How to spot a Viet recon tractor?

[arthr31]

I think 100% of them will have the fuel tank painted black. When there were a lot of Yanmars on Ebay this was a good first-glance indicator.

Not correct. My 1601 which is a re-con does not have the fuel tank painted black, it is still the gray-green original color. . .

And, remember, not all re-cons are bad, just be very discerning..

 

[allenp]

Let me preface this by saying that I'm not an expert, but this is what I've observed:

*Nice paint

*All decals are new (if they have them); even have the "yanmar" label on the front grill

* As someone else pointed out, look for 2-3 stars (**) on the front bumper or rear fender. Some even have the letters "HD" printed on the front bumper or fender

* A lot of the small parts & linkages have been replated (chromate, I think). For example - the bands for the fuel tank, throttle rod, fan shroud, etc.

* Most bolts and nuts are nice and shiny (as in new)

* Hour meter on zero or a low number. Once at an auction, I looked at several Yanmars, Iseki, Hinimoto and all meters were set to something like 237 hours. What are the odds on finding this?

I've looked at several at the local auction, and I have to admit, even the obvious duds that are being dumped look nice. However, I know of one "seller" thats been in business for several years that "hand picks" (not from an auction, but from the same supplier), and has had good luck with a particular supplier.

 

[Travis_R]

I love my YM2000.......Yes, it has been (uh..oh...here comes that big word) "reconditioned" in Vietnam......And I don't care where it was reconditioned.....It could have been done in Egypt as far as I care, as long as the tractor serves its purpose.

Yes, my fuel tank is painted black......Yes, it has new "shiny" nuts and bolts........The "linkages" are new (chrome looking).......All my radiator hoses are original......The top hose is braided......I AM PROUD OF ALL THESE THINGS TOO......

I purchased my tractor from Stuart Ryan with RCO Tractor in Dallas, Texas.......Do I have any regrets?...NOPE.......Would I purchase another from them, AGAIN, KNOWING it was (brace yourself ) "reconditioned" in Vietnam OR where ever RCO Tractor might choose to get their tractors? YES, BECAUSE I TRUST THEM..AND THEY KNOW IT.........WOULD I DO THAT WITH ANY OTHER DEALER THAT GETS THEIR TRACTORS OUT OF VIETNAM?
NOPE.......

RCO told me that mine is a Vina tractor (BEFORE I PURCHASED IT) and i'm proud of it.

Travis R

 

[allenp]

The purpose of my post was to answer the question on how to a spot V... recon tractor. In no way am I implying that all are bad, or that the things I pointed out are bad. This is just what I've observed. I don't have the knowledage base to argue the reliability concern one way or the other.

 

[Travis_R]

Allen, there is no harm done my friend......Ad my post was not towards you.........I am not like that (Unless someone gets me mad), and you have not.

I was just giving "feedback" being that I am an owner of a Vietnam reconditioned tractor....Thats all..........You see, I think until I, and a couple others started posting about the POSITIVE Viet. tractors, ALMOST everyone on this board had a one track mind towards Viet tractors, "they're all junk,".....AND THAT IS DEFINITELY NOT THE CASE...........AND STILL, the majority still think the same way. BUT, EVERYONE on TBN that looks at the Yanmar forum will know what I have to say about MY Viet. tractor, WHETHER it be good or bad...I don't care how they take it......I'm just posting the facts of what i've been through and going through.....NOT what I've heard....Again, I am happy with my tractor.......I promise I would say otherwise if I wasn't...

People don't realize that there is more than one reconditioner in Vietnam....Thats why they think that they're all junk.

Travis

 

[Jagmandave]

Travis buddy, I think you've made your point................

 

[phatgemi]

Travis buddy, I think you've made your point................

Amen, and the night is still young on your tractor. It will be interesting to follow it's life. Hope it goes well for you.

 

[California]

Not correct. My 1601 which is a re-con does not have the fuel tank painted black, it is still the gray-green original color. . .

And, remember, not all re-cons are bad, just be very discerning..

Ok, I'm learning something new here. My tractor's fuel tank is unpainted same as in the brochure in my sig pictures. With no fuel gauge, it's easy to see the fuel level through the semi-transparent plastic. (same stuff as a plastic milk bottle). I thought the whole world did things my way.

I agree, a recon from a retailer who will stick with you should be a good tractor. As Buck and Wayne have pointed out, it's the honest dealer who bears the cost of the occasional bad one, not the new owner.

 

[Tractors4u]

..........You see, I think until I, and a couple others started posting about the POSITIVE Viet. tractors,

Travis

And the positive thing about your tractor would be........?

 

[arthr31]

The interesting thing is, that my 169d which is american, does have a factory black tank. So, maybe the rebuilders are modeling their repaint jobs based on an american model, not a japanese? I'd like another red american yanmar to compare to, maybe go look today...

And, on the re-cons, it might be that the tank came from something else anyway...

Ok, I'm learning something new here. My tractor's fuel tank is unpainted same as in the brochure in my sig pictures. With no fuel gauge, it's easy to see the fuel level through the semi-transparent plastic. (same stuff as a plastic milk bottle). I thought the whole world did things my way.

I agree, a recon from a retailer who will stick with you should be a good tractor. As Buck and Wayne have pointed out, it's the honest dealer who bears the cost of the occasional bad one, not the new owner.