Kubota B5100 3PT Hitch Capacily - will it handle a 48" box blade? 42" Tiller?

[Bruce8989]

Kubota B5100 3PT Hitch Capacily - will it handle a 48" box blade? 42" Tiller?

I have a Kubota B5100D 4x4 tractor that has always served me well. It is a 12HP 2 cyl diesel, with a Cat 1 3PT hitch. I don't know the lifting capacity of the hitch. I've used a Johnny bucket fully loaded with gravel, with no problem. I have a 48" front blade for balance and also have suitcase weights.

BOX BLADE? 48"

Do you think I can effectively use a 48" box blade? I'm looking at this one: King Kutter 4' Box Blade BB-48-XB-0 by King Kutter for $459.99 : Rural King King Kutter -- it weighs 295#.
I have turf tires. Do you think I can move any dirt with this setup?

TILLER? 42"?

I'd also like to get a tiller - but have the same concerns about the weight.

I had a 48" bush hog ---> and it was just too much for the tractor --> I could barely get it onto the hitch, and it was the tail wagging the dog. Balance was not good - Anyone have any experience?

Love the tractor - just the right size for my property, trying to avoid having to go up to a BX23XX. Any advice much appreciated!

 

[Baby Grand]

Re: Kubota B5100 3PT Hitch Capacily - will it handle a 48" box blade? 42" Tiller?

Bruce,
We have a B5100D and I love it. The "Little Bull" is a great machine when used within it's capabilities - one of my favorite to run. We have a Sicma built Phoenix T-4 Series, 40" Offset Tiller that was purchased from Everything Attachments (great service & price) and it is at the very upward limit of what I would put on that machine. It's a great tiller, probably much heavier built than what we need. It compares very nicely with our 60" KKII in terms of build quality. The T-4 weighs in at around 310 pounds, which is about equal to the B5100's published lift capacity. Don't even think about breaking sod with this combination. For loosening up previously tilled soil, weed control and incorporating ammendments it works great, which is all that we expected it to do.

I tried to find a lighter, rice paddy type tiller, but had no luck at all here in the Northeast. That's what this machine was designed to operate and that would be the ideal implement for it. BE patient and find an appropriately size tiller for you "Little Bull" and you will be very pleased.

I think the 48" KK BB would be too much for the 12 HP available to move much soil and I suspect it would be a big disappointment in terms of usefulness, especially if used with the scarifiers down, but I'll admit that I may be completely wrong about that, as I don't have a BB. My experience with ground engaging attachments has been mostly limited to our much larger L3240. I do know that the B5100 did not like the 4' cultivator that I tried to get it to pull, not one little bit.

Let us know what you get!

Jim

 

[KYDan]

Re: Kubota B5100 3PT Hitch Capacily - will it handle a 48" box blade? 42" Tiller?

Echoing Baby Grand, for scarifying the 48" BB is probably to much for the B to handle effectively. I have a 6' RO BB behind my MX5100 and when the teeth are down it is all the tractor wants. It's not just a HP issue, Kubotas are lightweight machines and effective use for ground engagement is limited by that as well. With loaded tires and weights a 42" BB would seem to be a better match for your tractor.

 

[Bruce8989]

Re: Kubota B5100 3PT Hitch Capacily - will it handle a 48" box blade? 42" Tiller?

Thanks for the feedback. I went ahead with the 48" box blade - a King Kutter BX. The model I found only has (3) ripping teeth, that don't' adjust but they flip up easily. I figured that the little tractor would have a hard enough time pulling 3 vs. 4 teeth.

Good news is - it works great. I spent all weekend dragging it through the yard. On my gravel path, with teeth up, it would completely fill the blade with gravel and in 4WD in low gear - pulled the full blade with no trouble.

Used the teeth to break sod - Never full depth, kept the teeth only a few inches deep at a time. Then flipped the teeth up, box on the ground, and the old girl pulled a full box of dirt without complaint. I could also push backwards, like a little dozer.

Like all have said, the top link is the key, takes practice, but lots of fun.

The B5100D is an amazing work horse. I'll post pics of the ground work in the future. For now - here's a pic - with it mounted. A little bit of the tail wagging the dog -- but beats not having a BB at all! Thanks for the advice.

 

[Baby Grand]

Re: Kubota B5100 3PT Hitch Capacily - will it handle a 48" box blade? 42" Tiller?

Well I'll be dipped.
Never thought it would pull that ... and with turf tires, to boot!
They really are great tractors.

 

[Travelover]

Re: Kubota B5100 3PT Hitch Capacily - will it handle a 48" box blade? 42" Tiller?

I use a 48" box blade on my B7100. It is pretty much at it's limit in softer dirt, but it does the job.