Theres a local chap selling Yanmars. I've talked to him on the phone and he said he could sell me a 20 hp 4wd YM 1500 with a FEL and box scraper for $6,900. I looked at the specs on jims tractor and the 1500 is 2wd and 17 hp. Well low and behold he had it parked outside the local newspaper office today and I stopped to check it out. It was a very clean looking machine and was 4wd. The questions I have are, could it really be 20 hp also and can a tractor of this size work a 48" brush hog type mower. Thanks for any help ypu can give.
New guy looking at a Yanmar
- Thread starter Fat_Man
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DavesTractor
Elite Member
Fat Man,
Welcome to TBN!
My very first Yanmar, about 250 Yanmars ago, was a 1500 2wd. I thought it was the best tractor. Then I went to a YM1610D with the three-cylinder engine, power-shift, modern dash, 4x4, crawl range, etc and thought there must not be a better tractor anywhere. Then I got a YM2010D with a loader...and I knew I had arrived. Now my favorite Yanmar is my current YM4220D. I think I've had most every model, although I know I have missed a few.
The YM1500D is an older model, it is two-cylinder, no water pump (the heat just naturally circulates), it is about 18HP. The front axles are not the toughest, so if you buy one with a loader, don't abuse it.
For the price you are getting, you can easily get into a 3-cylinder 4x4 Yanmar that is a little more modern. Also remember that all loaders are not alike.
There has been lengthy discussion about Vietnamese reconditioned tractors, so you might search for that topic in this forum. You'll find opinions on both sides of that matter.
We do not buy reconditioned tractors. We prefer low hour units that we put through our own shop. If a low hour Yanmar needs the engine rebuilt something, it hasn't been cared for.
It's always best to buy local if you can, but if you want to be able to see a few dozen Yanmars in one place you can come up to Red Bluff and check these out.
Welcome to TBN!
My very first Yanmar, about 250 Yanmars ago, was a 1500 2wd. I thought it was the best tractor. Then I went to a YM1610D with the three-cylinder engine, power-shift, modern dash, 4x4, crawl range, etc and thought there must not be a better tractor anywhere. Then I got a YM2010D with a loader...and I knew I had arrived. Now my favorite Yanmar is my current YM4220D. I think I've had most every model, although I know I have missed a few.
The YM1500D is an older model, it is two-cylinder, no water pump (the heat just naturally circulates), it is about 18HP. The front axles are not the toughest, so if you buy one with a loader, don't abuse it.
For the price you are getting, you can easily get into a 3-cylinder 4x4 Yanmar that is a little more modern. Also remember that all loaders are not alike.
There has been lengthy discussion about Vietnamese reconditioned tractors, so you might search for that topic in this forum. You'll find opinions on both sides of that matter.
We do not buy reconditioned tractors. We prefer low hour units that we put through our own shop. If a low hour Yanmar needs the engine rebuilt something, it hasn't been cared for.
It's always best to buy local if you can, but if you want to be able to see a few dozen Yanmars in one place you can come up to Red Bluff and check these out.
Thanks for the help and info Dave. The guy selling the tractor insn't associated with a shop or dealer so while he is local I have questions about support. I was planninnig on using the tractor for mowing 2 ft. tall white leaf manzanita, tilling the garden, working my sizable compost piles and landscaping on my property. I only have 2 gently sloped acres, and I'm not looking for side jobs, so I figured this size range would be adequate.
While everybody wants something new the boss won't let me spend that much for what she considers a toy, is she that wrong? Given your experience what would you suggest for a more modern tractor, I can probably get another model off this guy if I decide to use him.
My one day I'll get the opportunity to look at your machines as I,m not to far, Placerville area. Kids and job make difficult to make that excurssion though.
While everybody wants something new the boss won't let me spend that much for what she considers a toy, is she that wrong? Given your experience what would you suggest for a more modern tractor, I can probably get another model off this guy if I decide to use him.
My one day I'll get the opportunity to look at your machines as I,m not to far, Placerville area. Kids and job make difficult to make that excurssion though.
DavesTractor
Elite Member
Yanmar makes so many models it would be hard to nail down a favorite. I prefer the 3-cylinder models myself, so in that size range you could look at a YM1510D, YM1502D, YM1601D, YM1602D, YM1610D, YM1702D, YM1720D and so on. If you want to go a little newer yet, a model that I like a lot is the Yanmar F18D.
Read as much as you can on this forum and you will learn what all of the above numbers mean. Each designates something. If someone reading this can link to an earlier post where someone has given the low down on these, it would be helpful. I lack the time to do it myself right now.
Read as much as you can on this forum and you will learn what all of the above numbers mean. Each designates something. If someone reading this can link to an earlier post where someone has given the low down on these, it would be helpful. I lack the time to do it myself right now.
Soundguy
Old Timer
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2002
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- 51,575
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- Central florida
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- RK 55HC,ym1700, NH7610S, Ford 8N, 2N, NAA, 660, 850 x2, 541, 950, 941D, 951, 2000, 3000, 4000, 4600, 5000, 740, IH 'C' 'H', CUB, John Deere 'B', allis 'G', case VAC
Believe me.. I love my yanmar.. but for that price also consider that you can get a new 20hp, 4wd chineese tractor with loader and box blade...with some kind of limited warranty as well...rops, etc.
While I do not consider the chineese tractors up to the spec / par of the domestic big 3 ( all jap produced anyway.. ) or even a 20-30 year old yanmar.. I do feel their technology level has finally produced a viable tractor for light-medium duty and occasional heavy duty /though non comercial work.
The new is the best part.
Good luck.
In the end.. any tractor in good condition is better than a shovel and wheelbarrow... so have fun searching and researching..sometimes that is half the fun...
Soundguy
While I do not consider the chineese tractors up to the spec / par of the domestic big 3 ( all jap produced anyway.. ) or even a 20-30 year old yanmar.. I do feel their technology level has finally produced a viable tractor for light-medium duty and occasional heavy duty /though non comercial work.
The new is the best part.
Good luck.
In the end.. any tractor in good condition is better than a shovel and wheelbarrow... so have fun searching and researching..sometimes that is half the fun...
Soundguy
CMunger
Gold Member
Chinese tractors are not doing well in Ca., not much support and not very many dealers.
Chuck M.
Chuck M.
Tractors4u
Elite Member
- Joined
- Mar 10, 2002
- Messages
- 2,540
- Location
- Athens Alabama
- Tractor
- Deere 4310, Kubota L355, John Deere SST18 Spin Steer, 2006 Polaris Ranger
That sounds like an unbiased comment from a district manager of Zetor/Century tractors /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
jimstractors
Gold Member
Fat_man,
Welcome aboard!
I agree with Dave, try to stick with the 3 cylinder model. And take your time to do the research.
If Modesto is not too far to go, I have a 1502D and a 1601D, both super clean 4x4's with loaders, tillers and box scrapers going up in the next week or so. These will be sold at a relative's yard near the 99 fwy. Email me if interested.
Welcome aboard!
I agree with Dave, try to stick with the 3 cylinder model. And take your time to do the research.
If Modesto is not too far to go, I have a 1502D and a 1601D, both super clean 4x4's with loaders, tillers and box scrapers going up in the next week or so. These will be sold at a relative's yard near the 99 fwy. Email me if interested.
