B7100

[Egon]

My little tractor has again added afflictions to my old body. Being short I brace myself on the seat using my left knee on the dash. The paint and primmer are both worn off at this point.

Now my Knee has become terribly sore and may have ligament or cartilage damage. It is difficult to walk and pain is constant. Add to this the persistent sore elbows from lack of power steering and one starts thinking about different tractor.

Egon

 

[RobS]

<font color="blue"> It is difficult to walk and pain is constant. </font>

Now that's a new one Egon, usually a tractor RELIEVES the operator from various pains and strains. Yes, definitely a new tractor, but perhaps more implements as well. No doubt some of your pain is from still having to do various things manually.

Seriously though, hope you get to feeling better somehow /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Egon]

Thanks Rob.
I'll recover but in the meantime it's annoying as there are things to do and places to go.

Egon

 

[cmhyland]

Egon,
Does that machine have an adjustable seat with a seatbelt?

It may be possible that the whole geometry of the machine doesn't work for your body size.

When I looked around at new machines I found some that the geometry between wheel seat and pedals was just horrible.

I couldn't understand how anybody could spend any amount of time on these machines.

With your knee braced against the machine it will take a terrible amount of shock and vibration... That's just not good for a long range outlook. I would look into suspension seats with good adjustability and seatbelts to keep you secure.

Some machines I found the seat actually slanted forward and you always felt like your were sliding out of it... Not a secure feeling.

Best of luck,
Chris

 

[Egon]

Chris:
The seat slides back and forth but no seat belt and no ROPS. I'm usually bracing myself when using the loader. The dash is just a perfect place to brace on.

Egon

 

[kyoders]

Egon,

Have you thought about trying a knee-pad of some type? It won't cure the damage done, but might prevent any further problems. Another thought was to see if you could find something like the gel wrist/mouse pads that would be big enough. I would think those would be good at damping the vibrations. Good luck.

Kevin

 

[grandad]

We could have the makings of a great story line here. "Honey, I need a new tractor because..." Give the TBN rank and file a bit of time to fill out the details, and, before you know it, we'll have you up to, say, a new 5030. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

All kidding aside, please take care of yourself. If you are slipping and sliding around like that, you may have got it right... you owe it to yourself to find something with better safety and ergonomics.

 

[Thomas]

Wonder if there anyway you could install foot peg or block of some sort,so the heel of your foot wear would hold you in the seat better.

 

[Egon]

Welcome Back Thomas. Youve been gone for a while. Was getting a little worried.

I'm sure there is a solution as a new tractor is quite out of sight financially and not really required for my situation.

Egon

 

[Egon]

Grandad:
Replace is an economic impossibilty. For my purposes the size is right as to properly accomplish some of my tasks a proper size tractor is required.

I'm not interested in a roll bar and seat belt [ they are available ] as they could be more hindrance than safety for the situations in which the tractor is used. A full cage would be a different story.

Somehow we'all here will solve the problem even if I have to wear a kneepad.
Egon

 

[Kelvin]

Egon,

I don't know that I fully understand your situation, but you might also consider adding a new Kubota ROPS (w/seat belt) to your B7100. I added one to my older model B7100 a few years ago and have never had any regrets. It cost a little over $200 (U.S.) and I installed it myself; I think the dealer would've charged about $75-$100 to install it.

Good luck,
Kelvin

 

[Thomas]

I guess thats one of the reason Kubota logo..Bull..one the hood area,get on and hang on..we got work to do. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

There some good after market seats out there which will give you better comfort,far as loader controls & different footing..maybe your local machine shop could fab something so the reach would make it easier.

Stay safe and feel better soon. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Egon]

Morning Thomas.

You're suggestion of a foot peg sounds real appealing as I'm quite happy with the seat. Many times the loader work is being done at an angle 15 degrees or so and its just natural to slide forward. Perhaps a seat belt is in order but just do not want to use one in the terrain conditions I'm working in.

Egon

 

[RobertN]

You would not want a seatbelt without the ROPS anyways. If for some reason you tip, without a rollbar, you want to get away from the tractor, lest it squish you. The seatbelt is ok with the rollbar, 'cause it holds you in the protected area.

If you are interested in a cage, take the tractor to a 4x4 Jeep/truck shop. They build cages all the time. Some go in the cab, some in the rear cargo area. Some guys are even building ectoskeletons for thier rigs.

Having grown up around Jeeps and race cars, I've seen a lot of roll bar and full cages built. It would not be that hard to build one for your tractor. While they are there, they could put on mounts for your lights, mirrors, canopy, radio, gps, whatever.

If they can build a rollcage for a Toyota Land Cruiser, a fairly heavy vehicle(capable though) for it's size, that B7100 would be a piece of cake.

 

[Egon]

Thanks Robert:
Chances are I could build a proper cage but don't seem motivated in this direction. I know it's silly cause the cage is the answer.

Egon

 

[fractal]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Egon,

I don't know that I fully understand your situation, but you might also consider adding a new Kubota ROPS (w/seat belt) to your B7100. I added one to my older model B7100 a few years ago and have never had any regrets. It cost a little over $200 (U.S.) and I installed it myself; I think the dealer would've charged about $75-$100 to install it.

Good luck,
Kelvin )</font>

kelvin - smart move with your upgrade.

I am sure it was on this forum that I read that Kubota as well as other manufacturers were selling retro ROPS/seat belts for far less than you could possibly manufacturer them simply to limit their liability in case of injury.

Check out http://www.kubota.com/rops.cfm for details on kubota's program.

 

[Egon]

RE: Roll bar.

On a small tractor the only condition I consider a single roll bar adaquate for is in a backwards flip. If working on slopes with trees and rocks present a side rollover just may have you strapped in place as the tree/rock slides past the front of the rollbar and uses you as the roll bar. On a small tractor even a cage might not protect you from this situation. Larger tractors are a different situation in which I would gladly have the protection and a seat belt.

Building a rollbar or cage would be quite inexpensive and can be done for much less than the dealer charges.

Please note: The first car I purchased did not have seat belts. I added some as soon as possible.

Egon