Yanmar Super Expensive?

[rockyridgefarm]

Yea, I'm right there with you fellas. One thing I like about Yanmar is they make horsepower the old fashioned way, by using a bigger engine rather than a turbo.

This is especially interesting because they have plenty of turbo options that would be easily slid into the lineup.

I have been hearing that there is a small turbo'd engine bubble about to burst in the automotive world. Real world usage is nothing like the treadmill numbers. Of course, there are plenty of people happy with their turbos.

 

[California]

I have been hearing that there is a small turbo'd engine bubble about to burst in the automotive world. Real world usage is nothing like the treadmill numbers.

This may not be true for tractors but it seems to me a small car turbo can't spin up fast enough to replace the big-cubic-inches instant torque that helps to merge into freeway traffic etc. Rated horsepower is constant-state, the measurement doesn't consider the moment it takes to attain max torque/hp for any given mid-range rpm.

 

[Raised on a Deere]

I have been tractoring for almost 70 years, started disking for my dad when I was 9, many different brands, Oliver, International, Allis Chalmers, Massey Ferguson, Fordson, John deere popin John's we called them and John deere Diesels.

3 years ago, with many reservations, I bought a Yanmar LX490, a turboed version of the LX450. Small displacement for the horse power but this has been the slickest engine I have owned. Great on fuel while just puttering around, and ready to work hard when needed. Yes a sudden load will remind you of the difference in displacement but that has been such a seldom thing and otherwise oh my how this thing likes to make horse power for such a small tractor. Pulling a bushhog through heavy fescue will put a tractor in its place real quick, the turbo shines. The turbo engine really makes torque in a heavy pull.

Unless you have some specific load that demands a the instant torque of a large displacement engine you will not notice any shortcoming of the turbo only its strength.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Great input - thx

 

[Tractorable]

I have been tractoring for almost 70 years, started disking for my dad when I was 9, many different brands, Oliver, International, Allis Chalmers, Massey Ferguson, Fordson, John deere popin John's we called them and John deere Diesels.

3 years ago, with many reservations, I bought a Yanmar LX490, a turboed version of the LX450. Small displacement for the horse power but this has been the slickest engine I have owned. Great on fuel while just puttering around, and ready to work hard when needed. Yes a sudden load will remind you of the difference in displacement but that has been such a seldom thing and otherwise oh my how this thing likes to make horse power for such a small tractor. Pulling a bushhog through heavy fescue will put a tractor in its place real quick, the turbo shines. The turbo engine really makes torque in a heavy pull.

Unless you have some specific load that demands a the instant torque of a large displacement engine you will not notice any shortcoming of the turbo only its strength.

Good to hear from an old timer with experience....

 

[Tractorable]

When we got our 30 inch storm this "spring" my new WR Long 72 in front blade was still in the factory. I used my old back blade and front bucket on the YT235 to get plowed out...worked just fine, but wish I had that front blade to try out.

Hey Geo, do you think that YT235 could handle a 6ft bush hog? Or would you recommend moving up to a YT347/359 for that? Thanks

 

[Geosankie]

The EX2900 , (29 hp ) that I purchased for a park handles a 5 foot hog just fine. I suspect the YT235 could handle a 6 footer ok also. If you have the resources and don't need a MMM then move up a notch. i would not hesitate to run a 6 footer off my YT235 though. Geo

 

[rockyridgefarm]

I would say a light duty 6 footer would be OK, a Deere MX6 or similar might be a bit much.

 

[Katahdin]

I just saw a pic of a friend on FaceBook, who lives down the street, driving his Dad's New Holland TC55D. LS-built tractor, right? There seems to be a lot of comparison of Yanmar and LS in this thread, so that picture made me think of this.

Both our tractors have the about the same loader capacity, the NH just has 10 more HP. We both move around similar loads of firewood in totes or fork lift bags. Anywho, the son came home one day and saw gear oil leaking out the front of the TC55D. The son asked his Dad what he'd been doing, just moving around firewood, but taking it slow. I mean the guy must be 80 or so, and doesn't bounce around recklessly. Anywho, the LS-built TC-55D had to have the bearings and seals replaced in that front axle, and they weren't all that happy about it. I think they said the fix was $1100 or so. Ouch!

Does LS build their own axles like Yanmar does? If they do, I think the Yanmar ones are built better -- mine haven't leaked a drop. Maybe more value for the dollar?

 

[DK35vince]

I just saw a pic of a friend on FaceBook, who lives down the street, driving his Dad's New Holland TC55D. LS-built tractor, right? There seems to be a lot of comparison of Yanmar and LS in this thread, so that picture made me think of this.

Both our tractors have the about the same loader capacity, the NH just has 10 more HP. We both move around similar loads of firewood in totes or fork lift bags. Anywho, the son came home one day and saw gear oil leaking out the front of the TC55D. The son asked his Dad what he'd been doing, just moving around firewood, but taking it slow. I mean the guy must be 80 or so, and doesn't bounce around recklessly. Anywho, the LS-built TC-55D had to have the bearings and seals replaced in that front axle, and they weren't all that happy about it. I think they said the fix was $1100 or so. Ouch!

Does LS build their own axles like Yanmar does? If they do, I think the Yanmar ones are built better -- mine haven't leaked a drop. Maybe more value for the dollar?

Can't say for sure, but I don't think LS built any of the TC series New Hollands. Believe they were Shibaura made.

 

[woolyAcres]

We've got a TC45 (not sure of the year perhaps 2006) that's Shibura built. It's been a great machine. 1300 hours only problem has been a safety switch that's flaky- preventing power to fuel pump on startup. ~$45 fix.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Those axle seals are right there where all kinds of things can get to them. Maybe not an issue with traditional farming in fields, but get in the wooly stuff and they can get torn up. And the worst is nylon bailing twine.

I have replaced front and rear seals. It is a big job, but I sure wouldn't pay $1100 to have it done!

 

[Katahdin]

Those axle seals are right there where all kinds of things can get to them. Maybe not an issue with traditional farming in fields, but get in the wooly stuff and they can get torn up. And the worst is nylon bailing twine.

I have replaced front and rear seals. It is a big job, but I sure wouldn't pay $1100 to have it done!

The bearings blew, that caused the seals to rupture, the bearings not handling the load was the bigger problem. Dealer parts costs and labor rates.

 

[California]

The bearings blew, that caused the seals to rupture, the bearings not handling the load was the bigger problem. Dealer parts costs and labor rates.

Man you need to distinguish you are talking about your neighbor's LS here.

I glanced through that post and wth? I never heard of a a Yanmar with problems like that. All became clear when I scrolled up and found your prior post.

 

[Katahdin]

Man you need to distinguish you are talking about your neighbor's LS here.

I glanced through that post and wth? I never heard of a a Yanmar with problems like that. All became clear when I scrolled up and found your prior post.

Sorry I wasn't clear! This pic is the tractor that had the front axle problems. I only brought it up because LS was mentioned several times as a benchmark for prices, and LS produces tractors for New Holland. Also worth mentioning, Yanmar produces all of its drivetrain components whereas LS doesn't.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Blown bearings on a 55 sounds nasty. I know I've pushed my 32 pretty hard at times -

 

[Williy]

I really enjoy working with my YT235C wouldn't
have any other tractor. Its too easy to operate! It
steers easier than our car! So far takes a whole
gallon of diesel fuel to operate for a whole hour.
Good or bad?? Don't know but seems to me to
be cheap to operate and its a comfortable ride
no back aches or leg/arm pains from operating
this tractor. Waiting on the quick hitch from Yanmar
I could get a cheaper one but Yanmar no modifying
and its a heavy duty unit and its make to fit the Yanmar
attachments and that's all I have is Yanmar attachments.
I like quality and well made equipment Some of the off
brand stuff don't look like it will last very long. Old saying
You get what you pay for
Actually waiting the the rebate because of being exmilitary
and when that comes in I just pay the difference and the
difference is the price of a cheap quick hitch!

willy

 

[CADplans]

I just read a book about the evolution of the farm tractor by CH WENDEL.
He describes EXACTLY what the problem is with Yanmar.
Back in the 1920's there were literally hundreds of great tractors being made, but, without dealership networks, the brands just died off.

The only survivors had, or purchased dealer/distribution somehow.
I see so little from Yanmar in the way of attempts at dealers,, I do not see how they will survive.

I love the Yanmar engines I have owned, and from what I have read,, if you are gonna trust a sailboat engine with your life, it better be a Yanmar.

If the tractor is anything like the engine,, it would be a good tractor.
BUT, for me, I have to buy knowing there is a dealer somewhere nearby,,,

 

[California]

I see so little from Yanmar in the way of attempts at dealers,, I do not see how they will survive.

I love the Yanmar engines I have owned, and from what I have read,, if you are gonna trust a sailboat engine with your life, it better be a Yanmar.

BUT, for me, I have to buy knowing there is a dealer somewhere nearby,,,

Agree regarding dealers, and sailboats. Offshore tiny commercial fishermen, too.

If you don't mind doing your own work, come join us in the Yanmar (traditional) forum. No need to go to a pro, back in the day Yanmar designed everything to be owner-maintained. This is especially true of the YM series sold by Yanmar here before they departed the US market for some 20 years. With reasonable maintenance these models still work same as intended.

 

[normanb]

Make sure you compare apples to apples, The YT3 359 would be about the same as a Grand L 4060 from Kubuta or a 4060R from John Deere.