Which YM 1500 should I buy?

RandyH · Mar 4, 2005

Ok, here's the situation. I can buy a 1500 with a used tiller, new bushhog and new box blade for $4,000 from a dealer here in Alabama.
Or, there is a guy who has a 1500 with a used tiller, bushhog and box blade for $2500. Here is what is known to be wrong with this tractor...

1. Tiller tines have to be replaced along with an oil seal.

2. He turned the tractor on its side, bending the exhaust pipe
enough to where the hood won't open.

3. The overheating light comes on after several minutes of
operation. He says the engine doesn't overheat, just a bad sending unit.

4. The hood has a few dents in it.

5. The seat needs replacing.

I'm asking for your opinion...should I buy the one from the dealer, or the one from the individual?

Thanks,
Randy

mark777 · Mar 4, 2005

RandyH, Welcome to TBN.

Tough decision. Does the dealer offer any kind of warranty? Does he offer parts support, manuals and is he convenient to where your located?

It would appear that you could easily spend $1500. bringing the other tractor and implements up to a dependable comfort level, and IMHO If the dealer is on the ball....the price difference from him is worth the added expense.

Good luck, Mark

LMTC · Mar 4, 2005

So if it's REALLY a bad sending unit, why didn't he replace it before trying to sell the tractor? Exactly how would HE know if he had low oil pressure? How does HE KNOW that it is the sending unit? That's just ignorant, and I would not believe it. Not saying it isn't true, but if it is he is so ignorant that I don't want to buy from him. How does he (or you) check the coolant level if the hood won't open?

Tines and seal easily $250-$300 plus labor and that ASSUMES that nothing else is wrong with it.

Ultimately it sounds like you are gambling on saving perhaps half of that $1500 difference IF..IF all goes well. If it doesn't you could be SOL. If the dealer is offering any kind of warranty, I would definitely buy from the dealer. The new rotary cutter and new box blade alone are worth several hundred over used.

RandyH · Mar 4, 2005

The dealer is Artek in Jasper, Alabama. They don't offer a warranty...but they do go through the tractors and change fluids, etc. They keep a bunch in stock, so I think they are legitimate. Also, they carry parts. I sent an email to Fredricks in Harselle, Al., for a similar setup. They have a 6 mo. warranty.

I may offer the guy $2000 for his tractor and equipment. I operated the tractor for a few minutes and it ran fine. Some of the tines are broken and need replaced. One other positive...it has a ROPS.

Randy

Tractors4u · Mar 4, 2005

Ditto what LMTC said. How does the guy know that the tractor is not overheating, does he have a separate temperature guage? If the sending unit was bad then the light would come on as soon as the switch was turned on. If these tractors don't have the correct antifreeze to water ratio they will overheat quickly. Now assuming that it is overheating, how much has he ran it hot?

As for Artec, Steve puts out some beautiful tractors, but I am surprised that he doesn't offer a warranty.

Tom Fredricks puts out quality machines as well. You will be hard pressed to find many dealers giving you a 6 month warranty.

Where are you located?

mark777 · Mar 4, 2005

Well a ROPS is a big plus...even if it is an aftermarket, which it probably is, but be very careful that it is not just a canopy support, as it looks similar but offers no roll over protection.

Many dealers do not offer a warranty....but they do value their reputation, good ones anyway. I know some dealers will give you the benefit of the doubt on items that just fail within a reasonable amount of time.

The "guys" Yanmar is a gamble, and a well established dealer is not.

Mark

bruce1966us · Mar 4, 2005

Well i am going to lean toward the individual. He probably has no idea about the tractor's cooling system including the sending unit. I would venture to say that the sending unit is good and the tractor is overheating because of antifreeze mixture. That being said, you state the tractor runs fine and you have operated it. Make sure the oil has no water in it. You get no warranty either way, so save a few hundred bucks even after the planned repairs. And do offer $2000 CASH. Maybe you all will meet in the middle. However, Steve does carry good tractors and has a good reputation.

arthr31 · Mar 4, 2005

well, first off, welcome to tbn.
secondly, you've asked a pretty tall order. one thing to consider (or a couple), is if you buy the open market tractor, seems like you should be mechanically inclined. if you buy the dealers machine, perphaps less so, so you hope. but, it's a 1500, so better be prepared or learn fast (like me).

Can you spin a wrench, or fix stuff? Also, one important thing to consider, do you have time to fiddle with a tractor, or just get stuff done? That's an important thing to consider..., esp. if you anticipate problems.... (which you can't).

Goood luck, friend, let us know what you do. -arthr

RandyH · Mar 4, 2005

Thanks for the quick responses.

In talking to the 'guy', he said he ran about a 50/50 mix in the radiator. I knew just from internet research, that this was too much antifreeze. I don't remember if the light came on when started, but I remember seeing it on while I was on it.

A question: does the hood have to be up to check the oil? Since the exhaust is bent against the hood, I can't raise it.

I can work on it, I think, just need manuals.

Seems like some of you may know the owner of Artek. I haven't spoke with him, only a salesman named Scott.

BTW, the hour meter reads 786 hours. He said it had ~400 on it when it bought it. He's had it about 7 years.

I live near Cordova, Alabama, about 35mi. west of B'ham.

Randy