B7100 ~ More power?

[DennisD]

A month ago I bought a B7100 and I was wondering if anyone has found a way to get a little more horsepower from the little unit. I'm happy with the unit the way it is but a few more horses couldn't hurt.

 

[Thomas]

Dennis,
If you think the B7100 lacking horse power,check or change your fliulds and filters.
My B7100 has more than enough power if I pick the right range or 2wd & 4wd.

Be careful when trying to get that little extra,for it might cost you more than a little extra./w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif

Stay safe and/w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif

Thomas..NH

 

[Bird]

Dennis, you make me wish I could see and drive that B7100. Have you driven any other 7100s to compare it to? I'm wondering whether you just have the Tim Allen complex (like me) or whether there's something about yours that causes it to have less than its normal power. The one I had always had plenty of power to turn 3 wheels (except when I forgot that I was in high range instead of low), although there were a few rare instances in which I could bog it down with the brush hog or tiller.

Bird

 

[Kelvin]

I, too, am curious about what you are doing that makes you want more power. For example, are you wanting to replace a 4' rotary mower with a 5' or 6' one? If that example comes close, then I'd say that you need a larger tractor. The gear model B7100s have a little more PTO horsepower than the hydrostatic models (12 vs 13 hp?), but I'd say that that won't make much difference for you.

Overall, I have been very pleased with my gear drive B7100 4wd (keeping up 5 acres). I use a 48" mid-mower and a 42" rotary mower. My main complaint is a lack of live PTO when using the rotary mower. Hydrostat models don't have that problem.

If you check out my other posts, you'll find that front turf tires are a real pain to find (4wd models only).

 

[DennisD]

It's just that Tim Allen complex. I'm not considering anything drastic, just wondering if there is anything simple that could be done. I've got a 4' box blade and a 4 foot single blade rotary mower and like I said, the unit has good power but if it is easy to modify for a little more; why not. By the way, mine is a 4 wheel drive HST.

 

[Bird]

Dennis, my B7100 was also 4WD, HST (and I'd probably still have it if it had not lacked power steering). I suppose any engine can be "souped up" if you have the know how, but I don't know of any simple way to do it. And of course, if you increased the power, I don't know whether that might have a detrimental effect on the drive train and other components or not. In other words, I don't know./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Bird

 

[MATTinMO]

Oh yeah ....I think we all get a touch of the Tim Allen syndrome.....one of my cousins got a kit from some fellas in Coffeville KS to put a big honkin engine in a ford 8N and he did a great job on it......he didnt like it when I said thats cool a 100hp 8N......with a 30 hp transmission.
It was cool though arrrr arrr arrr

 

[Thomas]

Dennis.
If you are that interested in gaining more horse power for the B7100 HST check out some of the websites on tractor & truck pulling,for they may have a kit.

The B7100 was design as a compact work mule,for it wasn't made for speed nor that extra horse power like the newer Kubotas.
Just slect your 2wd or 4wd and fine a happy setting on the trottle and you will do just fine./w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

It maybe cheaper to trade up to the B24 or B27 in the long run???

I will agree with Bird about the power steering./w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif

Stay safe and/w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif

Thomas..NH

 

[DennisD]

Thanks for all the posts guys, after a little more time in the seat I've learned that in fact the unit has pretty good power (enough to spin 3 and sometimes 4 wheels). I was just not giving enough throttle for what I was trying to do (breaking packed soil with the 4 foot box blade). I probably would have gotten a larger unit but I need to get into some tight places when mowing and the 7100 is just right, especially with the hydro drive. The lack of power steering hasn't bothered me so far (might get a spinner for the steering wheel though).

 

[Bird]

Dennis, my B7100 was a fine little tractor, but I really wasn't too fond of the lack of a tachometer (I like gauges/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif), but the salesman, and a factory service rep, told me to just go wide open on the throttle, then back just a tiny bit and that was PTO speed. Seemed an odd way to do things, but I've learned other dealers told customers the same thing. And I thought briefly about getting a spinner for the steering wheel, but decided against it; might be a good idea, though. One word of caution, regardless of whether you have a spinner on the steering wheel or not; several of us learned that if you hit a rut, ridge of dirt, hole in the ground, etc. with a front wheel and you don't have a tight grip on the steering wheel, it may suddenly and violently spin one direction or the other with enough force to at least bruise or sprain a thumb or finger.

Bird