How would a TBL like a Kubota B21 handle hauling dirt up and down hills

[dragoneggs]

I am not yet sold on filled tires as long as you have rear ballast capability (much much more effective). The negatives of filled tires don't seem to offset the benefit in my opinion for SCUT's that is. Not sure how much bigger the B tires are but the BX are small. Especially if you are worried about grass, and mowing, maintenance of the wheel, freezing, etc. My :2cents: and that might be what it's worth! :laughing:

 

[downsizingnow48]

The Kubota B21 owners manual says it is OK to fill tires for additional traction, and also says filled tires should be emptied when operating the tractor as a backhoe.

BTW what is auto return? Don't wanna look stupid but if it is there I have not noticed it since bought the machine new in 2004.

 

[dragoneggs]

The Kubota B21 owners manual says it is OK to fill tires for additional traction, and also says filled tires should be emptied when operating the tractor as a backhoe.

BTW what is auto return? Don't wanna look stupid but if it is there I have not noticed it since bought the machine new in 2004.

Very good point on filled tires and BH. I guess this is why it has never really been a consideration for me. But physics says that the ballast is the way to go if you are using an FEL. If you didn't have a BH then it should be considered but if you have other 3pt implements on a small tractor then I don't see the point.

 

[Carl_NH]

The Kubota B21 owners manual says it is OK to fill tires for additional traction, and also says filled tires should be emptied when operating the tractor as a backhoe.

BTW what is auto return? Don't wanna look stupid but if it is there I have not noticed it since bought the machine new in 2004.

Auto return was a optional feature on the previous B20 Series - it is NOT on the B21 Series. The feature as I understand allows the swing to return to center with a slight touch - it used switches and electronically controlled valves.

The auto return on the B20 was prone to fail, and Kubota provided a "repair kit" to effectively disable this function.

I agree on not filling the tires unless you use it w/o any counter balance (BH, 3PT Implement). Mine is snow blade in winter, and BH in summer and the occasional York rake use.

Carl

 

[Gary Fowler]

It would be pretty hard to use ballast on a TLB like the B20,B21 & B26 as the OEM says not to use ballasted tires when using the backhoe. So practically you would need two sets of tires and rims if you wanted ballast when not using the backhoe. This would be a real PITA to do. I have never had a need for additional weight with the back hoe on. I cant say what it is like without it as I have never used it without the hoe.
I think in comparison to other B series Kubota's, the TLB is going to be much heavier without ballast than the other B's with ballast. Remove the 850# hoe and you still have 3150# of tractor weight.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Even without the hoe, the B21 has 1000# more weight than the largest B series (B3350 HSDC) @ 2445# and many of them weigh in less than 1900#. I think any of the B series TLB's without extra ballast in the tires would perform better than the B series CUT's with loaded tires .

 

[troutsqueezer]

If you are interested in knowing a little bit more about the B21, I have some info on one of my webpages.

B21

 

[Bar Bender]

Thanks for that article Trout Squezer. Is the 3 point hitch standard equiptment on the B21?

What is some advice when buying a used B21. (or any used tractor)

How would you test drive it? and check it out

Any things to particularly look out for.

I guess if the tach/ hour meter cables break as Trout Squezer mentions in his article, and it has not got repaired right away you cant necessarily trust the hour reading on the meter?

If I cant find a b21 what would be the next best thing in a Kubota or other manufacturer.

Thanks,
BB

 

[dfkrug]

Here is my question how much climbing ability does a machine like a 4 wheel drive Kubota b21, with the
big tractor wheels, have in different conditions?, would it be tippy going up and down hills carrying a bucket
of dirt? Would you have to drive down the hill back wards?

Keep the hoe on and you will be fine. My B21 even had a heavy 4-in-1 bucket on it.
Skid-steers often require backing down hills when loaded, but not properly-ballasted CUTs.

That said, the B21 only comes with R4 tires. For max traction, you really want Ag tires, so this
may not be the best CUT choice for you. The downside of Ags is that you tear up turf or
wet gravel roads with them.

 

[dragoneggs]

If you are interested in knowing a little bit more about the B21, I have some info on one of my webpages.

B21

Nice write up and great restoration, Dennis! But on my PC I had trouble with the alternating dark background reading all of the text.