Need guidance on 1510D

[dieselgeek]

Hi guys - I've been lurking here for a few weeks. I've decided I need a compact diesel 4wd tractor for my small acreage (5 acres) as a "backup" tractor for my Scag Turf Tiger... I have 5 acres of lawn that sometimes gets too long for the Scag, what I'd like to do is make less of the lawn manicured, and use a small tractor with a rough cut mower for areas that don't need to be mowed as often.


Lots of trees, so the more compact the better. a 48" rough mower would fit the bill perfectly.

I've also tired of using a walkbehind snowblower in the winter, so I'd probably purchase a 3-pt blade as well. Driveway is about 100 yards long, we don't get TOO much snow here, I think a 15-20hp diesel should do it. I'm a fan of the compact diesel after a good experience on my last acreage with a Kubota B7200, didn't work that one too hard either but it went 1500 hrs with ZERO problems other than general maintenance.

I am handy, can do basic metal fab and I've rebuilt a few v8 chevies, and a case VAC-60 tractor. I'm confident I can handle a "grey" and the associated cost savings is attractive to me.

I found a guy who looks to be a smalltime dealer up in Wisconsin, about 8 hours northeast of me (Omaha NE) who sent me a pic of a YM1510D he has for sale. 587 hours on the meter, he says "everything works great" and wants $3700 for it. No options, just the tractor.

I think from reading here I nkow what to look for. I'm not too sure I need to be concerned about him being a bigtime or smalltime dealer; I'm reasonably confident I can go check out the tractor and decide on site if it's in decent shape or not (although I would appreciate advice here on what else to check, I know the 4wd components should be looked at/checked carefully)... my real question is, how important is it to purchase this tractor from a dealer who can supply me the parts as well? Since I live nowhere near a dealer?

If it's a bad idea, please advise. I need to purchase this tractor sometime in the next 3-4 weeks, and I don't mind making a long drive to pick one up form a dealer. My goal would be a 1510D with 48" brush mower around or under $4000 and I don't mind having to do a little work on the machine. I just want to try to avoid needing parts that I simply can't find.

Your advice is appreciated!

-scott

 

[dieselgeek]

Here's a picture I was sent of the tractor in Wisconsin.

If any dealers on here have something similar and would like to contact me via PM, please feel free to do so!

thanks. -scott

 

[reb]

It looks good. If you intend to mow a lawn with it, you might want to ensure you can fit it with less aggressive tires. Those rice tires will dig on turns. It is important to match the tire diameters with a 4wd tractor. In some cases that is hard to do.

 

[dieselgeek]

It looks good. If you intend to mow a lawn with it, you might want to ensure you can fit it with less aggressive tires. Those rice tires will dig on turns. It is important to match the tire diameters with a 4wd tractor. In some cases that is hard to do.

I wouldn't mow the "manicured" portion with it, just the far-flung places on the property where I only mow because if I don't, the Scag doesn't like it (anything over 6" above cutting height, and the Scag just gives up). I've been using my neighbor's VAC-60 Case (overkill!!) and it's got bar tires, is heavier, I don't mind the little damage it does. We're way out in the country so a little rough is fine by me.


I'm more curious if there are any caveats to purchasing this, i.e. is it common to have YM1510D labels on the tractor but it's really a model that came from overseas and now I can't get any parts for it. I don't mind doing a little fabrication, etc. but I worry about things like ring and pinion gears, 4wd components, etc.

-scott

 

[2manyrocks]

It bug me that these import units are sold with no ROPS. It can't be that expensive to the manufacturer to build a ROPS and put it on the tractor to start with. I guess they don't have hills in Japan?

Is this new or rebuilt? Did it come from Japan or Vietnam? There has been some discussion of this question before in this forum.

I think there were some prior posts about how to check out a 4 wheel drive-but they might have been in the Kubota forum.

If find out you need a part, where are you going to get it? Is there a dealer near you or will you have to buy online?

 

[dieselgeek]

It bug me that these import units are sold with no ROPS. It can't be that expensive to the manufacturer to build a ROPS and put it on the tractor to start with. I guess they don't have hills in Japan?

Is this new or rebuilt? Did it come from Japan or Vietnam? There has been some discussion of this question before in this forum.

I think there were some prior posts about how to check out a 4 wheel drive-but they might have been in the Kubota forum.

If find out you need a part, where are you going to get it? Is there a dealer near you or will you have to buy online?

lots of great questions I was hoping to get answered.


I'll offer this, if any dealers on here within 500 miles of Omaha, have a similar tractor they'll sell me and warranty, I'm just as comfortable purchasing from one of them. I don't mind a 1-day or less drive to said dealer to pick it up, either. I'm just looking for input when purchasing from a smalltime sellr/dealer/whatever. I haven't asked him if it was recon'd in vietnam or ??

 

[dieselgeek]

Another question.

I've seen Yanmar 1510D models advertised with both 2 and 3-cylinder engines. Did they come with two different engines over the years?

edit - nevermind, I found specs that indicate the 1510D is a 3-cylinder. thanks.

 

[Tom_Veatch]

... I found specs that indicate the 1510D is a 3-cylinder. thanks.

Typically the "D" suffix indicates the 4wd version of the base model. Could be, I suppose, that the 4wd version might have a different engine, but I don't believe that's typical. If I'm wrong on that, someone please correct me.

This spec list indicates all the XX10 models are 3cyl except for the 2210

 

[mark777]

DG,

Your picture represents a bone stock all original YM1510D indicated by the physical condition. The only item I can see thatç—´ been modified or replaced is the exhaust stack. If it runs well and youæ±*e prepared to do all the maintenance, that tractor should last decades. I would spend a great deal of time testing, checking and operating the tractor before you hand over your hard earned money and make sure the PTO and all gears and ranges, steering free play and brakes work normally.

Mark

 

[LMTC]

Be aware the 1510 is a 2 point tractor in original configuration (if I missed that elsewhere in the post I apologize).

 

[dieselgeek]

THis is great - thanks guys.


Question about the 2-point. What's required to convert to 3-pt hitch? A mount for the upper link or ?


thanks again,

-scott

 

[MJPetersen]

The 1510D is a great little tractor. The powershift is absolutely tops. The things that I would check carefully are the front axle/drive. Check the drive line for wear--take the cover back so you can see the splines and ujoints--check the looseness of the front axle pivot--check for ANY movement when pushing/pulling on the top of each front wheel--check steering box looseness. Also, work the tractor long enough so that the oils are warm and check whether the powershift feels soft in transition from one gear to the next. Check for bubbles in the radiator as the tractor is running.

That tractor looks like a 1510, but you can check the serial number which will be stamped in the casting by your left ankle as you sit in the seat. Mine is something like (I do not remember how many 0's) 1510-00409.

You can buy kits to put on the 3 point. They are not so very expensive, from most of the dealers here probably, but Hoye has them on the web site. Or you can make your own by welding on ends as I did. It is a WHOLE lot easier to just buy the kit--I found that the arms that come on the kit are a bit shorter (3 in) than those that I made my self.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/98421-dirt-scoop-3-pt-first.html?

I also made a rollover box blade for my 1510 that you can check out.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/99596-rollover-scraper-minimum.html?

I have found that I run out of traction long before I run out of power.

Mike

 

[dieselgeek]

Hi Mike -

I've already done searches on your posts and saw both of those. You lead an interesting life!!! And your fab skills are great considering where/what you're working with!


I think I am going to take a trip up to WI and check the tractor out, I most appreciate the suggestions on what to check.


Thanks again,
-scott

 

[HoyeTractor]

I think you will really like the 1510D. That was always our #1 selling tractor for a long time. Very tough & very compact. Check out the front end thoroughly though. There is 1 gear in each side that goes bad when it is run without oil- it is hard to find sometimes. Other than that parts are readily available. We have around 4 or 5 1510D parts tractors if you need used parts. They are simple enough that, should you ever need to work on it, a service manual should be able to guide you through the repairs.

Be sure to add an overrunning clutch. It will make mowing a breeze. A ROPS is also a must.

Good luck,
Aaron
Parts@HoyeTractor.com
(940)592-0181

 

[sauber]

Hey Scott,

Looks like a great little tractor. I have a 1401D and love it. It will easily handle a 4' mower. Tires should be available locally. I put turf tires on mine when I first got it. The price seems very reasonable. Doesn't look like a referb or a recon, just a good used tractor. Didn't know that we have a Yanmar seller here in WI. Maybe you could PM me with info. Heard nothing but good things about Len12 and Hoye Tractor is great place for info and parts. 3 point hitches are available, make sure you get the top lift pins. What ever you buy, make sure it is a Yanmar.

Dan

 

[dieselgeek]

Well - I brought it home today!

plus a Yanmar tiller for an extra $250 that seems in good shape.


I went over the tractor in some detail, so far I am impressed! The trans seems to shift fine, engine starts right up and runs smooth with almost no smoke (slight haze if you blip the throttle a little). I haven't done anything but unload it and park it in the shop yet, but the only thing I could find "wrong" was a small drip of oil out the left rear axle.

I drove almost 1000 miles round trip. Picked it up this morning from Halopka Equipment, in Dorchester WI. It was good working with Todd, he had a lot of domestic and foreign tractors onsite, in clean condition.

Time will tell if the purchase was a good one, I'll be on these forums often with questions I am sure!

Thanks everyone for your help!

-scott

 

[BruceR]

Congrats Scot,

Got photos ?

Be sure and change filters first thing. My 2000B will get a slight blue-white haze when it's time to change the fuel filter.

Bruce

 

[dieselgeek]

I'll take some pics today. I'm waiting around for NAPA to open up so I can go buy fluids and filters. This way I'll have a chance to go over things more closely while servicing the tractor.

I have to get a 3-point kit ASAP. I looked at making my own, I still may make my own lwer bars, but for under $200 it doesn't look like I could put my own together for anywhere near that, considering time and materials.

 

[dieselgeek]

Here's a picture of the tractor, in it's new home!

Today I replaced the engine oil & filter, the fuel filter, and the air filter. I strained the oil carefully and the only thing I found was a paint chip that came off the drain plug.

The tractor fires right up in the cold, although I think I will still install a block heater.

I'll order a 3-pt kit tomorrow, then sometime this week I will try to locate a 3-pt blade here locally.

I'm thinking about one of those King Kutter or Farm Force 4' brush mowers, I am going to need that in the spring.

 

[MJPetersen]

Nice looking tractor. I am sure that you will be happy with that. I know that I have been amazed at what it can do. You will run out of traction, even with 4 wheel, long before you run out of power. The ONLY reason that I made my 3 pt parts is that I did not have available a kit for $200 with free shipping.
If and when you get a cutter, make sure you get a over-running clutch too. It will make mowing a lot less stressful.
have fun!

Mike