Buying Advice Yanmar Advice, Please?

[Cedar Bill]

After 30 years living overseas, I'm coming home to settle in. Rural Virginia on the Blue Ridge. Building a nice home on a hill on 21 acres inside a 74 acre (8 lots) Association. I need a tractor for roadwork, bushogging and gardening and after a few days of internet research the older Yanmars look great. This Discussion Forum is just one of several places that are helping to convince me that these are fine older machines that are affordable and relatively easy to maintain. Price is a factor, I can't afford nor can I justify a new Kubota, for example Here are several questions I'd like help with from this forum that I'd like some help with:

1) It seems that Yanmar is NOT a big name in this part of Virginia. If I "import" one from another part of the country does anyone know of a reliable and reputable dealer in this area? I'm pretty good with mechanics and maintenance but am not one who can do it all himself and will need help when something major happens (can't machine parts or do overhauls myself, for example).
2) What can you tell me about RCO Tractor out of Austin, TX? Is this a reliable supplier for good reconditioned tractors and parts? Any other recommendations? Can I assume that if there is no Yanmar dealer in this area bringing one in would be a dumb idea?
3) Some of the threads in some of the discussion fora imply that getting a good reconditioned tractor is the luck of the draw. Is this the case with RCO?
4) For 21 acres (4 to be mowed the rest wooded), a mile of gravel road, and a one acre garden, if I get a Yanmar what model would you recommend?
5) I am assuming a 4WD with an FEL, a box blade and a bushog. Sound right? Any advantage of a regular blade over a box blade? What's the difference to the road grading function? How big?

I hope to monitor this forum for some time to learn. And if I end up buying a Yanmar in coming weeks I will certainly stay in the group. This seems like a knowledgeable group that is great to share information and opinions. Many thanks for any advice you can give on any of the items above. #1-3 are where I need the most help. Cedar Bill

 

[roxynoodle]

I don't think it matters that you live in Virginia. Most of us buy our parts online from the dealers who participate in this forum. From what I have seen so far, parts arrive quickly. They are also very helpful, as are many members of this forum, in diagnosing problems and telling you how to fix them. I have learned an amazing amount of information from their posts. Very good people on this forum.

Do a search on RCO, recently they answered the questions you are asking about their tractors on another thread in this forum. They sounded to me like a reliable outfit selling quality tractors, as are the other dealers who participate here. Read the old threads and you will become familiar with the dealers who are selling good tractors.

As for size you might want one of the bigger Yanmars with 21 acres. I will say that with a FEL that a powershift transmission is helpful. I really like mine. Definitely get 4wd with hills and a loader.

Welcome to TBN!

 

[Hard Knocks IV]

I live in central Virginia and have a Yanmar YM 330 and a Yanmar 1300 4WD
there are parts available for both right here in the Commonwealth. You can email me and come drive either tractor if you'd like to get the 'feel' of one before you buy. I really like the 330 and have used it this Summer to rake hay
and pull a finish mower. Got it in a trade and have about $2300 in it has around 1300hrs uses no oil and runs good.

 

[Hard Knocks IV]

Bill I just noticed you live in Stanardsville which is only about 15 miles from me

 

[Cedar Bill]

Hard Knocks,

Thanks for responding. Sounds like you like your marchines. I'd love to see and ride your Yanmars AND pick your brain before buying. I actually still live up in Annandale (very Northern VA) and am moving to Stanardsville in October. But I'm down a couple times a week on my home building gig. Are you available tomorrow, Thursday? I'll e-mail separately too. Bill

PS. Thanks to any others who respond to my thread.

 

[kenmac]

B-4 you buy a yanmar from a company , do some digging into their operation. ask questions from people who have bought from this co. how they were treaded, is it a vietnam rebuild,what was done in the recon. process, etc,.Some places don't do what they say they do durning the recon. process.You don't want to buy & have troubles with the tractor down the road & have no support from the dealer you bought from.

 

[LMTC]

There are some now selling vn recons who have bought a few units from stateside suppliers, and thus advertise tractors reconditioned here. Ask if any of a given dealer's units are recons, if that's the information you really want. Best assurance.....history, reputation, references.....the more the better, and some at least a year old or more (most people are happy at first).

All our units now go out with new OSHA approved ROPS, pto shields, OR clutches, clutch safety switches, and new english language decals. And they are processed/repaired stateside, after coming directly from Japan.

 

[roxynoodle]

Ask for proof of exactly what was done to the tractor if it was a recon and if it was done stateside or Vietnam. And, yes, get references, including older ones. You want to talk to people who have had their tractor for awhile, not a month.

 

[Cedar Bill]

Good advice so far, thanks all. I'm gathering that recons are not necessarily bad but they should NOT be reconned in Vietnam and the dealer/seller needs to have a strong track record of support.

What's the best way to know if a unit has really been reconned or is just a used tractor (assuming you can't always believe the vendor)? Is it the new paint that gives it away? (Sorry if these are ignorant questions, I'm learning).

I'm still waiting to hear from Yanmar owners who have had a good experience with a used and/or reconned Yanmar, who they bought from and who the stellar vendors are. If not in open forum just send me a note on the side. Thanks. I'm learning and appreciative of the good advice. Bill

 

[LMTC]

What's the best way to know if a unit has really been reconned or is just a used tractor (assuming you can't always believe the vendor)? Is it the new paint that gives it away? (Sorry if these are ignorant questions, I'm learning).
Bill

If "reconning" to you means putting the tractor through the shop and making any necessary repairs, then no, there is not only nothing wrong with reconning, it is what produces a reliable machine. The "recon" term has come to be identified in this market with units prepared for market in a particular place. And as the machines coming in from Japan get older and older (face it, there have been a LOT of machines imported in the last 12+ years), more of us are doing some painting, so paint may only mean just that...it was painted.

There is no way for you to "know" in the pure sense of the word. Your best assurance is an honest dealer...and for that we always recommend references, references, and then some references. Some old ones too....what did the dealer do when a customer had a problem 3 years later? Did they provide adequate information, prompt parts support, etc? We always provide a group of references, with at least one or two who have had some problem with their tractor (they are mechanical, and all will eventually need something) so a shopper can learn how those issues were resolved.

 

[roxynoodle]

I sent you a private message.

 

[Jagmandave]

I bought 1602D used from an individual, who claimed it had been well maintained (it hadn't) and only had a small number of hours on it, even tho the paint, rubber etc said otherwise. Well, I bought it anyway, changed all the belts, hoses, filters etc and it's been absolutely no problem since. I think the moral of the story is that these are tough, well built machines, and unless you get a real stinker, chances are it'll be a great tractor to own for a very long time.

As to which model, you might look at the size of the tractor in relation to the amount of open space you have, for example, it you're going to be making trails in the woods, a narrower, smaller version might work better than a larger one. OTOH, some of the smaller number tractors are also pretty small framed, if you are a large framed individual, you might find it difficult to get on/off and drive. I'd suggest you try a few on first for fit.

Most people who have them seem to really like the shuttle shift, especially if you're going to do a lot of front loader work with it. Mine has gears, and it's mostly no problem for FEL work, but I can see where an "Auto" might be easier to use. Be sure to get an over running clutch to go along with your brush hog.

Other than that, I think you're on the right track, so good luck with all your projects!

Oh, and welcome to TBN!

 

[MDM]

Look into LMTC. I have had a good experience with his dealership.

 

[Missingstrands]

Check out LMTC out of Ohio. I have also had great experience with Wayne. I even had a problem with my Yanmar. Called Wayne and he took care of the issue and did some additional preventative maintenance. I could not be happier with his business and honesty. Good luck

 

[john24255]

Cedar Bill,
I currently maintain approximately 20 areas of land near Cincinnati, OH, 10 that are wooded. In the past, I have used a Kubota, as well as a White Field Boss compact tractor to do the weekly 8 to 10-acre grass cutting and bushogging.

Five years ago, as a result of new construction, I needed a better tractor. Like you, I did the research, then purchased a used Yanmar 2001D, four-wheel drive tractor from the Little Miami Trading Company ( LMTC), in Blanchester, OH. I purchased the tractor with a 4’ loader, which I highly recommend; it will pay for itself in no time at all! Along with the tractor, I purchased a 6’ finish mower, a 5’ rotary mower, a 4’ box blade. Last year, I purchased a 6’ scraper blade to remove snow; we get that up here from time to time!

The tractor has been a real workhorse! I can’t begin to tell you what a blessing it has been. Although it is used year-round, as I stated above, grass cutting is the tractor’s primary mission. I pull a 6’ finished mower deck behind the tractor, and with it can usually cut the grass in about 4-5 hours, on not much more than 3 gal. of fuel. From time to time, I install the 5’ rotary mower to clear out brush. I should tell you that I also have a lawn tractor that I use to cut around the house. It is a John Deer, and I wish it was built as good as my Yanmar. It is two years old and already I have had to do more work on it than on my Yanmar.

During the construction, I used the tractor to re-distribute approximately 10,000 cubic feet of dirt/clay. For those less informed, that’s about the amount of dirt that will completely fill a large basement. When stacked up, it’s a fairly good size hill. The box blade was useful in smoothing out the dirt/clay once I have it where it needed to go. Also during the construction, I used the loader to move trees that had to be cut down, and to distribute approx. 100 ton of gravel around the construction site. See what I mean about the loader? It is also great for collecting firewood or removing debris.

As I said the tractor gets used a lot! Preventative maintenance is easy to perform on these tractors, and oil filters can be purchased at any Wal-Mart store. I wish I could say this about my John Deer lawn tractor, which uses a more expensive oil filter that always seems to be hard to find.

Being a used tractor, I have had to perform some unscheduled maintenance on it from time to time. I have replaced the voltage regulator, several bearings, a fan belt, and recently replaced the seals in the front axel. I received fantastic customer support from LMTC, they supplied me with the service manuals, advice, and all the parts I need. These guys really know their stuff! When I needed the seals for the front axel, I called the ordered in on Thursday, and by Saturday, I had the parts and the axel back together. Talk about your customer service, I can’t get parts for my Ford truck that quick!

One word of advice, when picking out a tractor, I found out size matters. I decided to choose one big enough to do the cutting that needed to be done, but one small enough that it won’t cost a fortune to operate or damage the yard when the ground is soft. About the same time I bought the Yanmar, one of our neighbors bought a 60-horse JD 4-wheel drive tractor to cut his 15-acre field. His thoughts were “the bigger the better”. I noticed that in the springtime, his field looks a mess. As it turns out, that’s when the grass grows the fastest and if he tries to cut it with that heavy tractor, it puts deep ruts in his yard. If you need help choosing a model, ask for Wayne at LMTC he will give you the straight scoop and help you pick out one that is right for your application.

Best Wishes and God Bless,
John24255

 

[Cedar Bill]

I'm seeing some consensus among the members. I appreciate the lines from Missingstrands, MDM, Jagmandave and, especially the thoughtful input I've gotten from Roxy, Kenmac and most recently John. Some excellent input. I'm learning quickly and the extra advice on size, functions, implements and other is incredibly useful. Continuing feedback and input welcome, I see others are following and learning as well. I'll be staying tuned and let you know where I am as my little process evolves. And when and if I buy a YM I'll still be here, learning. Thanks much. More later I'm sure. Bill

 

[knute_m]

Cedar Bill,

The Valley Trader paper comes out every Tuesday afternoon. Every week there is at least one full page of used tractors for sale. You should be able to find a copy of it in every 7-11 and gas station beyond Manassas.

Take a look at the models for sale and then do searches on the Internet and here for more information about the models. Once you see one though, they don't last long.

There are a lot of Yanmars in Virginia. There are also a lot of other good used tractors. There are also a lot of really good dealers throughout Virginia and West Virginia who have used equipment. If you are driving from Annandale to Stanardsville, you pass about ten of them just between Warrenton and Culpeper. I think every brand represented here on TBN has a dealer within 75 miles of Stanardsville. Almost every brand is represented just in Warrenton and Culpeper.

Knute

 

[pruntyc]

As he says, I'm sure you can find someone selling any make of tractor, pretty close to home. But those people are generally not really dealers, the ones who can get you parts and stand behind them. They are just sellers, and no support, when you may need it. And may know very little about the tractors they are selling. A dealer is one who knows all about the tractor he is selling, and has parts, and can or will work on it, if its needed. We have people around where I live that sells Yanmars, but just try to get someone to work on them here. If you don't buy one from a dealer, you are on your own here, anyway. I would not buy a tractor from a paper, unless he was a friend or neighbor. And not eBay either, to easy to get something you don't want. My two cents worth, been there, done that.

 

[DAVELR]

Just to let you know, I think there is a Yanmar dealer in Stuarts Draft, Va. Not to far from where you are. I had a Yanmar 195 for years. It was a good tractor.

 

[CAT793]

Cedar Bill ,
I have a Yanmar 2210D that I use to maintain my 13 acres in Central Illinois , I mow approximately 10 acres as well as grade my gravel drive which is about 400 ft long .
My Yanmar was bought from Wayne at LMTC in Ohio , I bought this tractor sight unseen ( except in photo’s of course ) when I was based in Argentina . I bought the tractor and 6 implements and had it delivered to my place in Illinois.

A tractor or any piece of equipment is only as good as the backup that you receive AFTER the sale…………..
There are a lot of companies that will promise you the world till they have your money and you run into problems .
I have had a few small issues, but LMTC took care of them without any hesitation in a professional manner even after the warranty period had ended. He sent me parts, that arrive very quickly, never asked for the cost of shipping or anything. These are the businesses that I like dealing with , people who stand behind their product and look after their customers .

My tractor has proven to a great bit of gear I love it, I have now lost it to the wife , who now sees it as hers , I just get to change the oil and grease it . See what happens when you have to travel and the grass need’s cutting …………………..

Mate , if you have any further questions PM me and we can have a chat

Regards,