Buying Advice YM1600

[romoshka]

My father-in- law is a collector of the post-depression era type. We recently purchased the house/property that he lived in prior to moving into the city and the extensive "collection" of stuff remains and will do so (IAW the agreement) as long as he wishes it to. Among the 'stuff' is a Yanmar 1600 which is complete but has not run in the 3 years that I have known him and his daughter (my new bride) . In the brief research I have done on this tractor it appears as if it is quite old and not a model that was sold new in the US. Is this correct? But my real question is if I undertake to return this machine to functional status will parts be available?

 

[careyo63]

Welcome!
Hoye who's add is at the top should have it all. Just click on parts and 1600. There the biggest parts dist. I'm just next door in Ga. Even though your in SC. Steve at Spalding would be the Closest Reputable Dealer. Fredricks Equipment is in Al. also Biggest US importer. Delt with them on equipment and parts. Between them all parts and support shouldn't be an issue. If it hasn't run in yrs. Change the Oil and filter. Replace the Fuel and Fuel filter and bleed the Lines. Change the Air Filter. Make sure the battery is good and my bet it Runs. After getting use to it your love it. :thumbsup:

 

[romoshka]

Hey - thanks for the response. I am completely ignorant of diesel but have some friends with diesel knowledge and one that is a Caterpillar certified, school trained, honest injun diesel mechanic so I hope I can him involved.

Have noted the dealers you have mentioned

Thanks again

Steve

 

[284 International]

If the tractor worked when it was stored, it will work again. Change the fluids, lube everything, bleed the fuel system, then install a new battery and fire it up. It will run. The 1600 is generally less desirable, I have read, and parts availability isn't reportedly as good, but it is a matter of perspective and definitions: Walmart or any auto parts store will have the fluids and oil filter you need. Air filters are readily available from Hoye, LMTC, and others. Belts are belts, and there isn't a water pump to go bad. The generator is readily convertible to an alternator, but electricity is only used to turn the starter motor, so a charging system isn't even necessary. Tires are tires. The clutch and major engine parts (bearings, pistons injectors, pump, etc) are interchangeable with the YM2000, possibly the best supported gray market tractor around, as is the hydraulic pump.

So, from my perspective, what is there to go wrong? Internal transmission gears perhaps? Physical breakage of a casting? Those would seem to pretty much end the usefulness of the tractor beyond financially feasible repair,
whatever make or model of 30 year old machine.

If it was functional or at all close, you should be able to get the machine up and working for a few hundred dollars. A wise person would budget an extra hundred or two and get the radiator professionally redone.

 

[California]

Only 3 years since it ran? If FIL used it up til then, just charge (or jump) the battery and it will start right up. It doesn't know it's been 3 years. Diesels don't have the parts which are troublesome on a gas engine.

Changing the oil and filter are a good idea after you determine it runs properly. Beyond that, it shouldn't need anything more than what its maintenance schedule calls for.

I would definitely begin the start process by cranking using the compression release (in front of your left knee on similar models - take a look at the linkage from the engine) until the oil light goes out. This is to circulate oil with no compression stress, and also to assure that any moisture is purged from the cylinders.

Then try the Thermostart (manifold heater) for a few seconds. Either crank the key left or (old models) press the TS button on the dash. Then Yanmar says set full throttle, crank it, and pull back to 1500 rpm as soon as it fires.

That thing may look abandoned but I'll bet it will simply resume life where it left off.

 

[romoshka]

Thanks for the response - not sure if FIL ever used it or how long since it last ran as it may be just another piece of his ever-growing 'collection" of stuff. I have delayed talking to him about it until I determine if its worth the effort or should I look to return-to-service one of the other 3 tractors that adorn the back lot.

Your advice is printed and will use it when/if I get permission to work on it.

Thanks again

Steve

 

[284 International]

What are your other options for fixer-uppers?

If the tractor complete, and is of a reasonable size for your tasks and implements, it seems worth investigating tonput into service. Family dynamics are a whole different animal, and I have no input on that.

 

[California]

... Family dynamics are a whole different animal, and I have no input on that.

Amen bro. I read of the 'collection' Romoshka is facing and shuddered with flashbacks. Clearing out the estates of my Dad, inlaws, then Mom exhausted most of my remaining sanity.

Literally - I'm not exaggerating - there are several charities who have told me they can't use another trailerload of the stuff I've tried to donate to them. I've been moving Dad's stuff out of the ranch for 12 years now and I still bring back a carload of things I can't use from there on some weeks. He had inherited the estates of at least three Depression-survivor hoarders that I know of, brought it *all* to the ranch, never discarded anything. A true child of the Depression. All low-value stuff; my favorite used-tool store won't take any more items in trade on their stuff that I could use. In the early years I discarded junk like rolls of insulation stored under the house contaminated with ivy and mouse nests that went to the dump. I even bought a trailer specifically to begin the ranch cleanout. (photo). After finally making some free space I was down to stuff of some minimal value like dozens of spark plug sockets and spokeshaves, where it was worth the trouble to sort and keep a few. I'm still working off the stock of light bulbs. I kept the stuff I thought I might eventually use, for example for the first time Saturday I opened a cigar box labelled 'Sprayer Parts - 1983' and found the exact spray tip I needed to replace one that shot off into the weeds.

Romoshka: heed my warning - even if you are bound to not discard stuff now, at least sort out the few keepers to get a head start on the process. Doing that at the inlaws, I found several uncashed checks for insurance overpayments etc. so I actually was helping them, as I went through all the junk they had moved off the dining table to ever-growing sliding piles in the garage. For Mom, I years ago agreed to help clean out her house every few years if she authorized an explicit budget of not over $50 of 'treasures' lost or mistakenly given away. She only called my bluff once, and the item I was accused of giving away turned up at the next housecleaning. After she was gone it only took 10 months to get all the stuff out of there to the recipients she had designated for each item. I don't envy you ...

 

[romoshka]

As to presorting the 'collection': if the F-I-L didn't return several times a week to survey and search for that 1983 sprayer tip or some similarly obscure item I might be able to do some sorting but since he does, I can't. :laughing:

Now I am am doing some general clearing of various "piles" and in moving some "things' to the back corner of the property I stumbled (I continually stumble onto new things as he keeps bringing stuff) onto a Yanmar RS1200 tiller that looks to be in pretty good shape - will this implement attach to the 1600 as is or will it require some mods. (I have a full machine shop and am a competent welder.)

There are 3 other tractors back there also. 1 is a Farmall 100 but I can't tell what the other 2 are. Is it permissible to post photos and ask for ID help and whether they are worth trying to return to service?

 

[Johndeere3720]

As to presorting the 'collection': if the F-I-L didn't return several times a week to survey and search for that 1983 sprayer tip or some similarly obscure item I might be able to do some sorting but since he does, I can't. :laughing:

Now I am am doing some general clearing of various "piles" and in moving some "things' to the back corner of the property I stumbled (I continually stumble onto new things as he keeps bringing stuff) onto a Yanmar RS1200 tiller that looks to be in pretty good shape - will this implement attach to the 1600 as is or will it require some mods. (I have a full machine shop and am a competent welder.)

There are 3 other tractors back there also. 1 is a Farmall 100 but I can't tell what the other 2 are. Is it permissible to post photos and ask for ID help and whether they are worth trying to return to service?

Sounds like a fun place to me. :laughing: The tiller should already fit the Yanmar, in fact I bet it came with that tractor when he bought it. The last question, well lets just say people around here LOVE it when you post pictures of tractors. :laughing: I will even post a picture of the old Yanmar YM169D I used to have, it was the best first tractor i could have asked for. :thumbsup: