B7100 ~ More power?

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: B7100 ~ (Temp Gauge)

I put a coolant recovery tank on my B6000 and turned it into a "closed" system". Works great. The tank I used was purchased at Advanced Auto Parts for around $12 and came with a wire basket type holder for the tank. I ended up bolting the bracket to the side of the hood behind the air cleaner. This solved my problem of constantly adding coolant and the tractor seems to run a bit a cooler--no gauge so I can't tell for sure but it seems happier.

 

[DennisD]

Thanks again for all the replies. I have another question. When using the 48" box blade on the 7100 more traction is helpful. Is there a problem with using the tractor in 4 wheel drive for this type of work?

 

[JimBinMI]

DennisD,

As far as I know, the only time you shouldn't use 4x4 when more traction is needed would be on a hard surface like concrete or asphalt. I also don't mow in 4x4 but I don't need more traction when mowing either!

Good Luck, JimBinMI

We boys and our toys!

 

[W5FL]

4WD always gives better traction which is usually needed in any ground engaging tractor work. Mowing on slopes is greatly improved with 4WD as the required traction is available and the front wheels don't crab and push the sod. My tractor mows nicely in 4WD, also. I try to remember to put it in 2WD before putting it in the barn, but when I forget, I just push the loader down to raise the front wheels, and pull it out of 4WD. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[Kelvin]

DennisD,
I don't believe that I would even try 2WD for yard box work unless I just wanted to compare to see the difference between 2WD and 4WD. As long as the front tires are allowed to spin as needed then I don't see a problem. I'd say go ahead and use 4WD and differential lock as needed to get the job done. You'll really see the power of the mighty little B7100.

You didn't mention whether you had turf tires or Ag tires; this makes quite a bit of a difference when using a Yard Box.

 

[Kelvin]

Re: B7100 ~ (Temp Gauge)

cagnolimusic,
Some of these older Kubota tractors without temperature gauges use a whistle mounted on the end of the radiator overflow tube so that you would hear a whistling when the tractor overheated and the radiator cap released pressure.

Based upon this method of overheat warning, I'd guess that your B6000 may be overheating to cause the overflow. I've never seen a coolant overflow situation on my B7100. If the B6000 has the thermosiphon cooling system (I'd pretty sure that it does) then be sure to not use more than a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water. Also be sure and keep the radiator clean inside and out for maximum cooling capability.

 

[Bird]

Dennis, like the other guys, I nearly always used 4WD when using the box blade, and I have a 40" tiller that would try to push the B7100 forward if I tilled in high range, 2WD, so I did nearly all my tilling in low range, 4WD.

Bird

 

[DennisD]

Thanks again guys! I knew that using 4 wheel drive low would give the best results when using the box blade or any other pulling chore. I was just concerned that doing so at all times would damage something but it appears that the unit was designed for such use. How many of you guys have front loaders on the 7100? I'm considering adding one to my tractor. Any problems with the loader or tractor when using the loader that you can enlighten me about?

 

[DennisD]

Kelvin, I do have the ag tires, I purposely looked for one with this type of tires because I do not use the 7100 on the yard, I use my John Deere 170 for lawn work.

 

[Bird]

Dennis, my B7100 had the B1630C front end loader. It was not a quick attach model (and I was told no quick attach model was available at the time), so it was never off the tractor. It worked very well and I got a lot of work done with it. It had a lift capacity of about 510 pounds (4' bucket). The only problem I had was the bucket and boom both slowing lowering whether the engine was running or not. The dealer tried replacing seals in the cylinders, then eventually just replaced all 4 cylinders. I'd certainly recommend you get one if you can, and the only caution is to remember that it's a light tractor and you can turn it over very easily using the front end loader (I never did, but sure came close a few times).

Before I bought that tractor, I looked at a rental unit with about 800 hours on it, and with a loader, and noticed it was sitting on the dealer's lot in 4WD, so I asked the salesman about that. He told me they put their rental units in 4WD and leave them there all the time. So I don't think you'd have to worry about using the 4WD too much, but at the same time, I'm like these other guys. I don't want mine in 4WD on hard dry surfaces like pavement.

Bird