Sound file posted - cold start and Yanmar Hammer

California · Feb 15, 2005

I've added new content to the Yanmar page referenced by my signature, below.

This is a sound file of a cold start (50 degree weather), then warmup @ 1500 rpm as recommended in the manual, the Yanmar Hammer (fuel knock) obvious at idle below 1000 rpm, then finally 1050 working rpm to lift the implements and cautiously pull out of the barn. (1.5 minutes, 1.5mb filesize.)

I thought I'd share this since we frequently hear 'if three cylinder Yanmars run smoother then what do the two cylinder ones sound like?' Well they sound like hammering on something solid. The sound of raw diesel power, nothing subtle about it.

I hope my Yanmar page is helpful to potential new owners. The posts of more experienced owners were a great help to me when I was deciding to buy this YM240 and as I performed the servicing that restored it to excellent conditon.

Amaze your friends at work! Crank up the volume and play this for them.

Here's the direct URL to the sound file.
http://s93445617.onlinehome.us/pix/ym240/vids/2966-1(150kpbs).wmv

Whiskey · Feb 15, 2005

California:

Thanks for the post...had it blastin' on the work puter, should have seen the sales guy's eyes when he walked around the corner....to funny!

Whiskey

normde2001 · Feb 15, 2005

That sounds suspiciously like my YM2000B. If your tractor wasn't green I would swear you snuck into my barn in Ga. while I was in Fla. keeping warm.

Jagmandave · Feb 15, 2005

I have a buddy with a 2cyl Yanmar, in fact he talked me into buying mine. However, the three cylinder engine IS a lot quieter and smoother.........
So, you chose the 2cyl over the 3? Why?

Oh, and great vid! Thanks!

California · Feb 16, 2005

( So, you chose the 2cyl over the 3? Why? -Jagmandave )

I chose this for lowest cost and least complexity. (Comparable 3cyl units on Ebay were going for twice what I paid). This is simply all the tractor I need.

Just my own taste, but I consider it elegant design when the performance is attained with the simplest possible design.

Glad you like the vid!

arthr31 · Feb 16, 2005

hi,
Yes, the video / sound are pretty awesome. I also checked out the 1500 on your site, sounds kinda a bit similar to my 1601.

I was/am curious-- when you started your ym240, did you pre-heat the valves with the decompression lever, use thermostart, etc.? It seems to have started really pretty easily, which I'm not used to on my tractors... But, then again, i haven't tried to start them in 50F weather in about 3 or more months... :-( Thanks! -arthr

California · Feb 17, 2005

( did you pre-heat the valves with the decompression lever, use thermostart, etc.? -arthr31)

No ThermoStart used. I have Power Service in the fuel and I think that helps.

I had already spun it with the throttle at 'stop' and the compression released, until the oil light went out.

To start it I set the throttle about 1500, started the camera, and began cranking again with compression released. After a moment I let go of the compression release. (This way the load of getting the heavy flywheel moving is completed before it hits the first compression stroke.) I think it went over TDC once (both cylinders) then fired on the next one.

Last month in colder weather my first start like this ran a moment and died. I set the throttle much higher and that started easily.

normde2001 · Feb 18, 2005

"So, you chose the 2cyl over the 3? Why?"

That's what the tractor I liked best, (price, condition, features), happened to have in it. I don't really need quiet and smooth, it is, after all, a tractor.

thegreatrandini · Feb 18, 2005

I liked the idea of having more torque for the hp but the big reason was price......

California · Feb 26, 2005

( did you pre-heat the valves with the decompression lever, use thermostart, etc.? -arthr31 )

Oops I think I mis-spoke above.

I was troubleshooting a stuck starter safety interlock switch and discovered a jumper that heats the Thermostart every time the starter is cranked.

So although I don't twist the key to the left (Thermostart position), pre-cranking with compression released to get the oil light out, also heats the Thermostart. So I was using Thermostart but didn't know it.

Also a safety note to share with everyone: The previous owner had jumpered across this starter interlock, the device that the clutch pedal depresses, to make it always-on. (Part of his ineffective hard-starting troubleshooting.)

When I bought the tractor I cleaned the device and wired it back in the circuit properly. Now a year later I found the little plunger stuck in always-start position, a significant safety hazard. I ordered a new one. I suggest this is an item that should be checked at least annually.