I need the truth....

[Anonymous Poster]

I've been looking to buy a tractor. By far the best deals are the "grey market". BUT I need some questions answered......PLEASE. 1. Whats the life expectancy say on a tractor with 1k hours on it? 2. When "year" were the majority of these tractors made? 3. How hard is it to find parts and support for them? 4. If the parts can be found how are the prices campaired to parts for "made for America" tractors? I had a Kubuta dealer tell me today its near impossible to find parts for the "grey" Kubuta's out there.

 

[Tractors4u]

Life expectancy? Typically these tractors will go 4000 or 5000 hours before they need the engine overhauled, new rings and such.
Year made? Most of the models out there are from the late 1970's up to the mid to late 1980's. I have a chart with the various year models but I don't have it on these computer. If you see an ad for a 1997 Yanmar, be skeptical. The 90's models of greys are very few and far between.
Parts support depends on the dealer you buy from. Now if you let your fingers do the typing you will find some via the internet pretty easily.
Price? It just depends on the brand of grey market tractor. Have you priced parts for a new Massey or Deere lately? They aren't cheap either.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I've found several dealers on the internet that claim to have any and all parts one might need. I also know that JD and MF parts are expensive BUT how are they compaired to Yanmar parts? I also know its pretty easy to go to the local MF or JD dealer and get the parts. I'd love to buy one of these grey tractors because of my budget. I'm doing on going research, so I don't spend $7-10k+ for something I won't be able to afford to fix if it breaks. I'd like to hear from owners, the truth be it good or bad. Thank you for the responce.

 

[pugdaddy]

I recently purchased a grey market yanmar(2420). Some observations based on my research and experience. I looked at over 100 tractors at over 10 dealers and spend hours online. First, I would buy from a legitimate dealer who has access to parts. I would stay away from the 'reconditioned" tractors especially those done overseas. Get one that shows legitimate use but care in maintenance. Yanmar seems to have the best parts availability and are great tractors. Hinomotos are great tractors also but I was concerned with their parts availabilty. I selected a model that had a close crossover to a USA model and I liked the power shift. I got manuals on ebay. So far no problems at all. I found a wide range in condition in the tractors I looked at as well as wide range in the knowledge of the people selling the tractors. So I didn't buy online even though I usually buy major items online. Given my usage I didn't see the lack of ROP's and seat belts as a major issue. If you get a sound tractor from a knowledgable and honest dealer, I don't think you can go wrong. I think a yanmar with a close American cousin would be the safest option. There are a number of very knowledge and apparently honest dealers who post here.

 

[Calpyro]

Hello,
I feel your pain. When I first shopped for a tractor, I went through some of the same pangs of uncertainly that you are having. However, I bought a Grey Market Yanmar, and now I feel that it has been one of the best purchases of my adult life.
I was careful to pick a solid unit. I maintain it well and I have not needed to fix it. However, from the research that I have done, I feel confident that I can get most of the parts that I may ever need. Buy a good solid tractor from a reputable dealer who will help you fix it. If you decide to do something stupid and break it you will have someone who is knowledgeable with the tractor to help you.
Your friendly Kubota dealer has an agenda. If he sells you a tractor he makes money. If he needs to slam the Grey Market dealers to make a sale and twists some facts in the process, well let him do so. Some Grey Market Tractor dealers will tell you anything you want to hear to make a sale as well and the truth may suffer. The REAL truth is often somewhere in between. There are a lot of satisfied owners of Grey Market tractors in the USA like me who have saved thousands of dollars. I would not do anything different. Tractors are a great tool and a bundle of fun to play with, but to me I refuse to spend the better part of twenty grand for a new tractor.
If you need any more info, email me and I will try to give you the straight scoop.
Thanks,
Cameron

 

[jimstractors]

Here is a PDF file of the Yanmar specs. It may not be exact, but it's close. There are a lot of knowledgeable dealers on the site, and most can get or refer you to parts, if needed. Filters, seals and tires are all available locally. NAPA and WIX have most the filters and seals.
Jim

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I have to agree with all these posts. I bought my first Yanmar about two months ago but it was after a bunch of research. I've bought a few maintenence parts as well as a few oddball things with no problem so far. I don't farm a thousand acres so I wasn't gonna spend big money to just play around the house.

A couple friends of my dad have kubotas (American ones) and when they saw mine and found out what I paid for it, they were shocked and a little ticked off i think. One of 'em is selling his and looking at a grey Yanmar.

 

[gws]

I think you also need to ask yourself what do you need out of a tractor? I personally wouldnt recomend a grey for use in a commercial application where my business was based on the tractor I used. While grey yanmar's are great tractors and will meet your needs, they often dont have the safety hardware OSHA or an insurance company requires. While parts are available, walk in service usually is not. Can you take several days of downtime waiting for parts? As a "hobby" use I can.

If your looking for a good "hobby" home use tractor then Yanmar's are great. I didnt like the kubota's grey's because parts did seem to beharder to find and I didnt find any good "support groups" for them. There are a number of yanamar groups on the internet and parts are available.
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I've been looking to buy a tractor. By far the best deals are the "grey market". BUT I need some questions answered......PLEASE. 1. Whats the life expectancy say on a tractor with 1k hours on it? 2. When "year" were the majority of these tractors made? 3. How hard is it to find parts and support for them? 4. If the parts can be found how are the prices campaired to parts for "made for America" tractors? I had a Kubuta dealer tell me today its near impossible to find parts for the "grey" Kubuta's out there. )</font>

 

[dkb1215]

I also feel your pain, and like you listened, read info on the internet and visited a lot of dealers of used grey -- and not so grey tractors. My budget was a maxium of $7000.00 also or so I thought. I had a Yanmar 1510D, but after two weeks of using it I knew I wanted something Bigger and more Modern with the features of some of the newer models that I drove. I know everyone does not have deep pockets I certainly don't. My wife always said buy right the first time and you will never regret your decision so I bit the bullet and spend another $5000.00 and extra $45.00 a month $120.00 total per month for my new Branson 3510 35hp tractor. I got my tractor from Lazenby's equipment in Hampton, Fl. , Scott has a ton of Yanmars, some Kubota's, Older Fords andd some Massey Ferguson's and he stocks parts for what he sells.. If you can swing it BUY NEW, if not buy the BIGGEST TRACTOR you can afford , you can never have enough horsepower and Creature Features. My 2 cents worth. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

David Blankenship
Gainesville, Fl

 

[Anonymous Poster]

WOW, thanks for the responce's! dkb1215, would you happen to have a phone # and or a web site for Lazenby's equipment in Hampton, Fl.? I'm trying to find good "dealers" here in Florida that have been used by others and have had a good experience with. As far as my usage I have 3 acres of land. I think if I go Yanmar it will be the 2010 w/loader. I don't see me really needing anything larger.