Looking at a Yanmar YM169

[PM Wells]

I am thinking about getting a Yanmar YM169 2wd tractor. I think these are around 16 hp 3 cyl diesel, gear drive, 3 low 3 hi. Anyone have one or know about them? Thanks

 

[bmaverick]

It's more like an SCUT, but better with a 3-cly diesel. Is your land flat in NC? Then 2WD wouldn't be an issue.

The engines of the YM169 and your YM226 are really close. Is the YM169 in good condition? Does it come with a FEL or some other extras?

Do you have kids and grandkids to pass down the machines later? Wish my Pa had kept his 8N years ago, I would have loved to keep that in the family.
Some people pass down their muscle car or truck, I like to pass down my useful working machine.

 

[PM Wells]

The land around me is not very steep, I was thinking about putting a five ft finish mower behind it, because of it's size it seems like it would be like a big lawn mower with tractor features. Never had a tractor with a 16 hp engine, well I will take that back, the Farmall cubs had less hp.

 

[winston1]

I am thinking about getting a Yanmar YM169 2wd tractor. I think these are around 16 hp 3 cyl diesel, gear drive, 3 low 3 hi. Anyone have one or know about them? Thanks

That is one of the few models that have an on line pdf service manual but as far as I know the parts manual is not on line.

 

[PM Wells]

Thanks for that info, I will look into that.

 

[California]

My experience with the YM186D (similar chassis, a little heavier) is all positive. It's certainly more maneuverable than a larger tractor.

For mowing 2wd should be fine. It's light, don't expect huge traction to pull a disc etc.

Also the operator station is tiny. Try it and see if this is an issue.

I think you'll like it.

 

[PM Wells]

Went to look at the YM169, one thing I noticed was it seemed to be a little hard to start. If you pull out the decompression rod the engine would spin freely then push it in the engine was hard to turn over almost like the battery was down or starter was dragging. I checked battery and it was fully charged about 15 volts. any ideas on why engine turns slow under compression. It would start if I decompressed engine and then back under compression.

 

[CoyPatton]

Went to look at the YM169, one thing I noticed was it seemed to be a little hard to start. If you pull out the decompression rod the engine would spin freely then push it in the engine was hard to turn over almost like the battery was down or starter was dragging. I checked battery and it was fully charged about 15 volts. any ideas on why engine turns slow under compression. It would start if I decompressed engine and then back under compression.

When it started, did it have good power? If so, it may well be the starter.
I looked on line at a 169 in NC for my son in the Hickory area. He has some fairly steep hills, and I was concerned for him and hills about traction and keeping the front on the ground. Otherwise that looks like a near size.

 

[PM Wells]

It did seem to run good and sounded good, I am thinking starter too. These YM169 tractors are very small, not a lot of room on board. I would say a small frame person would be ok with it, and the front is light, would need weights for sure. This one has big wide tires on the rear, don't know the size, that would help out on hills.

 

[CoyPatton]

It did seem to run good and sounded good, I am thinking starter too. These YM169 tractors are very small, not a lot of room on board. I would say a small frame person would be ok with it, and the front is light, would need weights for sure. This one has big wide tires on the rear, don't know the size, that would help out on hills.

As I saw I was looking on FB marketplace. Not sure where the 169 was located now. Probably within 75 miles or so of him. His mailing address is Claremont. Just a few miles east of Hickory, NC. He is trying to control runoff water on his hill side and the light weight concerns me with him, off hand I am not sure I even shared that one with him.

 

[PM Wells]

A heavier tractor would probably work better for him, hillsides are very dangerous on any tractor.

 

[PM Wells]

A heavier tractor would probably work better for him, hillsides are very dangerous on any tractor.

Here are a couple pics of the ym169

 

[PM Wells]

That is one of the few models that have an on line pdf service manual but as far as I know the parts manual is not on line.

I did download the manual, Thanks it will be very helpful.
I saw a parts manual that could be downloaded for a price of I think about 16.99.

 

[California]

For the YM186D (same size tractor) I added wheel weights that could only fit extending outward from the wheels. I think this adds a little bit of rollover resistance if you think about the geometry of weight beyond the uphill side.

Photo1. Shows the bolts that hold the weights.

Photo 2. Weights. Also that model (daughter's friend) is petite, maybe 5' 5", illustrating how small the operator station is on these.

The thread where I described modifying those unknown weights to clear the valve stems.

More wheel weights. I thought about mounting these inboard from the weights shown above. Rasseling them up onto my drill press looked like too much work and they aren't really needed. I abandoned that project and now use them as temporary ballast hanging off the q-hitch when I use the loader.

 

[PM Wells]

I noticed that the seat on your 186 sits a way lower than the seat on the 169. I need to see if it can be lowered.

 

[California]

I noticed that the seat on your 186 sits a way lower than the seat on the 169. I need to see if it can be lowered.

Actually those photos I linked, are outdated. My present YM186D with loader and power steering replaced the one with weights in front.

When watering new orchard trees, I get down and repair gopher damage at the levee around many of the trees. On both tractors the low original seat was hard to get out of because you can't get your feet beneath your weight, and it felt like my knees were waist-high.

Look how far forward your feet are in this photo. You need to pull on the steering wheel to stand up.

I bought a higher seat (photo) for the second YM186D. That's better, its easier to stand up. Its from Tractor Supply.



And ... way off topic! That first photo shows one of two bags that carry hand pruners, gloves, 3-point lift limit wrench. The tubes are for long handle pruner and the shovel or hoe for maintaining watering levees. I welded on that 'old man step' for getting on. Then found its especially handy for dismounting without wrenching my back.

 

[CoyPatton]

A heavier tractor would probably work better for him, hillsides are very dangerous on any tractor.

 

[PM Wells]

Hey, I like it, make your tools work for you. Maybe I will leave the seat as is.

 

[CoyPatton]

Here are a couple pics of the ym169

View attachment 672726View attachment 672727

Not sure at this point, but I think the one I looked at had rear turf tires. Which also made me concerned with hills and traction.
Looks like a nice tractor.

 

[PM Wells]

This YM169 will need some going over, the brakes will need adjusting or shoes replaced. After it quits raining here I will be able to check it out better, all fluids were supposed to have been changed according to PO, don't see any leaks so far, coolant in radiator looks good, engine oil is on the mark. Got to get some brakes on it and then put a finish mower behind it and see what happens.