B7100 Loader Question

[edfortmiller]

Just recently acquired a used B7100 HSD. The owner told me it was a 1997 model. Hmmm, how does one tell for sure?

I would like to add a front end loader. A tractor "junk yard" claims they might be getting in a Kubota loader for a B7100 soon but do not have the particulars yet.

My queston is will a Kubota loader off of any B7100 fit my 1997 tractor or do I need a specific model? Any idea which model Kubota loader fits my tractor? When buying a used loader is there anything I should be on the lookout for (what typically wears out, etc)? Can I put the loader on the tractor myself (I'm a mechanic type). Can the RC60-71B mower be on the tractor at the same time as the FEL?

Ed Fortmiller | egf@ultranet.com

 

[Bird]

Ed, I'm afraid I can't answer most of your questions, but my '95 B7100HSD came with a Kubota B1630C front end loader. I suspect yours will use the same one. At the time I bought it, one dealer (not the one from whom I purchased it) told me he could put a Koyker front end loader on a B7100 cheaper (sorry, I don't know what model that would have been).

Bird

 

[Kelvin]

edfortmiller,

I have a B7100HSD sales brochure and a Kubota Front End Loader (FEL) sales brochure that I picked up in the summer of 1997. There are apparently two FELs produced by Kubota for the B7100HSD. As far as compatibility with the mid-mower, the answer is YES. And NO.

According to the B7100 sales brochure, the Kubota "B1630 Rigid Mount Front Loader" is not compatible with the mid-mount mower (either the RC60-71B or the RC54-71B).

According to the Kubota FEL sales brochure, the "B1630C Rigid Mount Front Loader...is compatible with the RC54-71B and RC60-71B mid-mount mowers".

Your profile doesn't indicate where you are located; if you in the Southeast US then this information might be beneficial to you: There is a B1630C loader on the lot at the Knoxville TN Kubota dealer that would work for you. I think that is for sale. Try www.tennvall.com for more information about the dealer if you need more information about that loader.

One other note: There is an older "gear drive" model B7100D (like mine) that used a totally different kind of FEL that will not work with your newer B7100. I doubt that you'd find one of these older FELs but I thought that I'd pass that along just in case.

Kelvin

 

[Kelvin]

Re: B7100 FEL - Cooling System

edfortmiller,

This is straying from what you are asking, but since you appear to be new to the B7100 I thought that I would pass along important information about the B7100's cooling system that you need to be aware about.

I probably post this information about 10 times a year, so apologies to those that get tired of seeing it. If it saves one engine then it's worth it to me.

The B7100 uses a "thermo-siphon" cooling system. It is a water cooled system that has no water pump nor a thermostat. The "water-pump" looking apparatus behind the cooling fan is the alternator (look for the wires and lack of an alternator elsewhere). It is a good cooling system but requires that there never be more than a 50/50 mix of antifreeze/water in the radiator and that the cooling fluid be pre-mixed before pouring it into the radiator. Pouring 100% antifreeze into the radiator will cause rapid and excessive overheating.

Since there is no water temperature guage on the B7100, check to see if the overheat "whistle" is installed at the end of the radiator overflow hose. If you don't have the whistle, consider adding one and/or adding a temperature guage. I installed a mechanical temperature probe into the top of the radiator to measure temperature.

The B7100 is a really good tractor. And the cooling system is pretty good also but you have to understand its differences from standard water cooling systems.

Hope this helps.
Kelvin

 

[Anonymous Poster]

well If the Loader comes off a older Gear shift modle. It will fit but it will have to be modified. If you have the serial numbers you can check with a dealer and they should be able to get a Ideal wether it is a Older or newer model.

 

[Bird]

Ed, to go along with what Kevin said about the B1630 vs the B1630C loader, I recall the salesman telling me in '95 that it was the first year that the mid-mount mower was compatible with the loader on the B7100. Of course, I didn't inquire any further since I wasn't interested in a mid-mount mower.

Bird

 

[ledge]

Have you successfully found a loader for your year B7100??

 

[edfortmiller]

>Have you successfully found a loader for your year B7100??

Why do you ask?

Well I found where I can get a new Woods 1006 for about $2475 or a used Kubota 1630C for about $1800.The Woods is supposed to be a detachable loader (except for the subframe I guess) whereas the Kubota is a rigid mount unit. I'd prefer a detachable FEL and not sure I want to spend almost $2500 for a one at this point. How much value would it add to my B7100 if I were to put the Woods unit on and then sell the tractor/FEL in a year? Anyone have any complaints about a Woods 1006?

 

[WVBill]

Re: B7100 FEL - Cooling System

Kelvin:

Any specific cautions/recommendations about what type/brand of anti-freeze?

My B6100 has the same kind of cooling system and the operator's manual just says use Kubota anti-freeze with "fur inhibitor".
( "Fur inhibitor" !?? - I think something got lost in the translation from Japanese.)

I would like to use the less-toxic anti freeze like "Sierra" but I can't find anything on the container about approved for diesel engines or any ratings.

 

[Bird]

Re: B7100 FEL - Cooling System

Bill, my manual only says <font color=blue>There are two types of anti-freeze available; use the permanent type (PT) for this engine.</font color=blue>/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif The anti-freeze that came with both my B7100 and the B2710 sure looked to me to be regular Prestone and that's what stayed in the B7100; however, I've changed the anti-freeze in the B2710 and used the diesel rated anti-freeze from Tractor Supply Co.