Buying Advice Which Yanmar to buy.

[Farmagain]

I've done a lot of research on the Yanmar tractors and have decided that is the route I probably want to go, but I want a 45-50 HP 4 wheel drive. There are only a few choices in my area right now; FX42D $9425, YM4220D $9275, 3810D $8825. Does anyone know anything about these models? There is a lot of talk on the web about Yanmar, but it seems to be mainly about the less than 40 horse models. I have a backhoe so I don't want a FEL. I will be buying a 6' heavy duty rotary mower to cut a variety of grass and saplings, pull a disk harrow, run a log splitter, clear rocks and roots with a landscaping rake, snake logs, pull a borrowed seed drill occasionally, and pull a trailer for hauling firewood. These tractors are a bit lighter in weight than the IH 444 that I just sold, but have more power. We have springs all in our property so the extra traction and load distribution will be awesome in the soft bottom ground and hilly terrain. Any input is welcome about the largest of the Yanmars and the appropriateness of application for my situation.

 

[Smoody]

I would check parts availability on yanmars of that size, most yanmars in the US are in the 30hp and below range.

At those prices get a domestic brand, kubota, deere, kioti, mahindara, etc. alot of them offer 0% financing so even if its a tad more, its brand new and unless your paying with cash your payment will be the same or less then a loan with 9.95% interest.

grey yanmars likely will not be serviced by any dealer, so your on your own for repairs unless you have a back yard mechanic.

 

[Farmagain]

I think you are right Smoody. There is a dealer in Atlanta that offers a one year warranty and service, but he only handles the smaller tractors. I think if I got one in the HP range I need, parts and service would be a problem. The other twist in the Yanmar search has been that all the dealers sell the tractor with a FEL and I just don't need, want, or can use one. It makes the tractor too long to navigate around the trees, which are many. So I am back to ground zero. A new Kabota 38 hp L3800 is $14,300, so new is out. I've got to stay under $10k, a lot under because I've got to buy a rotary cutter and disk harrow too. Thanks for your input.

 

[chriswheeler]

I like yanmars, but for that price, think you could shop for that Kubota L3800 couple of years old, buy without a FEL, and stay within your price range, and get the better support that comes with it. Lots of good options for that price, might be worth a look, just a opinion,
Chris

 

[California]

Reluctantly, I agree.

It seems to me that above $8,000, the range of reliable used tractors broadens out to more than just Yanmar. And many of the alternatives will be heavier, therefor more suited to the OP's application.

My neighbor loves his 4x4 70 hp Ford/NH tractors and now also has a couple of Hesstons (Fiats). I'm pretty sure each cost him under $10k, and needed minimal renovation to put in service - probably nothing more than a full periodic maintenance including cooling system flush etc. The one with SuperSteer (?) is his favorite. The front axle pivots like a kid's wagon in addition to normal tierod steering. He can turn at the end of an orchard row and return down the back side of the same trees. I think that's the same one that has some kind of infinite-speed transmission. (not hydrostatic). I hear it running at constant rpm and apparently constant load - uphill, downhill wherever, pulling an 8 ft disc plow. Here's he's pulling a seeder.

View attachment 264362

 

[kenmac]

Parts for a 3810 shouldn't be too hard to come by. It's like a 3110D except, with turbo. Up from there parts maybe hard to come by

 

[clemsonfor]

Most of them are smaller cause that s what the guys import as the folks with hobby farms and deer hunters, (the main mmarket for CUT tractors), want tractors around 30hp give or take 5 hp. There are not many large ones imported so there not around. In japan they have lots of small farms supposedly and therefore there are many small tractors that are on the used market.

I agree i hate to talk anyone out of a yanmar but at that range i would just buy a used domestic model.

 

[chriswheeler]

My YM3000 now books for over $7000 over at Fredricks, with the Koyker 160 loader on mine, bet you could cross the $10K mark fast on a 1977 tractor. ( + shipping ) Not saying their prices are out of line, but just saying that in the larger sizes, they aren't as much of a bargin. Then it comes to the issue of support. Hoye and Fredricks do a great job now, but you are somewhat limited where you can go to get support for a gray market. Sure, some others have parts, but not like driving down to a local tractor dealer and driving away with what you need. In the smaller sizes, think many of the Yanmars are a great bargan.
Chris

 

[Neat 1500]

Reluctantly, I agree.

It seems to me that above $8,000, the range of reliable used tractors broadens out to more than just Yanmar. And many of the alternatives will be heavier, therefor more suited to the OP's application.

My neighbor loves his 4x4 70 hp Ford/NH tractors and now also has a couple of Hesstons (Fiats). I'm pretty sure each cost him under $10k, and needed minimal renovation to put in service - probably nothing more than a full periodic maintenance including cooling system flush etc. The one with SuperSteer (?) is his favorite. The front axle pivots like a kid's wagon in addition to normal tierod steering. He can turn at the end of an orchard row and return down the back side of the same trees. I think that's the same one that has some kind of infinite-speed transmission. (not hydrostatic). I hear it running at constant rpm and apparently constant load - uphill, downhill wherever, pulling an 8 ft disc plow. Here's he's pulling a seeder.

View attachment 264362

that would be a VCT , variable constant transmission. the revs remain constant but your speed varies. many new cars and trucks use this type of transmission, like Mitsubishi for example. i have driven 2 different cars with the VCT and all i can say is it sounds wrong.

 

[swmillbrook]

whiere in atlanta do they offer 1yr. warranty. we buy ours from vn1 with a 90 day warranty(in atlanta)