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[Jagmandave]

"Afterall, it started as a great product 30yrs ago.. "

Have to second that, if they haven't done anything to screw it up, it will be a great piece of machinery to own over the years.

I bought my 1602D used, on the advice of a friend, from a guy who was moving out of town the next day! Hardly a recipe for "buying with confidence", and I did find out later that he had done none of the maintenance he claimed to, but I took that as good news as well, cause that meant he hadn't screwed anything up either! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Anyway, a little TLC and some paint and here we are 3 years later and it starts easily, runs great and has had no problems. I hope you are as lucky/fortunate as I was!

 

[arthr31]

my 1601 is running. Has lots of leaks, the loader hydraulic assembly is cheap, zerks fall out, hoses leak, etc. Unit still doesn't start easily in sub 50* weather.

I own two tractors, both probably about the same age. 169d, NOT reconditioned, very used, probably 1000+ hours. 1601d, re-conditioned, unknown hours (76 by me), unknown repairs made, etc. Which tractor do you think has required more parts, and which one has more "known problems"? The 1601.

Mace, if you decide to still go ahead and take delivery of the tractor, do the following in the first hours:
1. check the battery to make sure it is good
2. check the charging system to make sure it is providing charge for the battery
3. spin the starter aggressively. I would have no problem with spinning the starter for 30 secs at a time to see how it holds up. Listen for grinding sounds...
4. check all fluid levels and look for contamination; especially in the front axle and hydraulic transmission case
5. check the filters, fuel hoses, etc. check the fuel bowl and associated connections, they may be leaking
6. Look for oil streaks on the insides of the rear wheels, seeing streaks there will indicate a bad seal
7. check to make sure the thermostart works (heck, they didn't even bother installing (re-installing) on my tractor - i'll tell you, trying to start that thing in 20* weather without TS ain't gonna be fun)
8. Check the tire pressure, check it the next day, see if you are losing pressure
9. check the front hubs if this is a 4x4, seeing redish brown ooze or liquid leak stains indicates that there might be some mud or something in there and may lead to premature failure of the front hubs
10. And, if you have the time/ resources, change all fluids, filters, etc. The tractor might have sat a long time before getting to you and might have seen many different environments and degrees before arriving to you. When I finally replaced my front axle fluid last fall (yr later after receiving it) there was hardly a pint of goo in there...

These ten items are what come to mind from my experience with a re-con unit. good luck! let us know how it goes...

p.s. cranking the starter like i suggested is not recommended. Only 10-15 secs at a time, otherwise it will burn up. My suggestion is to try and flush out any real bugs before your warranty period is up...

 

[Mace]

Thanks for that checklist. You read my mind. That was exactly what I was going to ask.

Thanks

Mace

 

[SailorBob]

Wecome to the fotum...and happy tractoring...There are some very good guys here. Don't forget to check you PM's.

 

[reb]

For the 1500D item 6 on the list won't work. There is no fluid in the rear axle housing. There is another seal inside that keeps the fluid in the main gearbox. If the inner seal leaks, fluid should come out of a hole in the bottom of the axle housing (if it isn't plugged). Otherwise your brakes might get lubed. The outer wheel bearings are sealed. I found that out when a bearing went out on mine shortly after I bought it and had to replace the bearing and seal. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Otherwise, those are some good points.

 

[edmartin]

Hi Mace,

As you can see, there is quite a bit of strong opinion concerning Viet recons. My situation is a bit unusual in that I was given a YM2000 purchased from RCO as a Christmas gift in 2004. I have had two problems with this unit. First, the oil pressure sending unit malfunctioned. RCO sent a new one within a week. Second, the hydraulic pump seemed excessively noisy. Being a pretty good mechanic, I removed the filter and found what was left of a shop rag wrapped around it. I removed the rag, cleaned the filter and replaced the fluid. So far, I've had no other issues. My point is that like a used car the "issues" you may have with a used tractor are dependent on how it was used and maintained prior to coming into the hands of the seller, what the seller has done to the machine to improve or fix it, and how well you maintain it. I'm not saying LMTC is wrong in their assertions or that RCO is or isn't a good dealer. The more you check out the seller and the unit itself the better the chances you'll be happy.

Best of luck

 

[arthr31]

Look for oil streak marks like you see on the right-side rear-wheel in this picture:
http://www.rcotractor.com/pics/specialpics/ym2000bropsstu.htm
I believe, who ever buys that particular tractor will have a problem with the rear seal.

As reb said, probably won't see that on the rear wheel on your tractor, but look for stuff like that all over the machine. I received mine with streaks all over a rear wheel, it only will get worse. The thing now leaves a grapefruit sized puddle after 36 hrs. I haven't had time to fix...

I forgot to mention in my first list, check all hoses, they may have used anything to hook stuff up, these won't last long... On my unit they used some thing tubing for part of the fuel line- diesel fuel ate it up.. Find stuff like this is just plain disappointing, and infuriating on a tractor with a 0 hour meter and fresh paint job. --- /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

p.s. the third tractor down on rco home page is my tractor, "the landscaper special". I'd rename it tho, to something like "'ole leaky" or "too tired to start on winter mornings..." /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[JAK]

i bought a 1700 two wheel drive, no fel, tractor only, from vina 9 months ago. i was just looking for something cheap and that would take care of the jobs i had. i only had about a 3100.00 dollar budget. all i could find was worn out 8 and 9n's. they would of worked but i just wanted something better. yanmar was new to me, didnt know anything about them other than they looked a lot better than the old fords. there were two dealers, one east of me and the other west of me. the one west of me had the cheapest price,2400.00 dollars out the door so vina got the sale. all i could think about was that was less than the fords and 1500.00dollars less than my neighbors spent on there new jd riding lawnmore. it was months after i bought it that i found out that vina was dealing vn recons, didnt even know what that was. 9 months later , knock on wood, havent had any problems, does everything i need to do, and it still looks good.

 

[greatrandini]

U cracked me up with "ole leaky"!!! It is hit and miss with these tractors! I do like my loader (for the money) $1500 for a loader... installed! dang! It has done a great job. I have a small leak on one of the lines now and I broke 2 zerks. I have not found the right grease gun nozzle. I don't think they rebuild these units as well as they say they do and that is reason enough right there to not do business with them. I think the retail dealers are told a buch of cr*p and they add to it and pass it on. The guy I bought mine from was an honest man but he did tell me a few tall tales. He did go through my unit and he repaired all the little items you mentioned above that needed doing. He changed all the fluids and he did that on the 4wd units also. I think by the time he was done he prob lost about a dollar an hr on my deal.....If I was gonna buy a tractor today I would look for a cherry low hr unit or I would get a chinese tractor. I also would would look for a small skid steer and forgo the fel.....All in all I am still pleased with my unit for the money....

 

[kenmac]

IS this the original HR. meter for this tractor ? Are there any 80 mod. yanmars out there with only 4 HRS. on the meter. Were the HRS rolled back on this tractor's meter ? If so. Why? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif