Help with Buying Decision

[hpa_missouri]

Boy do I need help. I never would have believed just how many different models there could be of one brand of tractor.

I am in need of a B7100 "type" of kubota tractor. Used and in pretty good shape or at least problems that I can fix myself.

The problem is I see a LOT of tractors in that area. I am looking at a G5200 that looks to me like it is a duplicate of the B7100 but if so, why have two different models??

My question for the people who are familiar with this type of tractor is, "given that I want something in the proximity of a B7100 with belly mower, is there another model(s) I should also be looking at also"?? For instance, the G5200 HST is being offered to me for a REALLY good price with a belly mower. Should I look at this instead of searching for a B7100 or should I keep looking for a B7100??

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

Harry

 

[bp fick]

Harry,
First, let's start by sorting through some of the clutter. Any Kubota that starts with a "G" is a far cry from a Kubota that starts with a "B". Whatever the numbers that follow, the beginning "letter" is the identifier for a model line or series.

A "G" model is merely a lawn mower type machine, often called a garden tractor, although it's usefulness to a gardener is limited. It is simply a riding lawn mower.

A "B" series tractor, is much, much larger. The B7100 is real tractor. While it can be adorned with a large mowing deck, slung underneath, but make no mistake, this is no riding lawn mower, but a tractor. It can utilize all style of farm implements and all kinds of construction type implements, such as a front end loader with bucket.

If you wish to clear through the clutter of all the models produced over the years by Kubota, let's start with this question.

What do you wish to do with this Kubota you are searching for? How large or small is your property? I might be too quick in offering you many suggestions of models to look at, but first, are you essentially looking for a sturdy, riding mower or a tractor that can plow, push snow, run farm attachments and like?

 

[LBrown59]

Boy do I need help. I never would have believed just how many different models there could be of one brand of tractor.

I am in need of a B7100 "type" of kubota tractor. Used and in pretty good shape or at least problems that I can fix myself.

The problem is I see a LOT of tractors in that area. I am looking at a G5200 that looks to me like it is a duplicate of the B7100 but if so, why have two different models??

My question for the people who are familiar with this type of tractor is, "given that I want something in the proximity of a B7100 with belly mower, is there another model(s) I should also be looking at also"?? For instance, the G5200 HST is being offered to me for a REALLY good price with a belly mower. Should I look at this instead of searching for a B7100 or should I keep looking for a B7100??

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

Harry

I would get HST and PS and if you want or need a loader get one with it cause finding a loader later for a B7100 is next to impossible.

 

[hpa_missouri]

If you wish to clear through the clutter of all the models produced over the years by Kubota, let's start with this question.

What do you wish to do with this Kubota you are searching for? How large or small is your property? I might be too quick in offering you many suggestions of models to look at, but first, are you essentially looking for a sturdy, riding mower or a tractor that can plow, push snow, run farm attachments and like?

Thanks for the response. How to begin?

First, I just today figured out that the G is just a riding mower. I finally saw a picture of one and it became obvious that it isn't what I want.

I "think" what I need is the second option you gave. A small tractor that you can hook a variety of implements on to.

I live on ten semi-cleared acres with access to five hundred acres around me. I want a "tractor" that has a rear pto/3 pt hitch. I want a belly mower so I can leave the mower on the tractor all the time and attach other stuff to the rear pto as I need it. Like, a generator or a box blade or a small bush hog, or a snow blade or even maybe a small front end loader. I won't be doing a LOT of snow plowing. Probably only about 200 yards out to the main county road. I'll probably mow most of the cleared part of the ten acres with the tractor. I don't think I'll ever get the urge to buy a backhoe but I think I've heard of them being on the B7100?

I don't know that I need HST. My brother-in-law has a bigger Kubota and it has the fancy drive system. He just pushes the pedal forward to go forward and backward to go back. Pretty neat but I think that size tractor is not in my budget right now. I think the HST adds a lot to the cost too. Power steering would be nice but not a fixed requirement.

I started zeroing in on the B7100 due to a LOT of reading on the web and looking at prices. I feel (without any expertise at all) that that model would fit what I need one for. But that is what prompted the question. Is there a Kubota that is in the range of the B7100 but is a better buy??

Thanks a lot for your help.

Harry

 

[hpa_missouri]

Harry,

A "G" model is merely a lawn mower type machine, often called a garden tractor, although it's usefulness to a gardener is limited. It is simply a riding lawn mower.

I forgot. The really big confusion factor for me with the G5200 was that it looks like it has the exact same engine as the B7100. A three cylinder diesel. Maybe it doesn't but it sure looks like it to me.

Thanks again,

Harry

 

[hpa_missouri]

I would get HST and PS and if you want or need a loader get one with it cause finding a loader later for a B7100 is next to impossible.

Thanks for the response. I was trying to figure out if I needed the HST. It sure is handier to use but what I can't tell is if it adds to the cost on the used market? Also power steering is nice and maybe it is a requirement with 4wd, I don't know because I don't have any experience with the Kubotas.

YET

And I hadn't noticed it yet in my searching, but I can see where it might be a little hard to find a FEL after I buy a used tractor. I may go back and start looking on the web again.

thanks again,

Harry

 

[bp fick]

Harry

OK, next step in the "lifting of the fog"

First, don't get locked down to a specific "B" model, the numbers behind the B.

Kubota has made many, many B models, so try to forget about the numbers that follow the B. Those numbers represent model years, features, upgrades over the years, horse power, and so forth. If you are shopping used, you cannot focus on just one particular model of over 40 renditions of the B that Kubota has made over the years.

Yes, from what you describe, you want a Kubota B or perhaps, a Kubota BX, which is smaller, slightly less money version.

Go to Kubota Tractor Corporation Web Site

There you can study the B and the BX. Again, don't pay that much attention to the numbers behind B or BX. That can come much, much later but again, if you are shopping used, you look at a particular tractor and weigh its merits. How much money? How many hours? What condition? and so forth. Right now, you need to just become familiar with these two sizes of Kubota. Also helpful is Used Tractors at TractorHouse.com: John Deere Tractors, used farm tractors and farm equipment, Case IH, New Holland, Agco, Caterpillar.

There will see lots and lots of kubotas offered. You will be able to see what prices are for various machines of various years. Good Luck

 

[Ken45101]

I want a belly mower so I can leave the mower on the tractor all the time and attach other stuff to the rear pto as I need it. Like, a generator or a box blade or a small bush hog, or a snow blade or even maybe a small front end loader. I won't be doing a LOT of snow plowing. Probably only about 200 yards out to the main county road. I'll probably mow most of the cleared part of the ten acres with the tractor.

You cannot leave the mid mount mower on while you are doing "rough ground work" without possibly damaging it. They generally only lift several inches and that might not be enough to clear things while you are doing bush hogging, box blading, snow plowing, etc. A rear mount finish mower (RFM) may make more sense if you want to use it with a wide variety of attachments.

I don't know that I need HST. My brother-in-law has a bigger Kubota and it has the fancy drive system. He just pushes the pedal forward to go forward and backward to go back. Pretty neat but I think that size tractor is not in my budget right now. I think the HST adds a lot to the cost too. Power steering would be nice but not a fixed requirement.

Power steering is probably important for a mower especially if you have to cut around obstacles. Otherwise you have to really slow down to steer. Without HST (forward and backward pedals), you have to downshift or slip the clutch (bad!) to slow down. For something that is primarily a yard mower, I would highly recommend power steering and HST. Ten years ago, I bought a Kubota without power steering for mowing 5 acres. I was trying to keep the price down. It went back to the dealer after about 5 hours use and I got a B2710 (PS, HST), which I still have. Remember, it's less costly to spend a bit more in the first place and get the right tool rather than to be dissatisfied and end up trading it in after a year or two.

If the right tractor isn't in the budget now, look at the used market for something with a couple of hundred hours on it and in good shape.

Ken

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/148830-b3200-bx2660-side-side-not.html

Read this post to help understand between B and BX.

 

[LBrown59]

1*I don't know that I need HST.
2*Power steering would be nice but not a fixed requirement.
3*Also power steering is nice and maybe it is a requirement with 4wd, I don't know because I don't have any experience with the Kubotas
4* My brother-in-law has a bigger Kubota and it has the fancy drive system. He just pushes the pedal forward to go forward and backward to go back. Pretty neat but I think that size tractor is not in my budget right now.
5*And I hadn't noticed it yet in my searching, but I can see where it might be a little hard to find a FEL after I buy a used tractor.
6*I may go back and start looking on the web again.
Harry

1* 2*&3* With a feel you will definately want all of these items/features.
HST makes all the difference in the world when driving into a pile to fill the FEL bucket.
A loader full of dirt sand or gravel steers mighty hard with out PS meaning sore shoulders and a tired aching back by the end of the day.
That ole clutch knee can start to ache from all that chainging from forward to reverse when hauling with the FEL.
4*The Size and the budget has nothing to do with that.
Here are my 3 Kubotas.

They are Kubotas smallest tractors and lowest dollar cost.
Yet they all 3 have HST and power steering and 4 wheel drive.
5*If you buy a B7100 w/o FEL and want one later for it you will likely have to buy another B7100 that al ready has a FEL on it then sell one of the B7100s later.
Seem like a big hassle to get a FEL to me.
I dont like buying 2 to get 1 myself.
Did that once.
6*If i were shopping for a new or used Kubota
the first place I'd look is Barlows Equipment right here on TBS .
BRADY BARLOW has gotten rave reviews here.
Barlow Equipment - Home of the Kubota Tractor Package Builder

 

[LBrown59]

1*You cannot leave the mid mount mower on while you are doing "rough ground work" without possibly damaging it.
2*A rear mount finish mower (RFM) may make more sense if you want to use it with a wide variety of attachments.
3*Power steering is probably important for a mower
4*Without HST (forward and backward pedals), you have to downshift or slip the clutch (bad!) to slow down. 5*For something that is primarily a yard mower, I would highly recommend power steering and HST.
6* Ten years ago, I bought a Kubota without power steering for mowing 5 acres.
7*I was trying to keep the price down.
It went back to the dealer after about 5 hours use and I got a B2710 (PS, HST), which I still have.
8*Remember, it's less costly to spend a bit more in the first place and get the right tool rather than to be dissatisfied and end up trading it in after a year or two.
******************************Ken

******************************
1*But you can always remove it if really required.
2* Switching attachments is like playing musical chairs.
Adding a rear mount finish mower to the mix creates another chair that will always be there to deal with.
A rear RFM makes wide swings when turning and it's easy to run into stuff with it.
They also require extra storage space.
3*And even more so for a FEL.
4*Gear not near as nice with a FEL either.
5* I'd recommend them even more for loader use.
6*I made the same sorta mistake.
7*The price twice is never down.
Wonder why it's so hard to learn that ?
8*Yep one is always less than two.

 

[Ken45101]

I don't feel the way LB does about the importance of HST for loader work. I have both a M5040 w/ FEL with synchroshuttle and a B21 TLB (tractor-loader-backhoe) with HST. I've never noticed the synchroshuttle being a problem. Perhaps if I were spending 8 hours a day using it I would feel otherwise.

Ken

 

[dodge man]

If you are a new tractor owner, I would strongly recomend HST, its not expensive on most of the smaller Kubota's, and most of the newer ones come that way. Another piece of advice, make sure you can get things for a used one. For example for some of the older Kubota's it might be hard to get a front end loader or belly mower, others you can walk into a dealer and order a brand new end loader. It just depends on the year and how popular they were.

Do you know someone near you that is into tractors? I'm not sure where you are in Missouri, but you would be welcome to try out my BX and learn a little bit. I'm about 1 hour Northeast of Quincy Il. if your are in that area at all. Mine is smaller than a B, but it would at least give you an idea of how things work.

 

[hr3]

If you have your heart set on the 7100.. check out these people.. SSB Tractor: Tractor Front End Loaders They make loaders,, about $2,400.. Or you can aways make your own,, There are some pritty smart people here that have done it already,, and they love to share,,

 

[hpa_missouri]

Well, a quick update. I finally found a tractor. I bought a B8200 with a Woods RM-59 3 rear mount mower on it. I am really impressed with this tractor too. My first Kubota and I can see why all the hype now. For a tractor that is nearly 20 years old, this is one nice tractor.

It has been kept indoors all the time and I bought it from the second owner who was friends with the first owner.

I bought it from the wife who was getting a divorce and she didn't know a lot about it but had all the manuals. There was 400 hours on the meter and she told me that she thought that was right. It wasn't. I found notes in the manuals where service was done over the years and it showed hours so I now know it actually has 1,400 hours on it.

It is in really nice condition though and I got it for $3,300. The only two things I've found wrong with it so far are one headlight bulb out and it has three "splits" in the seat covering. The paint is slightly faded and it doesn't have a lot of scratches on it. It looks GOOD! I'll see if I can add a picture or two tomorrow.

It has HST but no power steering or belly mower. I've run it around the yard a bit and I don't think it needs power steering if I'm just going to be doing mowing type stuff. If it had an FEL on it I think it would need PS. I have found where it is possible to put PS on it for less than $200 if I need to though. I may look into this some time in the future.

I had totally forgotten the old diesel engines though and the need for the "pre-heat" reminded me. Old technology but it still works fine.

New owner and already a fan.

Thanks to all who offered guidance and suggestions. Kubotas Rock !

Harry

 

[Ken45101]

Harry,

Welcome to the Kubota owners Sounds like you got a reasonable but good deal.

I have a bunch of Kubota stuff here and only one other piece of equipment, a JD (Kubota doesn't make skid steers).

Ken

 

[dtl2900]

Seven years ago we moved onto 3 1/2 acres of grass with trees and a couple of small ponds. We were able to buy a used 1995 kubota L2900 GST. This is a 29 hp 3 cyl diesel. I didn't realize at the time that this was a top of the line tractor. It has a clutch, a separate shift to move between 8 gears and a lever to move between foreward and reverse. It came with a 5ft wide bucket, a rotoriller, a 5 foot 3 blade 3 pt hitch mower, and a blade. It had 485 hours on it and we paid 10K for the package. I saw some bolt on forks that can be fastened to the bucket and made some for my use. For hauling branches to a burning pile and to move logs, lumber pallets, etc, they are indespensible. I didn't realize how important the 4 wheel drive is and with chains on the front it is a lot more effective for snow removal. I can mow our grass faster with a 48" riding mower as I can go faster and be able to trim around trees and plants easier than with the tractor. This tractor has turf tires on it and they are good on grass but sometimes I wish I had the standard tractor tires.
I guess what I am suggesting is that for 10 acres you need a bigger tractor and that there are some good used ones around. I have seen several instances where people have gotten started in a rural hobby farm like ours, and things change in their lives, and they have to down size. Check with your local dealers and even craigs list can lead you to good equipment.
Good luck, dtL2900

 

[CHDinCT]

I have a bunch of Kubota stuff here and only one other piece of equipment, a JD (Kubota doesn't make skid steers).

Ken

That's about to change real soon.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...t/114713-kubota-releasing-2-tracked-skid.html

 

[Ken45101]

That's about to change real soon.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...t/114713-kubota-releasing-2-tracked-skid.html

No it's not going to change soon. Kubota is only introducing compact track loaders (CTLs, rubber tracks), not skid steers (wheeled). CTLs are about $10k more and are much more expensive to maintain. Furthermore, rubber tracked machines don't work well on the mud and hills I have here (steep hills, greasy mud in winter). Even yesterday (we just have mud so far, not the greasy winter mud), my rubber tracked Kubota mini excavator was having trouble moving in mud on only a slight grade.

I know one contractor who sold his CTL because it was so useless around here in winter.

Furthermore, I have my doubts that Kubota will introduce the new machines until the construction economy improves, which I doubt will be "real soon". They would be entering a market with a heavy surplus of new and used competitor machines that are being heavily discounted. I predict that Kubota will wait a long time before introducing the new machines in the U.S. They will wait until the market improves so that they can be successful.

And yes, I've been following the threads on the new Kubota CTLs.

Ken

 

[CHDinCT]

Ken, you obviously are following the Kubota CTL developments and sorry I thought you were talking generically about Kubota not having a skid loader/CTL since they have neither at the present time. But, while I have no experience with either, I'm surprised a tracked machine would be less useful in the conditions you describe than a wheeled machine.