"Purchased Yanmar YM146 in nov of 2012, tractor is an 1983, decent shape, seems to run strong and clean, little diesel smoke. the negative is finding parts and someone with knowledge of the machine."

"One of the very best tractors ever made. Back when I bought it about 1986-7 Yanmar was building John Deeres' diesels in Japan. There are features on this tractor that comparable Yanmar-built Deere's didn't have, like the "instant" diesel ignition and the "shuttle-shift" transmission - all for about 70% of the price of the same size Deere. The build-quality is fantastic. Solid, straight-forward, and not overly-complicated. In the 23 or so years I've owned this tractor, other than maintenance items like filters, oil, and mowing blades & belts the only 3 items I've ever replaced are one voltage regulator, one idler/tension shive on the mowing deck & a new seat. The only short-coming of this tractor - outside of Yamar's non-presence in this country anymore, is the fact that is a "garden" tractor with a 0-Category hitch. Rear PTOs and rear "lift kits" for this tractor were options from Yanmar and were discontinued many years ago. So while 0-Cat complements are still available from aftermarket manufacturers, without a valuable-as-gold and harder-to-find-than-hen's-teeth, Yanmar rear PTO and Yanmar rear lift-kit on your buggy . . . you're dead in the water for rear-drive implements. "