[AT] Jap tractors

[Mike Sloane]

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
> 
> 
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-- 
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)