Fellows, does anyone know if Kubota ever made a gear-drive B series that had either a two-stage clutch, or independent PTO control? Was curious becuase operating a 3-point snow blower on my B7200 gear is not fun. Thanks!
Question about B series tractors
- Thread starter N3BP
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I did a little more research, and the B9200 & B2150 have dual stage clutches. No smaller machines do. Even the 2020 B2401 gear-drive Kubota makes does not have live or independent pto control. Bummer
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Correct, but my primary use for the small tractor is a log hauler and prefer gear drive. I may end up buying another machine (HST) and set it up with a plow and 3-point blower.
Yup. These things are all choices. I see a lot of people who prefer gear drive, and that choice has consequences. The question is whether you'd rather your snow blowing be easier, or the gear drive for log hauling. Out of interest, I would have thought log hauling was traction limited, not HP limited - what about gear drive do you like more for that task?
Truthfully I want it both ways. Which is why I'm seriously considering another machine with a HST! Comparing my 7200 to my neighbors 7100HST, I feel mine has more "grunt" power when log skidding. When I was on his machine, it felt like the HST needed to load up a bit before moving, thus reducing its yanking power. Also, I felt I had more control over the terrain (we live in the woods) with the manual. I could still do a quick clutch stop on his, but it's really awkward with that rocker pedal.
One trick with HSTs apparently is that they have more pull with light pressure on the pedal - the pedal is actually a gearing pedal, not a throttle. Our instinct is the mash it to the floor, but that actually pushes to the highest gearing, when you press it lightly you're effectively getting lower gearing and more pull.
On control over terrain, that's interesting. All my vehicles are automatic nowadays, so I've lost the habit of the clutch. I generally find it's one more thing to manage, and I like that HST pretty much stops when you take your foot off the pedal - I almost never use the brakes, which is nice. On my father's big tractor I always get very nervous changing gear on a slope - I always worry it's gonna run away from me and generally the brakes on it are pretty weak. I like having control over speed without having to change gear. Horses for courses, and what you're used to. (Actually, on the old Massey that Dad has as his second tractor I got really caught out pulling a trailer up the hill - it's 50 years old and doesn't go into gear well.....I stopped, went into low, but wasn't in gear. Crappy clutch, crappy brakes, running backwards with a trailer load and poor brakes is quite exciting)
The treadle pedal is really an acquired taste - you have to get used to it. But you can usually get used to it with time. Certainly getting used to a new pedal is cheaper than a second tractor!!
On control over terrain, that's interesting. All my vehicles are automatic nowadays, so I've lost the habit of the clutch. I generally find it's one more thing to manage, and I like that HST pretty much stops when you take your foot off the pedal - I almost never use the brakes, which is nice. On my father's big tractor I always get very nervous changing gear on a slope - I always worry it's gonna run away from me and generally the brakes on it are pretty weak. I like having control over speed without having to change gear. Horses for courses, and what you're used to. (Actually, on the old Massey that Dad has as his second tractor I got really caught out pulling a trailer up the hill - it's 50 years old and doesn't go into gear well.....I stopped, went into low, but wasn't in gear. Crappy clutch, crappy brakes, running backwards with a trailer load and poor brakes is quite exciting)
The treadle pedal is really an acquired taste - you have to get used to it. But you can usually get used to it with time. Certainly getting used to a new pedal is cheaper than a second tractor!!
The pedal took me all of a couple usage hours to become intuitive. Even when clearing snow with large boots it is fine......sure my heel is sometimes off in reverse.....takes a nanosecond to move my foot slightly. I would rather learn the pedal and have my hand free,
To each his own. For my uses, I prefer HST. Unloading hay with a 70HP geared transmission is a chore compared to a tractor with HST. Once you have HST and get use to it it's like going back in time to no AC (or black and white TV) to use a geared transmission.