B7100HST-D: "New" v. "Old" ?

[Full-Pull]

Hello, yet another newb, with newb question(s)...likely the first of many...

I recently purchased a B7100HST-D, early-to-mid '80s I believe (S/N 682xxx).
Based on the s/n, can you folks narrow down the year for me?
EDIT -- and is it "Orange Enamel" or "Bright Orange II"?

Doing some research, I've found references to both "new-style" and "old-style" B7100HST-D's.

Can anyone tell me where the break-point between 'new' and 'old' is?
And what changed, to make the 'new-style', well, new?
I like to turn my own wrenches, so I want to make sure I'm getting the correct parts for my unit. Definitely needs some attention in the steering dept.

This is my first tractor. Picked it up Sat nite, then I spent my first 1-1/2 hours on in yesterday, mowing 2+ acres.
It felt...gooood...

[Service Dept Vic]

The B7100HSTD is a sweet little tractor, just picked one up last week as well!

Easy quick way that I use to tell original from a "re-release" vesion is ROPS. (handy at highway speed)

Older ones did not have them OE and were available as a wholegoods add-on sale, and most customers didn't get them. Your serial tells me your B7100 is one of the newer ones. The front transmission oil cooler cover also had a more solid look to it, rather than the punch hole mesh on the original B7100HST's.

Bright Orange II is the newer orange paint, Orange enamel is the original classic orange color.

[TopGear]

Hi Full-Pull

You may also find the parts manual available here useful. I recently came across this site when looking for loader plans and it has lots of available parts manuals for Kubota tractors and attachments like loaders etc available in .pdf.

http://www.kubotabooks.com/AutoIndex/index.php?dir=/

The B7100HST is at the bottom of the list.

Hope this helps.

Cheers John