Hi folks...I picked up an old B6000 with loader around a month or so ago, and already putting it through some good paces. I'm actually pretty impressed by how rugged it seems to be, at almost 44 years old or so. It starts and runs great, the loader works like it should, the little 12.5hp diesel has loads of torque...it's a pretty darned good machine. I've dug a trench through some really hard ground with rocks and roots using a 3pt ripper implement, and used the loader to move a 8x10 shed, including picking up the sides to mount and unmount casters...those would have taken days instead of hours to do by hand. It has plenty of small stuff wrong with it (like lights not working, clutch and brakes out of adjustment, fluids needing change, rusted seat, exhaust very loud/new muffler, etc...I'm fixing all those minor things as I go. Engine, tranmission, frame, loader and hydraulic, etc., all seem to be in really good functional shape, especially for a 40+ year old tractor.)
So, an old B6000 with loader certainly ain't bad (any tractor is better than no tractor, right?)...but wondering what I might upgrade to in 1-2 years, and there are so many Kubota years and model numbers to choose from it's a little mind-boggling. Here are some of the things I believe I want:
1) HST and 4WD drive (the B6000 is 4WD gear drive). I had a Power-trac (hydraulic drive) years ago, and HST is much easier to operate in confined areas and for loader work.
2) Just a little larger/heavier. So far, I haven't had many issues getting traction, but it does take 4WD plus diff lock. The B6000 w/ FEL is around 1000-1200 lbs...I'm thinking something around 1500-2000 lbs would prob be ideal. I don't want much larger frame-wise...I'd actually prefer to fit it into the 8x10 shed, even if it's a tight fit or a little bit is sticking out. (The B6000 will just barely fit with the FEL and a quick-hitch on the back.) I believe an L series would be too large.
3) PTO that turns the *right* direction (the B6000 turns counter-clockwise...although some implements will work backwards, it's a pain for most things) and the old PTO reversers that were made by Hub City aren't readily available any more. Mowers that can be switched to operate in reverse are not plentiful used, and expensive new.
4) A little newer is of course better...but I'm just using it for stuff around my home (< 1 acre), so I don't want to tie up a lot of capital in something I use occasionally. So the balance is age vs cost. I'd prefer to keep the cost between $5K - $7K. For that budget, it's gonna have some age/hours on it, and I'm fine with that. Models with the flatter operator station (vs a transmission tunnel to crawl over) are certainly more appealing...easier to get on and off for a guy who's slowly getting older.
5) Preferably a factory ROPS, which would put it post 1984.
6) A loader, and power steering.
The types of things I expect to do:
1) Move dirt, mulch, river rock, etc.
2) Light digging and grading.
3) Bull-dozing some brush occasionally.
4) Towing a couple of trailers around my property.
5) Plowing a small garden.
6) Mowing (1/4 acre to mow, but I'd rather get it done quick).
In my case, smaller is better (to a point...smaller than the B6000 would be too small I believe). I'm not sure the BX series has enough ground clearance for some areas, but I could be wrong so I won't rule the BX series out. I'm pretty sure the L series would be too large/heavy (but there might be smaller models I'm not aware of). It sure seems like the smaller side of the B series is the right fit, judging from the B6000.
So...which models should I be keeping an eye open for used? 1990's models of B7100/7200/etc? What other years & models should I be looking for? B2xxx series also? I'm of course looking for models that would be as reliable as the B6000. Although I'm fairly handy, I'd rather be working WITH the tractor than ON it.
Thanks in advance for helping me identify some models to watch for on the used market!
Dave
So, an old B6000 with loader certainly ain't bad (any tractor is better than no tractor, right?)...but wondering what I might upgrade to in 1-2 years, and there are so many Kubota years and model numbers to choose from it's a little mind-boggling. Here are some of the things I believe I want:
1) HST and 4WD drive (the B6000 is 4WD gear drive). I had a Power-trac (hydraulic drive) years ago, and HST is much easier to operate in confined areas and for loader work.
2) Just a little larger/heavier. So far, I haven't had many issues getting traction, but it does take 4WD plus diff lock. The B6000 w/ FEL is around 1000-1200 lbs...I'm thinking something around 1500-2000 lbs would prob be ideal. I don't want much larger frame-wise...I'd actually prefer to fit it into the 8x10 shed, even if it's a tight fit or a little bit is sticking out. (The B6000 will just barely fit with the FEL and a quick-hitch on the back.) I believe an L series would be too large.
3) PTO that turns the *right* direction (the B6000 turns counter-clockwise...although some implements will work backwards, it's a pain for most things) and the old PTO reversers that were made by Hub City aren't readily available any more. Mowers that can be switched to operate in reverse are not plentiful used, and expensive new.
4) A little newer is of course better...but I'm just using it for stuff around my home (< 1 acre), so I don't want to tie up a lot of capital in something I use occasionally. So the balance is age vs cost. I'd prefer to keep the cost between $5K - $7K. For that budget, it's gonna have some age/hours on it, and I'm fine with that. Models with the flatter operator station (vs a transmission tunnel to crawl over) are certainly more appealing...easier to get on and off for a guy who's slowly getting older.
5) Preferably a factory ROPS, which would put it post 1984.
6) A loader, and power steering.
The types of things I expect to do:
1) Move dirt, mulch, river rock, etc.
2) Light digging and grading.
3) Bull-dozing some brush occasionally.
4) Towing a couple of trailers around my property.
5) Plowing a small garden.
6) Mowing (1/4 acre to mow, but I'd rather get it done quick).
In my case, smaller is better (to a point...smaller than the B6000 would be too small I believe). I'm not sure the BX series has enough ground clearance for some areas, but I could be wrong so I won't rule the BX series out. I'm pretty sure the L series would be too large/heavy (but there might be smaller models I'm not aware of). It sure seems like the smaller side of the B series is the right fit, judging from the B6000.
So...which models should I be keeping an eye open for used? 1990's models of B7100/7200/etc? What other years & models should I be looking for? B2xxx series also? I'm of course looking for models that would be as reliable as the B6000. Although I'm fairly handy, I'd rather be working WITH the tractor than ON it.
Thanks in advance for helping me identify some models to watch for on the used market!
Dave
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