At the point in my life.....

[pattyt21]

First post, just joined, and need a little help answering roughly 15k questions hahaha.
So, bought a house last year, first time home owner, 10 acres (5 leased out for hay and get a free pig every year, 3.5 wooded, 1.5 lawn) and have been wanting a "tractor" for roughly 20 years (40 now). Being in the repair buisness for industrial equipment, I know people and real life experience is the best resource. So, just so happens, I have a kubota b7500 being dropped off at my door tomorrow to try out free for the weekend with no obligation to buy! Sure, my fiance isn't the happiest about it, and asked why I couldn't get a used one for $2k instead of new (I know right? She's way out of touch for prices on anything). I can't afford new, but with the $2 hr raise I got this year, no car payments, and no toy payments, I dont believe there will be a better time to buy. That, and they don't really depreciate. Wow, sorry, im long winded, to the point here Charlie, ok, it comes with a bucket, and 60" MMM, and someday would like to get a front mount snow blower, the owner of the dealer said the new stuff still bolts on to the older stuff (within reason) and its all still the same transmission, engine, axle etc. As the new, say, 2601. How accurate is that? Will a new FM snow blower bolt right up? As far as things to look for, and is it a good price blablablah, I got two thumbs, and know the search feature so won't waste your time with that stuff.

 

[sea2summit]

Bold statement by your dealer, that tractor hasn't even been manufactured in nearly 20 years. I have no experience but I don't think I'd trust that anything "bolt on" to a 2601 made 15-20 years later would "bolt on" to a B7500. A simple rerouting of an sensor wire (sensors probably not being common on the B7500) could easily mess with stuff like that.

 

[pattyt21]

Bold statement by your dealer, that tractor hasn't even been manufactured in nearly 20 years. I have no experience but I don't think I'd trust that anything "bolt on" to a 2601 made 15-20 years later would "bolt on" to a B7500. A simple rerouting of an sensor wire (sensors probably not being common on the B7500) could easily mess with stuff like that.

Huh, curious, what sensor wire would be on say, a 50 inch snow blower and mount? Some kind of rpm sensor for a display or something? Just curious. The dealer owner has been friends with the company I work for owners for a long time, and not uncommon for them to barrow eachothers equipment. He said half the stuff on his lot he wouldn't trust, and its going to auction, but, there is a one owner, meticulously maintained b7500 coming in on trade Friday, ill drop it off, no commitment, try it for the weekend, and see if you like it. Thought that was really,, really nice of him. He said he knows the complete 20 year history of it, and its a good little tractor. Confirmed with my boss, he's legit and tells ya how it is.

 

[Wagtail]

G'day Mate and welcome to TBN from Downunder.

Here's some information on the B7500: TractorData.com Kubota B7500 tractor information

Enjoy the site.

 

[pattyt21]

G'day Mate and welcome to TBN from Downunder.

Here's some information on the B7500: TractorData.com Kubota B7500 tractor information

Enjoy the site.

Thanks! Oh trust me, I've spent more hours on that site the last week than I have at work! Hahaha

 

[CH4Ohio]

What does a 20 year old B7500 sell for these days??

 

[Fallon]

3pt & SSQA attachments are standard. Anything meeting the spec will fit on your machine. Pin on buckets & forks are less standard but can be swapped out. Everything else is a propitary crap shoot at best. You can't count on a current production MMM to fit all current machines from a given manufacturer much less one from 5 or 20 years ago.

If you don't get a loader, front mount snowblower, backhoe or MMM with your machine it's going to be a lot of effort & expense if even possible to get them later. You can fab up your own mounts or adapters if you have enough skill, but thats a high effort or expense path forward. Those impliments rarely come up for sale used.

It comes with the loader & MMM so you are mostly there. Putting a 3pt blower on the back would be easy later but you get to blow snow looking backwards. I wouldn't look at it as a deal killer, just be aware the front blower may not be easy. Either look at using the bucket, getting a 3pt blower or hoping you get lucky & find a used or new blower eventually that may need fab work to fit.

Front blowers are 2-3 times the price of a rear 3pt blower & often not as stout. Mostly due to the propitary mounts.

 

[Tomtint]

My sister has a B7500. I have spent a little time on it over the years. It's nice..like all small tractors, it beats the shovel. It's a little tippy for my likes. The bucket is 48" and the loader is fairly strong for its size. The tall rear tires and narrow overall width.. = tippy. That said, her machine was primarily used as a mower and had a grass catcher on it as well. At the same time hers was new, I also had a new BX 22 that was roughly the same price. .The box was slightly less capable in the loader but overall a better all around package for me. It's like a homeowner Swiss Army knife . Long story short..her tractor was neglected, overheated, and blew a head gasket. ..it was filled with straight water and froze..cracking the block ad rusting the head/ valves. I split the tractor and replaced the motor with a low hour donor motor.. lots of work but it is still running good today. They are well build machines.

 

[RalphVa]

Still making them in Aus? More like a B2300 being made for the USA. My favorite to replace my JD 2025R in a couple years or so because JD quit putting turning brakes on the smaller 2 series.

Don't know about snow blowers. I make do with FEL and back blade.

 

[seville009]

Had a B7500 HST with a mm mower, back blade, front snowblower, and tiller - purchased new in 2001.

Was a great little tractor; worked it hard and it performed well. Even accidentally put some gas in it once. Drained it, refilled it, and ran fine


Traded up to a larger tractor around 2005 because I bought more land and the needed something larger to handle the field mowing.

It should serve you well. If not, as you say, you could probably just sell it for what you paid for it and get something different.

 

[pattyt21]

What does a 20 year old B7500 sell for these days??

There's a rough one at another dealer bout 5 miles from me, 1k hrs, same setup, for $9k, supposedly this ones in great shape, all maintenance done regularly, I think the dealer said 400 hrs, and was thinking $10k. I'll find out tomorrow when they drop it off for a free weekend.

 

[pattyt21]

3pt & SSQA attachments are standard. Anything meeting the spec will fit on your machine. Pin on buckets & forks are less standard but can be swapped out. Everything else is a propitary crap shoot at best. You can't count on a current production MMM to fit all current machines from a given manufacturer much less one from 5 or 20 years ago.

If you don't get a loader, front mount snowblower, backhoe or MMM with your machine it's going to be a lot of effort & expense if even possible to get them later. You can fab up your own mounts or adapters if you have enough skill, but thats a high effort or expense path forward. Those impliments rarely come up for sale used.

It comes with the loader & MMM so you are mostly there. Putting a 3pt blower on the back would be easy later but you get to blow snow looking backwards. I wouldn't look at it as a deal killer, just be aware the front blower may not be easy. Either look at using the bucket, getting a 3pt blower or hoping you get lucky & find a used or new blower eventually that may need fab work to fit.

Front blowers are 2-3 times the price of a rear 3pt blower & often not as stout. Mostly due to the propitary mounts.

Hmmm...... that's a bummer, but not a deal breaker. Was thinking, my mom (71 yo.) Has a 2011 Silverado with a plow on it we use now. Might just buy this, use it for 5 or 10 years till ma decides to get rid of the truck or it dies, and sell this one, then buy one with all the goodies!

 

[pattyt21]

Had a B7500 HST with a mm mower, back blade, front snowblower, and tiller - purchased new in 2001.

Was a great little tractor; worked it hard and it performed well. Even accidentally put some gas in it once. Drained it, refilled it, and ran fine


Traded up to a larger tractor around 2005 because I bought more land and the needed something larger to handle the field mowing.

It should serve you well. If not, as you say, you could probably just sell it for what you paid for it and get something different.

Got a 2011 silverado with a plow on it we currently use, after that dies, might sell this one (providing I get it) and buy a new one with all the goodies.

 

[varmint]

Excuse my opinions- they're just opinions, but I'm guessing you're going to want a larger tractor for the property you mentioned. I'll start with this; front mount snow blowers are iffy, especially compared to a rear, PTO driven blower. A bigger tractor with a front blade would perhaps be more useful. You are right about tractors, at least good ones, holding their value and not selling cheap. Sounds like you are informed about different used tractors' values, and features, which is all good!

Not sure if a MMM is ideal, but I don't know your situation, of course. Rear mowers seem better unless you're cutting a smooth lawn, and then, why not a quick zero turn?

It took me three tries to get my Goldie Locks' Kubota tractor- my first, a B8200, was too small, and its gear drive wasn't what I needed (good for mowing large areas, but otherwise, no...). Second was a nice L3130, bigger, heavier, not a lot of power but very capable if you weren't in a big rush, but too big and heavy. Lastly, a super clean used L3400 (HST a must, for me I've learned), which had all the features I had learned I wanted thru my own experience: SSQA loader- which I wouldn't be without, rear remote, extendable rear links. All added by the first owner who had used the tractor simply for mowing almost all of its life, adding the new Kubota loader to it just before he decided to get a bigger Kubota. I no longer need it, but I have a 78" front snow blade that works well with it- (signature photo). (neighbor's groundskeeper has a one ton with a V snowplow, and he plows our lane- I just do clean up, and a bucket works for that). FWIW, tippy tractors benefit from simple wheel spacers on the rear- I added 2" each side, which broadened the rear end and helped with keeping it going straight pushing snow. Loaded rear tires help, too. I don't need to operate on hills, but when I do, those spacers give me more comfort. When I had to plow snow, I craved a heated cab, but a cab would just be a hindrance the rest of the time for me.

Long story short: buy a good Kubota, take care of it, and sell it for what you have in it when it's time to move up.

 

[pattyt21]

Excuse my opinions- they're just opinions, but I'm guessing you're going to want a larger tractor for the property you mentioned. I'll start with this; front mount snow blowers are iffy, especially compared to a rear, PTO driven blower. A bigger tractor with a front blade would perhaps be more useful. You are right about tractors, at least good ones, holding their value and not selling cheap. Sounds like you are informed about different used tractors' values, and features, which is all good!

Not sure if a MMM is ideal, but I don't know your situation, of course. Rear mowers seem better unless you're cutting a smooth lawn, and then, why not a quick zero turn?

It took me three tries to get my Goldie Locks' Kubota tractor- my first, a B8200, was too small, and its gear drive wasn't what I needed (good for mowing large areas, but otherwise, no...). Second was a nice L3130, bigger, heavier, not a lot of power but very capable if you weren't in a big rush, but too big and heavy. Lastly, a super clean used L3400 (HST a must, for me I've learned), which had all the features I had learned I wanted thru my own experience: SSQA loader- which I wouldn't be without, rear remote, extendable rear links. All added by the first owner who had used the tractor simply for mowing almost all of its life, adding the new Kubota loader to it just before he decided to get a bigger Kubota. I no longer need it, but I have a 78" front snow blade that works well with it- (signature photo). (neighbor's groundskeeper has a one ton with a V snowplow, and he plows our lane- I just do clean up, and a bucket works for that). FWIW, tippy tractors benefit from simple wheel spacers on the rear- I added 2" each side, which broadened the rear end and helped with keeping it going straight pushing snow. Loaded rear tires help, too. I don't need to operate on hills, but when I do, those spacers give me more comfort. When I had to plow snow, I craved a heated cab, but a cab would just be a hindrance the rest of the time for me.

Long story short: buy a good Kubota, take care of it, and sell it for what you have in it when it's time to move up.

Dont think I'd honestly need bigger, 5 acres gets leased out for straw, the front yard and around the house got anew rider last year 50 in. Hydro cub cadet. So that leaves about a half acre field (extension of lawn, but a little too rough for the cub cadet unless you go 1mph) a trail out back, and 3.5 acres of woods I want to push some stuff around and eventually mow some atv/hunting trails. Played with it today after it was dropped off at 10am, was able to lop off about 2 inches of wet, dewy grass literally 2x faster than the old 1951 farmall cub with what felt like 500hp....
Afraid if I got too big of a tractor
A: wouldnt fit on my 12 ft. Landscape trailer as its rated for only 2k lbs and B: wouldnt really fit in the woods as well. Just my thoughts.

 

[pattyt21]

Excuse my opinions- they're just opinions, but I'm guessing you're going to want a larger tractor for the property you mentioned. I'll start with this; front mount snow blowers are iffy, especially compared to a rear, PTO driven blower. A bigger tractor with a front blade would perhaps be more useful. You are right about tractors, at least good ones, holding their value and not selling cheap. Sounds like you are informed about different used tractors' values, and features, which is all good!

Not sure if a MMM is ideal, but I don't know your situation, of course. Rear mowers seem better unless you're cutting a smooth lawn, and then, why not a quick zero turn?

It took me three tries to get my Goldie Locks' Kubota tractor- my first, a B8200, was too small, and its gear drive wasn't what I needed (good for mowing large areas, but otherwise, no...). Second was a nice L3130, bigger, heavier, not a lot of power but very capable if you weren't in a big rush, but too big and heavy. Lastly, a super clean used L3400 (HST a must, for me I've learned), which had all the features I had learned I wanted thru my own experience: SSQA loader- which I wouldn't be without, rear remote, extendable rear links. All added by the first owner who had used the tractor simply for mowing almost all of its life, adding the new Kubota loader to it just before he decided to get a bigger Kubota. I no longer need it, but I have a 78" front snow blade that works well with it- (signature photo). (neighbor's groundskeeper has a one ton with a V snowplow, and he plows our lane- I just do clean up, and a bucket works for that). FWIW, tippy tractors benefit from simple wheel spacers on the rear- I added 2" each side, which broadened the rear end and helped with keeping it going straight pushing snow. Loaded rear tires help, too. I don't need to operate on hills, but when I do, those spacers give me more comfort. When I had to plow snow, I craved a heated cab, but a cab would just be a hindrance the rest of the time for me.

Long story short: buy a good Kubota, take care of it, and sell it for what you have in it when it's time to move up.

Oh, forgot to mention, on the 7500 the rear stance is adjustable with the drive flanges, no spacers needed. Just loosen the clamp, remove pin, and slide in or out to set your wheel width. Kinda a cool feature they dont offer anymore, makes me wonder why.

 

[rScotty]

Sounds like a nice old tractor. Old tractors can be jewels. They were built to last and to be owner serviced and repaired. It could easily last a lifetime.

All 3 pt attachments and almost all PTOs will fit since those are standard size. Many typical service parts including seats, most of the electrics, instruments, tires, hoses etc. are of course all standard.

Anything else external is easy enough for a person with basic mechanical skills to fabricate. Internal engine and transmission repair is very rarely ever needed, even on much older machines.

See if you can get an original factory owners manual and also workshop and parts manuals. Expect the workshop & parts manuals to be expensive but worth it.

From your description of that B7500, I doubt you will do better even if you go up substantially on price.
rScotty

 

[Rusty]

Patty21 - I have a B7500 HSD-R that I bought new in 2003. I use it with a 60" mid mount mower to finish mow 2-2.5 acres of lawn, with a 59" flail mower to cut 5 acres of horse pasture and 2 acres of former hay field (rough in places). I have a 60" rear blade, the 48" bucket on the front end loader, and a 50" front snow blower (that I bought new several years ago) for snow removal. The B7500 is a solid tractor and has served me well. It now has over 2,600 hours clocked. The front end loader and bucket have recently been converted to quick attach, and I have added quick attach pallet forks. I highly recommend the Quick attach conversion. The B7500 has turf tires.
Best wishes!

 

[pattyt21]

Patty21 - I have a B7500 HSD-R that I bought new in 2003. I use it with a 60" mid mount mower to finish mow 2-2.5 acres of lawn, with a 59" flail mower to cut 5 acres of horse pasture and 2 acres of former hay field (rough in places). I have a 60" rear blade, the 48" bucket on the front end loader, and a 50" front snow blower (that I bought new several years ago) for snow removal. The B7500 is a solid tractor and has served me well. It now has over 2,600 hours clocked. The front end loader and bucket have recently been converted to quick attach, and I have added quick attach pallet forks. I highly recommend the Quick attach conversion. The B7500 has turf tires.
Best wishes!

What's the quick attach do? Thought I already had it on this as yesterday I popped on and off the loader in about 3 minutes. (Drop the legs, pull two pins, unhook hoses, curl bucket in to lift mount, back out) sounds like you might be able to answer my question I originally asked, is the snowblower model specific? Like will a new front one for a 2601 work on the 7500?

 

[pattyt21]

Patty21 - It now has over 2,600 hours

Good god man! That would definitely take me a lot of years to get that kinda hours!