[AT] Jap tractors

[Mike Sloane]

The New Holland tractor and farm equipment dealership where I used to 
work until this June was an authorized Yanmar dealer for excavators and 
loaders, and they were well supported. But aside from filters, they 
rarely needed any servicing. The machines we sold differed slightly from 
the Japanese versions in having US specified ROPS and other safety 
hardware and markings. The excavators were nice to operate - virtually 
every operation, except track movement and boom swing (foot pedals), was 
done with two joysticks and very light on the touch. I was told the 
engines were similar to the JD compact tractor engines, but I don't know 
about the rest of the JD running gear. We had a few requests for parts 
for Yanmar tractors but were unable to locate any (although the parts 
guys didn't try at all after they found that the machines were gray market).

Mike

HaliganBar at aol.com wrote:

> The explanation I got was that Yanmar stopped selling tractors under their 
> name in the US when they entered into the agreement with JD. Apparently it was 
> part of a non-compete clause of the contract. I know people who purchased 
> Yanmar stuff prior to the JD deal and they are very happy with them. I've also 
> recently noticed Yanmar mini-excavators around. Not sure if they are gray-market 
> or if they are not included in the JD deal.
> 
> Karl
> 
> 
> In a message dated 11/7/04 9:46:37 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
> mikesloane at verizon.net writes:
> 
> 
>>The main problem with most of them is that parts are virtually 
>>impossible to obtain. Shibaura makes the engines and drivetrains for the 
>>New Holland and Case IH lines of compact tractors. Yanmar are excellent 
>>machines (hydraulic excavators and articulated loaders), but they have 
>>not sold tractors in the US for several years.
>>
>>I am sure there is a market, but I don't think that you will find a long 
>>term proposition after the word gets around that you are selling "gray 
>>market" stuff. Yanmar is one company that goes after gray market dealers 
>>with legal action, but I don't know about the others. (Yanmar runs full 
>>page ads in the construction magazines warning people not to buy gray 
>>market tractors.). For one think, they don't usually meet most the 
>>various US safety codes, so you could find yourself legally liable if 
>>there were damages resulting lack of one or more safety features.
>>
>>I think you need to do a little more research before you invest any of 
>>your own money in such a proposition.
>>
>>Mike
>>
>>bwhdon wrote:
>>
>>
>>>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
>>>
>>>
>>>_______________________________________________
>>>AT mailing list
>>>http://www.antique-tractor.com/mailman/listinfo/at
>>>
>>
>>-- 
>>Mike Sloane
>>Allamuchy NJ
>>mikesloane at verizon.net
>>Images: <www.fotki.com/mikesloane>
>>
>>The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always 
>>so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts. -Bertrand
>>Russell, philosopher, mathematician, author, Nobel laureate (1872-1970)
>>_______________________________________________
>>AT mailing list
>>http://www.antique-tractor.com/mailman/listinfo/at
>>
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> AT mailing list
> http://www.antique-tractor.com/mailman/listinfo/at
> 

-- 
Mike Sloane
Allamuchy NJ
mikesloane at verizon.net
Images: <www.fotki.com/mikesloane>

The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always 
so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts. -Bertrand
Russell, philosopher, mathematician, author, Nobel laureate (1872-1970)