Thinking about a 1702D with issues

[skylarkguy]

Hi,

I recently ran across a Yanmar 1702D that might be for sale. It is a friend of a friend kind of situation. The tractor apparently runs but has a mysterious transmission problem that precludes operations. The current owner doesn't know too much about it but says "there is something in there" that commonly breaks and the parts are unavailable due to the grey market status of the tractor. So my questions are...

1. does this tractor have a known transmission weakness that commonly fails?
2. If so how fixable is it?
3. Any other issues common on this tractor I should be concerned about?
4. in your opinions what would you offer on a tractor that runs, has this trans problem but is equipped with FEL, small mower and tiller?

I think I likely could tear this down and do the repairs myself if the parts are available. If I could pick this up for a decent price it would really increase my operations capability...

Thanks

 

[Ginormous]

The first thing I would consider is whether I want to buy a new hobby. Fixing the transmission is going be one, at least for a while. The transmissions in these Yanmars are pretty reliable, but any mechanical system can develop a problem just due to abuse or normal wear. The good news is that there are a lot of really knowledgeable people on here who can give you great advice as you tackle the problem(s).


If in good condition, the tiller is worth $500 and mower probably at least $500. The FEL could also be worth $1000 or more. If nothing else, you could sell these off to recoup $2000 of the cost. If the rest of the tractor is in good mechanical and physical condition, I would say that if you could get it all for $3000, it's a good deal. Good luck!

 

[clemsonfor]

Id go with what G said, but the loader is probly $1500 still an easy sell. The tractor i think should still only sell for at most $2000 in that shape. If its a gear thats busted they may be right, no longer availible, unless Hoye can pull something off a parts machine.

 

[Ginormous]

Yes, I would definitely check into parts for it first.

 

[clemsonfor]

G, im not trying to get down to a price argument but for the OP i say the price i do as your taking a risk and taking the whole thing off his hands. Yes its worth more than the $2k i said but so is a junk car you buy for $350 from someonee. Scrap may be $300, but you start looking at the rims are worth $10 a piece and tires $20 if there good, the door is worth $50 the hood $75 etc etc. Its one of those things if it were parted out its worth way more but you have to pull it and then sell it all.

 

[Kays Supply]

I had a tractor that the trans was " bad". It turned out to be a shifter fork broken buy a wheel being shipped on top of it from Japan. I pulled the top aff and welded the fork back. It is still working as far as I know. But that said, the YM 1703 was one of the between the cracks machines when I dealt with them. Ther wasn't many out there to get parts from.

 

[Ginormous]

Dirty Harry would say, "Do you feel lucky, punk? Well do ya?!"

 

[clemsonfor]

I had a tractor that the trans was " bad". It turned out to be a shifter fork broken buy a wheel being shipped on top of it from Japan. I pulled the top aff and welded the fork back. It is still working as far as I know. But that said, the YM 1703 was one of the between the cracks machines when I dealt with them. Ther wasn't many out there to get parts from.

"1703"??? im guessing you meant 1702 as thats what the tread is about.

 

[WillaminaOR]

You know of another 1702D in the area? I figured I was the only one. I've never had a problem with the trans in mine (knock wood). If you pass on it let me know, I'd love to see about getting the FEL.

Bryan
Near Willamina, OR, work at RadioShack in Dallas

 

[skylarkguy]

Thanks for the feedback. I currently have a Mitsubishi so have similar issues with hunting for parts, although it rarely needs parts. I hear what you are saying on the relative value of the parts compared to the total purchase price of each good component.
The take home: thus far the part situation is unknowable until I bust into the transmission and even if I can't get the parts the sum of the remaining could be sold to recoup the costs...that is how I'm pitching it to my wife anyway

Willamina OR...I'll let you know if I pass and send you his way.

Thanks for the feedback

 

[clemsonfor]

Thanks for the feedback. I currently have a Mitsubishi so have similar issues with hunting for parts, although it rarely needs parts. I hear what you are saying on the relative value of the parts compared to the total purchase price of each good component.
The take home: thus far the part situation is unknowable until I bust into the transmission and even if I can't get the parts the sum of the remaining could be sold to recoup the costs...that is how I'm pitching it to my wife anyway

Willamina OR...I'll let you know if I pass and send you his way.

Thanks for the feedback

See if he will let you pull the top off the shifter and trans housings before you buy it. Should not take you more than a few hours max to figure it out. Or is this something you dont want him to see you do in case its an easy fix?

 

[skylarkguy]

I think he is kind of tired of looking at it. So I will likely make the gamble and shoot him an offer. Also never having opened a yanmar I will likely need to go slower than if I had experience with one. But if it is a 2 hour job I could likely figure it out in a day. We'll see, and I'll let you know the scoop.

 

[clemsonfor]

I think he is kind of tired of looking at it. So I will likely make the gamble and shoot him an offer. Also never having opened a yanmar I will likely need to go slower than if I had experience with one. But if it is a 2 hour job I could likely figure it out in a day. We'll see, and I'll let you know the scoop.

Pulling the top off the 3pt and the shifter assembly is probly more like a 1/2 hour job assuming nothing snaps off in the holes. My 2 hour estimate is to give you time to pull it off poke aroud and look for an obvious cause then put the top back on then you can call Hoye and say, X gear is busted or fork X is busted is one availible?

 

[skylarkguy]

well I shot him an offer but unfortunately also got him inspired to the point that he posted it on craigslist at a much higher price. I have some wiggle room but not much so if nobody takes it at his asking price then it may come back to me. Not holding my breath at this point.

 

[clemsonfor]

Thats why in a case like this you dont want to seem to excited or pushy to buy it as they get suspicious as to its value.

 

[skylarkguy]

yep just wait and see

 

[284 International]

I imagine he will very near to what he is asking for it. The machine is too clean, the Koyker loader looks good; even the seat appears uncracked. I hope for your sake you can pick it up, but it's going to be at the ballpark he wants, I expect.

 

[skylarkguy]

Yeah, I expect that given this nice sunny weekend after weeks of late rain someone will show up with cash and be pretty near his price. But one never knows...the seller doesn't know much about the problem or the potential fix...which to me means it isn't worth nearly half the going rate for a functional tractor, but lesser value.

 

[284 International]

...But one never knows...the seller doesn't know much about the problem or the potential fix...which to me means it isn't worth nearly half the going rate for a functional tractor, but lesser value.

I agree. Frequently "I don't know what's wrong with it" really means "I don't know how to fix it for very cheap, and it's a lot worse than it seems like." I've lucked out on a couple of situations like that, but I've gotten into a couple where I was NOT ahead to buy a project. (Not just with tractors, naturally.) Sometimes it's wiser to pass on a deal with potential rather than expose ones' self to the hazard of dealing with unknown problems.

 

[Coldwater]

i have 2 1702d parts tractor