B7100 with deck or 7+ year old zero turn?

[aussieahoy]

Will you use the tractor for other jobs besides mowing that a zero turn will not do?
That to me that is a factor in deciding what tool to use for the job.

Most likely yes, definitely for tilling ect and general yard maintenance

There's also a b6001 with a TLB setup for around 8K, which I'm considering saving up for and purchasing at a later date too. Since 12.5K will still be cheaper than a used commercial zero turn which is a massive benefit for me.

And the 4wd is mostly needed lol

 

[oldnslo]

I think you may have answered the question on which tool has the most benefits or uses today on your budget.

 

[RjCorazza]

I almost never recommend a tractor over a zero turn, but it sounds like the B7100 or similar would be best. You could also run a flail off the back if you need to cut wet and / or high grass.

I suspect a diesel zero turn has more torque than a gasoline engine, as my 72" diesel zero turn doesn't have a problem with high thick grass with a 24.8 hp engine. They are pricey though.

 

[aussieahoy]

I almost never recommend a tractor over a zero turn, but it sounds like the B7100 or similar would be best. You could also run a flail off the back if you need to cut wet and / or high grass.

I suspect a diesel zero turn has more torque than a gasoline engine, as my 72" diesel zero turn doesn't have a problem with high thick grass with a 24.8 hp engine. They are pricey though.

In my personal experience definitely, our old Massey was I think 24hp, and it thrased out 24hp kohlier lawnmower any day. But I'm also leaning towards the Kubota, especially when accounting for both having higher hours

 

[dodge man]

Well the Kubota has blowby, I’m not sure why you are considering it unless you want to fix it.

 

[rScotty]

Well the Kubota has blowby, I’m not sure why you are considering it unless you want to fix it.

That's what I think. More than that, we are comparing a decent 40 year old Kubota to a what? To a 7+ year old box store Zero Turn? Whoops....

Actually either one sounds like an OK buy for a mechanical guy looking to trade work for expense. Even if neither one is broken, both are worn to the point of needing normal rebuilding work right now before it does become major.

As a mechanical guy myself - and someone who enjoys the puzzle of diagnostics and wrenching - I can sure understand the appeal of either or both - but neither one is what I would recommend to my non-mechanical friends.

rScotty

 

[Vigo327]

So i've mowed with a 4wd 7100 with a 3pt finish mower, and a zero turn with same deck size, on my same land.

The 7100 is going to be a lot less fun to operate under (my) normal conditions, BUT it will be a lot MORE fun to operate when it's not struggling where the other one would be (slipping/sliding/stuck) or when it's doing things the other one can't do at all (pushing/pulling/pto/loader/backhoe/etc). I know the one you're looking at doesn't have a loader or backhoe but plenty of people have added or built them, or you could buy the other one, swap the fun parts and resell the 6001 etc. I have a B6100 with an FEL and am fixing up another 6100 for a buddy which has the FEL and backhoe. The tractor has a LOT of possible uses (even a backup generator!).

I would say the 7100 is the better choice for right now, and i suspect that even if you end up with a better mowing machine at some point, you either won't get rid of the 7100, or will only sell it for a bigger/better tractor. I doubt you'll go back to no tractor even if your zero turn budget becomes unlimited. My .02.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

Id put 34 hp Kawasaki engines every time one got a little tired around here. I used to send out ten bobcat 60" mowers, six days a week. 34 hp fit right on there. Electric clutch and all swapped. It was a bolt in swap. Next, get the big wide tires for the rear. I did that too.

Well it's a fair point, cause you're comparing what sounds like a home owner based ZT against a scut with a Diesel engine... Isn't a fair comparison..
Besides the fact ZT with 60" decks need at least 30hp or larger engines to mow effectively..

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

I've seen a lot of folks with lawn mowers and do not have tractors. I have never seen anyone with a tractor that didn't have a lawn mower.

 

[Vigo327]

Have you ever had a tractor the size of a riding mower? A B7100 is basically the size of a large riding mower or a 'garden tractor' except it has mechanical 4wd, a diff lock, goes faster (8-9mph), goes slower (a real low range), a normal 540 pto, a 'real' cat1 3pt, onboard hydraulics, steering brakes, and a front end that won't fold up under an FEL. And it can also mow, mid mount OR rear mount.

I feel like before Zero Turns became the go-to 'riding mowers' you could have taken a b7100 with the same size deck and swapped it with pretty much anybody's riding mower and while it may have been slightly larger it would have been able to do more or less the same job. You would just trade away the 'simplicity' and ergonomics of your typical riding mower, for a machine that may not be better at mowing but can still do it and can also do a huge range of other things. Kind of the swiss army knife of <1000lb yard machines.

So i think something the size of the B7100 is kind of the exception to the rule in that sense.