Buying Advice Tractor advice

[cajuntoo]

I'm new to this forum but from what I've read this is the place to be if you need some unbiased advice.... Here I go;

I have 12 acres. 6 of which is grass and 6 still trees and rough…I am looking for a tractor that will pull a 6’ finish mower through thick Bermuda grass and strong enough to push around some good sized logs. (trees that I cut down and stack for burning.) I have a 6’ box blade and a 6’ brushhog.

There is an ad for a Yanmar YM3110 w/FEL from a company out of Denton, TX. Am I looking in the right direction and correct size ????

Would appreciate any advice….
TIA
Joe

 

[mark777]

Well that is a tractor you shouldnt out grow quickly. IMHO, About 35 HP will handle everything you have listed. You may want to consider 4 wheel drive with a FEL.

I believe a member dealer or owner will provide better information and mention any quirks or weaknesses. I have not heard of any on the 3110.

You may want to include a general location in your profile as this will help many with advice for dealers, owners and parts suppliers. It also has alot to do with retail prices. I am assumming from your name your in LA (?). Welcome and good luck, regards, Mark

 

[cajuntoo]

Mark,
Thanks for the reply. My location is the very southern tip of Louisiana, about 90 miles south of New Orleans. The terrain is flat with no rocks and the trees seem to mature in two days…. A lot of time is spent sitting on a tractor down here… I am making due with a little, Super Dexta with no FEL. My concern is the seller. I found the ad on E-bay and the price for the tractor with FEL is $8300. Seems too good to be true. It is listed as, NEW REMANUFACTURE W/ WARRANTY. The seller is from Canton TX. I would appreciate any input about this dealer also….

TIA
Joe

 

[cfoxmd]

probably a viet "reman" search on vietnam. I am just north of New Orleans and I got one from Stan Hoye (FX28D with FEL, 5 foot finish mower, box blade, tiller for $9800. They delivered it for around $800. Much larger unit, nice guys.

 

[mark777]

Joe, This is without a doubt, and in my most humble opinion, the worst or perhaps deceptive way to advertise a Grey tractor. I will not insult any dealer or buyer that has, or will purchase a tractor - regardless of it's point of (import) origin.

More and more TBN members have purchased these tractors and are VERY satisfied. But I have yet to see a reputable dealer list their equipment as anything other than good, used or reconditioned and tested.

Either unintentionally or by design, words like "new remanufactured" is an oxymoron at best. And hour meters that reflect 0 to 100 raise my personal big red flag. Again this is just my opinion. Regards, Mark

 

[lens12]

It is too good to be true. If it is new , why is it reconditioned? If it is used why does it have hardly any hours? I've received a lot of parts call on these too good to be true tractors. Read the fine print , epecially about the warranty. It is hard to take legal action against someone out of state , if things don't go as expected.

 

[cajuntoo]

This is Joe... the guy that asked for advice..... Looks like I'm getting negative vibes from some very reputable members....I really appreciate your comments but your being too correct.. It seems that I’m being advised to stay away from the remanufactured Yanmar but where did everyone here that has a Yanmar obtain theirs????? Are there any new ones available???? Could anyone recommend a dealer that has GOOD tractors.. cfoxmd recommended Hoye but doesn’t he get his tractors from the same place that everyone else does, in containers from the pacific rim……(I will give him a call on Monday)) I’m a fishing guide and my season ends at the end of this month and doesn’t start again until April and I have 6 acres to clear……. My little Super Dexta is getting tired.. I need a good strong tractor with a FEL and now I’m confused….

What a great forum and what great guys that take their personal time to answer questions and help us less knowledgeable people out here. THANKS

Joe

 

[cfoxmd]

Yeah, they come from Japan...where either reasonably good ones were selected or they went for a stop in vietnam. Some here have said that the ones that go to vietnam are used hard for a few years, and when they break they are rebuilt. The question is how good is the rebuild. We have heard a few stories of relatively few problems, but parts dealers seem to report quite a few parts sold or tractors scrapped.

the viet tractors seem lower in price. I guess the question is your tolerance for risk vs. price. Some people buy only new cars, because they want a warranty and a new unused vehicle. Others buy low mileage cars taht look to be well taken care of. Finally some people buy old used cars--some get a good deal, others don't. I guess if its been repainted and "remanufactured" it looks good, but it is only as good as the quality of the work. What high quality machines do we purchase from vietnam? None that I know of, but the machines from Japan are good. So vietnam rebuilds are something unknown--cheaper for sure.....but where did that value that others are willing to pay for the direct from Japan used models go? My guess it was used up in vietnam and they are attempting to recapture some with cheap labor.

Each of us has his tolerance for getting a bad deal by paying money for something that may be breaking frequently. What is yours? Only you can answer this. Is the bet on getting a better deal worth the risk?

 

[mark777]

Joe, There are no new Yanmar Tractors available in the US. It kind of works like this:
Good, Reputable deales that have been around for a few years import their tractors direct from Japan. As these tractors have an incredible reputation as strong, durable and built to last, they are the most sought after.

The years of use in Japan is considered mild as they mostly till rice paddys and related farming. The country imposes prohibative taxes that force these tractors into early retiremnet and also subsidizes the purchase of new tractors.
It is not uncommon to see tractors with approx 50 or less hours per year.

Most often when they are containerized and shipped here they are not rebuilt, reconditioned or repainted. The Dealer in the U.S. Will make any necessary maintenance, minor repairs and somtimes paint when required.

Vietnam buys the same tractors (containers) uses them quite extensively for 2 or 3 years, collects the broken ones and "Rebuild / Remanufacture" from tractors and parts they have, then containerize and exported to the U.S. Often these tractors have very low hours indicated by the hour meter and are painted nicely.

IMO, The most honest dealer who imports a tractor from Vietnam can not honestly know the condition of the unit he sells (unless he does routine major taredowns). So, it is a gamble. Due to the reliability of the Yanmar tractor, the bet is it will last.

I think the negative vibe you have is geniune. And I think many of the dealers share that same feeling. Hope this helps and I am sure I have omitted something but there are plenty who may add anything I overlooked.
Regards, Mark

BTW Hoye Tractor just might be the best closest dealer in our area and I would express all your concerns to them. They are honest and have earned my respect and confidence.

 

[cfoxmd]

New Yanmars, not now...they used to be sold in the US (there are non-grey models---usually with a 3 digit model number ym226 etc.) The US ones are still supported, the greys have ones that are easy to get parts and ones that are not so easy (see the thread on orphans). So no you can't get a new one, although some rumors persist that yanmar is ceasing its agreement with deere and wll start selling tractors again. Maybe.