Kubota B7100 2WD or 4WD?

[Anonymous Poster]

I thought the B7100 was 4WD but I'm looking to buy one locally and the owner says its a 2WD Hydrostat model. Did they make a 2WD model? If so, what years? Thanks for the help!
Cheryl

 

[Thomas]

Try tractortips.com..for they have good info there.

I always thought the B7100 came thru w/4wd,and the other gray B7--- came w/2wd or 4wd.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

From what I can tell, this doesn't look at all like a "gray market" Kubota. I guess its possible that the owner just doesn't know but it seems strange. Anybody else heard of a 2WD B7100???
Also, does anyone know what year model this is???...
B7100HST serial #70585
Thanks again!
Cheryl

 

[Kelvin]

Cheryl,
The B7100 was probably the longest running production tractor that Kubota made.

As I understand it,
(1) The B7100 was made in gear drive starting somewhere in the mid-late 1970s until around 1984, in both 4wd (B7100D) and 2wd (B7100E) versions.
(2) ?Then they discontinued production for a year?
(3) They started production again in 1984 or 1985 with both gear and hydrostatic transmissions as options. These models did not have ROPS and had 4 lug front wheel on the 4wd model. I believe that all 2wd models had 4-lug front wheels.
(4) Somewhere around the late 1980s the B7100 came with an orange ROPS with square corners at the top.
(5) At some point in time the 4wd model changed to 6-lug front wheels.
(6) The latest that I saw NEW B7100s on the lot was in the summer of 1997; at that time they were available as 4wd only, had 6-lug front wheels, and had a blue ROPS with rounded corners at the top (like all of the current ROPS look like).

Assuming all of the previous information to be true, I would say that a 2wd B7100 (B7100HST-E) would have been produced between mid-1980s and ending in the late 1980s or early 1990s.

I would also say that a 2wd B7100 would be limited in what it can do; the 4wd model is much more useful. Unless it was a really good deal, I would keep looking for a 4wd model.

Kelvin

 

[chrisjbell]

I have a B7300 HST 4WD, and every now and then I forget and leave the 4WD lever disengaged (tractor runs in 2WD). Unless you are on flat ground and don't need much pulling power, don't bother with a 2WD. You may as well just get a large garden tractor (for much less money).

So I absolutely recommend 4WD (and with that said, I still run out of traction before running out of power most of the time).

Good luck...Chris

 

[frank_f15]

kelvin pretty much says it all, if u detrime that it is not 4wd, i wold pass on it, for anything other than mowing , 2wd in this size tractor is not very efficent.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I agree this little tractor in 4wd is great, but if the one you're looking at is 2wd, pass it by and find a 4wd.

 

[SteveM]

Just for kicks I will play counterpoint. Everything has a value, and perhaps if the price is right, depending on your needs, a 2wd tractor will be fine. I have a 2wd B6000E, which like everything else I seem to own, EVERYONE said to avoid. It has been a pleasure to own. Contrary to opinion I have found luck using a 5ft backblade for snow and dirt grading. I also have a 30" rear scoop which has moved countless yards of soft soil since I have purchased it. So identify your needs first. If money is not a limiting factor, absolutely get a 4wd. But dont dismiss this tractor completely just because it is 2wd.

 

[g42guy]

I have not used these compacts (yet) but I have used many 2wd tractors from lawn tractors up to a Ford 8N. I have to agree with Steve M. YES of course you can get more done with 4wd and more traction equals more power, but to say what you can get done with a 2wd tractor will be limited is just not true. BTW I will be getting a BX1800 that has 4wd. I know I will love it, I know I will be amazed at what it can do, but I also know that I will not forget all the work I have been able to do with all those LIMITED 2wd tractors.

 

[pennwalk]

I agree with Steve. If you are mostly going to mow flat land you may not need 4WD. You might want to thing about 4WD if you have hills, Wet spots or a lot of snow. If you can get a good deal then it is worth thinking about while being aware that it will be a little harder to resell and a little harder to get all your money back out of.

Chris