Yanmar YM1700

ee12506 · Sep 26, 2004

For those pondering a Yanmar tractor, I purchased one (YAnmar YM1700 2wd 20hp) from RCO tractors (Austin / Arlington TX) this summer and had it shipped to Washington State because all I could find around here were used.....not reconditioned. Having dealt with RCO (John and Stuart), I would not hesitate in doing business with them at any time. They were overboard in setting up the shipping, etc.....and the tractor was in top condition with 3 hours on the meter.

The tractor came with a new front loader and I got it delivered to Spokane for a total of $5667.

So, for my experiences, and for some of the farmers I know in this area, Yanmar is the way to go.

E. L. Emerson
Benton City, WA.

mark777 · Sep 26, 2004

E L,
It's always nice when one shares their buying experience with everyone here. The 1700 appears to be a very popular and reliable model - Nice tractor. No pictures??
I am a little shocked though....I know of some good CA dealers and one in WA come to mind as well. Was the reconditioning process the main consideration during you tractor hunt? Welcome and regards, Mark

ee12506 · Sep 27, 2004

Yes, that and the price. All of the used tractors around here (200 miles) were about the same price, or more, on the average. I looked at buying a new unit, but for my use, I couldn't justify the cost, which was approx. $13,000.

I am attaching a pic.

ee12506 · Sep 27, 2004

/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Don't know why the pic didn't go through.......

jmf7112001 · Sep 28, 2004

I can't believe someone would put a loader on that nice 1700. Thats to me is a dangerous set up. #1 4WD helps you load the bucket and it helps you slow down going down a hill with a full bucket. If you are going to get a loader get a four wheel drive tractor.

Soundguy · Sep 29, 2004

Lotsa old tractors wewre 2wd and loader tractors.. heck.. if you want to talk about scary looking.. look at trikes with loaders.

Though you are correct. 4wd and or power steering makes for a much better loader tractor.. but a 2wd with a loader at least makes for a good powered wheelbarrow.

Soundguy

California · Sep 30, 2004

( 2wd with a loader at least makes for a good powered wheelbarrow. - Soundguy )

Great wheelbarrow! - see attached. My YM240 is approximately the same as a YM1700 and this heavy Great Bend loader has been on it for 25 years. Somebody must have thought it was suitable for a loader, since it was ordered with the HD 'loader' front axle.

I have to note however that even loaded rear tires weren't enough to balance that pallet after I added more bricks - 600 lbs total. (also I adjusted the slack out of those chains before lifting the pallet.).

As the pallet cleared the ground I slid backward on that slope a couple of inches with one wheel locked. I put the load right back down to survey the situation.

Second try I lifted the rotary mower on the back first before lifting the bucket. That counterbalanced the bricks fine. I transported them (slowly!) over several hundred feet of rough ground and didn't drop a single one. I like this a lot better than a wheelbarrow.

Soundguy · Sep 30, 2004

Reminds me of my 30" dirt scoop on my 1700 before i had added a weighted front bumper. I grabbed a big bite of dirt and took off to dump it.. steering was real easy.. then i hit a bump, and found out exactly just what 'teeter-totter' means.

Glad it had breaks to steer with! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Soundguy

htiek126 · Sep 30, 2004

That's great that you could find a 25 year old tractor with only 3 hours on the hour meter... I sincerely hope you got a good tractor. I have heard that some folks roll back the hour meter (or replace) during the reconditioning process. If that were the case, it just seems unscrupulous to me. I believe it is a felony offense to roll back an odometer on an automobile even if it has been reconditioned.

Cloudguy · Oct 2, 2004

I am in Spokane, and have been looking for tractors for over 8 months and have run into the same problem as you. Would it be possible for you to contact me via email so that I can pick your brain on your research?
My email is: cloudguy333@yahoo.com
Thanks.....
Bob

F20Daniel · Oct 3, 2004

( I am in Spokane, and have been looking for tractors for over 8 months)

Bob, Take look at www.ernies.net in NW Oregon. Last spring I purchased a Yanmar F20D from Ernie. Great guy, real honest and up front, and he has a good supply of parts tractors. I don't have one complaint or regret. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

There's another grey market importer in SW Washington, I won't mention by name, but the zero hour meters and bs about Yanmar IS a John Deere did not sit well with me.

Daniel

Inspector507 · Oct 3, 2004

Buck Bond is in Richland, WA click here for his website

Cloudguy · Oct 4, 2004

Thanks Daniel!

Cloudguy · Oct 4, 2004

Thanks Inspector...
I have been watching the EFC site for a while now, but have not found anything to meet my needs just yet. I'll keep trying!
Thanks again

Inspector507 · Oct 4, 2004

Might want to give Buck a call, he may have some not listed on his website.

Glenn1 · Oct 4, 2004

I purchased a 1700 about five years ago. I gave 3K for the tractor and tiller, the price included changing all fluids, replacing bad seals and a new seat. I sold the tractor the first quarter of this year and got my money back. I had excellent luck with the tractor, just needed a 4wd with FEL.

Dell · Dec 7, 2004

NEED HELP. Can anyone provide me with the technical specifications (weight, length, 3 pt distances, PTO size) that is required for a bush hog that has to fit a YANMAR YM1700. Can an older bush hog fit one of these Grey Market tractors (in particular, the YANMAR YM1700)???

Thanks,
Dell

Soundguy · Dec 7, 2004

I can't give you most of the info of fthe top of my head.. but I'm sure a dealer will pop in.

The PTO is a standarg 1 3/8 6 spline pto.

I used the shorter of the two cat 1 toplinks that TSC sold.

I changed out my lower lift arms for the generic 'ford' lift arms that TSC sells. They were longer, and let me use implements with a wider pin spacing. I still had to turn the pins in on some stuff, like a 30" scoop, and a box blade. Might still have to do that with a rotary mower, but if so.. it won't 'hurt' anything. Just get something that has pins you can reverse. ( That said, I used alot of stuff that that a tractor bigger than a 1700 might tote.. that 30" scoop, for instance.. it was quite a load, and I had to add a few hundred pounds of front weight to use it properly. A 4' mower will be easier to hook up than the 5' mower I used.

Look at pinning carefully. For instance.. it is easy to turn the pins 'in' on a kk mower.. but on some brands.. like a howse for instance.. it may not be so easy.

I'm gonna guess at 1800# weight for the ym1700.. lets see how close I am!

Soundguy

Dell · Dec 7, 2004

Thanks. To be honest, I haven't even went and looked at the target cutter. I just wanted to get some information to see if the 1700 would even pick up the thing (save me a trip).

Dell

Soundguy · Dec 8, 2004

The 3pt lift on my ym1700 is stronger than the lift on my ford 8n.. my 8n lifts 700-800 ponds befor ethe pump strains and the front end gets light.

The front of the yanmar 1700 gets light a bit over 500# on the lift.. however the lift itself can do much more. Front weights help. Before I had front weights.. my 1700 was a teeter totter when I had a full scoop of clay in the 30" scoop on the rear.. was kinda fun for a few seconds anyway!

Soundguy

Soundguy