Careful what you wish for.
For every tractor that is no longer in service, there is a reason why it was retired. (Although Japanese tax/rapid depreciation law is one non-mechanical reason). An importer-dealer with lots of experience will have better intuition what could be wrong with a retired tractor, and what to do to put it back in service.
My Yanmar was originally sold new here in the US, and apparently was neglected worse than would be normal for a Yanmar in Japan. I'm a pretty good troubleshooter and had it running like new in a month but it needed a lot of stuff:
- The dash warning light cluster was hanging by my knee.
- Entire fuel filter assembly had been discarded, replaced by an automotive inline filter.
- The seat had only the bare metal pan remaining.
- Fuel leaks at the top of the injectors. I misdiagnosed that, and bought the expensive fuel fitting wrench before I figured out it was just the little fuel-return lines rotted out.
- Everything squeaked like a mad symphony. I found loose lug nuts, loose loader-to-chassis bolts, loose bolts everywhere on the loader.
- Rancid unburnable fuel in the tank. I had to dope it with Power Service before it would burn. I found the previous short term owner had ruined and replaced the starter due to this bad fuel.
- Ugly stress cracks welded over, in both front wheels. A reputable dealer wouldn't sell a rig without replacing such damaged wheels.
- Headlights bashed in.
- Chassis-to-hood electrical connector smashed so no headlights.
- Rubber 'shock absorbers' under seat smashed flat.
- Rubber handle cover missing from 3-point lift lever.
This stuff wasn't expensive to fix but it took time. The first time I found a similar tractor to salvage parts off of, the dash light assembly and small rubber parts were cheap but they wanted $60 for the fuel filter assembly. I went back later and it was $10. But that one had been fitted with the wrong bowl so it wouldn't take Yanmar elements, so I had to buy a fuel bowl along with the correct element. Likewise, I found the headlight assemblies on ebay after several months for under $20 but good luck finding a similar deal.
The thing ran like a clock as soon as I put clean fuel in it, but it was clearly a gamble before that point.
I had it in service in a few days and pretty much 'renovated' in a month. (function, not appearance!) After four trouble-free years I feel I won the gamble. But I still haven't replaced those ugly welded-up wheels, or done anything about the appearance.
Are you SURE this is what you want?
A dealer would have taken care of all those issues within the retail price. And for most people, his price would be justified.
