it)
All this being said, my Kubota is an excellent machine but in my mind, it is no better built that the Yanmar. It is much nicer with better powersteering and HYD transmission, but it cost more than 3 times as much. (loader included)
I suggest you post your question on the Yanmar part of this site and see what they say. Search under 186, there have been many discussions of that machine. I know the Yan 186 is a US model and therefore parts will not be a problem. It is not a grey market unit. Anyway, thats my .05 cents worth. bw