YM or FX for first tractor?

[nvfw39n]

Hello.

I am from Europe. I have two wheel tractor Yanmar that is from the same era as YM series. I will be looking soon for four wheel tractor. I have driven only one for short time, bigger and older, not japanese.
I basically decided on two models, YM2420D or FX24D. From what I understand, both machines are with similar features - power steering, power shift, 4WD. YM are simpler machines, more rare, and I think here parts a more difficult to find. FX are more comfortable to drive, but strangely no liners on the engine and maybe some electronics.
As these are old machines, I am concerned with repairs - price, time, availability of parts and ability to do it myself. I already have big difficulties with some parts for the two wheel tractor that are not manufactured anymore. I have no experience repairing engines or transmissions and everything I do, I have to do it alone and learn what I need. I prefer everything to be simple and mechanical, with comfortable controls. Very simple electronics are okay. I am not considering newer models, because of more complicated electronics and I would like the engine to be indirect injection.

Is it a big concern that the newer engines do not have liners? I guess much more expensive repair when it needs it? I am probably missing many small, but important things. What would you advice me?

Thanks.

 

[bmaverick]

Go with the FX24D, better parts supply.
The FX24D was a flagship in the early F/FX series.
The Yanmar 3TN84 is the flagship engine too.

The YM2420D is a good model, but fewer made.

FX24D

This model did come with an optional mounted toolbox that sits here,

 

[bmaverick]

Is it a big concern that the newer engines do not have liners?

It depends on how you plan to work the machine.

To extend the life of any of the non-liner engines, and even for the liner engines,

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Here is a general list we need to pay attention to,

- Do not let the engine idle below 1200rpms for longer than 10mins max at a time. And the time is with 20mins between.
- Do use 10W30 summer and 5W30 winter for engine oil. Hot summers use SAE straight 30W.
Do not use the heavy thicker 15W40 as it holds the heat longer in the engine. Yanmar makes engines to JIS standards, not SAE. So the cooling oil passages are narrower in metric.
- Do keep the air intake filter clean.
A clogged filter makes the engine work harder and heat builds up within the engine.
- Do keep the radiator and the screen clean.
- Do check the coolant. Do not use extended life coolants in these vintage machines.
- Do start the tractor slightly above idle.
- Do not race the engine from slow to fast and fast to slow.
- Do slow the engine speed down gradually, idle for 15 seconds then turn the engine off.

Some of these tips are from Deere, some are in the Yanmar USA bulletins and some came from the Yanmar JP website before 2018.
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What I learned to extend the engine life and for fuel savings, run the PTO attachments less than the maximum rated 540rpms. Just because the mower or tiller or whatever can run at the maximum speed doesn't mean the job/task needs it.

Example, I have a sandy-ish soil. With the PTO mower, I set the PTO setting in 2. Then I knock down the rpms to be about 480. I can mow very well with the YM2610 in the PowerShift 3-3 or 4-2 without changing anything else. This saves on engine wear and with fuel.