B7100 HST Is it the clutch?

[rwedge]

I have 2 problems with my B7100 HST 4WD tractor, 1900 hrs.

1: Both the FEL (Kubota 1630 single lever) and 3 pt hitch lose pressure and will not hold their position. I solved the 3 pt hitch with a chain from each lower arm to 2 "slot attachments" welded to the roll over bar, but this does not solve the FEL dip and drop. I assume the problem is probably an "O" ring or two somewhere. Can someone please direct me where to start looking?

2: I am now thinking I also have a clutch problem. Last spring I solved the "floppy HST pedal problem" by replacing the bushings on the pedal shaft, that worked for the pedal! But, she looses power when rototilling, cultivating or even just driving along, and almost comes to a standstill engine still running. By kicking her into reverse and then forward again, sometimes 2 or 3 times, she will carry on for a short while then it would repeat. My grand son tells me the clutch rod is adjusted all the way, so I am assuming a clutch replacement before the spring garlic season. Am I on the right track, or could it be something else?

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

We need to address things in reverse order as one might or might not be related to the other.

First: Does the PTO continue to spin when the tractor quits moving?
If it does then you have a HST or fluid issue.
If everything stops turning and moving yes you need a new Clutch, Pressure plate, Pilot bearing and throw-out bearing.
To completely confirm this you can pull the cover off the center, 4 wing bolts, then you will see the shaft that feeds the HST, load the tractor down and the shaft will quit spinning if the clutch is bad.

Second: And possibly related to the first, if the clutch is not bad then you could be foaming the hydraulic fluid and thus causing issues with every hydraulic system, that would be most likely caused by a bad or loose suction line, not real common on the B7100.
Is the loader run off of a separate pump driven by the engine, it will be mounted in front of the tractor?
Does the loader roll (bucket) fall or the lift or both?
Does it happen when it's running or just when it's off?

 

[rwedge]

Hi Wolfman Thanks for the response so quickly!

1: The PTO also stops, I had to raise the rototiller, then do the kick fwd/reverse thing. It was almost like the tiller got jambed on something, but after I did the kick thing she would carry right on again. I will do the cover thing to check tho.

2:The hydrolics are run by the pump at the back of the injector pump, which we replaced two yrs ago (remember you found one for me in NY on e-Bay), we installed the new NY pump and everything worked, then re-installed the 1630 FEL. When we did, she blew the side out of the new pump... Oil everywhere! After a stiff brandy and a good nap, I went back to the boat house at 3 AM, tore down the NY pump and exchanged the busted case with the original one using the new pump guts and reinstalled! It has worked for 2 years and still does. I was pretty pleased with myself...

Re-the clutch parts. In anticipation of this, and reading all related posts on this site, I contacted the local Kobuta dealer, and the parts (apparently some part #'s have changed) come to CAN $550. + $90 per hr shop fee to install. In the US the same parts when I checked were US $205.00. Even with the exchange rates the US prices are away better. Shipping should not be an expense problem and if they do not ship to Canada, I have a re-shipper in Maine I can use which is only a 4 hr drive each way.

But, before I do this, I will have to verify the correct part #'s. Also a clutch job is probably beyond my 83 yr old capacity... so I have found a retired 60 yr old John Deere mechanic, he is a midget who drives around here on a 3 wheel tricycle with his dog Suzie in tow. I think he and I will have a chat soon...

Sorry for the long post, and of course many many thanks for your help

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Here is what you want to order.

Pressure plate P/N 66591-13400
Clutch disk P/N 66905-13300
Pilot Bearing P/N 66621-14120
Dust seal P/N 09400-14247
Throw-out Bearing P/N 32150-14820

Well I can do a clutch in one of those in an easy afternoon.
A midget on a three wheeler with a dog named Suzie should be able to pull it off too!
Folks you just can't make this stuff up.

 

[rwedge]

Mar 25, 2018
B7100 HST clutch replacement project.

Well I'm back... I bit the bullet and ordered the new clutch parts from the local dealer, came to Can $549.24. Expensive compared to the US prices, but it was quick! Ordered one day in the AM and they called the very next day in the afternoon. I texted my 33 yr old grandson to tell him, and he replied that we could to do the job ourselves to save the mechanic costs... I was skeptical. The next day, he moved the tractor from our boat house (we winter store 8 x 35 ft sailboats, tractors and cars for friends and family) to his heated garage. Later that same evening he emailed me the two pics (below), said it only took 45 minutes! He must have had help...

The next morning, I gathered Kubota parts, paint, brushes, thinner, drop cloth and sandpaper and walked over, figuring while she was all in pieces it would be a good time to give her a lick of paint. Well that didn't happen. In no time at all, the new clutch, pressure plate and throwout bearing were in place and David was lining up shafts and rods and stuff while I was pushing her back together! I cleaned up all the bolts and he tightened the two halves together. He said no to the paint, his wife Sara is allergic to the fumes... I walked the 500 ft back home in a blustery nor'easter.

The next morning after the storm, there she was, the FEL was back on and even the rototiller (why!!!) pushing snow from the annual St Patrick's week storm/blizzard. With a big grin, David says she is just like new again.

Many thanks again to Orange Tractor Talks and especially North Idaho Wolfman for all the advice, without all this help and encouragement our old B7100 would be sitting in long grass or a snowbank.

Now I have to address the FEL dip and drop problem... There has to be a bad “O” ring somewhere! And, I am thinking “Can I do it myself”?

 

[Mainah]

That’s fantastic news! Are you sure you still have a problem without the FEL? I’d try it out really well first.
North Idaho Wolfman you are the MAN!

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

You'll need to explain issues with the FEL and three point more to get to the bottom of those issues.

 

[Lencho]

That is so cool that your grandson did the job! Someone raised him well..