B7100 with a slight mechanical issue.

Grumpy560 · Apr 24, 2015

Alright, loader frame has a fresh coat of paint and my dad is going to bring everything back this weekend.

I've been looking at gauge sets and LED lighting on eBay when I found a Kubota tachometer with hour meter, not sure what models were equipped with the unit I have but it will work anyway.

And its time to show some assembly pics. I'm going to make a video within the next few days and put it on YouTube.

Still a lot left to get done.

Grumpy560 · Apr 24, 2015

Finally starting to look like a tractor again.

Grumpy560 · Apr 24, 2015

I'm not going to install any of the rear PTO parts because I'm not sure what's needed or not when the ROPS assembly is mounted.

Got a new high back seat with dual side arm rest that will eventually get installed. I'll have to make a mounting plate as soon as I know how much room I'm going to have once the ROPS is in place.

Apogee · Apr 24, 2015

Very nice!!!!

Now you need to learn the steering wheel trick. Use a propane torch on the steering wheel. DON'T MELT IT! Just lick the wheel with the flame ever so briefly and it'll melt the oxidized top layer of plastic just enough to make it look like new. Also, don't pause or overheat near the center or you will distort the thin rim that the cover snaps into. Try a small spot on the outer rim of the wheel to get an idea of how it works... This is the same way fixture folks work the rough edges of acrylic after they cut it. You can likely also use a heat gun. Just make sure you don't get it too hot and burn it...takes a gentle touch. The following vid will give you an idea:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQs2ik1dzzE

It would also likely work on the faded red knobs.

Nice work so far dude!

And, don't forget to paint that hydraulic pipe retainer.... (just had to say this to bug your OCD side...)

Now, aren't you glad you didn't rattle can it? IT LOOKS AWESOME!!!!! And, most importantly, it will stay looking that way.

She's looking like brand new!

;-)

PS - I noticed you polished the PTO shaft but not the alternator.... sigh...

Grumpy560 · Apr 25, 2015

Apogee said:
Very nice!!!!

Now you need to learn the steering wheel trick. Use a propane torch on the steering wheel. DON'T MELT IT! Just lick the wheel with the flame ever so briefly and it'll melt the oxidized top layer of plastic just enough to make it look like new. Also, don't pause or overheat near the center or you will distort the thin rim that the cover snaps into. Try a small spot on the outer rim of the wheel to get an idea of how it works... This is the same way fixture folks work the rough edges of acrylic after they cut it. You can likely also use a heat gun. Just make sure you don't get it too hot and burn it...takes a gentle touch. The following vid will give you an idea:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQs2ik1dzzE

It would also likely work on the faded red knobs.

Nice work so far dude!

And, don't forget to paint that hydraulic pipe retainer.... (just had to say this to bug your OCD side...)

Now, aren't you glad you didn't rattle can it? IT LOOKS AWESOME!!!!! And, most importantly, it will stay looking that way.

She's looking like brand new!

;-)

PS - I noticed you polished the PTO shaft but not the alternator.... sigh...

Thanks Steve,

Not going to do anything with the old wheel except toss it in the garbage. Its full of cracks and is slightly bent. I've got a brand new one that will go on later.

Grumpy560 · Apr 25, 2015

So my dad dropped off the loader frame this morning and it looks great. The new seat my dad bought me turned out to be a suspension type setup and I don't think its going to work but we will deal with that problem later.

Lil Foot · Apr 25, 2015

Damn, that is beautiful! If there's a concours class tractor show, you'd definitely be in the running for best of show! It will be a shame to get it dirty, but I realize you're building a working tractor, not a show piece, and I respect that, I'd also rather have a "driver" myself.

By the way, thanks a lot for making me realize how much work my old B7100 needs.

CaveCreekRay · Apr 25, 2015

All I can say is...

TAKE THAT, RUST!!! NEENER-NEENER!!!

Gorgeous indeed. I like your dad's choice of seats. In fact, if you can't get it to work, I'll swap you my L3800 seat for it!!!

Truly a keeper. What a lucky little machine.

Ray

Grumpy560 · Apr 26, 2015

Lil Foot said:
Damn, that is beautiful! If there's a concours class tractor show, you'd definitely be in the running for best of show! It will be a shame to get it dirty, but I realize you're building a working tractor, not a show piece, and I respect that, I'd also rather have a "driver" myself.

By the way, thanks a lot for making me realize how much work my old B7100 needs.

Thanks,

Just send the B7100 to me and I'll restore it and send it back to you minus the B670 backhoe, that would look darn good mounted on mine

Don't forget to send the 14" bucket too!

Grumpy560 · Apr 26, 2015

CaveCreekRay said:
All I can say is...

TAKE THAT, RUST!!! NEENER-NEENER!!!

Gorgeous indeed. I like your dad's choice of seats. In fact, if you can't get it to work, I'll swap you my L3800 seat for it!!!

Truly a keeper. What a lucky little machine.

Ray

Thanks,

I'm sure my dad will find some way to make it work as always but I'm still not convinced it's going to look right when he's done

Lil Foot · Apr 26, 2015

minus the B670 backhoe

While I understand your reasoning here, it ain't happening. After all the work I put in restoring it, it's like a kid to me. And it does make the tractor look good!

Dan_R_42 · Apr 26, 2015

Apogee said:
Very nice!!!!

Now you need to learn the steering wheel trick. Use a propane torch on the steering wheel. DON'T MELT IT! Just lick the wheel with the flame ever so briefly and it'll melt the oxidized top layer of plastic just enough to make it look like new.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQs2ik1dzzE

Apogee, Thanks for the great tip...

Grumpy, Your re-build is looking AWESOME !!!

Grumpy560 · Apr 27, 2015

Lil Foot said:
While I understand your reasoning here, it ain't happening. After all the work I put in restoring it, it's like a kid to me. And it does make the tractor look good!

Its just not fair, you have wheel weights too

Nice looking machine you have there.

ShaunRH · Apr 27, 2015

I think Lil Foot made those wheel weights, he can probably point you at the thread.

So, you going to sell that as a "New Old Stock" tractor? That thing looks so pretty I too wouldn't want it in the dirt. That could be a trailer queen show tractor if it weren't for the engine swap.

Lil Foot · Apr 27, 2015

Nice looking machine you have there.

Thanks, I work at it. (and with it)

I think Lil Foot made those wheel weights, he can probably point you at the thread.

Yup. Posts 3 & 4, 8 & 10.
http://www.orangetractortalks.com/forums/showthread.php?p=31681#post31681

Grumpy560 · Apr 29, 2015

Well I just had to see if the seat my dad got me would fit without too much trouble and I've come to the conclusion that its not going to work. There's just not enough clearance for the PTO arms to raise properly not to mention I'd be sitting 17" higher up.

Since I don't want to cut up anything I think its better left alone and I'll just buy a new original style seat instead.

Grumpy560 · May 1, 2015

Alright, I've cleaned up the radiator and straightened out all of the cooling fins the best I could. I cleaned it a second time with a scotch brite pad to remove any loose paint that remained. I took it to the car wash and carefully cleaned it again.

Last night I put a fresh coat of paint on the radiator. I used black gloss Rustoleum appliance enamel. I used the same paint for the fan shroud too, it turned out okay.

I filled the transmission, front axle assembly and both front outer gear drives with JD HD guard transmission/hydraulic fluid.

Today I installed the radiator and fuel lines, fired the engine up and let it run for about 20 minutes, no leaks anywhere.

I've made a new video of the B7100 and posted it on YouTube just a couple of hours ago.

Apogee · May 1, 2015

OMG you DIDN'T put green oil in it.... Sigh...

LOL!

Grumpy560 · May 7, 2015

Well, I've gone and made a huge mess on the garage floor. Due to rusty joints on the metal lines I thought for sure something was going to break. I've been soaking everything with PB blaster for over a week now.

So last night I used my heat gun and everything came off without breaking. I marked all 8 hoses so I'll know how the new ones go on.

I've decided that the easiest way for me to do this is to assemble the loader one part at a time. I've already installed the towers and loader frame back onto the tractor.

I did order 8 new hydraulic hoses this morning and hope they make it here before next weekend.

ShaunRH · May 8, 2015

Are you going to leave the cylinders black or take them orange?

I'd also recommend, while you're at all this, fabricating a built on bucket safety bar so you can raise the bucket, engage the safety and it can't possibly lower. Not that you'll have to dig into the engine anytime soon, but they are nice to have when you are working on the motor or anything up front!

B7100 with a slight mechanical issue.

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