Yanmar F175 Tractor

imported_TommyLee · Jun 16, 2004

I just bought a Yanmar F175 Tractor from ebay, only to discover that this tractor is a Japan model and NOTHING is in english. I am looking for english Operator manual, service manual, parts manual and english decals.

If none are available, I would be happy finding a U.S. Yanmar model that is similar to the F175. Any ideas? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

blackd · Jun 16, 2004

Welcome to the board! You have one of the newer (relatively) models being imported. Operator & Service manuals in english may not yet be available, but if they are, they and the decals will be available from Hoye Tractor, www.hoyetractor.com/. Aaron, at Hoye, will be a BIG help.

imported_TommyLee · Jun 17, 2004

Well, that's a relief knowing that it's a relatively new model. Thanks. I will check out your suggestion for the manuals.

imported_TommyLee · Jun 18, 2004

The phrase "Grey" seems to be popping up a lot. What exactly is a "Grey"?

jimstractors · Jun 18, 2004

In this case "grey market" refers to Yanmars built in Japan specifically for the Japanese market. Thus no ROPS, English labels, etc.

scrinch · Jun 18, 2004

When the Japanese owner decides to buy a replacement, he trades his old one in and it ends up at a "tractor farm" along with thousands of others. There's a much healthier market for used tractors in the US (and Australia, Europe, etc) than in Japan, so these used tractors are exported and sold as "grey market" tractors here. Many of the greys are exported to a few large distributors in the US and Canada, who then sell through a loose network of affiliated small dealers. Many are also exported by the container-load (a dozen or so) directly to small dealers here. Those in unsaleable condition are generally sent to Vietnam where they are rebuilt, often using used, cannibalized parts, and then re-exported to western markets as "refurbished."

I think the general consensus here is that grey market tractors can represent a very good value for the money, but that owners must realize that parts and service will not be as widely available as for a tractor made specifically for the domestic market (even though they are often made by the same Japanese manufacturer).

imported_TommyLee · Jun 21, 2004

Is a "Grey Market" tractor illegal to own in the states?

Ozarker · Jun 21, 2004

MarkStewart · Jun 21, 2004

Check this link for a pretty good explanation of what a grey is. web page
Basically you will have a harder time finding parts than if you had bought a domestic model. Yanmar will not knowingly support grey tractors with parts from what I understand. Good thing is that you shouldn't need to replace parts that often anyway.
Just make sure you keep up on the maintenance of your machine. Oil changes , greasing zerks, air filter etc. The better you maintain your machine the less likely it will be for it to brake down on you. An owners manual would be a good idea also.