Best & Worst Yanmar Tractor Models

Updated 2025

We get asked this question a lot and here are my personal recommendations based on over 25 years of selling, using, and working on Yanmar tractors. 

Note #1: This is article is not talking about any of the newer 2006+ models that were sold new in the USA. We might add those in a future version of this article if anyone is interested.

Note #2: All of these models mentioned will also include the "D" version (D indicates 4wd... all Yanmar tractors are diesel). 

Yanmar '00 Series
If you want rugged durability and ultra simplicity then it is hard to beat the "00" series Yanmar. These models include the YM1500, YM1700, YM2000, YM2500, YM3000. These models are absolute no-frills workhorses. Everything is mechanical and very easy to work on with very little mechanical experience. You can see and touch almost every part of the machine. Nothing is hidden behind shields or cosmetic panels. There is also a YM2200, YM2700, YM1600 and YM1900 which are still great tractors but they do not share many parts with any other Yanmars so some parts may be extremely hard to find.  

The Highs:

• Ultra-Simple design. You can work on them easily with just a service manual.  
• No electronics. You need 12v to turn the starter over but, after that, the tractor will run all day with ZERO wires. 

The Lows:

• YM1500, YM1600, YM1700 did not come with a water pump so overheating in the summer is a concern. They are very good tractors but you should really add a temperature gauge to monitor your temps. 
• Almost no creature comforts. You get a seat, tachometer, and warning lights to tell you when you have low oil or overheating. Dis we mention that we do strongly recommend adding a mechanical temperature gauge to prevent serious damage from engine overheating? 

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Yanmar '10 Series
Next in line is the "10" series Yanmar which includes the YM1510, YM1610, YM1810, YM2010, YM2210, YM2310, YM2610, and YM3110. These models improve on the popular "00" platform by adding Yanmar's ultra-durable powershift transmission. The "10" series includes my favorite Yanmar - YM2210D. The YM2210 is extremely overbuilt for the horsepower. All of the axle shafts and gears are much larger than other tractors of its size. The 2 cylinder engine in this tractor just slowly chugs away without problems. If you need a simple, reliable, near-indestructible tractor... the YM2210D is the model to get. 

The Highs:

• Powershift transmission is amazing and very durable.
• Ultra-Simple design. You can still work on them easily with just a service manual.  
• No electronics. You need 12v to turn the starter over but, after that, the tractor will run all day with ZERO wires. 

The Lows:

• YM1510D 4wd axle has a couple gears that are very hard to find if you run the 4wd out of oil or abuse it. 
• Some '10 series models do have a temp gauge but most do not.  

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YM '02 Series
The YM "02" series are exactly the same as the YM "20" series below only without the powershift transmission. The '02 series have a regular mechanical transmission. The '20 series have a powershift. We are going to group them all below. 

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YM '20 Series (and '02 series)
The YM "20" series tractors start to get into a little more complicated machine. This includes models like the YM1720, YM1820, YM2020, YM2220, YM2820, YM3220. These models start to add a little (not much) more electronics which can be harder to troubleshoot but still very easy to work on. Some '20 series do not have replaceable engine sleeves which can require a trip to the engine machine shop if you need an engine overhaul. The '20 series get wet brakes which is a nice touch. Wet brakes are simply brake discs that are submerged in the transmission's oil and, typically, never wear out. Some '20 series use a solenoid so that you can shut off the tractor with the key instead of pulling on a 'kill cable' to stop the engine. These solenoids can be prone to failure and are virtually impossible to get new. Luckily you can still access the external shutoff lever to attach a manual cable if yours fails. 

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YM F & FX Series
The Yanmar F series tractors start to get more complicated. These start to really add creature comforts at the expense of durability and serviceability. The F series come in 2 variations. The standard F which features a standard gear transmission and the FX which has the powershift transmission. All of the F and FX models are the same except for the transmission except for the F16 and FX16 which has many other differences besides the transmission. The 2 digit F series like the F16, F20, F22, F24, F26, F32 are less complex with the 3 digit like the FX215 get much more complex. The 2 digit F series are VERY susceptible to engine damage if they are overheated. If you overheat these engines they will warp or get egg shaped cylinders and are very expensive to fix due to the added complexity of the engine.  The weak link on the 2 digit F series drivetrain is the rear ring gear. If you drive on sticky surfaces like asphalt with the diff-lock engaged or if you get stuck and press down the differential lock pedal when one tire is spinning you will very likely break your ring gear.  Most F series use the same engine shutoff solenoid as the '20 series (read about that above).  Many of the 3 digit models have electronic controlled 3 point valves which cause problems and are almost impossible to troubleshoot since none of the manuals are in English and they use integrated circuits to control them. We strongly recommend staying away from the 3 digit F series unless you are an experienced electronics troubleshooter. 

So what models would I avoid if I were buying an older Yanmar tractor?  I would, 100%, avoid any of the 3 digit F series. I would avoid any of the 2 digit F series if there was ANY indication of hard starting (indicating possible low compression issues). I would avoid any of the turbo YM or F series models. The turbo models are usually worked harder in Japan before they get here and, in my experience, they have more compression & wear issues than the naturally aspirated. There are some weird models like the YM350 and other models that are Korean versions and extremely hard to get parts for. Basically, if you don't see your Yanmar model in our list of tractors at the top of our website- I would avoid it. 

If you are looking at buying a tractor, email me and I will be happy to let you know what I think of that model.  Again, this is only my OPINION but is based on my 25 years of selling, working with, and working on Yanmar tractors.