Yanmar B6 or Is It?

Gray Market equipment are great work horses but they come with a few undercarriage differences like the Yanmar B6.

In the world of heavy machinery and excavators, navigating gray market equipment can be tricky and costly. A prime example of the complexity encountered in this sector is the Yanmar B6 series of excavators. The gray market, for those unfamiliar, refers to the importation and sale of equipment not originally intended for the market in which it’s being sold, often without manufacturer support or parts availability.

Yanmar B6-6

One might receive a call from an individual seeking parts for their Yanmar B6. However, the devil is in the details—or in this case, the model number. The Yanmar B6 series encompasses several iterations, including the B6-3, B6-4, B6-5, and B6-6, among others. Each of these versions could potentially have distinct specifications, especially when it comes to the undercarriage and track dimensions. For instance, while a general reference to a Yanmar B6 might lead one to assume a certain track size, the Yanmar B6-6 specifically requires an offset track with the dimensions 400×75.5×74.

This specification is crucial; using an incorrect track size, such as a 400×72.5×72, could result in incompatibility with an offset undercarriage. This scenario underscores the significance of precision when dealing with parts for gray market equipment. The issue of the offset undercarriage brings another layer of complexity. Yanmar has discontinued the production of equipment with offset undercarriages, leading to a dwindling availability of parts for such models. As parts become scarcer, the challenge for owners of these machines increases, not only in finding the necessary components but also in the financial impracticality for suppliers to stockpile parts for an obsolete design.

Follow us on Youtube and X