MY 2 cents. I had a 7100 but sold it through a divorce about 9 years ago. They are nice little tractors. Then last year I went into a Kubota dealer to talk new "B" line tractors. The salesman said he knew of a fellow that had a really nice 7800 he was selling and he knew I had been looking for a used unit to save some $$, so he gave me the sellers info. I drove the 60 miles to look at it. It did turn out to be in really great shape, BUT; it was a 7300 not a 7800. OK, I've owned a 7100 before, so I could get by with a 7300. And like you, a FEL was primarily important so I went back to the dealer to talk about putting on a FEL. Since I had negotiated what I though was a great deal on the 7300 and the dealer was giving me a price below MSRP, I bought the 7300 and had the dealer order a frame and loader from BushHog. I would
still come out cheaper than getting a new "B".
Well, first off the 7300 was 4X4 but it had turfs on it. I was planning on doing some digging on a creek bed to make a pond. The turfs didn't work, they had to go. Another $700 later (and that was a great price because the dealer had front wheels and tires in inventory). So, now I had new wheels and R1 tires all around. Made a big difference using the FEL but still...
Then I discovered a tooth bar would improve digging efficiency. Another $400. Now I know I would have put a tooth bar on any FEL I have but still...
So now I have a fairly decent machine that will do the work I want, but remember, no power steering. Didn't really bother me but still...
The power of the little tractor was
OK because I knew it's limitations going in but still...
Then the last time I was using the 7300 working on my pond I noticed a lot of oil around the left rear axle seal. I kept an eye on it but it got worse and got to loosing about a qt. of SUDT a week whether I was using the tractor or it was sitting. Not a lot but still...
I had some mechanical experience and I knew I could do the work myself but it was going to be a messy job. So I talked to the shop at the dealership about replacing the seal, they quoted around $380 to $400 (if they didn't find anything else wrong); not a lot but still...
This money saving used tractor was starting to cost some $$ after all. One day in January I was in the dealership picking up some SUDT and joked with the salesman "got any good deals on new tractors?" thinking the deals would be over since it was already 2011. He responded "actually, I do have a good deal on the last
B3300 we have in stock". I negotiated on the new
B3300 with FEL. Got a deal I was happy with and was able to pay cash which gave me an even better deal.
Now let me assure you, the 3300 will outwork the 7300 BIG time. I sold the 7300 through craigslist and yes, I was honest and informed the purchaser about the oil leak. I took a loss but write it off to experience.
The 7100 is getting a little old already. Unless you are on a
really tight budget, learn from my experience; find a deal on a
B3300,
B3200 or even an entry level "L" model. Or at least find a compact with a FEL already on it.