Yanmar YT235 vs Yanmar SA425
Quick take: The Yanmar SA425 costs $7,000 less; the Yanmar YT235 has more engine power (34.2 vs 23.9 hp); the Yanmar YT235 has more loader lift (1,300 vs 1,200 lbs).
| Spec | Yanmar YT235 | Yanmar SA425 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $28,500 | $21,500 |
| Rating | 4.4★ (310) | 4.3★ (270) |
| Category | Compact | Sub-Compact |
| Transmission | Hydrostatic | Hydrostatic |
| Engine HP | 34.2 hp | 23.9 hp |
| PTO HP | 27 hp | 18.1 hp |
| Loader Lift | 1300 lbs | 1200 lbs |
| 3-Point Lift | 1764 lbs | 1209 lbs |
| Hydraulic Flow | 11.2 GPM | 8.0 GPM |
| Drive | 4WD | 4WD |
| Engine | Yanmar | Yanmar |
| Weight | 2558 lbs | 1830 lbs |
| Fuel Tank | 7.4 gal | 6.1 gal |
| 4WD | Yes | Yes |
| Loader | Yes | Yes |
| Cab | No | No |
| Hydrostatic | Yes | Yes |
| Power steering | Yes | Yes |
| Cruise control | No | No |
| Warranty | 10 yr / 3000 hr powertrain | 10 yr / 3000 hr powertrain |
Pros & cons
Yanmar YT235
- ✓Yanmar builds the engines in John Deere's compact tractors, so buying a YT235 gets you the same proven powerplant pedigree direct from the source
- ✓The 10-year/3,000-hour powertrain warranty is the longest in the industry, crushing the 6-year coverage from Deere and Kubota
- ✓The i-HMT hydrostatic automatically balances engine and travel speed, delivering gear-like efficiency owners consistently praise
- ✓The 1,764 lb 3-point lift at 24 inches out-muscles a Deere 2038R and most of the 35 HP class
- ✓Assembled in Georgia with a full-frame chassis and cast components that feel overbuilt for the price
- ✓27 PTO HP runs 5-6 foot rotary cutters, tillers, and snowblowers with authority
- ✓Standard dual rear remotes and position control are features competitors charge extra for
- ✓It typically prices below a comparably equipped Deere 2038R or Kubota L3901, with owners citing thousands in savings
- ✗The Yanmar tractor dealer network is small in much of the US, so service and warranty work can mean a long drive
- ✗Resale value is unproven compared to Deere and Kubota because the brand's US tractor presence is still young
- ✗Parts beyond engine components can take longer to arrive than the big-two brands
- ✗The online owner community is tiny, so troubleshooting help mostly lives in a handful of TractorByNet threads
- ✗No cab option was offered for years and cab availability is still spotty at dealers
- ✗The unusual styling and beige-red color scheme isn't for everyone and hurts resale in green-and-orange country
- ✗Attachment selection tailored to the YT series is narrower than the Deere/Kubota ecosystems
- ✗Dealer closures have burned some early owners, making 'check your local dealer first' the standard forum advice
Yanmar SA425
- ✓The 3TNV80F engine is essentially the same Yanmar diesel that powers the John Deere 1025R - identical pedigree without the green premium
- ✓The YL210 loader's 1,200 lb pivot-pin lift embarrasses the ~700-900 lb loaders on the Deere 1025R and Kubota BX
- ✓The 10-year/3,000-hour powertrain warranty is the longest in the segment by four years
- ✓Larger tires and 9.9 inches of ground clearance make it far happier on rough, rutted, or sloped ground than a low-slung BX
- ✓The 1,209 lb 3-point lift at 24 inches is nearly double what the Deere 1-series and Kubota BX manage
- ✓Cast iron transmission case, front axle, and rear axle housings give it a planted 1,830 lb heft unusual for the class
- ✓Standard dual rear remotes and electro-hydraulic independent PTO are premium features at a value price
- ✓True Position Control on the 3-point gives repeatable implement height settings that BX owners can only envy
- ✗Yanmar's US dealer network is thin, so test drives, service, and warranty support depend entirely on your region
- ✗No drive-over mower deck - fitting the mid-mount M60 deck is a crawl-under affair versus Deere's AutoConnect
- ✗Resale value is a question mark since the US tractor brand is still building recognition
- ✗The 4.3 GPM implement pump makes loader cycles feel slower than the lift numbers suggest
- ✗Parts availability beyond engine components can involve waits that Kubota and Deere owners don't experience
- ✗The taller stance trades away some of the low-center-of-gravity mowing stability that makes the BX great on flat lawns
- ✗The owner community is small, so real-world troubleshooting info is scarce online
- ✗Dealer closures in some regions have left early adopters driving hours for warranty work