B7510 Turf Special

[MowHoward]

Okay, I have been driving myself nuts with this for a month now. So far, bought an L2800 gear and cancelled as a single stage clutch and pretty bad for mowing. Emailed Kubota and they are convinced no problem, but I don't think so. Decided to go with an L2800 HST and when I saw this beast with a loader I decided that it was too big from my 3 acres of mowing and chores. Looked at the B7800 and nice size, but as much as the L3400 Gear with two stage clutch which bothers me. Finally, located a B7510 turf special that the dealer didn't want to sell me for an elevated price. Here is my question. Always had a rear finish mower and I liked it and easy to use. The mid mount mower on the turf special looks at best complex. Anyone have one who can comment on the ease of removal...Dealers always say, no problem. Also, how hard is it to get back on. Is this a good mowing machine for 3 acres of finish mowing. I really like the L2800, but afraid it is just to big for my needs and won't fit in the garage with the loader on. The **** loader is big.

Thanks
Mow

 

[IslandTractor]

The 7510 turf special should be a great machine for 3 acres. Unless you intend to pop the mower off every day I cannot imagine it is significantly more hassle than dealing with a 3pt attachment RFM. As it can be raised out of the way, you can also just leave it on most of the time.

 

[flusher]

If I were you, I'd visit the dealer and check out the MMM myself rather than relying on anyone's opinions/experience. Talk to the technicians/mechanics there to get the straight skinny on the MMM. AFter all, you will be turning the wrenches when (and if) you decide to remove the MMM.

I have a B7510HST with ag tires, no MMM. Seems to me that getting the PTO connected would be the most difficult step when attaching the MMM to the tractor. IRRC, the MMM comes with 4 wheels, so if you're doing the installation on a concrete floor it should be easier to move the MMM around to get it connected. I made dollies for my 3pt implements to make it easier to attach them (you move the implement instead of the tractor).

 

[DanR67]

MowHoward -

I have the similar sized B7610 - and have come up with a little trick that makes getting the MMM in-/ out- from under the CUT much easier. Connecting it up is not too bad - maybe 10 minutes start to finish - removing goes quicker - bit over 5 minutes.

Take a look at the pictures on my website: MMM Installation / Removal - this shows how I do it.

BTW - with my 54" MMM - I mow @ 2 acres in @ 1 hour.

Hope that helps,

Dan

 

[Volfandt]

I almost went with the Turf Special. It has the ground clearance I liked and a full floating MMM which I also liked. I was all set to go with one but ended up going with a BX23 w/60" MMM at the 11th hour. Something about the BH caught my eye /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

No regrets at all with going with the BX23 but then again I'm sure I wouldn't have had any with the Turf Special either.

The ride is better on the B7510 tho... Those taller tires must absord the jar'ing better.

Volfandt

 

[EldoNixon]

I was down to the turf special vs. BX 23 and went BX. The turf special deck uses a unique mounting system when compared to most mmm. It makes adding the backhoe a real pain according to my dealer. Since a backhoe was a necessity, I went BX. I would look at the regular 7610, 7510, or 7800. Or the BX.

 

[hwew]

I have 1 1/2 acres and I have a B7500 that does all the work in the yard. The RCK54-75B Mower Deck (Which is the same type of mower deck that comes on the Turf Special except that it is only 54" wide) is a great mower deck. I feel it is very easy to take off in my garage. But I found some type of slippery plastic I believe it is the stuff that children use to slide down a hill in the summer. This stuff work great!! Unroll the stuff, slide it under the tractor, roll the mower deck on the plastic and then slide the deck under the tractor.

About Tractor choices, I can tell you I made a lot of bad decisions and I learned from them.

My 1st tractor was a New Holland 1320 and it was too heavy for mowing. it tore up the turf and made ruts pretty bad so I sold it.

I purchased a Kubota BX2200. It was ok for mowing but in soft ground I just kept getting it stuck. It just did not have the ground clearance. It had all the problems associated BX series tractors and then some. So I sold it.

I purchased the Kubota B7500 after that experiance and all I can say is I LOVE IT!!! Not one mechanical problem with this one. A matter of fact no problems at all. The weight is about the same as the BX series tractors so it is easy on turf. I have not got it stuck at all. It mowes the lawn as good as the BX2200.

For my use the B7500 (which is the same as the B7510 except it does not have updated lights, electric shutoff, safety shutoffs, and 1/4 inching) is a great tractor and that B series tractor has been built for a long time and has a good track record to show.

Read the posts on BX or B #758761 starting on 10/22/05 at 04:32 PM. I believe you will find some useful information.

 

[kingoflawns]

I ran a B7500 for 5 seasons before jumping up to a B3030. The 7500/7510 is a proven tractor, perfect match for 3 acres. They run great, offer a nice little loader, and they are real good on fuel.

 

[daTeacha]

How about asking the dealer/salesman to personally demonstrate putting the mmm on and off -- starting with the tractor sitting away from the mmm and ending up the same? Not a tech who does it all the time, but the sales guy. Then you'd know what was involved and how long it takes.

 

[orangebluegreen]

This is apparently the position control valve on a B2410.
Position Control valve

Anyone know if it’s all that would be needed to change a B7510 quarter inching into position control?

I looked at the parts breakdowns on each model and it appears the B7510 and B2410 share the same transmission. From what I can tell this is the main difference between quarter inching and position control ?????????

My point being....if one can add this simple bolt on valve and a Koyker 120 loader (lifts to 85”) to a B7510, you have a pretty darn nice machine....now if you could also order the UK rear discharge MMM or better yet, Kubota built a suspended rear discharge deck.....this is a machine I would definitely buy.
specs on Koyker 120 loader

Koyker 120 loader specs from their page

A while back on TBN a poster had a link to parts schematics from tractorsmart on Kubota which I was able to download several complete models. Sorry to say it doesn’t work any longer. Sure would be nice if Kubota would allow us to look at parts breakdowns for everything, it sure answers a lot of questions when you want to compare one model to another to see if parts are the same.

 

[orangebluegreen]

Tried out a B7510 Turf Special today and was curious about this supposed dreaded quarter inching valve. The stops on the slider were set far apart. Seemed to operate the same as position control to me. There was no weight on the 3-point though so maybe that’s why??? It stopped anywhere I wanted and didn’t jump at all, very smooth. I once rented a Kubota (don’t remember the model but it was a 4 post factory canopy) and the 3-point control on that was absolute awful and mounted way too low. My hand was raw and blistered when I was done using it and it was VERY jerky and rough. This is what I was expecting with the quarter inching but wasn’t so. I have read that position control doesn’t leak down.....I’ve always had 3-points leak down some regardless of design so wondering does the 1/4”er actually leak down more than position control? Sure seemed to operate the same to me, but again, without weight on the 3-point. The valve part numbers are different so there must be something.

My local dealer didn’t have a deck on the machine and it had R4’s but had the Turf Special sticker. I asked for a price and got one for the tractor only that most other dealers sell tractor and deck for. When I enquired about the suspended RCK60B75B deck that is supposed to go with a Turf Special he had no idea what I was talking about and couldn’t find any such thing in his price book. I know it’s there if they had updated their books, I have it myself...pretty bad when I as a consumer have the entire parts breakdown but my dealer doesn’t. I am now suspecting that rather than being over priced perhaps we just have uninformed and don’t know that what makes a Turf Special what it is would be the DECK and not the sticker. I wish these guys would get their act together or Kubota would get us a REAL dealer who is more interested in being competitive rather than turning people and dealers in to the state when they don’t collect state tax from out of state buyers. I’ve been told by two salesmen at the same dealer now that they do this. Perhaps they think they are trying to keep people from buying out of state, what a joke....personally I would be tempted to rearrange the cosmetic facial features of one who did that to me. Must be nice to have a protected monopoly, be incompetent, and still make money. Had hoped to see some of the TC24/26’s there also but he told me they don’t have much interest in them. Maybe that’s because they don’t have any and no one would ever buy from them if they are not willing to wake up and realize the world is not flat and the customer can shop anywhere in this country. Hey, at least I got to drive one....if they want to sell one is up to them. Wonder if DOT is forced to buy from them? Maybe that’s how they survive?

 

[Volfandt]

Good thing you're up on it. I've never seen a Turf Special without the suspended MMM & turf tires.
Matter of fact, thats what makes it a Turf Special!

The Turf Special w/the suspended MMM and turf tires is supposed to be a package deal that prices in less than a std B7510 w/the std 60" MMM!.

Sounds like this dealer is either trying to pull a fast one or doesn't know his product line.
Shame....

Volfandt

 

[orangebluegreen]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Good thing you're up on it. I've never seen a Turf Special without the suspended MMM & turf tires.
Matter of fact, thats what makes it a Turf Special!

The Turf Special w/the suspended MMM and turf tires is supposed to be a package deal that prices in less than a std B7510 w/the std 60" MMM!.

Sounds like this dealer is either trying to pull a fast one or doesn't know his product line.
Shame....
)</font>

Exactly on all points. I got to thinking later....if a guy comes in this dealer (or told on the phone as I was) and expects a Turf Special as it says on the side of the machine, what in the world is he going to get for a deck? Would love to know if a Turf Special comes complete with deck when ordered....I assume it is a total package as you suggest. I asked do they come as Turf Specials or do they add a sticker at the dealer, the answer was they come that way. So next question would be....where is the deck? As you said it’s not a Turf Special without that suspended deck. He did say it came in with turf tires but they took them off for some reason. I’m not sure if they are trying to pull a fast one or just don’t know the product, in this area it can be either, will add also these fellows are not spring chickens. They are trying to price tractor and deck separately as you would normally with other tractors, problem is this takes the price much higher than it should be. If that’s on purpose I don’t know but there is a band of dealers in this area that all advertise together and IMO appear they are also price fixing together. Bad enough I was told 10,372 for tractor only (higher than many dealers for tractor including deck as it should) but then gave me a price of 3500 for Bush Hog loader and never gave me a price on a deck because it couldn’t be found. I suspect they are in a back section of their book. Found another Turf Special today while traveling on business, they wanted 11,300....it was used 26 hours and looked like it had been used to mow rail road tracks! When you tell them a new one can be bought for far less elsewhere you get the deer in the headlights look.

This entire SW Fla area is always the same regardless of what you’re buying. They think because you are surrounded on three sides by water they have you trapped and you are going to pay 25% more than elsewhere. On top of that they don’t even try to educate themselves. It is a HUGE problem in SW Fla and all of Fla. Most people who move here are appalled and move away in a couple of years. It is a protectionist state where all businesses have some sort of license requirements. With the hurricane damage here, at many I75 exits you’ll find a sign that says unlicensed contracting is a felony in Florida. So now you have damaged houses and not enough workers or contractors. I have a friend who was quoted 10-12,000 to put new shingles on his 1300 sq ft house! He is actually going to pay 6000 for the job and thinks it’s a deal! Protectionism in this state has caused price gouging and “could care less” attitudes in this area that is beyond belief. It was bad before, but worse now.

On a good note.....
Also visited a Ferris dealer (out of this area) who I previously had thought was very good and honest (Country Village Power Equipment). He had most of what I wanted to see put away for winter and wasn’t at that location today to dig it out for me. A customer who happened to hear me talking to the dealer/owner on the phone said “I bought one and I’m so pleased with it (an IS3000ZL) and this dealer, that you are welcome to follow me home and try mine out” What a difference in people, and what a great offer! Of course I dragged the wife out to his horse farm and took him up on the offer....now that’s good PR. What a great gesture to know a customer was trying to help his dealer sell a machine he really liked. BTW....he also had a Kubota sitting there for bigger projects and lest anyone think it’s just me....talking to this fellow he sounded exactly like my ranting about prices and arrogant dealers in this area because he had encountered the same ones and same attitudes. He couldn’t buy his L-Series from his Kubota dealer a couple miles from home because of it, but he only had to travel another 15-20 miles or so.

 

[MowHoward]

Yep. I ran across a dealer that pulled the same thing on me. Told me that the tractor didn't come with the deck. BS, just walk out. Took me awhile, but there are some good deals out there. Each dealer is different, some are looking to make thousands off of the deal...walk out and get on the phone. Don't be afraid to drive a bit either...it is the same tractor everywhere.
Mow

 

[Rod in Forfar]

Without a loader I have opted to use two opposing arms from my car hoist and a loop of chain to lift the front for mower installation. It takes about 4 minutes, on or off.