Which older small Kubota? B6100/B6200/B7100/B7200
- Thread starter davesisk
- Start date
varmint
Elite Member
- Joined
- Mar 17, 2003
- Messages
- 2,576
- Location
- Northern Maryland
- Tractor
- Kubota B8200, then a Kubota L3130 HST, now a Kubota L3400 HST
Dave: two questions I can answer... The instrument kit was really easy to install, since it came with the parts needed and it was voltage, not amperage. The aluminum "pod" I mounted the guages in took the longest to fabricate. Oil pressure required a tee to maintain the original low pressure sender, and the temp. required a bushing so there'd be enough room for the probe to stick in without hitting anything, but other than that, a snap. I added a OEM power steering kit I found on this site's classified, and that was tricky only in that I had to modify the FEL brackets for clearance. It sure made a difference, as you say, when the FEL has some weight in it! I understand that some of these older tractors had factory installed PS as an option? Overall, I'm quite happy with my 8200, but then, its still new at 525 hours.
Egon
Epic Contributor
The lack of power steering builds character, produces sore elbows, gives one sore shoulders and beware the thumb hooked over the steering wheel.
It's about the only negative that is really irritating on my B7100.
Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
It's about the only negative that is really irritating on my B7100.
Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
gmsssi
Platinum Member
I'm upgrading and just sold my 4WD B9200/HST. It was used primarily for landscape work and ran flawless for the 8 years I had it. Your in a very good category!
RobertN
Super Member
I only notice the lack of power steering when I'm putting heavy stuff in the loader... Otherwise it isn't too bad. As you say, builds character /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
Bobm
Member
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2000
- Messages
- 32
- Location
- Indiana
- Tractor
- Kubota L-5450DT w/ BF-1150A loader & L-4540A backhoe, Kubota B7200HST & RC60-72H mower
Hi Dave;
Can't speak for the other models, but my B7200HST has been one of the toughest machines I have ever owned. While overheating is possible, it mandates near abuse of the machine. I purchased my B7200HST new in 1983, and other than replacing a split pin in the HST rocker pedal shaft, have done nothing other than scheduled maintenance. Pound for pound, I firmly believe my B7200 has more transmittable power than my old L3350 or my present 1998 L5450. I passionately refer to the 7200 as the "tick"... sticks to everything, tenacious as all getout. I'd buy another in a minute, and sincerely feel the more modern B series are not nearly as robust as the older series.
btw, yes power steering was offered on both the B7200 as well as the B8200. I don't have it, but then again i don't have a loader on mine. For normal use (ie. perhaps loader, but not an extreme heavy load in bucket), power steering is not necessary. When I was initially shopping, i tried 7200's and 8200's side by side... PS and w/o PS. Difference was minimal to non-existent. The salesman (who i still deal with to this day) stated it was a poor value, and instead pushed the 4WD which i virtually could not do without. I often mow (RC60-72H 60" midmount) on severe sideslopes and the 4WD allows true contour tracking and confidence. My 7200 with turf tires will run parallel on 2.5 to 1 side slopes and has never in 22 years given the slightest hint of instablity. Can't say that with my bigger machines.
If you need specs and or literature on any of the tractors (other than the B20) listed, i have the orginal literature plus full Kubota shop manual on the 7200HST. Like some of the previous posts, I think all these little older Kub's are near bulletproof. Can't say that for my 1968 Case 580CK, or Ford 9N, or a bunch of other older stuff that have somewhat undeserved reputations for longevity.
Good luck in your pursuit!
Can't speak for the other models, but my B7200HST has been one of the toughest machines I have ever owned. While overheating is possible, it mandates near abuse of the machine. I purchased my B7200HST new in 1983, and other than replacing a split pin in the HST rocker pedal shaft, have done nothing other than scheduled maintenance. Pound for pound, I firmly believe my B7200 has more transmittable power than my old L3350 or my present 1998 L5450. I passionately refer to the 7200 as the "tick"... sticks to everything, tenacious as all getout. I'd buy another in a minute, and sincerely feel the more modern B series are not nearly as robust as the older series.
btw, yes power steering was offered on both the B7200 as well as the B8200. I don't have it, but then again i don't have a loader on mine. For normal use (ie. perhaps loader, but not an extreme heavy load in bucket), power steering is not necessary. When I was initially shopping, i tried 7200's and 8200's side by side... PS and w/o PS. Difference was minimal to non-existent. The salesman (who i still deal with to this day) stated it was a poor value, and instead pushed the 4WD which i virtually could not do without. I often mow (RC60-72H 60" midmount) on severe sideslopes and the 4WD allows true contour tracking and confidence. My 7200 with turf tires will run parallel on 2.5 to 1 side slopes and has never in 22 years given the slightest hint of instablity. Can't say that with my bigger machines.
If you need specs and or literature on any of the tractors (other than the B20) listed, i have the orginal literature plus full Kubota shop manual on the 7200HST. Like some of the previous posts, I think all these little older Kub's are near bulletproof. Can't say that for my 1968 Case 580CK, or Ford 9N, or a bunch of other older stuff that have somewhat undeserved reputations for longevity.
Good luck in your pursuit!
ZackaryMac
Silver Member
Dave;
My B6100 HST is only 2wd, but I love it all the same. For what I do with it, it works well for me. Only once has it failed to start, and that was after being trailered for 1/2 hour to work in -25C weather. Nope, not plugged in or anything. That's fair, as my truck wouldn't start in that cold temp either.
I mow grass mainly, and blow snow in the winter. Strong and reliable, I will NEVER go back to anything less. I must also admit I like the more traditional looks of these older machines, with their bigger size and boxier styling. A simple bit of maintainance is all it asks for.
My 2¢ worth.
My B6100 HST is only 2wd, but I love it all the same. For what I do with it, it works well for me. Only once has it failed to start, and that was after being trailered for 1/2 hour to work in -25C weather. Nope, not plugged in or anything. That's fair, as my truck wouldn't start in that cold temp either.
I mow grass mainly, and blow snow in the winter. Strong and reliable, I will NEVER go back to anything less. I must also admit I like the more traditional looks of these older machines, with their bigger size and boxier styling. A simple bit of maintainance is all it asks for.
My 2¢ worth.
LBrown59
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Oct 27, 2004
- Messages
- 16,851
- Tractor
- 2003 Kubota BX1500/2004 Kubota Bx23/2005 Kubota BX1500
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( You did not get the B8200/B9200 on you list. I have a B8200 which is a great tractor. It is built like a tank! The B8200/9200 fit with you mention of the B7200(same years and series).
The B8200/9200 are same saize and simlar power to the B20. The B8200 is kinda the forerunner to the B20 and B2150. I have seen a few B8200's with factory hoes on them.
I would not expect that you could find a B20(or B8200) for $5k though. Maybe $8-11k, depending on location, condition ect. The hoe add's more...
<font color="red"> My B8200 is at 975 hours. Serial number places it about '85/'86. </font> I got it six years ago with 425 hours on it. It has only required oil changes, filters ect.
A note on loaders. I got my B8200 without a loader, and added one 4 years ago. $3k.....That was installed. )</font>
____________________
<font color="red">Back about this time I was dealing for a new B8200 with Hydro trans Power steering FEL Rear mount mower and the Kubota back hoe. The price started out around 21500 but I kept shopping around & haggling with the dealer and got him down to 12500 and I signed the purchase contract contingent upon obtaining financing through the dealer. </font>
The dealer financing fell through and I couldn't get it financed on my own.
This caused me to loose out on the best deal I have ever been offered on anything by any body.
Boy did that hurt.
When I got my BX 23 last Sept. it was 15500 which was 3000 more for less tractor than the B 8200.
The B8200/9200 are same saize and simlar power to the B20. The B8200 is kinda the forerunner to the B20 and B2150. I have seen a few B8200's with factory hoes on them.
I would not expect that you could find a B20(or B8200) for $5k though. Maybe $8-11k, depending on location, condition ect. The hoe add's more...
<font color="red"> My B8200 is at 975 hours. Serial number places it about '85/'86. </font> I got it six years ago with 425 hours on it. It has only required oil changes, filters ect.
A note on loaders. I got my B8200 without a loader, and added one 4 years ago. $3k.....That was installed. )</font>
____________________
<font color="red">Back about this time I was dealing for a new B8200 with Hydro trans Power steering FEL Rear mount mower and the Kubota back hoe. The price started out around 21500 but I kept shopping around & haggling with the dealer and got him down to 12500 and I signed the purchase contract contingent upon obtaining financing through the dealer. </font>
The dealer financing fell through and I couldn't get it financed on my own.
This caused me to loose out on the best deal I have ever been offered on anything by any body.
Boy did that hurt.
When I got my BX 23 last Sept. it was 15500 which was 3000 more for less tractor than the B 8200.