Lucky B7300!

[skent]

Long time reader of TBN. Great Info and people. Was looking at a new BX2200 and B7400 till Aug 2000 when I got a great deal on a 1999 B7300 w/less than 150 Hrs, (it was a repo) FEL had never been used, 60" Mid had no scraches, included service manual and tire chains and rear blade. After using the 7300 for a few weeks(mowing), I parked it in shop and noticed coolant dripping from lower hose. When the engine would be hot, the fan belt would rub the lower hose and a VERY TINY leak occured. (as luck would happen, it started leaking in a place it could be noticed)

I replaced the hose, repositioned the bracket (that was supposed to prevent rubbing) and got to thinking - the B7300 does not have a temp gauge or light. They use a "steam whistle" type device to warn of overtemp. It's located on the recovery tank overflow line.

I'm guessing this device would not function too well had my leak been worse (occured while using the tractor) and I had lost all coolant (no water = no steam = no whistle = no engine?!? = lots o' $$$)

After seeing the B7400/7500 instrument cluster, I noticed they have a temp gauge. Looks like the same physical size as the B7300 cluster. Dealer price is 170 for the cluster and 15 for the sending unit. Would it be feesable to retrofit my 7300 with a 7400 cluster, add a few wires to the sending unit and have the temp protection. (plus the B7400 cluster is back lit for night viewing, the 7300 is not). Price wise I have no problem spending 185 if it will fit. (less than 10% the price of a new engine)

I have re-wired burned out tractors in the past and could do the additions w/ no problems.

I had thought about adding an aftermarket temp gauge ($30) but in keeping the clean lines of the operators platform, would opt fot the replacement cluster.

What do you guys think?

Thanks (in advance)!

Steve

 

[Snell]

Steve,

The later serial # 7300's do have a temp gauge and Kubota makes a meter kit to upgrade the ones without. It is part #6C090-96500. This includes the wiring, meter assy, thermostat and manual for installation. The 7400/7500 will not work in part due to the backlighting you were talking about. List price is around $230.

 

[bpence]

If memory serves me, the B7300 uses a "thermo-syphon" cooling system to move the coolant through the motor. What that means is there isn't a water pump and the heat of the engine and the coolant moves the coolant around. It's a system that's been used for a long time and works fine. The whistle is there to tell you when the motor is overheating. It'll get your attention when it goes off.

You may want to do a search on TBN for anything relating the the B7300. There was a thread a while back that dealt with installing a temperature guage on the B7300. Might help in sorting out what will or won't work with the thermo-syphon system. I've been going to try and install a temp. guage on my B7100, but work just keeps interfering with the important stuff.

Bob Pence

 

[skent]

The B7300 (at least the one I have) does have a water pump.

 

[Thomas]

Steve,
I believe you would hear the whistling from the cap long before your coolant ran out,not unless good size major leak.

By the sound you got a heck of a deal for the B7300 plus the attachments

Thomas..NH /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[Thomas]

Bob,
Never had mine whistle..what a second got to knock {wood} my head...ouch,but under heavy snow removeal I do keep the coolant level full,and it does seem to vaporate.
Are you still planing on purchasing a FEL for your B7100. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Thomas..NH /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif