First Time Tractor Buyer - Yanmar?

[PAB_OH]

Okay, well I am fairly new to this board and tractors in general. I have posted a few times over in another brand’s section as I was originally looking at buying a new tractor. A lot has changed in the past 2-3 months though and after quite a bit of research I think I have decide to buy a Yanmar. They obviously have a loyal following and seem to be worthy of it.

I have been reading some of the past threads in this section to try and familiarize myself with some of the issues surrounding the models I am interested in. Before I get too far into this post though I would like to explain what I plan to do with the machine and the environment.

Duties:
Driveway Maintenance
- scraping
- gravel spreading
- salting
- Snow removal
Light Landscaping
Mowing


Environment:
NE Ohio
~1/4 mile long drive up a pretty steep hill with a pretty sharp switchback, half way up.
Plenty of snow
Plenty of rain
Plenty of mud
Front yard is about 1.5 acres and sloped
Cold winters (not brutal but cold)

Okay with that out of the way I’ll continue. I initially started looking at the “smaller” Yanmars, like the 1500, 1600, and 1700 series. I don’t think they will be big enough for what I am planning to do so I am now looking at the 2300+ series. As a reference I had a friend bring over his JD 4200 a couple of weeks ago to scrape the drive and I got a feel for it. It seemed to be about the right size, physically and HP wise (25+ HP). So I am thinking I want a 2420D at minimum and wouldn’t mind getting a 2620D or a 2820D. The 3000 series has even crossed my mind. I definitely need a 4WD (4x4, MFWA, MFWD, whatever) because of the drive way and the use of a FEL.

I am a little curious about how the bigger tractors will handle on a sloped hard with a finish mower behind them, specifically the likelihood of tipping. The yard isn’t that steep but the way I understand it these machines were originally designed to work in the rice paddies and I don’t recall seeing too many of those on sloped hillsides! Also were they given a narrower stance/wheelbase in order to facilitate a tighter turning radius?

Another thought/concern I have is the tires. I want to put R-4’s on one these beasts to compromise between the aggressiveness I’ll need for dirt works and snow/ice conditions and the unobtrusiveness of turf tires so I don’t destroy my lawn. I thought about getting a separate set of wheels for spring/summer/fall (turf) and then changing back to the rice paddy tires for winter but I have been told this is not a very efficient or smart thing to do for various reasons. After listening to some of the arguments against it, I no longer think this is a good idea. I have looked around for R-4 tires but I haven’t been able to find any that will work on a 4WD Yanmar. Has anyone been able to do this? Is getting another set of rime to accommodate available R-4 sizes possible? I’m not sure what the bolt pattern is on these and how it compares to domestically available rims.

So are there many 2610, 2620, 2810, 2820, or 3000 series owners out there? I’d be interested in hearing what you owners have to say about them. Both good and bad please. I don’t want to buy a machine that I’m not going to be happy with. I don’t have a lot of money and I can’t afford to make a mistake.

Also, where do you guys (and gals) get your tractors? We have a distribution yard up by me in North Royalton, OH but to be honest they just don’t seem to want to sell tractors. Maybe I don’t understand how these yards work, do they primarily serve dealers? Their hours are really terrible so I don’t know how anyone with a job could make it up there to look at anything (M-F 8am-3pm). I have spoken with them in the past and they are real friendly so maybe I just don’t understand the business model and I’m barking up the wrong tree. I looked at their online inventory and they don’t seem to carry any of the bigger models, only the small ones, which are probably more popular. In fact most people selling these that have a website seem to stock the smaller ones. So are their dealers who will take requests for certain models? Does anyone know of any other sellers in my area (Canton/Akron OH) I could check with? I think LMTC is located near by and I need to get with them to maybe help me out. I am willing to drive long distance to BUY the tractor but I can’t be driving long distance to look at them every weekend so I need a very, very reputable dealer/seller who is willing to work with me and send lots of pictures.

Ok, time to end this novel. I think I have enough to start here and will continue to post as I make progress toward deciding and buying.

I want to thank all of you in advance for sharing anything you might have to say regarding anything above. Sites like this help a bunch and they don’t work without people willing to give freely of their time, opinions, and experiences.

Thanks,
Phil

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Whatever you do, make sure you buy from a dealer with a good reputation. Grey market tractors can be a great deal or a huge pain. We have a few great grey market dealerships here. Get in touch with Ernie or Wayne, both post here and both are great guys. If they can't help you, they will very likely send you to someone close to you who can help you. I can vouch for Wayne on a personal level, he posts under the name LMTC.

 

[pruntyc]

I think you need to get ahold of LMTC and he can tell you more of what you need than any of us. He has been in the business for a long time and is very honest. He will treat you right and stand behind what he sells you. As far as HP, the number in the model number is the PTO HP the tractor is 1.2% more. Like a YM 2300 would be 27.6 HP. Or at least that is close, most would call it 27. You can email Wayne or probably call him, to find out what you want to know. My 2¢ worth.

 

[ym2610]

Hi PAB_OH, welcome to TBN the Yanmar side, I don't think you will go wrong with buying a Yanmar, used or rebuilt if it comes for a dealer with a good rep, like LMTC or Ernie, some others on here too, I have a 2610 and the only thing I would do different is I would have went with a 4wd, I'm going to add a fel one day, thats why I would rather had a 4wd, other than that I love it, I only have 4.5 acres and it just the right size for me, I was told its a little big for me when I bought it, but better to big than to small that way I see it, my land has some hills that I won't mow even with a riding mower, but with the right weight on the front of my tractor,its no problem going up and down them, just never across.one last thing I would buy a ROP for it, only 800 and might save your life one day, I didn't but buying one very soon.hope this help. Robert

 

[cwarrix]

I'll echo the good advise to give Wayne a call. He will help you get the right size tractor for your needs. I bought my 2210 from Wayne and couldn't be more pleased with the whole process. He is probably about three hours from you (guess), but worth the drive. I had the same issue as you as far as wanting to look at the tractors after work. Wayne was more than willing to accommodate. He stood out in the cold rain for two hours explaining all of the little things to a newbie like me, before he had the sale . I'm not sure if there are any other dealers close to you, so I don't mean to sound closed minded here, but just make sure to call Wayne before you make a final decission. Feel free to PM me with any question.

BTW - I haven't been up your way in a while, but I used to go up to Carrollton (spelling) a lot. Beautiful scenery driving up there, I used to love that drive.

One more note, I am still amazed at how hard these tractors work. Keep that in mind when picking the size you think you need. Even the little ones do a lot of work!

In case you don't have it, here is a link to LMTC web page

 

[LMTC]

I can't speak for Allied (N Royalton), but I know we would appreciate your business. My family and I try to spend at least a few days each year on a mini-vacation in Holmes, Tuscarawas, Wayne, and Coshocton counties primarily (Amish country), so I know your general location.

Lots of options, including come, look, buy. We can also provide references, including from customers who bought sight unseen (we deliver, freight & implements pre-paid, tractor paid for upon acceptance...no like, no pay. No one has ever not liked). Whatever you do, make sure your dealer 1. can access parts for you, 2. provides service--even if you have it serviced locally, you will want your dealer to be able to provide info if necessary, 3. has been in the business a while and is committed to this market, not just selling a couple in his yard because it makes a few extra bucks. I am not opposed to small resellers, but they need to still be tied in with a servicing dealer and let their customers know about that.

We now have ROPS for many of our units, and by sometime in the next 6 months we will have them for ALL....it is our intent to not sell a Yanmar without a ROPS after some point this spring. We will, at that point, also be installing PTO safety shields among other safety features.

We're kind of sort of a little bit shut down until 1/2/06, but I will be around most of next week. If I can help you, let me know. Someone here can give you our website....I don't think I'm supposed to post it since I don't pay for advertising here.

 

[Mickey_Fx]

I would recomment you give consideration to one of the newer models in the F series. I'm pleased with mine and think it could handle all you intend to use it for. I agree with the thought to get rid of the stk rice tires and the R4's look nice to me and have been giving thought of switching to them myself.

The F series are 3 cyl with a water pump. Mine has power steering, and the power shift, shift on the go, transmission. Also has a creep range but is so low geared I can't think of what it would be used for. I also have UFO the auto/hyd 3pt lift that is desirable if you plan on using 3pt implements. Oh, also have a draft control on the 3pt which is nice if you use ground engauging 3pt implements like a plow.

The larger F series are 4 cyl and some have a turbo. I've not found a need for these larger models on my 4 acres.

Purchased my tractor from Ernie and he is one of the good guys and I was fortunate that I live close by. As been said by others, the dealer can make all the difference between a good experience and a bad one.

 

[pruntyc]

You really don't have to have 4 wheel drive to use a FEL. In some cases it helps, but unless you are going to use it a lot, you probably don't really need it, and it will cost you about 1,000 more to have it. I plan on buying another tractor and trade my older one in, as I want one just a little bigger, and with FEL, but am going to stay with 2 wheel drive on it also. A lot of people use the 2 wheel drive ones with a FEL. But then again, if you plan on using it mostly for FEL work, you probably will want 4 wheel drive. Although EFC says he uses 2 wheel drive on the one, they use on the tractor lot, and I guess they use it a lot. I just don't need the extra cost of haveing to repair it, if it causes trouble either, and from what I read, it is one of the main things people need to repair on these tractors. And on mine, I won't be using it that much for anything that the 2 wheel drive won't do the job, anyway.

 

[HGM]

I didnt buy from Wayne, mostly because I wanted something "now" and he was a little drive away for me...

Since I bought mine he has been one of the most helpfull individuals I have spoken to. I have had a few questions that I directed his way in a PM and he responded very helpfully. I would, no doubt, consider LMTC as one of the first places I go for any parts from here on out. And if I decide to get a new(to me) tractor, I will surely call him... Good luck, you'll love Yanmar, mine is a 2wd 2000 and it has much more power than I expected.

For my next one, I would probably be looking for something in the same 26-2700 4x4 w/FEL as you are..Still relatively small but more capable with the loader..Curently this one suits me fine though. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Tractors4u]

I will give the nod to LMTC also. I had the pleasure of meeting Wayne this past Monday and I can tell you that he really cares about this business and the reputation of the grey market tractor industry. He will, without a doubt take care of his customers if they ever need it.