Well, I did it

[Mickey]

From my Gray Market thread some migh know I've been looking at getting a CUT. Well today I bit the bullet and bought the Yanmar Fx24D I had looked at a week or so ago. It will be delivered tomorrow. The bucket was mounted yesterday and still needs the fluid added to the rear tires.

Got around to really "kicking tires" with todays visit. Last time it was just looking real close and taking notes.

Tractor started like a gas engine, fast and no glow plug use. The install of the bucket was very professional, all the plumbing done very orderly. Noted several little things that took me be surprise. There is a "creep" gear and talk about s-l-o-w, had the engine at about 1500rpm and was moving so slow I had to find a several reference points to observe to see if there was any movement, yep about as fast as a snail. Was also plesently surprised with the power shift that when I was backing up a slight incline, when I pushed in the clutch, the brakes were applied, kept the tractor from rolling back down the incline.

Will know in the coming months if I made a good decision or not.

Took my BIL with me and he is ready to swap his Kabota for one of these. His Kabota doesn't have quick disconnect for the bucket and no fuel gauge. BIL is the kind that has to keep up with the Jones so we'll have to see if he was serious. He is vehicle poor. 3 trucks, several cars, 2 boats, motorhome and 5th wheel trailer. :fing20: :fing20:

Mark, bought this from Ernie. I'm liking him more and more each time I've communicated with him. He emailed earlier this week telling me he was mounted the bucket yesterday. He was also going to hold the tractor until I was able to get over there this week. Looks like he as sold 3 of these gray market Yanmars this week. He also has a container coming in shortly. Was somewhat surprised he didn't want any money until he delivered the tractor.

[chrpmaster]

Congratualtions!! that sounds like a very nice tractor! :fing32:

What did it cost you?

Andy

[jodyand]

Congrats i think you got a very nice one and will enjoy every min playing i mean working with it. :fing20:

[MowHoward2210]

:ditto: Hope you can post some pics, too.

[jdkubotamurray]

:ditto:

[Mickey]

Congratualtions!! that sounds like a very nice tractor! :fing32:

What did it cost you?

Andy

Andy I'm a very private person whe it come to finances. I will say I saw a couple of the same model on the net with a bucket for $12-13k. I get a new preminum bucket and a new 5' "brush hog" for quite a bit less. Tractor has 1k hrs on the meter.

Thanks for the nice posts guys.

Will take and post a few pics in a few days. I did post a pic or two in the "gray market" thread but no bucket or mower on at that time.

The pasture could use a mowing again. Wonder if I should use the Cub or the Yanmar, Humm! ROF ROF ROF

[mark777]

Mickey,

I can't think of a reason you'd be dissapointed with the performance of that machine. I especially like the more modern (contemporary) look and room on the operator platform. I'm glad it was Ernie and you that made the transaction as he will take care of you in the years to come.

Congratulations! I want to see pix and here updates of the tractors capabilities....just like everyone else :).

Regards, Mark

[USN_ED]

Congrats on the tractor Mickey. Sounds like ya got a good tractor. Didn't you or someone else post a picture of a Yanmar Fx24D the other day? Anyway, enjoy your new toy.

[draddogs]

Congrats on the new purchase Mickey. It seems that doing ones homework takes a lot of the guess work out. Your Yanmar should meet your requiements and beyond. Good luk and I can hear that grass in the pasture whispering Yannmar.

[Mickey]

Since several asked, here's a pic of the whole shebang.

[Mickey]

And 2 more of the cockpit area.

[mark777]

Mickey, Nice pictures, good looking rig.

I'd like to hear about the tractor meeting your expectations, any shortcomings and in general what you have and can do with the tractor. Maybe even a basis for comparison with other tractors you've owned or operated.

A couple of weeks or hours on the tractor and you should have a pretty good idea. Happy tractoring and hope to hear more about it.

Regards, Mark

[Argee]

What's the PTO HP on that Mickey??

[Mickey]

What's the PTO HP on that Mickey??
For the Yanmar's the first 2 digits are the PTO HP. So this one is 24, gross HP is about 28. Engine displacement is 1.46L/89 CI.

As for size, the rear fenders comes up just above my elbow. Slightly over 6' to top of the muffler tip. While it has glow plugs they don't seem to be needed this time of yr. This AM it started in about 2 sec without the GP's.

Made mention in one post about the creep gear. Was able to translate the Japanese label and see in the very lowest gear combination the speed at full engine speed is .11mph, that's 580'/hr. Now that's what I call SLOW. Have no idea what something that low would be used for.

Mark, I have already formed some opinions and will post them in another message. Most likely tomorrow.

[Mickey]

[QUOTE=mark777
I'd like to hear about the tractor meeting your expectations, any shortcomings and in general what you have and can do with the tractor. Maybe even a basis for comparison with other tractors you've owned or operated.

A couple of weeks or hours on the tractor and you should have a pretty good idea. Happy tractoring and hope to hear more about it.

Regards, Mark[/QUOTE]
Here are a few initial comments.

I wish I new how to read Japanese as I'm sure there is a lot of useful info on all of the labels and the manual (Murray Publishing) has only touched on the most obvious controls. Oh, while mentioning, there wasn't much proof reading of the manual before publishing as there are a lot of errors noted. I also wish there was some mention in the manual as to the filter numbers for all the various filters, 4 in total I think.

I'm impressed with how easily the engine starts. Have yet to need to use the glow plugs.

The tractor is a little close coupled in the cockpit area. Getting on/off is not as easy as I would like. Once on, there is adequate seating for my 5'8" frame but with the seat being nestled in between and sort of recessed between the fenders it's not a straight shot across the transmission and past the steering wheel.

I do like the hyd adjmt for the right 3pt arm. Makes leveling a implement a breeze. Don't see this a being used much but when there is a need to adj the tilt, it's all done from the seat.

I love the power shift. I'm sure we all have from time to time found the need to change a gear when working in the field. Normally that means stopping, changing gears and then go again. Shortly, one would like to return to the first gear setting and it's stop again. Not with the power shift, changing gears is as easy as one would do in an auto with a AT. No clutching needed. I don't suggest one does shift without using the clutch if there is much of a load on the trans at the time.

Found it surprising that the large tail light housings are in reality just reflectors. With hi/lo beams, turn signals and a horn, why no tail lights?

It's going to take some use to get used to the single control for the bucket. Once you are used to this I'm sure using both movements at the same time will seems natural and quite smooth.

I did do some mowing yesterday and wish this tractor had a double stage clutch. Single stage clutches sort of require one to get a "running start" when using a brush hog. It's just different than what I has on my MF165 and the Kabota I've been using for several yrs.

I guess that is all for my initial comments.

[mark777]

I have heard the same complaint about the rear reflectors...and remember someone adding LED's to the exisiting framework behind new lenses, and wired to the headlight switch. I don't think a relay or fuse is necessary as they draw fractional amperage.

The power shift is a great match with 4WD and FEL.

Mark