[AT] Jap tractors

[Gerald Johnson]

These are what are commonly known as "gray market" tractors....made for the
Japanese market and then shipped here after they are used over there for a
few years.  I have been told that the Japanese tax laws heavily encourage
the purchase of new equipment and disposal of old equipment every few years
and this is why there are so many of the used ones available.  I have talked
to several dealers about these and was told that most of them were used in
rice farming....in wet conditions....indicating (at least according to
competing dealers) that there may be problems with water or mud being in the
internals of the machines  Don't know if this is true or not....just what I
heard.  I also know that getting parts is not that easy sometimes.   As far
as Yanmar, they have been the manufacturer of the smaller John Deere
tractors for years....good machines.  Yanmar is (or was?) also marketed in
this country under its own name brand and is a good machine.  I have had one
of the 650 John Deere Yanmars for years and could not ask for a better small
tractor.   I think there are also some Kubotas imported this way.  The
problem is that you will not be able to go to your local Kubota or Yanmar
dealer and get parts for a gray market machine....or so I hear.  As far as a
market, here in Western North Carolina, there is a dealer known as Corriher
Tractor (aka   OK Tractor) that has imported thousands of them in the last
few years along with the small track hoe excavators and seems to do fairly
well selling them.  These folks also apparently part out some of the more
worn tractors so that they can offer parts to their customers.  Also, some
of the larger machinery auction companies in the southeast like Kissimmee
(sp) usually sell 20 or 30 of them at each of their auctions.  I have seen
them sell anywhere from $1000 for the 2wd on up to $4K for the smaller 4wd
models.  It all depends on model and condition.  Some look pretty good and
some are junk.   I am far from an expert on these but if you will do a
search on Google under gray market tractors you will likely find alot more
information.  At one time there were some websites dedicated just to this
type of tractor and how to find parts.

Hope this has been of help..

Gerald
Western North Carolina


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "bwhdon" <acton at onramp.bz>
To: "Antique tractor email discussion group" <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Sunday, November 07, 2004 9:09 AM
Subject: [AT] Jap tractors


> any of you folks know any thing about Shibaura, Mitsubishi, Yanmar
tractors
> or have one ?  I have been approached by a fella that buys jap
reconditoined
> units from japan and sells them , suppose to be like new and about 1/2
price
> of the new . most are in the 8k range 20-34 hp 4 wheel drive with a loader
> and 3pt.. he wanted to know if there would be a market in my area and
might
> take me on as a area seller.  I don't know the tractors or there quality
and
> work capabilities . Any thoughts on these tractors?
>
> Don
>
>
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