B6100DT - Current Situation..

[Kelvin]

Hey Bill,
I believe that Rick was right in his description of the front PTO. But in reading your posts it sounds like there is more than one kind of front PTO for the B6100.

If you look again at the picture of my B7100 (for the benefit of others it is under the digital photography posts) you'll notice the large box-shaped unit on the front of the tractor. That "box" is a protective cover over the front electric PTO that is essentially a clutch mechanism identical to the clutch mechanism used on automotive air-conditioning compressors (as Rick indicated). There is a switch on the dash to turn the PTO on and off (which, in my case, turns the mid-mower on and off). The wire you see in the picture is routed to the PTO; there is another wire for the lights.

Kelvin

 

[Bird]

Kelvin, how old is your B7100? I was wondering whether that electric front PTO was an optional piece of equipment, available only on the geared models, or only on older, etc. My 1995 B7100HSD didn't have it, but my Cub Cadet AGS2130 (riding mower) did.

Bird

 

[Kelvin]

Bird,
I believe that my B7100D is somewhere between a 1978-1981 model.


The following is what I believe to be the difference between the B7100D/E (gear drive & front PTO) vs the B7100HSD/E (hydrostat tranny w/mid PTO).

I believe that all of the older gear models had to have the "Optional Front Electric PTO" if they wanted a mid-mower (there is no mention of the front PTO in the tractor's owners manual...only the mower manual). This system avoided the complications of not having a live PTO (allowing you to stop, start & change gears without stopping the mower). The largest front-PTO driven belt drive mid-mower was 48".

With the introduction of the hydrostatic models such as yours, they added the mid-PTO in lieu of the front PTO. As you know, the hydrostatic transmission gives the effect of a live PTO (mid and rear). I suppose the mid-PTO allowed more power/torque to be delivered to the mid-mower thus the mowing width was increased up to 60".


Was the front PTO available on the hydrostat model B7100s? I doubt that it was from the factory. But it seems that it would be simple enough to add one. It is simply an shaft and pulley mounted as an extension of the crankshaft pulley. As mentioned before, the PTO pulley is has an automotive style electic clutch that controls whether or not the belt receives power from the spinning crankshaft. I don't have a good picture in the manual. If there is interest I'll take a quick photo of the PTO assembly and attach on the next post.

Kelvin

 

[WVBill]

It would appear that there are several, apparently un-documented configurations for front PTOs in the late 70's - early 80's B6100/7100 series.

I searched my "original equipment" Kubota Tractor B5100D/E - B6100D/E - B7100D Operator's Manual (all 36 pages) and could find no mention of any front PTO. Nor is there any indication of a front PTO in the Parts Manual.

There is mention in the B6100D sales brochure of "Front and rear PTO shafts."

I also have a sales brochure for a B6000 of the era that lists a front PTO speed of 2,700 (same as engine RPM) and an Optional equipment Electromagnetic front PTO clutch.

Welcome to the world of Kubota documentation, I guess.

Bill

 

[Bird]

Kelvin, fortunately I don't need a front PTO; doubt that I'll ever use the mid-PTO, but I was curious about it. Thanks.

Bird

 

[bpence]

TheMatrix....just curious how things worked out with the B6100.

Bob Pence

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Still deciding... Im considering many options, such as buying a larger used tractor, or a new equivalent of a B6100. Thanks for your concern .

 

[maxter]

I just read your reply about the electric pto for the 6100dt. Do you have any idea on how to get on other than a dealer, such as an aftermarket?
thanks for the info