Quote:
Originally Posted by VincentVega
This thread is bad news for my wallet.
I had been looking at an older Kubota but now think a yanmar might do the trick. Not too much $$, simple, parts around... plus JD and others have basically stuck their name on them for a while.  |
Family was in the biz and franchised dealer starting in '58 and with taking on Kubota around '76. Initially, lots of anti-sentiment towards a Japanese made tractor but they ran circles around tractors much larger. The compact size and robust reputation made them big in the states.
Nowadays you've got to be very careful which model to pick - new or used. From John Deere, Kubota to Yanmar, there's lots of crap and over (er' under-) engineered components on them. They have automotive designer mentality in them.
Too many little light duty castings, flimsy lever's, small sealed balljoints, tiny couplings, weak shaft splines, crap fittings, clogging air tunnels, sheet metal guards bits and hardware, plastic, etc.. Once its starts little leaks of oil, they attract dirt and accumulate everything, which clogs them up and hence overheat components.
Parts prices are atrocious. Worse yet, when the machine breaks down, distribution is short on parts. You might wait half a year for some part. This goes for all brands including JOHN DEERE.
My guess is 80% of owners abuse the machines. I lost count on how many trade-ins we took in with the owner pre-washing the tractor thinking we'd believe it was well cared for. First thing we'd do is open the pre-cleaner. Always jammed clogged! Next was the fuel filters. LOL