Buying Advice The best Yanmar made?

[California]

my favorite US model....the YM336D?

Scotty how does that model compare to MF 135 (diesel)? As heavy? My neighbor has several 135's with various loaders and implements. He says that's the best intermediate size tractor ever made.

I'm convinced Yanmar is the best of the smaller tractors. Does this hold true as you compare the more expensive larger Yanmars to whatever else is out there at the same price level?

 

[Quickster2]

336D all the way. Had to trade mine for bigger tractor (DK45) but the 336D was great and had many features as stated in previous posts. Only weak link on some was front right hub would break (mine did). Right front tire would also wear quicker when doing heavy FEL work like spinning tires to pick up a full load.
Great tractor easy on gas and maintenance.

 

[rScotty]

Scotty how does that model compare to MF 135 (diesel)? As heavy? My neighbor has several 135's with various loaders and implements. He says that's the best intermediate size tractor ever made.

I'm convinced Yanmar is the best of the smaller tractors. Does this hold true as you compare the more expensive larger Yanmars to whatever else is out there at the same price level?

That's an interesting comparison. I've worked several of that series MF - all gas, though....and never one of the diesels. I'll admit that I like the putt-putt sound of the gassers. A friend has a sweet 135 with the continental 4 cylinder and I've put in a lot of time on it. It's a dandy. Basically the MF135 is about 30% heavier and more powerful tractor than the YM336D. The 135 will pull - and its 3pt will lift -more bottoms and a wider back blade. It will handle an extra foot of width on a box blade and heavier metal. It's got about the biggest Cat I 3pt hitch going. And the PTO is very heavily built. It's a distinctly American made tractor. In fact, the whole tractor is more heavily built than the Yanmar everywhere. Downsides on the 135 is that it is a bit nose heavy, doesn't turn as sharply, and most don't have the optional power steering so they are harder to steer. For a long time you couldn't get a good matching loader for the 135, but now there are several real good ones. But it needs power steering with the loader. It doesn't have as many gears as the Yanmar...or 4wd, but it does have a wide torque range with a good governor and so it does fine with what it has. It benefits from chains on snow and ice. I do wish it had a shuttle shift though. You end up stirring the gearbox a lot while doing loader work.

Although the 336 is maybe three quarters of the MF 135 in hp and weight, where the 336 shines is in being darn near as powerful.... and much more handy for chores. All 336ds come with things like power steering, draft control, power shift/shuttle shift, 4WD, and are 12 speeds with creeper gears. The 336 is shorter wheelbase and turns sharper. Most 336s came with the matching commercial duty loader and it's an especially nice one.

If I were to sit on one all day doing field work or mowing or grading I'd choose the MF135 every time. For doing general chores around our ten acres IMHO the 336 is the better machine. Both are very reliable, but both are also getting a bit long in the tooth and some maintenance is to be expected.

On your second question I'd say that the larger Yanmars are as good as the smaller ones, but you just don't see as many of them.
rScotty

 

[svcguy]

I have two MF 135 diesels, a Cockshutt 550, a New Holland TN75F and a Yanmar 240D. While tractor choice always comes down to the solution needed, I have to admit I use the 240D more than any other tractor I own. It's a chore tractor, but that's what most people use tractors for. The 240D will pull a two bottom plow or 5 foot disc all day in 4WD, it has plenty of torque for almost any medium implement, has tons of power for a properly sized FEL and will do almost anything reasonably asked of it for next to nothing in fuel. Second to none for snow removal, I run it all winter with a blade on the front and a 3 pt hitch blower on the back. A Shaver HD-8 is perfect on the back and they till like they will never cough. They are loud and obnoxious, bang away like they are going to fly into pieces, but the secret is running them at about 2000 RPM, which is a sweet spot for the 240. You may need muffs on to protect your hearing, but you won't regret it if it will meet your need. The golden rule - Never buy more tractor than you need, but never buy less tractor than will do the job. A tractor needs to be a solution to a problem, nothing more / nothing less. I am a big believer in the MF 135. Without doubt, one of the greatest medium farm tractors ever built - but the 240D is used more than anything else in my stable.

 

[yanmars]

I have had a 336d for over 20 years. The loader is good but the stub axles are weak, I have replaced more than several. One has to watch for overheating if you mow in heavy weeds as the radiator/screen wants to fill up quickly.
Fuel consumption is good, less than a gallon an hour.
Some parts are hard to get now if replacements are needed.

 

[Taylortractornut]

I have to go with a YM 3000. Dad bought one of the first greys that came to this part of the country with a 5 foot tiller. This was in 97 I think Its a great tractor for tis 10 acres. I bought it a bout 5 years ago but had to buy a hydraulic pump with al lthe blame being on me for that. Dad used to finish mow 17 acres once a week and feild mow, and do all te gardening. I bushhog 5 acres for my self finish mow 3 acre weekly, pull a 2-14 bottom plow, 5 foot disk and then run a 5 foot tiller on 5 acres of gardens. Fork hay and logs and bale hay.


I recomend any of the yanmars in the 33 hp range.