Yanmar 2200 ReFurbished Comments

thegreatrandini · Dec 2, 2004

Sorry for being the smart a___, but I wanted to make my point. The Grays are some of the best tractors built, but they are Grays. This means they don't have true manufacturer support. I don't think for my ym2210 that it is any harder to find parts then for a similar jd but there is not a local parts store. I have to order them from the dealers on this site and others. I went to my local jd dealer to buy a fuel bowl and filter. I had my parts in hand. They are the same parts that fit jd 950. The parts guy who was also the mechanic told me that he never heard of Yanmar. What a dick. He hears of Yanmar every time he opens a hood. He could see the bowl is similar but would he bother to look? No because I told him it was a Yanmar. I would hate to ask him to make a repair. I had no trouble getting a bowl and filter mailed to me. It took about 3 days.. So this is the way it is. If you live close one of the big Yanmar parts guys on this site then it might work for you, but ask them which Yanmar to buy......If you want local dealer support then the best thing is to buy a tractor from that local dealer whatever brand he sells...... /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Tractors4u · Dec 2, 2004

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( If you want local dealer support then the best thing is to buy a tractor from that local dealer whatever brand he sells...... )</font>

That is true of some dealers. The grey Kubota owners found this out a few years ago. I have bought a few misc parts for Yanmars at the local Deere dealer. I have bought a ton of Hinomoto parts from the local Massey dealer. They have even called me at home with grey market questions when someone else came in looking for parts. If you are unfamiliar with tractors and fixing tractors, you should probably stay away from anything but domestic brands that have dealers near by. Otherwise, find yourself a good Yanmar and put it to work.

Daneaux · Dec 2, 2004

Thanks for your groups help.I have learned a great deal in a week about Tractors. I am now looking at a TAFE which I am told is a Massey that is made in India.Their website verifies that.
Have any of you tractor Guru's heard of TAFE. Bring it on, the good ,the bad and the Ugly.
Many thanks to this forum to provide education to newbies.
I will be a regular once I make my purchase before 12/31/04

Dan

chriswheeler · Dec 2, 2004

I hear that the 2200 and the 2700 are to be avoided due to the fact they were harder than most other Yanmars to get parts for. The 2000, 2500,3000 in that series is reported as easier to find parts for. This came from the importer in Sacramento, not a dealer. He also noted that because of that fact they were usualy sold a little cheeper per HP.
Chris

Villengineer · Dec 2, 2004

Never heard of them, but I haven't seen any new MFs around my neck of the woods either. If the dealer were to ever drop the line you may have a harder time finding parts for it than a "grey". Remember that "related" tractors may not share all components and if your luck is like mine those are the ones that break. Also, as mentioned before, "name brand" dealers are not always willing to attempt to cross-reference parts for similar tractors.
Since you're buying this for the golf course perhaps you should consider a couple things. First, you obviously have some other equipment to care for the course: mowers,etc..Does the dealer(s) for that equipment sell/service tractors? If they do and you are satisfied with their service why not simply go back to them. Then your mechanics can essentially do one stop shopping and have more buying power with that dealer. More buying power should and usually does mean better prices and better service. Second, since reliability is obviously one of your requirements and you seem to have some idea of a desired service life, have you considered leasing a new tractor. Five years seems like a reasonable length of time and if you take care of it the tractor should still be in excellent condition. If that is an option you may want to check and see if there is an advantage financially with a lease.

thegreatrandini · Dec 3, 2004

Are you just trying to get someones goat? TAFE? Very few of these in the US. All the American tractor companies use cheap overseas labor to build tractors! MF use some Indian factories or at least they have. I heard the compacts were being made in Turkey now.. One hears alot and you never know if it is true.. Anyway you seem to miss the point. Most of us with yanmars wanted a tractor and went out and priced JD and Kubota etc... Then the Mrs. said she wanted a new car so we bought a Yanmar. We know we may have to make some repairs and do Maint. We hope it is always minor. We know we can get parts but we may have to make some calls and send some emails. We have to have them sent to us. Some guys use the YM's for work... Landscapers etc... but most of us have a few acres and maybe a horse or two etc.... If you want to go cheap the YM's are your best bet, but they are a bet. You could get a Jinma cheap... Should last 1500 hrs.... no one knows!!! Parts are available through the mail.....Here in Topeka we have Martin Tractor. They sell all the CAT and Agco Stuff. Most businesses buy or lease from them.. Very expensive.....but a known value.... They don't service TAFE. If it were me I would buy a good Yanmar and hope for the best. If I had to replace the whole thing a couple times it would still be cheaper than a new Deere or Newholland.. We were just telling you that the 2200 is not the best model... I would get a powershift transmission. I like the 2 cyl but most prefer the 3 /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif cylinders. Good luck to you..

oliver28472 · Dec 3, 2004

I have a Mitsubishi gray and a Satoh (US). Dad bought the Satoh new in the late 70s. The Mitsu is one size smaller engine wise but otherwise the same tractor. I have no trouble getting parts for either one. If you are looking at a Mitsu, call Bill Rodgers or Len Shaefer for recommedations on parts availability for a specific model. This would apply to any brand. I am not saying Yanmar is bad, have never had one.

cfoxmd · Dec 3, 2004

For something in commercial use that is needed everyday, I am not sure I would consider a gray market tractor. The main benefit of the grays is that the gray market tractor is cheaper for a good tractor--but like buying a used car, you need to be sure about what you get and there is some risk. A good gray dealer with parts support nearby would make your liklihood of good result with a yanmar more interesting.

I think that if you are going to run a tractor alot and it needs to be functional alot, then go with one of the big three. Or you could get two gray market tractors for half the price and deal with the needed repairs.

LMTC · Dec 3, 2004

It really has to do with initial quality/condition. We have a customer who bought a YM2000B 4 years ago, operates a retail produce operation and a few other ventures. Puts app. 600 hours/year on it tilling & mowing.

Another customer with a private hunting preserve....uses a 2210BD/Loader for chores & mowing, and carries game out with it through the winter, sets blinds out, etc....it runs year round, several hundred hours/year for the past 4+ years. One has had a few repairs, one has had nothing but normal maintenance.

We have another who bought a YM177 in our first year (so ten years ago)....haven't heard from him in about 6 years, but he was doing landscaping around new mobile home and prefab home installations with this tractor. Remember him because his only repair was unusual....valve clearance adjustment bolt broke. He was putting 400-500 hours/year on the tractor last I spoke with him, and that bolt was all there was in four years.

cfoxmd · Dec 3, 2004

I agree that initial quality of anything you buy, followed by inherent quality, plus its usage and maintenance are the biggest indicators of failure--buy a bad brand of new tractor and it will be in and out of the shop; buy a good grey tractor that has been checked out and and serviced and it will hardly need repairs, buy a previously abused or poorly "remanufactured" unit and you will repair it more than use it and add difficulty getting parts and it becomes a headache that never ends.

So I agree--the quality of the unit you buy is the biggest indicator.