New Owner

BruceR · Oct 3, 2005

I just wanted to say thanks for all the info I was able to glean here before deciding which tractor would be best for me. I have read over 80 pages of old posts.
I started out thinking a YM1500 would suit my needs but after learning that anti-sway chains were an issue and that there was no water pump, I figured I would be better off with a YM 1700 as I had the option of adding a water pump.
I knew I did not want a recon the first time I saw one, and that seems to be all that is available locally. I found a seller on ebay who had several clean Yanmars in Oklahoma, but his auctions kept getting pulled. I wrote him to see if he had a 1700 and he told me he had 18 Yanmars left but only one 1700 in the bunch. I decided that the 225 mile drive would be worth it and went up there last Saturday. The first tractor that caught my eye was a clean ( they were all clean) YM2000B with 465 hours on it and I knew I had to have it. The 1700 was still being serviced and waiting on an axle seal anyway. Long story short, I am the overly proud owner of a new ( to me ) Yanmar !! The only downside to all of this was that his first price was several hundred less than I had hoped I could beat him down to, so we missed out on dickering.
I dealt with a nice fellow named Craig Hurst from Hurst Equipment outside of Healdton, OK. He said they mostly deal in dozers. He was very helpful and pointed out anything he thought was a downside to any tractor I wanted to look at. No high pressure or smoke and mirrors. I came away from the deal with a very good feeling.
Thanks again for all the help and information.

Bruce

BruceR · Oct 3, 2005

Here's another shot. I told you I was proud. When I get it home I will run some Meguiars cleaner-wax over that red and it will shine like new. Did I mention I paid $2400 ?

Thanks, Bruce

mark777 · Oct 3, 2005

Bruce,

Congratulations on your find and purchase. Great tractor and pictures.

What are you going to do with it first? Do you own other tractors or implements?

Regards, Mark...BTW Welcome to TBN

normde2001 · Oct 3, 2005

Nice tractor at a heck of a price. I paid $2900 for my YM2000B 4 years ago, but would not take that for it now. I'll take the opportunity to dispense with your first few questions:
Oil- gallon 15W-40 Shell Rotella, 5 gal. hy/tran fluid = to JD 303 or better, NAPA filters - oil- 1064, fuel-3262, air- 2297. You can reverse the rear wheels, (move side to side), for a wider stance. You will need an overrunning clutch if you are going to run a rotary cutter, (bushhog). You will want to order a set of YM240 manuals from any of the parts dealers on this forum. There is a hydraulic pickup screen in the front of the rear differential, (behind 3 sided plate), to be cleaned at fluid change or first sign of problems.

arthr31 · Oct 3, 2005

Bruce,
As Mark said, welcome to TBN.

Nice Tractor, btw. If you talk with the dealr again, pls inquire if they ship. I'm now properly in the market for a larger tractor. I for one think you got a good deal. Happy tractoring, send more pix!! !0art

BruceR · Oct 4, 2005

Thanks guys,

Mark: I've seen the photos of your tractors and they are great. I worked my way through college in an auto restoration shop. Probably the first thing I will do when I get it home is rub out the paint, re-check the fluids, filters and screens and then sit on it and make motor noises like I did when I was a kid. I have about 8 acres of mixed trees, brush and grass here in East Texas ( just North of Tyler ) which need to be brush hogged and about 3/4 mile of private road to blade and try to crown. This is my first tractor, although I grew up on them. We had a Kubota L-260 back in the early 70's when they first hit the U.S. which is why I wanted a 2 cyl. instead of three. No implements so far but I can borrow from the neighbors for a while. I can see a smaller Yanmar in my future to get in around some of thicker stuff and mow close to the house. Maybe pick up a ragged out 1100 or 1300 and restore it.

Norm: I envied you your 2000B while I was reading all the past posts. I never thought I would wind up with one. I cracked up when I fist looked at all the gauges, even one for electrolite level in the battery. It seems to have almost the same gauge package as my old '83 Mazda P.U.

Arthr: I will send a PM with contact info. They did have some larger tractors but I must admit, I didn't look at any others after I saw this one. Craig mentioned they had trucks going out ( but not in my direction ) so they may be able to help with the shipping. He mentioned his family does a couple containers of bull dozers a month.

Bruce

HGM · Oct 4, 2005

Bruce,
Nice tractor and a good deal, I started out with a YM1700 and after it overheating on me the dealer traded me out for a YM2000. Its a bit larger with more power and a water pump, thst makes me more comfortable. I'm glad it worked out that way. They're great little tractors.

As Norm mentioned, get an O/R clutch for the PTO. Ihave had folks tell me it isnt needed, but I learned real quick I didnt like it. Anyhow, you'll be happier with a quick detach version of the clutch. It wont cost much more and will give you more flexability when changing implements.

As for borrowing implements, the mower shaft may become an issue in length, so I would recomend it being your first purchase. I run a 4" behind mine to make it easy going down trails and between trees. If the tractor fits, so will the mower. It will pull a 5' w/o a problem from what I'm told, it does have plenty of power. The only time I have bogged mine down was mowing 7' tall briar patch a little too fast.

Enjoy it, you'll have lost of fun. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Adron · Oct 4, 2005

Congratulations! I purchased my YM2500 from Craig about a year ago. Back when ebay was stilltaking YM ads. (Grrrrr!!) and have been nothing but pleased. Do the stuff that NormanDe2001 says, and do purchase the overrun clutch. I added a FEL and it has made a perfect small farm tractor. Good luck.

Coyote · Oct 4, 2005

Congrats! I have the same tractor and have loved it. I bushhog trails through my pines mostly, it can take anything I throw at it. Buy a bunch of fuel filters and change them often. Good luck!