B7100 vs L175 ???

superfast · Jul 25, 2009

Well I am in a boggle, I have limited funds to spend and need to get a good used tractor. I have looked at quite a few and there are 2 close by. One is a B7100, 4x4, HST, Turf tires, 350 hours and the other is a L175, 2WD, Gear Tranny, Turf tires, 1000 hours. The owners are asking $2300 for the L175 and $4200 for the B7100. Neither one of them come with any attachments. If I was to go with the L175 I would have some extra cash to buy a brush hog and box blade. If I go with the B7100, not much cash left.

I am wanting to lean towards the B7100, mainly because it is hydro and has 4wd. Would this little tractor be able to handle a 4' brush hog?

How good is the L175? I haven't senn or heard much about them. Are they a pretty decent tractor?

Eventually the tractor (which ever one I buy) will have a loader on it.

Help me decide .............................

Scott

Egon · Jul 26, 2009

If it's gonna end up with a loader go for the B7100 HST. The four wheel drive makes a big difference.

Note: You may come to regret the lack of power steering but it can be added as some here have done.

Thomas · Jul 26, 2009

I agree w/Egon.
I had 95 B7100 HST and it never let me down.
B7100 will handle brush hog,but up may want to leave the loader on for weight if mowing grade.

irwin · Jul 26, 2009

If you're going to add a loader later... First do research on if there are any used loaders available.. because if you have to buy a new loader it'll cost about as much as the tractor itself. (that's assuming you can find a new loader for either tractor)

My 2 cents, if a loader is needed and you're buying used, get a tractor with a loader already installed. Keep looking.

Here's a link to Kubota's prior models http://www.kubota.com/f/products/prior.cfm

superfast · Jul 27, 2009

Good to hear I was leaning in the right direction! The B7100 needs a little paint but that's about it. Everything I have read on the tractor seems positive, all current owners seem to love them.

On the loader, I am not planning on purchasing one, I will build it myself. I have already built a loader and a backhoe for different tractor, so this one will be easy. Not to mention a whole bunch cheaper than buying one.

Scott

neucam · Jul 30, 2009

Both of these tractors are near 30 years old, so the B7100 price sounds a little high considering the low hp rateing (14hp) gross. (300 hours also sounds too low to be actual). The L175 is the oldest one, but is a heavier tractor, larger rear tires. But less likely to have parts available. But a two wheel drive does not handle a loader well, unless on level ground and the rear end has counter weight. Just some more food for thought. A newer 4wd model would be better with a loader already installed.

LBrown59 · Jul 30, 2009

Egon said:
If it's gonna end up with a loader go for the B7100 HST. The four wheel drive makes a big difference.

Note: You may come to regret the lack of power steering but it can be added as some here have done.

I posed the question of adding PS to a B7100 the other day and was told the parts were no longer available for it.

jas67 · Jul 30, 2009

neucam said:
Both of these tractors are near 30 years old, so the B7100 price sounds a little high considering the low hp rateing (14hp) gross. (300 hours also sounds too low to be actual). The L175 is the oldest one, but is a heavier tractor, larger rear tires. But less likely to have parts available. But a two wheel drive does not handle a loader well, unless on level ground and the rear end has counter weight. Just some more food for thought. A newer 4wd model would be better with a loader already installed.

The gross HP of the B7100 is 16HP (the B6100 is 14HP).
The PTO HP rating is 13 HP for Gear-drive, and 12 HP for HST.

I would definitely choose the B7100 4WD over the L175.

First, and foremost, would be that 4WD is pretty much a requirement for FEL work. As for power steering, now that I have a tractor with power steering (B7610), I'll never go back to not having it (I had a B7100HST). The B7100 was fine for everything, but I definitely wanted power steering when doing FEL work. There are a lot of B1550's and B1750's available for not a lot more than B7100's, and they are similar in size and weight, but bring power steering to the party. The B1550 is 17 HP, and the B1750 is 20 HP.

The B7100's were imported as late as the mid-90's, although these are different in some respects from the earlier (1977-1983) models, many parts are common. This could make parts availability a little better.

jas67 · Jul 30, 2009

LBrown59 said:
I posed the question of adding PS to a B7100 the other day and was told the parts were no longer available for it.

A few people here have added PS to the B7100, and from what I've read, it requires some fabrication/welding. It definitely not a bolt-on job. The difference in price between a B7100 and the B1550 or B1750 (that have power steering) can be a little more, or even a little less than the cost of the upgrade.

LBrown59 · Jul 30, 2009

jas67 said:
A few people here have added PS to the B7100, and from what I've read, it requires some fabrication/welding. It definitely not a bolt-on job. The difference in price between a B7100 and the B1550 or B1750 (that have power steering) can be a little more, or even a little less than the cost of the upgrade.