1980s B8200 and 1990s B7100

[GKChesterton]

I'm going to look at two tractors on Saturday, both from the same seller. Interested in getting any thoughts on the price and anything I should look out for. I'm not familiar with these older, small Kubotas outside of test driving a B6200 that was gear transmission. My purpose is to have a decent mower option on a 10 acre property in a hilly area. I would only be mowing the 3/4 acre yard and brush hogging a two-care back area that is mostly tall grass with a small shrubs and saplings. I need something fairly small to maneuver on trails and reliable - or easy to find parts for and work on myself. A key issue with the brush hogging is that I think I would have to remove the mid-mount mower (I have heard you can't lift the mid-mount and engage the rear PTO at the same time on these older Kubotas), so if one model is easier in that regard than the other then that's a big plus for me.

B8200, no FEL
HST - expect it to be three range
turf tires
800 plus hours
mid-mount mower
stored outside, a few dings and bumps and faded paint but nothing major
recently in shop for new injector pump and new bearings for mower


B7100 - looks to be 90s model, also no FEL
HST - I think these are two range, is that right?
turf tires
400 hours
mid-mount mower
looks to have been stored inside - tear in the seat but paint and body would pass for less than a year or two old
no known issues

The price for these is 6500 for the B8200 and 6400 for the B7100. Both of those seem a couple thousand high to me. I'm not trying to lowball the guy, but I don't want to overpay. I have a pretty good sense of what these older Kubotas go for with a brush hog and one or two rear implements, such as a plow or box blade, I just don't know how much the mid-mount mower adds. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[GKChesterton]

Not getting much love here. I'd settle for just some insight into three areas from prior owners/knowledgeable kubota folks. One, am I going to have a better chance of getting parts with one of these tractors? Two, will I notice much difference with a 4 foot brush hog between them? Three, has anyone detached the mid-mount mower? I'm assuming they aren't the fancy new drive over types, but am I looking at a ten minute or an hour long process? Somewhere between?

 

[628pm]

Sorry, don't own either one, have you looked at tractorhouse for prices. I did a search on this site for b8200's there are posts about them. You might want to try that also.

Good luck.

 

[/pine]

IMO the prices they are asking should include a loader...keep shopping you should be able to find a similar yr/model or even later with 4x4, power steering and a loader for those prices...

Parts for either tractor should be easily available through dealers or third party vendors like Messicks (recommended)...

You don't say anything about 4X4 which is a must for that sized machine on hilly terrain

I have a B1700 which is basically a later model between the two models you are looking at...without power steering you are better off without a loader...on these models a loader is about a $2K value... my 1700 is 4x4, gear, with power steering and a loader was $5500

Especially with the 7100 you need to realize HST transmissions were not as perfected as they are today...

 

[SDT]

I'm going to look at two tractors on Saturday, both from the same seller. Interested in getting any thoughts on the price and anything I should look out for. I'm not familiar with these older, small Kubotas outside of test driving a B6200 that was gear transmission. My purpose is to have a decent mower option on a 10 acre property in a hilly area. I would only be mowing the 3/4 acre yard and brush hogging a two-care back area that is mostly tall grass with a small shrubs and saplings. I need something fairly small to maneuver on trails and reliable - or easy to find parts for and work on myself. A key issue with the brush hogging is that I think I would have to remove the mid-mount mower (I have heard you can't lift the mid-mount and engage the rear PTO at the same time on these older Kubotas), so if one model is easier in that regard than the other then that's a big plus for me.

B8200, no FEL
HST - expect it to be three range
turf tires
800 plus hours
mid-mount mower
stored outside, a few dings and bumps and faded paint but nothing major
recently in shop for new injector pump and new bearings for mower


B7100 - looks to be 90s model, also no FEL
HST - I think these are two range, is that right?
turf tires
400 hours
mid-mount mower
looks to have been stored inside - tear in the seat but paint and body would pass for less than a year or two old
no known issues

The price for these is 6500 for the B8200 and 6400 for the B7100. Both of those seem a couple thousand high to me. I'm not trying to lowball the guy, but I don't want to overpay. I have a pretty good sense of what these older Kubotas go for with a brush hog and one or two rear implements, such as a plow or box blade, I just don't know how much the mid-mount mower adds. Any help would be appreciated.

For comparison purposes, here's a very nice looking B7100 with 54" MMM in Ohio.

It has over 1,200 hours but looks like it has been pampered.

It is visually comparable to my 1993 B1750HSD, which, though a later design, is quite similar. My 1750 has a 60" MMM, PS, Bi-Speed Turn and less than half of the hours but is in similar cosmetic condition.

I would not even consider selling my 1750 for $7,000.

SDT

 

[wmonroe]

My dad has had a B8200 for about 32 years and has approximately 4,000 hours on it, maybe more. They only have a three digit hour meter so the one you are looking at might show 800 hours but it might be 1,800 or 2,800 or more. My dads tractor is still on the original injection pump and second lift pump. It is a great little tractor though that has been used very hard and has had minimal repairs. I would not hesitate to buy one that has had normal maintenance performed. Unfortunately I haven’t kept up on the price so I can’t help there. The B8200 is a 3 speed hat tranny and 2 speed pto. To leave the mmm on and run a rear cutter you would have to disconnect the mid pto and pin the mmm up, probably a 10 minute job or less.
Good luck with you decision.

 

[Thomas]

Had 1995 B7100HST with FEL,turf tires work great even using front loader,only problem I found no power steering which would be nice when using front loader,also front loader joystick if it was set back towards operator more....B7100 one tough dependable tractor.

 

[Jim in ICT]

For comparison purposes, here's a very nice looking B7100 with 54" MMM in Ohio.

It has over 1,200 hours but looks like it has been pampered.

It is visually comparable to my 1993 B1750HSD, which, though a later design, is quite similar. My 1750 has a 60" MMM, PS, Bi-Speed Turn and less than half of the hours but is in similar cosmetic condition.

I would not even consider selling my 1750 for $7,000.

SDT

I would echo SDT's comments on his B1750HSD. I have one myself with a Koyker FEL and absolutely love it. I have a 54" mid mount mower, but never wanted the experience of removing it. Just kept it on year-round whether I was mowing or pushing snow. We have an acre of fescue with a few small berms, which the Kubota mower well, with the exception of leaving tracks in the yard, due to its weight. Have since switched to an Excel zero turn. Without a FEL, your two tractors seem about $2,00 to $2,500 high.

Experienced a bit of a coolant loss with overheating and was concerned about a cracked cylinder head. Had the head pulled and surfaced (was ok), radiator rodded, and water pump replaced, which was the source of the problem. All works well now. We paid $6,500 for it about 8-9 years ago, and it has proved to be well worth it. Have been considering moving up to a bit bigger HP tractor when I retire and do a bit of contract mowing. When I do, I'll probably post it on this site. Haven't decided on a price at this time.