GKChesterton
Member
I went to a second hand dealer to look at a B7300 today. Tractor seemed fine. Solid loader. Low hours (under 400). Front left tire a little low. Engine oil good (could use a change before too long) and front axle fluid looked great. I'm aware of the drawbacks to the tractor - low HP and no power steering. Plan is to use it to shred a couple of acres (four foot rhino) and pull a four foot disc and box blade to put in some food plots/light road maintenance. The price started a little high (over 7K), but the dealer was willing to throw in several good attachments (for a price in the 8K range) and I think I might be able to come to terms with him. Seems like a good shop with a long history and solid online reviews.
Here's my concern. When I checked the hydraulic fluid the dip stick (under the front of the seat) was bone dry. Couldn't find any sign of a leak on the ground or the tractor underside. Lift arms were a little slow to go down, but nothing unusual without an attachment on. Three point seemed to raise fine and the loader seemed to also lift and function fine. I opened the sight hole on the back of the tractor. Couldn't really see any fluid in it. It had some oil sheen, that was all. I took the dip stick from under the front seat and put it in the sight hole to see if it would pick up any fluid at the bottom. Nothing. Came out dry. I drove the tractor. HST seemed to function fine (actually, it was really quiet), loader worked fine, but I can't imagine any good situation where I can't detect any fluid level by checking the way I did. Anybody own a B7300 who could offer some insight? Is this normal with this model? Could excess fluid have been in the loader lines? This is bugging me and I might pass on the tractor because of it. I suppose I could have him add fluid and see if it leaks, but kinda troubles me to see a basic maintenance that isn't right and I'm not sure if I would I catch an issue that way. Any advice?
Here's my concern. When I checked the hydraulic fluid the dip stick (under the front of the seat) was bone dry. Couldn't find any sign of a leak on the ground or the tractor underside. Lift arms were a little slow to go down, but nothing unusual without an attachment on. Three point seemed to raise fine and the loader seemed to also lift and function fine. I opened the sight hole on the back of the tractor. Couldn't really see any fluid in it. It had some oil sheen, that was all. I took the dip stick from under the front seat and put it in the sight hole to see if it would pick up any fluid at the bottom. Nothing. Came out dry. I drove the tractor. HST seemed to function fine (actually, it was really quiet), loader worked fine, but I can't imagine any good situation where I can't detect any fluid level by checking the way I did. Anybody own a B7300 who could offer some insight? Is this normal with this model? Could excess fluid have been in the loader lines? This is bugging me and I might pass on the tractor because of it. I suppose I could have him add fluid and see if it leaks, but kinda troubles me to see a basic maintenance that isn't right and I'm not sure if I would I catch an issue that way. Any advice?
