I hope I'm not hijacking the thread but I am looking at a YM186D with 515 hrs with a Yanmar loader. From what I see here it is a good little tractor. I have a Kubota 4330 for around the farm and I am looking for it to use once in awhile to push snow at a piece of property I have in snow country. I realize a set of chains and some weight will help out with the job and that will depend how much snow there is when I show up. How well do they start in cold weather? Also I am confused with the domestic vs. grey Yanmars. From what I read this is a domestic sold before John Deere had Yanmar build theirs? The Grays are different than the domestic Yanmars and the John Deere’s? Are the domestics easier to get parts for? Do you go to John Deere for parts? After reading this thread I feel good about the tractor but got confused along the line of parts availability and where you get them.
Thanks
Wow! Where to start? If that really has 515 hours I would jump on it. Clean units like in Ducttape's photos are advertised clear up to near $7,000. Considering they were built 1980 to 87(??) I think that's excessive, but they do hold their value if not abused.
Cold starting: should be fine. My 186D sure starts easier than my other, 2 cylinder, Yanmar. My experience so far is just good weather, but the moment I touch the key it is suddenly running smoothly. These have a Thermostart manifold heater (burns a tiny amount of diesel in the intake manifold) intended for snow weather. Cold starting shouldn't be a problem.
Yes, this model was sold in the US when Yanmar had dealers here. I've read it is a twin to the Japan-market YM1510D which is widely imported (used) by gray-market dealers. This US version has a few adaptations to US standards, for example an 'overrun clutch' (ratchet, actually) inside the pto so the inertia of a mower can't push the tractor.
This model is supported by Yanmar-USA and there are still Authorized Parts dealers. But now so many gray market Yanmars have been imported used, that the gray market parts channel is bigger. It's sort of like NAPA for Yanmar with tons of good quality compatible parts. Maybe the best example is that
Fredricks went to a certified US builder of ROPS (rollbars), probably the one who originally supplied Yanmar-USA, and contracted them to provide a full line of OSHA-certified ROPS for nearly every gray market model Yanmar that you will see here. And see the
Hoyetractor website for parts. This active third-party parts channel is your primary support. I like to say that the support is as good as the aftermarket support for Jeeps and VW's.
OEM parts are available from Yanmar-USA for the US Yanmars (but they won't sell to grays).
Forget Deere for support. Many of us have found them unfriendly and unhelpful, even from dealers who once sold Yanmars alongside Deeres 25 years ago.
In summary - many Yanmar models, including this one, have parts support equal or better compared to most American-brand 25 year old tractors. It's simply not a problem.
And I like this particular model. While I bought one that is pretty beat up, it runs like new and is perfectly suited to my use. Summary - Recommended!
I suggest if you get serious about buying that Yanmar, start a new thread in the Yanmar forum here and you will get a lot of good advice. And please post pictures. We love pictures!
