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

[The Famous Grouse]

Hi everyone. New member here, although I've been reading the forums for quite a while.

Here's the situation. I finally have a reason to buy a small tractor. I now own enough hunting property (over 100 acres) that it can be justified.

I've narrowed down my search to Yanmar because the reputation seems to be good and the price range is do-able. I'm looking at Yanmar tractors in the 1500 to 1900 range, and I would prefer 4 WD, but I'm not making this a deal buster at this point. It's more important to me to buy sooner rather than later, so I have 4 tractors that I have my eye on.

A loader, however, is a must have, as is a working PTO and 3 point. I'm trying to stick to tractors that have under 1000 hours. Year ranges are always slippery, a lot of sellers don't seem to know the year, but most tractors I'm looking at are 1980s vintage.

I will use the tractor for 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.

I could use a little help from the members on the following 2 issues:

1. Is there a checklist somewhere that lists the major "watch out for" items on Yanmars? For example, I notice a lot of discussion about axle seals, so I'm assuming that this should be on the list, but what else?

I'm not worried about minor things like headlights working, seat not torn, etc. I can fix that kind of stuff easily. What I'm wanting to avoid are the big-time issues that cost a lot of time, money, and require extensive teardowns to fix. Especially things that might be well-known "gotchas" to those with a lot of Yanmar experience.

Any help that you could give me. I'm just trying to avoid buying something that has this big, well-known "gotcha" issue that costs $3000 to fix and can be avoided if you just know what to look for.

2. Are 3 point hitches on Yanmars all "powered" so that they have up/down control? Or is this on some? Or not on any? By looking at pics, I just can't tell.

Many thanks.

Grouse

 

[Scotty Dive]

Welcome aboard! I am a relatively new member - about 2-3 years. But like you I like to do a lot of reading so I can make the best buying decision. You have come to the right place - the Yanmar forums guys are very knowledgeable and helpful.

I would read everything you can on the Hoye Tractor (tractors to avoid, grey vs domestic, powershift - all articles on the left hand side of their site), fredericks site and others so you understand the domestic and grey market Yanmar tractors. There are folks you have purchased vietnamese reconditioned grey market tractors and had nightmares and those, like me who have had no problems. Rest assured you are buying one of if not best engineered and dependable tractor pound per pound that money can buy.

The hoye site has a "what to look for when buying used" on their website. And, all have hydraulic 3 pt hitches that like most tractors lift upwards but no not add down pressure. Some Yanmars have multiple speed PTO's.

We all love pictures and if you come across one, let us know so the forum can assist you in what to look for and if the pricing sounds reasonable if you want.

 

[kenmac]

Welcome :welcome:IMO, If you are going to skid logs of any size, you're gonna need a bigger tractor than what you're looking at.The 3 point has no down pressure (if that's what you.re asking) To stay out of trouble when buying.. know who you're buying from (if possible) you will probably never know the true hrs on 1 of these tractors. I bought direct from an importer and I don.t think he knew the true actual hrs on my tractor.

 

[The Famous Grouse]

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

 

[john40981]

if you want good use of a FEL than I would look at 4WD only. I have a small 2WD Yanmar with FEL (and a much bigger 4WD Yanmar with FEL) and if I had mine time over again I would go with 4WD, not only does it make FEL work easier sometimes with a big load, it means the front end of the tractor is built stronger, front tyres are bigger and wider to take a front heavy loads better with out sinking into the ground. I thought I did not need 4WD when I purchased my first one because I was on flat ground and would not be getting boged to need 4WD. I didn't know enough about it to know how wrong I was. Yanmar's are great tractors you won't be disappointed with there performance or reliability. My small one is a grey market import here in Aus. and I have had it for about 18 years with out one problem.:thumbsup:

 

[winston1]

Welcome to the forum. :welcome: At my age I find taking a list with me is a big help because I am otherwise likely to forget things. Some things to check: fluid levels, leaks and condition (coolant, transmission, engine, 4 wheel drive), engine blow by, excess smoke, steering slack. Be sure to engage the 4 wheel drive and pto assuring they work. Go through all gears assuring they all function properly. Use both brakes assuring they work properly. Run the loader all the way through lift and curl, also look at the cylinders for possible leakage. Don't be afraid to ask lots of questions about the history of the tractor. And best of luck in your quest!

 

[Car Doc]

Welcome to the group. You wont probably find out much about its history hours probably wont be right but using what you can see and touch will be about all the info you need. Warm it up real good run it around work it if possible and make sure its not blowing bubbles in the radiator or bottle and also look for a lot of blow by at the crank breather tube.

What comes to my mind to pick from in that sized machine is 186, 1610 and they are (at times) fairly plentiful. Both are 3 cyl powershift models and you will find that the PS feature handy as pockets on a shirt. Less clutching means more work done and less wear and tear on equipment.(well I started using my clutch when I PS but it isn't necessary you will see if you get one what works best) Highly recommend you get a D model though 4wd is just better all around... :thumbsup: As has been mentioned pics are always welcomed here!

 

[Scotty Dive]

You may benefit from this fileI have been building that includes spec's as best as we know them and the articles on Kubota and Yanmar and how they started to get imported- Its pretty interesting. Its located on google, but its an excel file - just save as and open it up in your excel program and then you will be able to see all of the diagrams etc

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B85YoHWb2pqbWkVqOUdQZXZja2c/edit?usp=sharing

 

[Katahdin]

...you will probably never know the true hrs on 1 of these tractors. I bought direct from an importer and I don.t think he knew the true actual hrs on my tractor.

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.

 

[Scotty Dive]

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.

You are right - but the original poster is looking for "but most tractors I'm looking at are 1980s vintage".

So we are talking about greys and domestic tractors 30+ years old with three digit hour meters.

 

[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.