Yanmar buying help. Checklist of what should I be sure to look for.

[Car Doc]

I feel that for the new Yanmar tractor shoppers out there that this is an incorrect statement. You can't assume all Yanmars sold in the US today are used or gray market.

All the Ym's with 4 digits are w/o doubt grays. Saying all is putting words in someones mouth. I dont read that anywhere care to define that statement? If I missed something I certainly apologize but I dont see all anywhere in regards to Yanmars sold in US today that doesn't make any sense in that sentence.

Actually very easy to find where a tractor was meant to be sold used etc I think anyway if you just research it.

 

[kenmac]

I feel that for the new Yanmar tractor shoppers out there that this is an incorrect statement. You can't assume all Yanmars sold in the US today are used or gray market.

I will bite my tongue

 

[kenmac]

Appreciate the replies so far.

To Kenmac, the problem with a bigger tractor is that it would be too big to handle in the tight woods. Here in the tundra, we don't get any 3 foot diameter oak trees, what I would be skidding would be popple and birch, so even a 4 weeler can drag 20 feet of a large popple.

I also will need to transport the tractor as there are currently no storage buildings on my land. So again, bigger isn't really practical as i can't upgrade my vehicle to haul a bigger tractor.

To Scotty, great call re the websites. Very helpful.

Grouse

I had no idea as t the size of trees you were trying to skid. It,s easier to get in the tight spots with a smaller tractor. I find places on my property that It,s hard to get my 3110 with loader. I,ve had to cut down trees to get into some places. Good luck with your search for a good maching

 

[California]

...looking at Yanmar tractors in the 1500 to 1900 range, and I would prefer 4 WD ... under 1000 hours ... skidding logs, brush mowing, and tilling using a 3 point tiller. The logging and the brush mowing will come first because the land has become so overgrown that even the access roads need to be mowed....

Any help ...

Just a couple of points that caught my eye:

Forget trying to determine historic hours. The 3 digit hourmeter is only to keep track of maintenance intervals. Anyone who represents that it indicates lifetime use, is putting you on. You need to evaluate condition as others here have described. The good news is that the YM's are near indestructible; the occasional one in poor condition will be obvious if you do the tests described in this thread. And if my two US-version Yanmars are typical of most Yanmars that have been here all their life - expect to see thrashed appearance in the US models. I don't think anybody ever reconditioned one. They still don't need mechanical work, but they are hardly parade-ready by now.

You mention '1500 to 1900 range'. 1500 is an excellent SMALL tractor. I think it might be a little short of what you need for the heavy work you describe - on a 100 acre parcel. 1900 was early 70's and is sort of falling off the old end of the easily-maintained category. YM1700/YM2000 is a later version of the same tractor, very widely sold and supported. These should work fine for you. 4x4 will be far better but at a corresponding increase in price. I think 4x4 is essential on anything smaller and lighter than YM1700 to help make up for how light they are. PowerShift is another step up in price. Like 4x4, well worth it in my opinion.



And to everybody else - re Katahdin - we need everybody's participation here. He missed the target on this particular issue but overall we all need to work together to keep this brand viable. We need to listen to the owners of the new models as well as us owners of the elderly ones. Particularly now that new Yanmars are the only ones presently being imported.

 

[Car Doc]

As far as Katahdin re: apparently I missed the point he was attempting to make and that's just me. I am black and white / one dimensional in my reasoning it either is or it isn't. So Katahdin please dont take anything I say as being intentionally rude or sarcastic blunt maybe I get that and it fits Ill wear that. :thumbsup:

Fwtw we absolutely do want the new generation of Yanmar owners participating here or we wont know what is really going on w/new models and viseaversa works both ways.