HaroldMcW

I am sure this topic has been beat to death over time, but I am new to the forum (so I apologize in advance), I just purchased 5 acres and need a small tractor to keep it up, I am thinking about a Grey Market tractor due to cost, but am concerned about reliability and the availability of parts. The tractor that I am looking at is a Mitsubishi D2000. Your comments and opinion are appreciated.

mark777

Hello Harold and WELCOME TO TF!

I'll try and list as many of the negatives and benefits as I can think of...this would include ALL Gray Market tractors:

All of the service, maintenance and mechanical repairs will be done by You or and independent diesel repair shop. Dealerships with like tractors do not offer parts support or provide service for the gray market models.

Hard parts (bull gears, shafts, internal seals, engine components and 4WD gears/shims) are not normally *stocked by Gray Market dealers and have to be shipped from Japan OR found through salvaged tractor suppliers.

Nearly all the tractors are between 15 and 30 years old.

"Factory Reconditioned, Refurbished or Like New" tractors is nearly always a Tractor put together from scrap tractors, made to run, repainted, new Zero Hour meters and imported from Vietnam. These same tractor are plagued with mechanical problems, overheating issues and often suffer catastrophic mechanical failures within the first three months...with little or no help from the dealer.

Many models do NOT meet U.S. safety requirements like ROPS-seat belts, PTO safety shields, reverse hand throttle, neutral safety switch and a 3 speed PTO (540,770 and 1000 RPM).

Benefits (Using Yanmar as it's, hands down, the best supported tractor domestically):

Price: Typically imported Yanmars are 1/3 to 1/2 the price of a similarly equipped 'domestic' tractor.

Hours: Most are available at, or under 1000 hours.

Previous Use: With the exception to some dairy farm tractors, all other tractors are used a maximum of twice a year (or 2 weeks)for tilling flooded rice paddies in preparation for new season rice planting.

Parts: All of the better dealers (UTDA) only import the most popular, best supported and readily available parts supported YM, F and FX series models. Many have in-stock items, normal maintenance items, and in some emergency situations can overnight items to your door step.

UTDA Support: All of the many UTDA or United Tractor Dealers of America will NOT sell a Yanmar without ROPS-seat belts, neutral safety switch, PTO shield and ORC (Over-run PTO coupler).

Warranty: The above dealers, who are the most honest, well respected and have long term established businesses, also offer a 6 month engine, transmission, hydraulics and 3PH warranty.

Delivery: These same dealers offer a delivery service for perspective buyers who are remotely located and can't locate a nearby dealer.

I have had many, but currently own 4 yanmars of various sizes and have never needed anything other than normal maintenance items. I've also had Yanmars in my shop, in poor condition that needed immediate parts and shipped to me in less than a week.

Hope this helps.

Mark