Please Help - B21 3 Point Measurements

[BruceWard]

I want to use 3 point implements with my B21. My B21 did not come with the top links, stabilizers, etc. I am not really sure what the parts are called and the parts manual does not include any dimensions.

My local Kubota Dealer is crap. I called them to try to order a set of factory parts and they were helpless.

Could anyone measure their 3 point components and let me know the dimensions?

Thanks!

 

[curtisfarmer]

Whyy?? Are you considering after market stuff or something non B21 standard? IF so, think again, have you seen how thick the arms are? They are so thick because trhe machine is beefy and regular after market stuff just won't cut it. Besides, hoping something is going to match up is asking for disaster...i.e. ripping apart the cast attach points due to inaccurate mounting radius and other pertinate details. Get B21 arms I say.

 

[MarkV]

Bruce I am with Curtis and do not think you will find an after market product that will fit your needs. A top link is generic and can be found at Tractor supply and many other places. The lift arms and stabilizers are going to be specialty items for the B21 only.

You may want to take a look at TractorSmart.com is your online source for Kubota online parts. for parts if you are having trouble with a local dealer. If you fill out a form on the site they will email you a file of the parts book for your tractor.

MarkV

 

[FrogLick]

Personally if my local Kubota dealer was clueless about how to get common parts for my tractor I think Kubota would like to know about that so they could "educate" him or find another representative. I certainly wouldn't rely on this dealer for any repair work!

 

[BruceWard]

I emailed tractorsmart, hopefully they will reply with prices.

 

[Leozepolusa]

Bruce I am with Curtis and do not think you will find an after market product that will fit your needs. A top link is generic and can be found at Tractor supply and many other places. The lift arms and stabilizers are going to be specialty items for the B21 only.

You may want to take a look at TractorSmart.com is your online source for Kubota online parts. for parts if you are having trouble with a local dealer. If you fill out a form on the site they will email you a file of the parts book for your tractor.

MarkV

Hello Mark,

I just read this thread and thought I would ask about this subject further. I just purchased a 2005 B21 that will be shipped and delivered tomorrow by a used tractor dealer I bought it from. The tractor was missing the lower lift arms and stabilizers, so he is selling me what he says are good quality after market arms that are "very close" to the size & shape of the original Kubota arms. I am familiar with the Kubota B21 arms which are pretty straight with small bends on each end. Can you tell me what would be so customized with the OEM's that should explain the need to spend the additional $200 for them? I would rather spend the money towards a box blade or tiller. Thanks in advance for the help.

Leo

 

[MarkV]

Leo congratulations on the new tractor and welcome to the forum. The B21 is a great little machine that will get a lot of work done for you. You may be fine with after market parts if the dealer says they will work. I, and as far as I can remember no one on the forum have ever found an after market set that would work on that tractor. It would be great if you get a set that works to know who manufactures them. It might be helpful to others in the future. As far as the term customized, my meaning was that the arms are not interchangeable with any other Kubota models.

MarkV

 

[RichT]

Ck the rental yards - might be some B21s around. Some rental yards around here still have them.

Another thot...perhaps the B21 and B26 arms are the same or at least close enough that you could adapt the B26 arms. Call Kubota and ask them.

 

[Leozepolusa]

Leo congratulations on the new tractor and welcome to the forum. The B21 is a great little machine that will get a lot of work done for you. You may be fine with after market parts if the dealer says they will work. I, and as far as I can remember no one on the forum have ever found an after market set that would work on that tractor. It would be great if you get a set that works to know who manufactures them. It might be helpful to others in the future. As far as the term customized, my meaning was that the arms are not interchangeable with any other Kubota models.

MarkV

Thanks Mark,

Well, mixed report on this. The seller delivered the B21 with everything needed for the three point hook up. It turns out he was able to find and sell me the Kubota OEM left hand and adjustable right hand lifting rods. Everything else was new aftermarket. The lower lift arms and stabilizers will probably work fine, but I suspect the arms are 2 or 3 inches longer and the holes are positioned somewhat differently. The turnbuckle stabilizers involve more chain than Kubota's. Both the arms and stabilizers are notably heavier than the OEM's. The top link is generic enough and should work with no problems. The dealer installed everything temporarily before delivery to make sure it would all come together correctly. I trust him and believe everything will in fact work. He sold me the combined Kubota and aftermarket parts for $275. The only problem I ran into so far is that since the arms are a little longer and thicker than Kubota's, they do not quite fit on the B21 temporary storage mounts. This is admitedly a small issue, but one that will bother me indefinitely. I will have to continue searching or pay roughly $450 just for the Kubota arms and stabilizers. It kills me that an entire B21 3 point set up just sold recently on ebay for $150 by a Kubota dealer clearing old stock. I doubt I'll find a deal like that anytime soon.

One final question. I noticed the tractor's piston rod at the backhoe bucket has a slight curvature to it along a the front to rear axis. There are no leaks and the bucket works fine. There also does not appear to be any dings or marks on the piston indicating an impact. Are these piston rods designed that way by chance?

Thanks again for the help.

 

[Leozepolusa]

Ck the rental yards - might be some B21s around. Some rental yards around here still have them.

Another thot...perhaps the B21 and B26 arms are the same or at least close enough that you could adapt the B26 arms. Call Kubota and ask them.

Thanks Rich,

I believe your suspicion is correct. The B21 and B26 lift arms share the same part number. The problem continues to be the cost for new. I will patiently continue to search for used.

 

[dfkrug]

One final question. I noticed the tractor's piston rod at the backhoe bucket has a slight curvature to it along a the front to rear axis. There are no leaks and the bucket works fine. There also does not appear to be any dings or marks on the piston indicating an impact. Are these piston rods designed that way by chance?

Not just "no", but he** no!

You have to straighten the rod before you buckle it. If it is only slightly
bent, you can straighten it to near perfect using a press. It requires
disassembly of the cylinder. I have successfully straightend several
rods with my HF 20T press. If you do not have that setup, take it to
a machine shop.

As for the 3-pt hitch, my B21's parts were all missing, too. I suspect that
most owners do not store the arms in the provided brackets. I, too, think
you will be fine with aftermarket arms, lift links, and stay chains of the
correct size. Aftermarket toplinks are often superior to the OEM Kub units.

 

[MarkV]

The top link is no issue at all. I accurally like the one I have from Tractor Supply better than the original. Not sure I have stored any of the 3pt pieces in their proper storage places during the last ten years so don't stress too much about it.

Now the bent cylinder rod may well be an issue. As dfkrug says that will be a weak point. I have seen it happen when the bucket is wedged behind an inmovable stump and something has to give. That is how I did it on another tractor. If you feel comfortable with doing it, some of us have carefully bent them back using the tractor hydraulics. In my case I wedged a piece of lumber under the bent section and curled the bucket until the rod was close to straight. That lasted for a number of years until I sold the tractor. No question a machine shop could do a more accurate job.

MarkV