B7100 Replacement.

[JSF]

First of let me say that buying a tractor is the best investment that you can make. I purchased my B7100 in 1978 and have put 2000 hours on it, doing mostly loader work. I am looking to replace it because it is getting old and used up.

First I should probably list my needs. These are the things that I need the tractor to do, listed in order of importance:

1) Hillside stability and manuverability. More stable than the B7100 would be good.
2) Loader work. I am thinking HSD for this.
3) Chipping with my existing BearCat 70554 5" chipper, so no more than 40hp, probably less.
5) Horse Arena maintenence. No big deal, just about any tractor could handle this task, size will not change the time that it will take to do the job because of existing implements.
6) Rough field mowing. The blackberry bushes encroach on my pasture so they need to be dealt with regularly. Some tall grass too (3'). I have a riding lawnmower so I will not be worrying about damaging lawns.
7) light driveway maintenence.

As you may have gathered, I live on a steep hill so I will need to spread the tires as far as possible to increase stability. Manuverability is also important because it will be used for tight loader work most of the time. I have some poplar trees that I am growing for firewood and they are planted in 60" rows, but they need to be thinned pretty soon so this is not a huge problem. I would like to use some of my old implements; especially the chipper which is just a few years old. I bought my rototiller with the tractor so it is pretty beat up but still works. My 48" John Deere rotory cutter is very beat up as well.

My favorite tractor at the moment is the B7610. It is slightly bigger than my B7100 and has 10 more hp. I know that my B7100 is ~45" wide with the wheels all the way out, using ag tires. I would like to know how wide the B7610 is with the wheels spread and if it would be a good choice for my hilly land.

I would like to get as much power as I can and was looking at the L3400. From the Kubota specs its min tread is just 5.1" more than that of the B7610. I would also like to know what is the widest the L3400 can go and how if it is stable and manuverable enough for my use. Is it too much tractor for me?

I am not in a hurry because I have a tractor that works and has been working for nearly 30 years.

Thanks for the help I know you will provide.

 

[Egon]

put 2000 hours on it

Heck, that tractor is still in the breakin stage!

 

[Thomas]

Morning JSF.
Have you consider the B7800?

Yup Egon right...those B7100 are little mules,just wish they offer power steering back than.

 

[ovrszd]

I'm not sure the 7610 or 7800 will be anymore stable on sidehills than his 7100. Doesn't he have to step up to an L model to get adjustable wheels??

 

[Thomas]

Doesn't he have to step up to an L model to get adjustable wheels??

I was thinking in the lines of wider rear tire...turf or R4's...
stability,but yet keep in the B-models for manuverability in the woods...dang I wish I could find the photo where someone reversed B7800 rear tires for more stability for slope projects.

 

[Bird]

I went from a '95 B7100 to a '99 B2710, and while I wouldn't consider either to be just really great on slopes, the B2710 seemed to me to be considerably more stable. I had R1 (Ag) tires on both. The outside tread on the B7100 was 40" and on the B2710 was 54". I also filled the rear tires on the B2710 with water and anti-freeze, but did not on the B7100.

 

[Thomas]

I also filled the rear tires on the B2710 with water and anti-freeze, but did not on the B7100.

Morning Bird.
I thought about filling my rear turfs couple times for added weight for mowing slopes and working in the woods,but instead purchase set of real good tire chains...I feel lot more safety running tire chains year round.

Hope your having pleasant Labor Day weekend.

 

[Bird]

Hope your having pleasant Labor Day weekend.

Good morning, Thomas. I think we'll have a nice day; kids and grandson coming today. Yesterday was cloudy all day and cool; first time we've turned off the air-conditioner and opened the windows in 3 months. We still have clouds and mist this morning, and a forecast of 90% chance or showers or thunderstorms, but so far less than .05" of rain all weekend. I bought a used bass boat this past week, so grandson is a bit disappointed that we aren't taking the boat to the lake today.

 

[Bob_Young]

The B7610 does have adjustable width rears, JSF. Had mine moved out prior to delivery. Asked to have them moved out as far as they'd go, but the dealer stated they'd be out beyond the 60" MM mower that I was buying (??!) but I don't think that was right. Right now the width measured at the edge of the tread is 50" There appears to be a wider setting that would take each rear wheel out another 2.5", for a total width of around 55" at the tread. However, that widest setting might not be usable, depending on the tires you have....I haven't been able to makes sense of the manual on this point.

I'm glad they didn't get set out any wider. The 50" width works fine with the 60" mower and on the few steep grades I have to contend with. Incidentally I have turf tires and both rears are filled.

If I understand your requirements, it appears you must stay within 60" overall width to work your property. Due to its lower center of gravity, a B7610 spread out to 55" will probably be more stable on a slope than an L3400 restricted to 55". Otherwise I'd favor the L3400.

I agree with Thomas that the B7800 is probably worth looking at. Its minimum width is just under 55" and it can probably be adjusted out to 60" or more with CG at about the same height as the B7610.
FWIW
Bob

 

[Raddad]

I own both tractors. I bought the B7100 new more than 20 years and 4,000 hrs ago and just purchased the B7610 last month. I have many trees and steep sections on my property and so tread width is important to me also. My B7610 has a 54" MMM and the Grass catcher, used more for all the leaves than the grass clippings. To my supprise with the R4 tires I couldn't set the rear tread beyond 46" because the antiscalp roller on the left side interferes with the tire during transport. The dealer suggested removing the roller. I modified the deck with a steel plate that allowed me to move the roller out a further 5". This let me set the rear tread to 50". The bracket for the grass catcher blower prohibits moving the tires any further appart. A photo of the bracket plate is attached. I don't know if the 60" mower and blower have any of these restrictions.