Yanmar 1500

[steve42]

OK, it may be time for me to start getting serious about tractors.

As you may know, I have two oft-in-need-of-service JD lawn tractors which I use to mow my 1.5 acres of lawn.

The other two acres have been out of my hands as they have been covered with a stand of Mimosas that we have been unable to get rid of.

Well, it appears that I may be trading out some services to get my "wilderness" cleared. This guy has one of those big machines that has the rotating spiked drum that will cut down and mulch anything in its path up to an 18" diameter. One that is accomplished, we will be planting some sort of pasture grass in the area, and we will need to keep it mowed both to cut down on varmints and to keep the mimosa roots from providing us with a new problem. Rumor has it you have to keep mowing mimosas down for several years before the roots exhaust themselves.

Soooo.... I'm looking at compact tractors.

There's a dealer in Montevallo, Alabama (about 40 miles from my house) who lists Yanmar 1500s for $3080 including a free tiller attachment. He states that "all tractors are completely serviced with a new battery and a 200# front bumper weight". Of course, I don't need the tiller. I need a rotary cutter, so I may try to bargain with him. 30 day guarantee is included, 2 year warranty is available for a price.

I know that some of you are really up on these tractors...

Is this a good price, considering they can service them as well? Should I consider this, or do I need more of a machine than this? He also carries 2000 and 1610D models, but I would not be able to buy one of these as quickly.

The website is http://www.yanmartractor.com/tractorindex.html

Thanks,

Steve

[cadurning]

I can't advise on pricing but I can say that that the YM1500 is a tough little tractor. My SIL has one and has never given him a moments trouble on his hobby farm. His only complaint is that it is just too light weight. There are times that he must borrow a friends tractor to do serious sod busting. But for general cultivating and bush hogging the tall weeds it works great.

[mark777]

Steve,

His prices seem fair. The YM1500 is 17 engine HP, 1500lbs and 102" long. It is a two cylinder with thermal-syphon cooling - not a bad thing but the waterpump models run cooler (especially down here) and are trouble free for many years.

The YM1610 is 20 engine HP, 1 pound lighter (100 lbs more for the "D" model 4WD), 3 cylinder with water pump cooling. It runs considerably smoother, has shuttle shift transmission and makes for an ideal model with FEL attachment and runs cool enough to bush hog all day long.

The YM2000, also a 2 cylinder is probably the strongest (torque wise) of the three models you mentioned. And it is also water pump cooled. It weighs more (1664 lbs) is 5" longer than the other models with 22 engine HP.

Tillers usually cost about $100. a foot for good used with no broken/worn splines...if that helps you while negotiating.

One thing that you didn't mention were the hours on these units....although they often go 4-6 thousand hours before a major overhaul, I would not consider any of these if they are above 1000 hours.

Hope this helps, Mark

[steve42]

Thanks. It does help.

I called the guy and he said that he is waiting for "the guy" to make some changes to the site because he is now required to put ROPS on the tractors, so the prices are changed. If "the guy" doesn't do it soon, I may offer my services to update him!

He asked me what I need to do with the tractor and promised to look at his inventory and try to work up something in my price range with a bush hog included, since I have no use for a tiller. I didn't mention the hours to him, but I'll bear that in mind when he calls me back.

[Mickey]

Mark beat me to it but he summed it up pretty good. Me I'd prefer the 3 cyl 1610D for the engine and the power shift is a real added feature. Oh, the 1610 is right at 25 yrs old. Depeding upon cond the tiller could be worth $300-$500. This could help with with a little horse trading for a rotory mower. For the 1610 size model and depending upon "grass" condition, I'd look for a 4' model mower. Many/most of these gray market tractors came with the tiller so dealer doesn't have much invested so you're not likely going to get anwhere near real value on the tiller swap as mower is most likely new US model.

Agree with mark on the hrs and would need to give it a real close insp, trans & pto all work and are quiet in all ranges. Power shift doesn't req the use of the clutch to shift between gears and you need to make sure it's working well.

These are good tough little tractors.

[mark777]

Thanks. It does help.

I called the guy and he said that he is waiting for "the guy" to make some changes to the site because he is now required to put ROPS on the tractors, so the prices are changed. .

That doesn't sound quite right. There is no requirement for ROP's that I am aware of....It's an option (and a very good one). Consider the price to increase $750. - $850. per tractor for a certified ROP's and seat belt install. If that is not in the budget, and the dealer won't sell without the options...then there are other dealers that will. BUT a ROP'S is a great option to have if you can swing it...and if not, it would be a high priority to add one ASAP.

Mark


***edit*** Mickey just said what I was just thinking about :).

[steve42]

That doesn't sound quite right. There is no requirement for ROP's that I am aware of....It's an option (and a very good one). Consider the price to increase $750. - $850. per tractor for a certified ROP's and seat belt install. If that is not in the budget, and the dealer won't sell without the options...then there are other dealers that will. BUT a ROP'S is a great option to have if you can swing it...and if not, it would be a high priority to add one ASAP.

Mark


***edit*** Mickey just said what I was just thinking about :).

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. Because my land is nearly level, rollover is not a major concern of mine, but it is a feature I would prefer to add soon if not at purchase.

I found out about another dealer here in Alabama, Barnett Tractor Company (http://home.hiwaay.net/~bbarnett/), that may be another potential source. Anybody know them?

[Mickey]

Mark


***edit*** Mickey just said what I was just thinking about :).
What was that Mark? My statement that I agreed with you? ROF

[mark777]

ROF ...actually the part about 4' implements behind a 1610, and the tiller part of your statement. Although a 5' finish mower would not be a problem for any 19-20 HP diesel.

Steve,

I've only heard the name Barnett, but don't know anything about them.

[BruceR]

Steve,
Is Tullahoma Tractor in Tennesee too far away ? They list their 1500 at $2450 and a 1510 ( 3 cyl. powershift ) for $3350.

Bruce

[steve42]

Steve,
Is Tullahoma Tractor in Tennesee too far away ? They list their 1500 at $2450 and a 1510 ( 3 cyl. powershift ) for $3350.

Bruce

It's about 4 1/2 hours away. Barnett is an hour closer. I'd do it for a good deal. Do you know the folks in Tullahoma?

[BruceR]

Steve,
I don't know the folks in Tullahoma but I have heard nothing but good about them on other sites. I have been considering the drive over there myself.

Bruce

[LMTC]

Mark, et al...there is a "requirement" for ROPS if you are just a reseller, and the importer supplying you decided to sell only with ROPS. I applaud that decision, and we are in the process of going that route. OSHA certified ROPS have just become available for most of these units in the past couple months. Flat ground does not mean a ROPS is unnecessary. Do some searches about rear rollover, esp. while pulling something from a 3 pt. drawbar (which we quit selling years ago because of the danger) rather than a frame mounted drawbar.

Ask about his warranty. Email me for a quote on a delivered 1500 (with ROPS).

[mark777]

Mark, et al...there is a "requirement" for ROPS if you are just a reseller, and the importer supplying you decided to sell only with ROPS. I applaud that decision, and we are in the process of going that route. OSHA certified ROPS have just become available for most of these units in the past couple months. Flat ground does not mean a ROPS is unnecessary. Do some searches about rear rollover, esp. while pulling something from a 3 pt. drawbar (which we quit selling years ago because of the danger) rather than a frame mounted drawbar.

Ask about his warranty. Email me for a quote on a delivered 1500 (with ROPS).


Hello Wayne,

Always good to hear the facts from a nationwide grey market tractor dealer. Don't be a stranger.

Mark

[BruceR]

Hi Wayne,

Does that sale price on your 1700B include delivery to texas ? :fing32:
Don't be a stranger,
Bruce

[LMTC]

Bruce, you might be surprised at how little delivery can be. Given a 4-6 week window to catch a ride on a partial load already going that way, we could get it to your county seat (Tyler, TX) for about $600.

However, the short answer is "No", the posted price does not include shipping to Texas. We are NOT that shady portion of the market :tsk: that makes all kinds of promises we all know are too good to be true.

[BruceR]

Sorry Wayne,
Just pulling your leg. Given Steve42's initial price quote on a 1500, that 1700B is looking even better. I did covet it and considered the drive up before I found my 2000B. As much as I would like to add it to the stable, I don't think my CFO would understand. I had a hard enough time convincing her I need a YM1100 or YM1300 to dedicate to finish mowing.

The "B" models have so much more than just dashboard gauges and more footroom to offer over a regular YM. I just still can't belive that someone hasn't snapped that thing up yet. I may be calling about one of those 48" finish mowers sometime in the future though.

Take Care,
Bruce