What is a "grey market" tractor?

[rtimgray]

There is no reason to fear a grey market tractor just because it is a grey market tractor. I'm sure that you will find many folks with tractors that they can't find parts for or someone to work on, but I'm also sure you'll find many that have very good experience with their tractors.

I would essentially echo what others have said. Do some research, see how well a particular model is supported, and pay accordingly. I have had some Yanmar YM series, a Kubota L series, and have and use a Yanmar F16D. We bought the F16D in 1999 with a tiller for $4,000. I've done nothing but routine maintenance, fuel and batteries. We've put over 600 hours on it, mostly bushhogging (4'), post hole digging and tilling. It is a fantastic tractor. However, I'm not sure how the support for it is. I'm sure one day something will break, but the odds are that I might be able to find it as part of a junk tractor. If I don't want to pay for the fix, I'll haul it to West Kentucky Tractor Parts and it will become a junk tractor.

I personally don't worry about the OSHA issues, because, in my opinion, a tractor is only as safe as its operator. My tractor has no ROPS or seatbelt - neither do my old Fords, Cases or Masseys that we operate. If meeting current safety criteria is high on your list, then you should probably steer clear of grey market.

Overall, if you find a good deal on a well-supported model, it is not much different than buying any used tractor. The most important aspect of buying grey is similar to buying a regular tractor - what is available for support after the sale.

Good luck with your search. Take care.

 

[knute_m]

I've owned a number of gray market tractors, and I was never disappointed. The purchase price was good. The amount of work vs. required repair was excellent. I always got my investment back, plus some.

Before buying, make sure you are looking at a popular model that is well supported in whatever country you live in.

Knute

 

[smfcpacfp]

My understanding of the term "grey market" generally is that you buying a new product from an unauthorized dealer, thus any warranty would be invalid. This is a real big problem with buying electronics online.

As an example, despite my reservation, my wife bought a scuba diving computer for my daughter from an unauthorized dealer. It had problems right away. We learned later that it been replaced under warranty, but somehow ended up for sale again.

I personally would pay a bit more for a product from an authorized dealer, than suffer the problems associated with "grey market" products. I hope my wife has also.

 

[Soundguy]

Yep.. any machine built for a market other than our domestic ( US ) market.. and then imported there..

soundguy

My understanding of gray market tractors is that they are built overseas for that market and not for the US. They are bought up and shipped over here as used equipment that are not supported by the US companies that sell those brands. Some do not even have a US company of that brand. They are not limited to just compact tractors, but also yellow iron and compact trucks. There are probably other vehicles too, but those are what I'm aware of.

The good point is that you can get them cheaper then anything else. The negative is that finding parts can be very difficult, though like mentioned, some gray market brands are getting better support with more and more parts becoming available. If you were to consider buying a gray market tractor, be sure that you have a good source of parts. Do not rely on the person selling it who will tell you that he can get you anything that you need. He might be able to, but he might also have to wait three months for those parts, if he can get them at all. I would only consider it if I knew somebody personally who has a proven history of being able to get parts. It's just not worth the risk to save a few grand if something simple breaks on it and you cannot get the parts to get it working again. There are more then just a few tractors out there that are parked for the last time out in a field and nothing more then rusting monuments.

Eddie

 

[Esee2248]

thanks for all the responses. We ended up getting a Yanmar 2210 4WD with bucket,box scraper and mower included. We purchased it from an elderly man and he gave us all the manuals, extra parts, etc. W

 

[Reg]

The difference is :
Gray market tractors don't meet OSHA & EPA regulations.

As a consequence of which you don't have all the safety interlocks to post questions on TBN about defeating - see other threads.
Some of the INSANE warning labels are also missing.

 

[kenmac]

The difference is :
Gray market tractors don't meet OSHA & EPA regulations.

There are alot of tractors in the US that aren't grey & still don't meet those regulations

 

[WilliamBos]

As a consequence of which you don't have all the safety interlocks to post questions on TBN about defeating - see other threads.
Some of the INSANE warning labels are also missing.

So if the stickers were peeled off, and 1 safety interlock was disabled, the does it become grey market??

 

[sandman2234]

Just for consideration....
For any of you "Newbies" that are looking at a grey market tractor, check the direction of the pto shaft. A friend purchased one, and it turns in reverse of the norm. Every implement he owns has had to be retrofitted to handle the reverse direction. Not usually impossible, but sometimes it takes some doing, and he is a great metal fabricator.
David from jax

 

[Soundguy]

Is she a kubota?

soundguy