Yanmar ym187D. What to look for?

[arnoldziffel]

Thanks for the encouragement.

I spoke with Hoye Tractor and Fredricks Equipment and was told that front driveline (drive shaft) parts are not available through them.

Any other sources I should check?

 

[winston1]

I would doubt you will find any make of tractor 28 years old with very many 4 wheel drive parts available.

 

[California]

I would also ask a Yanmar-USA parts dealer.

Perhaps those two don't stock the parts because YM187D front end is different from the gray market Yanmars.

 

[arnoldziffel]

I would doubt you will find any make of tractor 28 years old with very many 4 wheel drive parts available.

Thanks winston1.

That is a valid point I think. Therefore one should evaluate any older 4 wheel drive tractor from a worse case scenario and be prepared for the day it might just be a two wheel drive. That certainly is an important consideration in determining what one should pay for an older machine.

 

[Scotty Dive]

I don't know this as a fact but to Winstons point that very few parts are going to be on a shelf for a 30 year old tractor especially 4wd parts that don't wear out often. As far as I can tell the 4wd is as stout as the remaining parts of the Yanmars - Could it be catastrophic if a main component failed - yes, but probably true of all brands with similar vintage. I am pretty sure you would be searching through the tractor bone yard network regardless of brand then. I think the trade off is that you are getting a well designed and built older tractor for a lot less money. 4WD is critical for all of my applications as well. But if you really need that piece of mind I think you will be looking for a more current model or possibly a 187 parts tractor to have just in case.

 

[normde2001]

Thanks for the encouragement.

I spoke with Hoye Tractor and Fredricks Equipment and was told that front driveline (drive shaft) parts are not available through them.

Any other sources I should check?

You could have the same parts problem for any tractor, (or vehicle), over 10 years old; however there are hundreds of Yanmar Authorized Parts Dealers around the US that may, or may not, have any part you might need for a YM187 on the shelf. Neither Fredricks nor Hoye are listed among them.

 

[arnoldziffel]

You could have the same parts problem for any tractor, (or vehicle), over 10 years old; however there are hundreds of Yanmar Authorized Parts Dealers around the US that may, or may not, have any part you might need for a YM187 on the shelf. Neither Fredricks nor Hoye are listed among them.

Good to know. I didn't make the distinction between Yanmar USA dealers and the other Yanmar dealers.

That has renewed my mission and perhaps I will be able to conclude this purchase after all.

Sincere thanks to each of you for your feedback and help. If I'm beating this topic to death, forgive me.

 

[winston1]

I don't think you are beating the topic to death, I admire your tenacity to research before spending several thousand dollars.

 

[careyo63]

5Min.!! Yanmar YM 1610D 4x4 Frontend For 2hp Prob. the same as the 187.

 

[arnoldziffel]

So, my 187D potential purchase saga continues. (I don't know why this machine is calling me to buy it?)

Bottom Line: Is there one primary source for parts for US spec. Yanmar tractors? I've spent a lot of time on the phone with various dealers and Yanmar distributors and I keep running into dead ends on parts availability. I 'm surprised that these tractors, as good as they are, can have $4000 - $5500 asking prices when there seems to be almost no reliable service parts support. Am I over thinking this? I can't afford a $5000 lawn ornament if something fails.

One more thing, some of the 187d models were sold without a ROPS. Any suggestion on where a ROPS for this model can be found and purchased?

Still another thing: I know this is a Yanmar forum, but would a Mitsubishi built Mahindra 2015 or Cub Cadet 7205 be considered similar in size and capability to the Yanmar 187D? There seems to be tremendous parts/service support for these.

Thanks for all the help you folks have been providing.