Both compact · same Yanmar lineup
Yanmar YM225 vs Yanmar YM232
| Spec | Yanmar YM225 | Yanmar YM232 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$22,199 | ~$24,999 |
| What that price is | dealer list, not MSRP | dealer list, not MSRP |
| Size class | Compact | Compact |
| Transmission | Shuttle | Shuttle |
| Engine hp | 24.4 hp | 31.8 hp |
| PTO hp | 18.5 hp | 25.5 hp |
| Loader lift | 1,500 lbsat the pivot pin | 1,500 lbsat the pivot pin |
| Three-point lift | 2,205 lbsat the ball ends | 2,205 lbsat the ball ends |
| Hydraulic flow | 10.0 GPM | 10.9 GPM |
| Drive | 4WD | 4WD |
| Engine | Yanmar | Yanmar |
| Weight | 2,800 lbs | 2,800 lbs |
| Fuel tank | 10.5 gal | 10.5 gal |
| 4WD | Yes | Yes |
| Front loader | Yes | Yes |
| Cab available | No | No |
| Hydrostatic | No | No |
| Power steering | Yes | Yes |
| Cruise control | No | No |
| Warranty | 10 yr / 3000 hr powertrain | 10 yr / 3000 hr powertrain |
A highlighted cell wins its row on the rule named above the table: more power, lift, capacity or flow, or a lower price. A lift row is left unwon whenever the two makers measured in different places, or where either of them did not say — a figure quoted at the pivot pin and one quoted 500 mm ahead of it describe the same loader and differ by roughly a third, so ranking them against each other would invent a result. Prices are typical list and move with dealer packages.
From owner discussion and long-term write-ups
What owners of each one say
Yanmar YM225
What they like
- 1,500 lb loader lift at the pivot pin clears the sub-compact SA425 by 300 lb for roughly $800 more on the sticker
- 24.4 hp keeps it a whisker under the 25 hp line, so no diesel particulate filter and no regeneration cycles
- 10.5-gallon tank is nearly double the SA series' 6.1 gallons, which is the difference between a full working day and a fuel stop
- Column-mounted synchronized reverser puts direction changes at hand height rather than on a floor lever, which counts on repetitive loader cycles
- 2,205 lb 3-point capacity at the ball ends is well ahead of what 24 hp would suggest, so Category 1 implements are not the limiting factor
- 10-year / 3,000-hour powertrain warranty carries across the whole Yanmar line, including this entry model
What they complain about
- No hydrostatic option anywhere on the YM2 platform, so fine inching in tight spaces is harder than on an SA425 or a Kubota BX
- 18.5 PTO hp from 24.4 gross is about a 24% drivetrain loss, leaving thin headroom for a 60-inch rotary cutter in heavy grass
- The PTO is transmission-driven through an overrunning clutch rather than independent, so declutching stops the implement
- Yanmar lists no cab for the YM2 series - a canopy kit is the extent of the weather protection
- 2,800 lb bare weight is light against 1,500 lb of loader lift, making rear ballast effectively compulsory rather than optional
Yanmar YM232
What they like
- 25.5 PTO hp is 38% more than the YM225's 18.5, which is what actually decides whether a 6-foot cutter or tiller keeps its speed
- Identical 1,500 lb loader, 2,205 lb hitch and 10.5-gallon tank as the cheaper YM225, so nothing is given up to get the extra power
- 10.9 GPM total flow with 6.8 GPM going to implements supports a third-function kit for a grapple without starving the loader
- 10-year / 3,000-hour powertrain warranty, which is the longest cover offered on any compact in this price band
- Naturally aspirated rather than turbocharged, so there is one less wear item than on the YM238 above it
What they complain about
- Above 25 hp, and Yanmar does not state what aftertreatment the engine carries - worth settling with the dealer before signing
- Gear-only platform, so there is no hydrostatic option at any price in the YM2 range
- Transmission-driven PTO with an overrunning clutch rather than a true independent PTO, so the implement stops when you declutch
- 2,800 lb bare weight is unchanged from the 24 hp YM225 despite the extra power, so ballast is still needed to use the loader fully
- No cab or factory enclosure is offered anywhere on the YM2 series