Bought a B21, have a few questions

[SixMilesSouth]

So I've been looking for a B21 for a little while now and just brought it home yesterday. Now, before we get into how happy I am, I have a few questions. It's my first tractor and I'm not sure how everything works. The machine doesn't have the owners manual (will have to pick that up).

The only two issues I've found are:
Hydro pedal does not center itself, meaning it will not stop moving until you manually put it to center. Could just need lubing the pivot mechanism?

It's hard to shift into different ranges at times. There's a grinding noise and the lever is hard to move. If I clutch again, then it will usually go right in without noise or hesitation. Is this problem connected to the first? I'm really hoping it's not a problem with the shift forks. This machines should shift without the clutch, right?

I'm excited to get started using it, but want to know what's what before I jump in.

Thanks!

6Miles

 

[bruceatlam]

I have a B20 --- I always use the clutch when shifting from range to range. And, like you, I sometimes have a little difficulty and need to double clutch. I find it best to shift while "rolling" a bit ---- mine has behaved like that since the day I bought it six years ago.

Yes --- grease the hydro pedal before you get too excited. There should be a zerk under the center pivot.

 

[Carl_NH]

Congrats on your new machine. I have had a B21 since 2000 (new) and they are a tough little TLB - I have moved a lot of rock and logs, grading etc. I am attaching the manuals for the Loader and Bachoe in PDF here also but the tractor manual is 3.7 MB so PM me and I will email to you.

To your issues - if your hydro pedal doesnt return to center I beleive there is a spring on this to return to nuetral, also grease as Bruce mentioned. This is the other reason you are having trouble shifting since the hydro pedal is engaged the swash plate on the hydro is pumping fluid causing the shifting /grinding - I would correct that right away.

Some other tips (once you get the hydro pedal return working) - sometimes it doesnt like to go in gear, so depress the hydro pedal with the clutch out and release, I almost always depress the clutch when putting in mid range or changing a range so not to grind the gears, but if it still doesnt engage depress the hydro pedal a bit and it should go in.

Hydro Fluids change - there are two hydro filters and one strainer and it holds 7.5 Gal SUDT so go to walmart and get two 30 or 40 quart storage containers - like $3 ea and drain the front in the tranny case then the rear plug under the rear case is another drain plug. The strainer looks hard to get at but I find its easier to remove the wheel when doing the fluids and you can access everything a lot easier. The reason to check the strainer is if there has been a lot of gear grinding you can assess how much by looking at the strainer.

Backhoe - get a thumb - I have a mecahnical one and wouldnt be without it - you can find them on ebay and around the net if you look - I have a bolt on one.


Backhoe removal - pretty simple but takes some practice, park on a flat area, put the outriggers down with very little pressure, lower the boom and curl the dipper in, then remove the pins on the moving rods, then if the handles are still tight lower/raise the outriggers til they free up. I also grease these rods (fluid film) to make them easy to move. Once you have the two release pins all the way back install the retainer clips and then lift the outriggers and that should drop the top off the pins and move the hoe as well. I usually put blocks of wood under the hoe swing cylinder area. If this process seems puzzling read the manual before you take the hoe off.


Last - grease everything - and if the pins are sloppy on the loader or BH you can get replacement bushings and pins - they are easy to change.

Then have fun digging holes and moving stuff - and by the way post some pics of your machine.

 

[troutsqueezer]

There is a zerk on the return spring for sure. That area needs to be clear of built-up sludge. Even so, the pedals will tend to return to center position sometimes with just a little offset, enough to make the tractor creep. A slight tap will bring them to center.

If the spring falls off or needs replacing some folks use a plasma cutter to cut a square hole in the floor over the spring to gain access. Otherwise it is a real pain, having to dismantle more than you would expect just for a spring.

Shifting mine at first was tricky too but after awhile you get the hang of it. Just be sure never to shift when the tractor is on a slope, it might get away from you.

I always use the clutch to shift.

 

[Ken45101]

Yes, use the clutch to shift, that's what it is there for. Yes, sometimes you can get away without using the clutch but I doubt that is wise.

You can shift on a hill....just make sure your foot is on the brake pedal!!

Ken

 

[SixMilesSouth]

Great advice from all, I took a look at the pedal this morning before heading to work and it seems to move freely, but just kind of lazy. In addition to the spring, is there a damper on the linkage? The movement of the pedal feels like it's moving through a thick fluid (molasses?). Smooth, but not in any hurry. I'll have to get in there next weekend and see what the deal is.

I'll post some photos soon.

 

[Carl_NH]

Smooth like thick molasses is exactly like mine works but it returns to neutral quickly. The dampener as Kubota calls is is P/N 32721-43350 and if you search on TBN you will find other threads about this topic for other models.

The B21 per the manual doesnt have a spring that I can see, only the dampener and looking at mine it is as the manual picture on page 174 of the B21 Manual.

 

[troutsqueezer]

The B21 per the manual doesnt have a spring that I can see, only the dampener and looking at mine it is as the manual picture on page 174 of the B21 Manual.

There's one there, I've seen it.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/186580-b21-drive-pedal-problem.html

If you look closely at this pic from a B21 tear down thread on this site, you can see it.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...ta-b21-tractor-loader-backhoe-zg_rejoined.jpg

 

[SixMilesSouth]

Thanks Carl, looks like I have some reading to do.

 

[Carl_NH]

Dennis,

Yes - you are right there is a spring inside the frame that appears to be a bear to get at. Attached are the pics you posted - and an updated word doc showing the spring. I went out and looked at mine and could see the spring inside the frame. When I moved the hydro pedal it didnt move but assume it must be a tension spring.

The dampener is shown too. Is ths internal spring what you refer and not the dampener?

Thanks and good luck with this 6MiSouth..

Carl

 

[cowpatty]

Good luck with your B21. I am continually impressed with how my machine performs. Very versatile. :thumbsup:

 

[SixMilesSouth]

Good luck with your B21. I am continually impressed with how my machine performs. Very versatile. :thumbsup:

Since I won't have a chance to play much before next weekend, tell me a little about what yours has done for you. I know the specs, but how large a rock can you move with this machine? Has it lived up to your expectations when it comes to hoe work? The little that I used my, I saw that the back hoe easily throws the tractor around -- plenty of power! Are your tires filled? I wonder how much that would help steady things.

I'm looking to move a lot of large rocks, bring logs out of the woods so I can split them closer to the house, dig up stumps and roots and create some drainage on a marshy piece of land. I hear so many good things about the B21, I can't wait to tackle all these projects.

 

[lhansman]

Congratulations on your purchase SixMilesSouth.

You should be able to move rocks up to about 1,000 pounds easily with the B21. When you are lifting I have found that there is more power in the roll back of the loader then the lifting. With some large rocks I would roll the bucket (or forks) forward a bit, try and lift the rock and if it won't come off the ground then try the roll back. It won't be too high, but it should enable you to get the rock off the ground and relocate it.

All of the rocks you see in the attached photo I moved and positioned with my B21. The backhoe is very powerful too when it comes to moving and positioning rocks although as you point out sometimes the tractor moves instead of what you want! I always had the rear tires on my B21 loaded and have done the same on my B26 as I think more weight on the stabilizers is better.

 

[Ken45101]

Since I won't have a chance to play much before next weekend, tell me a little about what yours has done for you. I know the specs, but how large a rock can you move with this machine? Has it lived up to your expectations when it comes to hoe work? The little that I used my, I saw that the back hoe easily throws the tractor around -- plenty of power! Are your tires filled? I wonder how much that would help steady things.

I'm looking to move a lot of large rocks, bring logs out of the woods so I can split them closer to the house, dig up stumps and roots and create some drainage on a marshy piece of land. I hear so many good things about the B21, I can't wait to tackle all these projects.

It all depends on your needs and expectations. It **is** a small unit. I'm used to bigger stuff so it seems minimal to me, but it will do most jobs, just slowly.

As for the hoe "moving the tractor around" very much, you need to have the stabilizers well set as well as the bucket.

I have used mine for some digging for water lines to the barn. Does that well. I've also used it for digging trails across our hillsides. It's very slow for that job but it does it.

As for dragging logs out of the woods, I've never tried that. With our hillsides here, I would be worried about stability.

One thing I've used it for is for ditching along the driveway. It works but, like any backhoe, it can only dump the dirt 90 degrees from where it digs, which means right on the driveway.

It's limited in how big of rocks and stumps it can dig. We have some big ones here that it can't handle.

As for the FEL lifting, it's rated for 800# IIRC. I've had round bales of hay that it wouldn't lift. I've had bucket fulls of heavy wet mud that it had some difficulty with.

I've used it for burying horses. It's a slow process but a heck of lot better than digging by hand.

Bottom line, it's a nice small unit for small jobs. Ideal for many small jobs. But it's not very adequate for bigger tasks. OTOH, big units are often not very good for small tasks. And it's a heck of a lot better than no backhoe ;-)

Ken

 

[SixMilesSouth]

Congratulations on your purchase SixMilesSouth.

You should be able to move rocks up to about 1,000 pounds easily with the B21. When you are lifting I have found that there is more power in the roll back of the loader then the lifting. With some large rocks I would roll the bucket (or forks) forward a bit, try and lift the rock and if it won't come off the ground then try the roll back. It won't be too high, but it should enable you to get the rock off the ground and relocate it.

All of the rocks you see in the attached photo I moved and positioned with my B21. The backhoe is very powerful too when it comes to moving and positioning rocks although as you point out sometimes the tractor moves instead of what you want! I always had the rear tires on my B21 loaded and have done the same on my B26 as I think more weight on the stabilizers is better.

That's the kind of what I was thinking, too. I don't need to lift the rocks up to much, just get them moved around. Thanks for the photo.

Ken, thanks for your input. I know it's not going to be able to do everything, but it sure beats giving my back a workout. My brother is a heavy machine operator and the first thing he said was, "should have gotten a bigger one." But after he used it a few minutes last weekend, he was impressed with the grunt for its size.

I've attached two quick photos I took this morning. I have to clean it up -- don't like the previous owner's mud all over it!

 

[Ken45101]

I have to clean it up -- don't like the previous owner's mud all over it!

ONLY if you put your own mud on it! A bh without mud isn't working! :laughing:

Ken

 

[Carl_NH]

Hello again and thanks for the pictures.

I would suggest several additions - bucket hooks are invaluable - put on three - one in the center and at each edge. if you Google bolt on hooks you will find some if you dont have a welder. As others have said the bucket curl lifts bigger rocks so I get the rock under the lip of the bucket and attach a chain around the rock and curl it back into the bucket. I have moved 1000Lb plus rocks this way. By the way the rated lift is 926Lbs - Kubota uses their numbering system TL421 is the loader and 421x.2.2KG = 926 Lbs the same applies to the rest of their line.

If the rocks are too big to lift I push them - can easily move a 3' rock by tumbling or pushing, or by the BH too but slower. I live on ledge here in NH - lots of boulders everywhere.

For logs, I have moved lots of logs out of the woods either by skidding behind the tractor or pulling in reverse with the bucket and log off the ground. I have a scraper blade for snow and I just remove the blade and use the frame of the scraper on the 3PTH to lift and drag logs.

For other additions especally cutting wood, get a thumb - easy to lift logs and hold them off the ground for cutting. Also a thumb for rocks is a must building a wall etc. I got mine from Richard at Brotek - get one with the heavier 1" Cat 2 pins if you go with Brotek.

Also by your picture it doesnt appear your bucket has a cutting edge? They are 3/4" thick and bolt on the bottom. This strengthens the bucket edge and prevents bending.

Do you have a splitter yet! if not a 3PTH splitter works right off the hydralics at the rear and I hook mine up to the FEL with hoses going to the rear valve and I pin the BH up. Is a 3 min change out.

Have fun.

Carl

 

[Ken45101]

Do you have a splitter yet! if not a 3PTH splitter works right off the hydralics at the rear and I hook mine up to the FEL with hoses going to the rear valve and I pin the BH up. Is a 3 min change out.

Carl,

You lost me there on the splitter. Are you saying you just mechanically attach the splitter to the FEL bucket but run the hoses to the rear and connect to the backhoe connections?

Ken

 

[Carl_NH]

Ken,

Yes that's exactly what I do. Here are some pics. I got this from Ramsplitter in IL and Doug put legs on the 3PTH spliiter so it sits on the ground, or I can remove the leg on the end and lower with the FEL to ground level to load large rounds.

Then recently made a chain saw mount and chain box on the left side loader frame - so dont need to put the saw in the BH or FEL anymore and forget and dump it!

Carl

 

[Ken45101]

Carl,

Thanks. My old TSC splitter died (pump, I believe) and if I can't get it cheaply fixed I've thought of rigging it up to the B21 or the M5040 hydraulics.

Ken