B7100HST Replacement

[nwbearcat]

Bought the B7100HST about 2 years ago. Use it to mow a bit over 1 acre yard with a 60" deck, and have a 50-52" tiller that gets quite a bit of use.

Been half heartedly looking for a replacement, the 7100 has a few issues, and would like to upgrade to something with more creature comforts, specifically power steering to make it easier on the wife to mow around. Also conisidering something with a small loader for mulch moving. We have a bigger tractor, but she doesn't like driving it as much to shuffle things around.

Almost won the bid on a nice MF GC2300 with a deck and loader last week...someone got a good deal at that auction, taking it home for $7500...

I see in the paper this week there's a Kubota B1750 with deck and loader listed. My questions...will the B1750 be narrow enough to let me till out my tracks with the tiller I have today, and does it have power steering? .tractordata.com doesn't have the full dimension spec's on the 1750 to compare with what I have today. It does look like it's a heavier tractor, and has a few more hp, but any other major differences I should be aware of?

thanks

 

[nwbearcat]

Should have also added...the B1750 I see here is a FWA/hydro if that makes a difference in the discussion.

One other factor that I'd like to see improved is easier removal of the deck, and possibly a higher lift height of the deck when installed vs. the B7100 I have today. With the gauge wheels set to mow at about 3-3.5", even when lifted completely, they're not more than 1" off the ground usually.

Also should have mentioned, my place is on a decent hill. There's a place that the 7100 feels a little funny along the driveway, but is ok everywhere else. Need to do a little dirtwork to smooth out the bank and fix that, but don't want to pickup a tractor that's alot worse on hills than the one I have today.

 

[SDT]

I have a B1750HSD bought new in 1993. I use it to mow with a 60" MMM and also to plow snow with a 6' back blade and F & R chains. It has been kept inside and serviced regularly and has caused absolutely no problems of any kind.

I changed one spindle bearing last year on the mower and replaced the belt while it was off but it really did not need replacement.

Mine has bar tires on the rear and turfs on the front. It does have power steering and bi-speed turn.

The MMM is not a suspended deck and one cannot expect much ground clearance when the gage wheels are set to 3". You should be able to set the rear wheels close enough to cover the tracks with your tiller even with turf or bar tires.

Dean

 

[Thomas]

Depending on your price range also brand seems to be lot of good second hand tractors offers...any idea what your bride might feel comfortable on.

 

[nwbearcat]

I've seen that term bi-speed turn mentioned...what's that all about?

The info I see suggests its a heavier tractor than my 7100...but how much bigger in actual dimensions is it going to be?

 

[wcampbell47]

Go test drive a B2920. It has nice placement of the controls and is comfortable to sit in, easy on and off. Powerful 29 hp engine. HST 4WD with 3 speed ranges.
It is only 48 inches wide. I just brought home a B3200 with nothing down, 0% interest for 60 months. I have a 5 year old B7510 with 7 to 8.5 k equity. These tractors seem to hold their value. Just saw a 2-3 year old Case 40 hp 4WD go for $5.5k - they paid $15k for it new.

 

[SDT]

Bi-Speed turn is an option allowing tighter turning with the FWA engaged. The front axle (which travels around a larger radius) shifts into a higher gear when the steering angle exceeds a preset limit, preventing the front tires from pushing and damaging the turf. The front axle will actually pull the tractor around a close radius. My B1750 will mow around an 18" circle with a 60" MMM.

Without options, a FWA B1750 HSD weighs about 1400 (shipping weight) without Bi-Speed.

Dean

 

[nwbearcat]

Thanks SDT...

That seems like a complicated system...what's the failure mode for that when it wears out/breaks or in otherwords, how would I know if it has it but it's not working, or if it just doesn't have it?

Probably not buying a new one at this point, plan is to buy in for somewhere in that mid-$6K to mid $7k and sell mine...maybe for somewhere around $3500-4000 looks like where the market is. So with that in mind, I'm somewhat at the mercy of what shows up on the market, but since I'm not in a hurry, I can wait until what I want shows up.

 

[Jim in ICT]

I've had a B1750 HST with a FEL and MMM for about 3-4 years. Use it mainly to mow my acre of grass, push snow, and maintain our gravel driveway. I'd rather use the Kubota to mow than my Cub Cadet because of the power steering. Have had good service from it so far.
I have a factory owner's manual with the tractor specs. Let me know what specs you need to know and I'll look them up for you.

 

[nwbearcat]

Was mostly looking for Wheelbase, length, width, height...but at this point, think I may just go look at the tractor in person to measure myself.