Buying Advice I am a rookie and need advice on b7100

[bitts]

I currently own a small John Deere (w/ blower but rear wheel drive) and have the oppurtunity to step up.
I currently own 2.5 acres w/ a moderate garden and a large uphill driveway. I live in the snow belt in Western NY. I have the opportunity to purchase a 1997 b7100 kubota 4x4 w/ 60' MMM & kubota front end blower. 730 hrs excellent condition for $5500. I want to purchase but my wife is not quite sold on it!

My question's are; Is it a worth the money? Will my wife be able to cut grass w/ it? (She is rather small just over 5'). I know the blower rocks! And does it still have a lot of life left? I am trying to tell her we are going to have it for years to come.

Any advice would be well appreciated.

 

[kwolfe]

The 4wd will defintely help with your uphill drive. $5500 sounds like a good price for that unit. I would not worry about the longevity of the machine. It will go for thousands of trouble free hours if properly maintained. I would think that she should be able to mow with it. I don't think tieing blocks to the peddles will be necessary.

The problem with upgrading the machine is that you will want to then buy additional stuff for it as well. It is the snowball effect experienced by many tractor owners.

 

[DmansPadge]

I currently own a small John Deere (w/ blower but rear wheel drive) and have the oppurtunity to step up.
I currently own 2.5 acres w/ a moderate garden and a large uphill driveway. I live in the snow belt in Western NY. I have the opportunity to purchase a 1997 b7100 kubota 4x4 w/ 60' MMM & kubota front end blower. 730 hrs excellent condition for $5500. I want to purchase but my wife is not quite sold on it!

My question's are; Is it a worth the money? Will my wife be able to cut grass w/ it? (She is rather small just over 5'). I know the blower rocks! And does it still have a lot of life left? I am trying to tell her we are going to have it for years to come.

Any advice would be well appreciated.

The price sounds good. It will run circles around your garden tractor and last far longer. Traction will be much better with 4wd. The wife shouldn't worry... mowing will not be a problem. 730 hrs. isn't much on that machine.

 

[Thomas]

Does sound like a fair of all that's offer.

Would that be HST model,does it have turf tires on the tractor now?

Reminder...when the bucket full hang on tight to the steering wheel or you might get some bang up fingers or knuckles....no power steering.

 

[bitts]

HST? If that means Hydro-static drive. Yes it does. (remember i am a rookie)
And yes it does have turf tires.
What should I check before I commit?
I will try to post a pic soon, so you could all help me with the decision, well actually help me talk my wife into it. For all you married guys out there I need your HELP!
Remember, we are all in the same institution!

Thanks in advance.

 

[Thomas]

HST? If that means Hydro-static drive. Yes it does. (remember i am a rookie)
And yes it does have turf tires.
What should I check before I commit?
I will try to post a pic soon, so you could all help me with the decision, well actually help me talk my wife into it. For all you married guys out there I need your HELP!
Remember, we are all in the same institution!

Thanks in advance.

First of all welcome to TBN.
You got the HST right.
Do you live where it might snow some,if so you might want to keep an eye out for set of rear tire chains,also some balast for the rear when useing the frontend loader.

Now about convincing your wife maybe this might work...sweet talk her...purchase 11 roses and when the Mrs, says 1 rose is missing to make a dozen tell her she is the 12th rose of your life. ...if that doesn't work just throw a pout.

I have B7100HST w/front loader and rear mower plus couple more attachments,soooo if you need manuel advice just give me a shout....those B7100 are working little mules!!

 

[Egon]

That model Kubota makes a great mowing machine with the front loader removed. [ If it has a loader ]

Chains for winter operation will help.

Mine is a 93 with 2500 hours on it. I expect many more hours out of it.

 

[teach]

Bitts,
I've been in your shoes, very recently in fact. I just underwent the same experience right after Christmas. Just to give you a price comparison, though I am not sure where you are located, here in Little Rhody I just bought a 1991 B7100, HST, 800 hrs, with loader for $5700. My other B7100 is a 1983 with over 2000 hours, so yes, if the machine is in good shape and you take care of it (changing the oil!) it WILL LAST for years to come. Next, I was able to sell my wife on it by being willing to sell another toy...I mean tool, the other B7100, although it hasn't gone yet. Can you make $$$ with the new machine (mowing, clearing snow, etc.)? Also, let her try it, the Hydro tranny makes a big difference for my wife, who is 5', 100lbs soaking wet. She is much more willing to use it than the older B7100 with a manual tranny. The stearing is a bit of a challenge, so you may want her to try it WITHOUT the weight of the snowblower. My final bit of advice, persistance, persistance, persistance! Good luck.
Teach

 

[bitts]

Well here it is. I think I have talked the little woman into it. And I did not even need to buy 1 rose, let alone 11! Thanks anyways.

One thing I made a mistake on is that it has F4 tires not turf. Will I still need chains on a blacktop driveway?

And also how many hours of in between a major service? (not just oil change I will do that myself)

If I end up buying it I want to thank all of you who replied. I let my wife read all the replies and I think that is what did it.

Bitts

 

[Thomas]

Welll a early Congrats to you bitts.

Not sure if chains would be needed if your driveway flat...try w/out...sure hate to see your black top scar.

If you don't have operator manuel,I could email you the info your seeking.