Looking to buy a Yanmar

[scrinch]

Kiohio, can you give us a photo of the paint job and one of the front end mess, just to document here on the forum how the outside and the inside sometimes don't bear any relation to each other?

 

[piddling]

Where are the "good" Japanese tractors taken for reconditioning?

 

[LMTC]

The good ones go many places, but primarily here (US) because the highest prices are offered here. It's a very simple supply and demand situation. The "reconditioning" (and honestly, I don't like that term because I don't think it accurately describes what happens most of the time), which is essentially simply service (fix whatever mechanical issues need fixing, sometimes paint if the metal is solid but badly faded or pockmarked) and sell.

The good ones are in such condition that they don't generally need major work, nor do they often have any significant failure after the sale.....but they do cost more.

 

[piddling]

EFC, what would you estimate is the average number of hours on the machines you purchase? Is the hour meter reading a major consideration when you consider a machine?Are your hour meters reset to zero before being resold? I have heard 1,000 hours is about typical for an imported, used Yanmar. If this is correct, why are the Japanese getting rid of these tractors with such low hours?

 

[normde2001]

Wayne, when I was in the cash register business, we reconditioned thousands of registers in the branch office, as opposed to "factory rebuilds", which were run back through the factory for major assembly replacement. Our reconditioning process consisted of disassembly, inspection, adjustment, and replacement of any parts that were not within specs., a refinish if necessary, with a 6 month warranty. No need to replace a 30 year old part, bearing, etc. that is still like new when inspected and tested.

 

[pruntyc]

I do know how EFC does business, so I will answer for him on some of this. The first, no he don't reset the hours, he is honest. And the reason they change tractors in Japan is the government helps them get new ones, when they start to get old, not worn out just got old. They have a lot different system than we do. The government helps them, our government don't do that, we are on our own, with our farming equipment. And no I don't know EFC, have never met the man, but know what he believes and how he does his business.

 

[piddling]

Thanks for the reply, Dick. I own a VN tractor and find this subject interesting, although some evidently find my posts objectional. In asking the question about the hour meters I wasn't seeking to imply that someone was doing something unethical - I was just curious as to whether re-setting the meter was sop for gray market tractors.
I like my tractor so far (water pump replacement under warranty) but not sure I would buy a VN-reconditioned tractor again.

 

[Eddie]

</font><font color="blueclass=small">( Are your hour meters reset to zero before being resold? )</font>

Unless EVERYTHING is REPLACED, and I mean every part on the tractor not just what needs replacing, with new parts then it's dishonest to zero the hour meter. Thats the reason you can's zero the odometer on a car just because you rebuilt the motor!!!!!

 

[arthr31]

zeroing out the hour meter seems to be standard procedure on the VN rebuilds... I think, if you are used car dealer and are caught rolling back the miles, it's a crime...

 

[greatrandini]

No one really has any idea how many hours are on these 30 year old tractors any way. It is a good tool for guessing if you had an "A" quality used unit but who knows. I doubt if the hr meter on the "burnt up" kubota unit picture above worked any how. That being said; I do wish that folks selling "A" quality tractors were as good at marketing as the VN rebuild organizers were when I went to buy a unit. I really would rather have a pristine used unit. I would prefer a 1965 corvette stingray with 100 original miles to a 1965 corvette stingray that was nicely restored too. There are very few low hr all original units in the JD Two cylinder clubs but they are more cherished.