Buying and refurbishing an old Japanese tractor

I saw this old kubota b7100 sitting behind someone’s house. I asked the guy what he would take and took it home shortly after. I tore this tractor down and made it work ready again.
Dirt work skid steer cat excavator WILL IT START? Kubota tractor b7100
Snapchat: BradenBuildz
Facebook: BradenBuildz
JESUS IS KING 👑

[@MontysMayhem]

When your pouring oil out of a 5 gallon bucket flip it so the spout is at the top. You"ll waste less oil from the stream pulling in air..Less glub glub glub.

[@tcmits3699]

Or just pour it into a gallon jug, then into tractor🥴

[@turdfarmer777]

Definitely pour with the spout up until you get past half empty. Putting a vent hole opposite the spout with a screwdriver is good if you know you're going to use all 5 gallons.

[@tcmits3699]

@@turdfarmer777 if you need a vent hole, simply use a washered self-tapping screw, but a gallon Arizona Iced tea container is perfect for reuse

[@gorgeousdzastr]

I was actually going to say that and read the comment here. Works like a charm.

[@ClaytonHartin]

another tip for 5 gallon bucket, since the spout is thread. Take a DEF jug they come with that little hose you thread into the jug. When you’re done with the def jug take the little hose and wash it out. It will thread on a 5 gallon bucket spout

[@mozzberg590]

4WD, front and rear PTO, small and reliable. Winning

[@Cowsareprime]

This was my first tractor and I don't think that we ever had to fix it. it was very reliable. Also to ease the starting process hold one finger over the silver metal disc with a hole in the middle located on the dash and turn the key to the left when the finger covering the disc gets warm that means the glow plugs are hot and the engine is ready to start.

[@micah-hooka7275]

Man! I got the same engine in a 1979 Kubota L225. I ran when I bought it for $450. I had to park it because it made a nasty grinding noise when I was using it to spread stone in my driveway. I have been down with my health for the past 2 years and Just last week I had the strength to go out and take a better look at it. Well, it was only a bad water pump. So I am waiting on it in the mail. It was $43. That little L225 with its front end bucket is my only help out here on my 3 acre lot. 3 acres ain’t much, but when you have a gravel driveway and old hedgerows, it has been such a blessing for me. I pray that when I get the new water pump on that the old rotten hydraulic lines don’t blow because I’m 46 years old and I’m broke. I barely could afford the water pump and gallon of antifreeze. So, yeah, bud….I think you got a good little tractor. Mine isn’t 4WD. I like yours. I thank you for making this video because I am still learning how to use the rear PTO and 3point hitch. I am needing to hook my friend’s bush hog up and get these briars cut way back. Thanks again….😊👍🏻-Mike

[@BrokenMonkeyProductions]

Great find! I have a B6100 with the same loader. A couple observations i made, and some of these you may have found by now. That tractor is in high range when you were driving it. There is a high / low range shifter on the right side, next to the fender. I believe your water probably came from the shifter boot. Replace it, run some diesel through it (at idle). See if the 3 point lift works like that. You will likely have to change the oil 2-3 times to get all the water out of it. At the very least rinsethe transmission out with diesel to wash the gunk out. I'm told there is a screen at the bottom of the loader tank (where you cut the supply line). Unthread it from the frame to clean it. There is an updated rear hub available that makes the wheels have less wobble. Be aware the old style is still available. Get on youtube and watch some videos. There are a lot of videos on this series of tractor to teach you some of the things to check. And check out the FB groups on the series. Enjoy the tractor! My family is loving our 6100!

[@CB-dx6hy]

Great observations, I have one I'm just starting on. Wish me luck.

[@ProtonOne11]

Good idea to flush the old dirt out before adding new fluids and filters. Especially on things that you don't know the previous maintenance history and already see issues like gallons of water in the transmission or bone dry hubs. Just don't try to add diesel to the hydraulic system to flush/clean it. You might want to check the hydraulic filter and drain the oil out again after a few hours of working the tractor, to see if there is excessive dirt or anything else that should not be there.

[@larrygingerich2585]

Run it some, to warm up the oil before draining. .

[@johnweatherford5760]

Braden I had a good friend who was #KILLED working on a loader. The boom crushed him. He was a hard working guy just like you. I’m not trying to be the safety police I’m far from it myself I just think a lot of you you don’t wanna see you get hurt that’s all. You can get you a piece of C Channel or pipe for a cylinder safety lock.

[@brandonarnold9915]

Yes sir, would hate to see something happen to a young guy like you. Better safe than sorry. Use your lock outs.

[@Briselance]

This is not trying to be the safety police. This is valid advice.

[@AnthonyQ730]

I love this video, but man I had to cringe when I saw that 😮 Similar comment on trolley jack with no jack stands....please be safe(r) 🙂

[@Lhenry-pf5zn]

You are lucky to have found one of the best small tractors ever made. I have a B7000, 2 cylinder with loader and attachments. Bought it used , have used it for 20 years, zero problems. Drain the water out of the steering box, and oil it or it will burst if frozen (I live in Canada) . Also I cycle the glow plugs twice if cold to the slow count of 20. I ALWAYS use the glow plugs, even in the summer, it is just easier on your starter, battery, wiring, and your charging system. Yes, get the new style rear hub to wheel mounts. The trans dip stick is on the right side near the shift lever.

[@roxieloot]

Well done, mate, you must have put a few quid into that. Nice to see a young lad bring old machines back to life. Respect to you!

[@robsdeviceunknown]

Thanks for the good laugh this morning. And yeah I love that little tractor. My problem is I tend to fall down the rabbit hole on restoring. I would have had it in a million pieces, cleaning and painting every part.

[@BradenBuildz]

Same thing here. If I’m not careful I’ll put more money into it than I need to

[@davelowe1977]

You're going far with that attitude and skill level.

[@JesseCase]

I would absolutely love to have that tractor! I've always loved the look of those old small B series Kubotas! Especially with this one having the FEL! I mean it has everything in such a compact little package. 3 cylinder diesel, front hydraulics with FEL, front and rear PTO, 3 point hitch, and it's 4WD! I'm just so envious right now!

[@MrCheaterpipe]

I've got one with a fel and backhoe just like this one needs the engine rebuilt

[@mikibajrektarevic2543]

​@MrCheaterpipe how much u want for it . If ur not planning to fix it ?

[@annalorree]

I grew up running a Kubota L245 on our family dairy farm, we used it as a chore tractor. Hearing that little tractor fire up made me smile. 🙂

[@douglasthompson2740]

Always a good idea to rinse the gear boxes that have had water in them and gunk at the bottom with diesel. Then drain it thoroughly and flush til it comes out clean. Fill with gear oil and run for an hour, then change oil again. You want all the crap at the bottom to rinse out. Use your air hose with a stiff hose or long spout to blow in and mix the diesel around. You can fill the engine with diesel as well but do not run it just use it as a cleaner to get rid of the crap in the pan. Drain thoroughly and then fill with engine oil, again make your first oil change after an hour or two, then go on the recommended intervals. Water is probably coming down the shift levers if the machine is left outside.

[@davidbarnes706]

I had a friend that had a really small Kubota from the 1970s that had a backhoe attachment on the back that he could load on the back of a 1974 Chevy pickup with an 8ft bed had an electric dump on it he would raise the front bucket up over the cab and could close the tail gate he used it to install gas lines between what they called row houses that only had a 4ft walkway between them before all the mini stuff came out

[@swerobin1991]

one of the better videos I've seen when amn refurbishing a mini tractor. no screaming or messing around. big thumbs up

[@joshbutterfass5251]

The next time you purchase an item like that make sure you have an electric winch installed on the trailer you are using to haul it home with saves on your back and muscles you won’t be sore the next day after getting that item home

[@brianarmstrong9664]

I have the b7200. Does more work than a little tractor should! Mine was made in 1990. Loader with bucket and a set of of pallet forks. I use it for food plots and firewood. Also does a good job removing snow with my 48” pto drive snow blower. These older kubotas are built with all metal not plastic like the new ones.

[@shopdoc]

Actually I have a new Kubota L3560 and it doesn't have any plastic.....it's all metal. I think the Deere's have a good bit of plastic however.

[@countk1]

Job well done. Never saw a more satisfying thing as the light popping in like that. I have a tip however. When pouring full cans of oil (or anything, even milk), try to pour while the outlet or nozzle is at the highest position possible, so turn the can 180°. The oil (or any liquid) will flow much more constant and spilling is minimised due to air getting in the canister easier. The first pour might be a guess, but it'll get better after some exercise. Take this tip from a technician with 30+ years experience. The fact that the three point linkage is dropping, might be wrong viscocity of oil, a bleeding/malfunctioning valve or the pressure applied if it's an overflow valve, or a combination of the three. Also nice to see you're actually torquing the wheels the proper way. The seat has the proper Kubota colour. Maybe it changed through the years, or the tractor colour is just that much faded. Future upgrade ;) 300 acres with that thing 🤣 Nice goals, though :p

[@zetamale7952]

Kubota B7100. I have one. An overgrown 16hp diesel 4X4 garden tractor that can do more work than any garden tractor while using very little fuel. Great little machines.

[@LongBinh70]

I started my tractor career with a B5200 - even smaller - in the 1980s! It came with a belly mower, but a I added a loader to muck horse stalls. Perfect size for that mission. By the time I got rid of it it looked just like yours. I swapped it even for a Wallenstien wood chipper for my Ford NAA. It would push (not lift!) boulders the size of the tractor!

[@donnaharmony8896]

This was my 1st tractor. Purchased it in 1993 and ran it for 27 years. I traded it for a new Kubota that had power steering. I love my Kubotas.

[@johnhoag2690]

Me too! I still have my little b 7100 and just got a 1947 Farmall super A with a custom front loader 😊

[@dukromeo]

nice edits and finish. that tractor will outlive all of us. 😂

[@brianmilliard6998]

We use to flush axles and transmissions out the diesel or kerosene. Drain and refill with new fluid, works great. Breaks up sludge and muck every time.

[@1997cr80r]

Very well done! Enjoying the videos! Pro tip when your pouring fluid from a pail rotate the pail 180° so the spout is on top then it wont spill all over the pail or glug out as the oil starts getting low in the pail start rotating the spout down

[@gafaff]

I've had a little B7100 for what must be a couple of decades, and while I've got much bigger tractors, I stil keep this one around - it's such a capable little machine, ideal for small acerages. Mine has what I believe is a factory loader, but it doesn't use a pump off the front PTO, rather it uses the same pump that raises the rear linkage.

[@jamiejames1928]

These are amazing little tractors, used in the UK for people with small holdings. Very capable

[@Dimitris_Texas]

Best thing to do is download the manual first, it has all the usefull information and appropriate fluids. There is a small deepstick for the gear oil next to the seat on the right side.

[@rirebel6029]

Me and my buddy had the identical tractor for grooming our motocross track when we were about 10 or 11 ( it was the farms but we had full access to it ) they figured it was small enough we couldn't get into trouble. Even with the little tiller on the back that was the tippiest damn machine I have ever run . I'm a heavy equipment operator now and run pretty much everything and that little kubota still is in the back of my mind as the most dangerous thing 2 boys coulda set out on lol !!!! It was identical ag tires and everything !!!! I was yelling at the phone PUT IT IN LOW RANGE !!!! cause in high range she boogied!!!!

[@rirebel6029]

If you get any more than a wheel barrow full of dirt in that bucket look out cause she's looking to flip on ya !!! We had wheel weights and loaded rear tires on ours

[@TF856]

I bet you don't realize how much danger you're in by standing under that loader bucket with bad hoses that could pop at any moment!!!!!!

[@BradenBuildz]

Was beside it not under it

[@AsitShouldBe]

nice work mate, about the level of oil in gearbox, there is a 10 mm bolt on the side, when the oil spill from that hole, the level is done, bye🤠

[@stephenbrothers9185]

I fixed up an old B5100e (even smaller than this one believe it or not) and a few things I learned that might be helpful: 1) get some new glowplugs, they're cheap and easy to do and make a big difference on cold starts. 2) There's no alternator on these old units, it's a rectifier, and at least on mine it was bad. It's on the backside of the dash and it's not too bad to replace so if you get the battery not charging, it's likely that vs the generator on the engine itself (you can test with a multimeter to verify) 3) There should be a knob somewhere, I forget where exactly, that will adjust the drop speed for the 3pt so you can adjust for different implement weights 4) The factory oil "light" leaves a lot to be desired, you can look up a guide but it's super easy to add an aftermarket oil pressure gauge. I didn't have an hour meter so I put it where your hour meter is but I'm sure you could find a spot for it 5) Be careful when you lift the rear of the tractor up, the front has no suspension or anything and if you lift the back too high and it gets the slightest bit off balance it'll flip on you 6) I believe someone makes a replacement loader control valve for those so that you can have a more traditional joystick vs the two levers but not too sure on information on that Otherwise, enjoy and welcome to the tractor club lol.

[@SuperDriver379]

The exhaust flange the muffler is bolted to is square, if you can get the bolts out without breaking them off you can turn it 90° to vertical, and it’ll blow the smoke more away from you, at the expense of being easier to hit on low limbs.

[@larrymcgarage2152]

Nice find of the old tractor. It’s good to see her getting a new lease on life.

[@jonathanphillips6264]

Man, your use of impact tools putting those drain and fill plugs in has got me cringing.

[@BradenBuildz]

Completely safe if you’re easy on the trigger. Milwaukee impacts aren’t all or nothing. I’ve stripped more with a ratchet than I have an impact

[@Wonderbread307]

You've obviously never eased into the trigger. When you shoot, do you slap the trigger or slowly squeeze? It's the exact same concept with a cordless impact.

[@zone4garlicfarm]

Kubota made smaller tractors than that. I have a 1974 B600E. It has a two cylinder 0.6 liter engine that it rated for 12.5 HP.

[@CJ_Caster]

I just bought a Kubota L305DT. It's a bit bigger than yours, but everything appears to operate relatively the same. They're super cool little tractors. I have to do the head gasket on mine, but it seems fairly straightforward. Mine doesn't have a loader. That's a double edged sword. I'd love to have one for it, but I bought it for the 3 point. My clutch is the same as yours. That auxiliary switch would be good for rear lights. Rear lights are really handy

[@ruslankadylak2999]

Looks exactly like Satoh Beaver S-370d tractor I bought a while ago. On mine PTO spins in the wrong direction... Didn't use it for anything. Also, no power steering is a drag... ;)

[@wafflezoot]

The transmission/transaxle probably got water in through the shift lever boot. I'd try to seal that up to keep water out of it if possible.

[@1mandoman1]

Impressive, I just bought a B7200. I am impressed how much you know. Enjoyed the video.

[@bobg3034]

Never work on a machine with the bucket in the air unless it is supported! If something happens that bucket can smash you!

[@AlysonLowinski]

Yes, when your point oil make the nozzle at the top and you won’t make as big of a mess if not any

[@TheJamming]

Be extremely careful when working on it with the loader raised. Best practice is to remove the loader (if possible) or if not, to fully brace it before going under it.

[@BradenBuildz]

I was beside the loader not directly underneath It

[@WrightBrother83]

Had one of these I did a light resto on. Put some wax on that paint and it will look amazing just getting that oxide layer off. I might have kept mine if it had the bucket loader. Great value in that project.

[@Thelemorf]

Dont work under a unsecured lifted loader and use jack stands or something to stop it if it falls from the floor jack.

[@BAK87]

That's a pretty nifty good ole tractor you've got there boy.

[@freezerburn04]

I have a b6100d 4x4 myself. No front pto and no front loader but the 3 point sure is useful:) Great vid , thanks. Freezer’

[@Gazman110]

Brilliant video. Hilarious at the end. You are a star in the making

[@EnGammalAmazon]

If you think the B7100 is small, I have 2 B6000 Kubotas with 2 cylinder diesels. One of my friends near me has a B6000 with a front end loader.

[@alexandre92099]

Small piece of advice always remove the fill plug first(in case it’s stuck and you can’t remove it you still have oil inside I learned this lesson the hard way)

[@raymondmumford6255]

4x4 Kubota, what a little work horse 😊

[@FatherVinyard88]

I remember the first time I poured hydraulic fluid into a tractor too, nothing to be embarrassed about friend, great video, God bless.

[@InfiniteCraftsman]

28:53 thoroughly enjoying the video. When you pour the hydraulic fluid, put the spout in the side or even at the top. It’ll pour a lot easier.

[@benvenema4816]

These tractors were built in the early to mid 80s. To find the year look at the clutch side of the transmission for the serial number. Your last 2 numbers are the year

[@jameslandon4126]

1976 was the first year

[@benvenema4816]

​@jameslandon4126 specifically this model. I have an 82. The first year that was here was 76 but only 1 model was really here till the 80s that model was a b 6000

[@terrycastor8299]

Very interesting video. I considered one of those old Kubota tractors, but the small size made me a bit hesitant. It looks a bit unstable especially in a slope, which I have a lot. Great rejuvenation of a classic. Great job!

[@skywatcherranchswr]

This is such a great video. Fixed all the important stuff. At the end of the day, the paint job isn't what gets the job done. I would love to have that model with the loader to do chores with. Subbed!

[@jackstjohn4175]

This tractor is water cooled. But has no water pump . what looks like a water pump in the canter behine the fan is the dinamow a low amp charging System . The cooling. System on a B model is called thremosyphon . at all times keep the. Redactor fins clean . The Redactor front cover in front of the Redactor clean . On some B models the over flow hose ran down to a stem wisel . keep the onside of it clean too . thie. The system will do just fine if keap very clean .. Nice find ...

[@utahsailing1]

Hi Braden, nice B7100, don’t forget to drain and fill your steering box, they are crap and if they brake they are kinda a pain to fix. They get water in them and rust out the bearings. Good luck on the cats.

[@theraubsraubs8098]

If that's like my b7100 you need to preheat the glow plugs for about 20 seconds, you turn the key counterclockwise on my tractor to preheat. Good little tractors.

[@jackmacica5407]

Sweet little tractor! My guess that the seat color is correct. The rest of the tractor has sun faded that much.

[@BradenBuildz]

Yeah it was a joke

[@larrygingerich2585]

You "need" to glow it longer before cranking it! Even if all the glow plugs are working!

[@SH-di8im]

If you punch a hole in the 5 gallon bucket lid it will pour out a lot easier. As far as dipstick on transmission I’m thinking there should be a plug on the side you can take out for oil level.

[@robertcoulthard2746]

Young Turk , great video , I did not see you refill the tool box ,after all the repairs I doubt you will need tools any time soon , regards Rob.

[@3sparewashers-lg3gf]

21:56 Don't mind that, thats the new environmentally friendly water-based gear oil. Nice little tractor! I suspect that with fresh fluid in the 3 point hydraulics they will function. The rear axle is also the sump for that system.

[@timpatrickhanna]

On gray market Japanese tractors, like Kubotas and Yanmars, the throttle lever is backwards. You pull it toward you to throttle up and push it away to throttle down.

[@stevevannorman321]

That is the coolest little tractor....

[@hotarutomoeofficial]

Hello mr This kubota is the import version from japan of the kubota B7000 it has i believe as far as i know the same engine as my small kubota tractor i have a Kubota Zen Noh ZB1400 sunshine with D850 engine very robust engines and very easy parts to get for the Kubota B7000 series are build from 1972 untill 1976 a very good and nice buy^^ Greetings from Japan Hotaru/the kubotalady

[@LittleVernonFarm]

That video deserved a subscription!

[@davechipling169]

Had 3 of these at a garden centre I worked at back in the 80s great tractors

[@chrischristian1596]

Awesome video thanks for sharing 😊

[@redneckdrennan745]

b7100 is a work horse for its size!!!! Kubota is a damn good machine(older ones)

[@williambixby3785]

I’ve been in the market for one of these for a few months and can’t believe how much people want for these!

[@johnweatherford5760]

That a fine little B7100. I’ve been hunting for that exact tractor 4wd with factory Kubota loader and frame mounted Kubota tiller. Don’t forget to change the steering box gear oil under dash. Good luck buddy and be careful. Really happy for you.

[@SPUDHOME]

No power steering, put a steering damper on the steering linkage, (shock absorber)

[@aaronhartvigsen4080]

I am going through this for same tractor. It is a great machine. You also want to replace boot on shifter. I replaced the coolant hoses too. They were pretty brittle. Can you provide link for the lights you used? Those look great!

[@LKN117]

Love my BX series tractor. It has paid for itself many times over at this point

[@p52893]

Just love the tale at the end.

[@tomlee7966]

you will need to replace the shifter boot, thats probably how the water got into the transaxle, thats why there was a plastic bag over it when you got the tractor

[@pidjones]

I think that those were very popular with contractors to kerp on new home sites for various jobs, plus pulling trucks out of the mud.

[@lumpy1603]

Cleaning the filter is probably what made the 3pt work thats usually the problem

[@JackFraser-vf4tj]

My nabour has 7 of theise little kubota tractors some are some are like brand new

[@JeffreySiler]

How Much Fuel Does It Hold??? 😮😮😮

[@Eeropolvasti]

How much you paid all new hydraulic hoses?? And, those new axel seals?? TY =)

[@ghorner11]

You could add a rear light on that auxiliary switch. Comes in handy.

[@Huntersprojects]

I just purchased a ford 1100 about the same size all the same features except it’s a 2 cylinder shibura diesel

[@KISSFanDan1995]

You should get one of those NOCO car starters. They're a bit expensive but WAY worth it.

[@urbanitesgarage3299]

Thats awesome, i had 3 b7100s but none had loader wish i could find one! How much did all the hydraulic hoses cost thank you

[@gomerhondo7249]

It (transmission) has a dipstick ( little black knob) on right side next to shifter.

[@MrCheaterpipe]

Turn the key backwards and hold it that will activate the glow plugs and itll start a lot easier

[@normhowes2975]

Bought a new car hauler trailer yesterday and that's the tractor they use moving trailers around but with out the FEL. Good job getting the ole unit back up and running.

[@justinb2022]

You should really find and restore a Bolens Iseki Loader, they’re such cool machines.

[@kevinpullus3079]

Watched it 3x now.... Can we get a source and a parts list? Perhaps be one of those A-Zonian affilly ates and get a little kickback :D

[@arnaudgimbres7932]

Hello everyone and thank you very much for this very funny video. I have a question about your headlights, I need to replace them on my B6100 but I can't find them. Could you tell me where you bought yours? Thanks in advance and have a good one.

[@gpowerdragon9852]

Watch this The fuel filter is Exact same setup as Mine tractor and you Lost the spring like i did a couple Times Maybe you're gonna random parts bin to find a soft spring so the filter element keeps been pressed on the top . And the nice video no music on it i like it bit more relaxed

[@TheGeezzer]

Size ain't everything, a little compact like that would actually be quite handy around tight spaces and difficult to get to areas, I bet its got adequate pull/push power too! Yeah worth the refurb!

[@puumahe]

MartyT from nz has a similar or the same Kubota. He is a pro. Check his maintenance videos. You also know your stuff. Cheers from Finland.

[@KubotaManDan]

I had a similar tractor model B7200 4 cylinder HST from 1986, I since moved to the city & got rid of it a few years ago. It had the loader & I added a tooth bar for digging. It was a lot of fun. But all the parts were very expensive and the dealer I bought it from was a lying cheat.

[@d.collier_8280]

How are you securing those lights into the tractor?

[@jbuchan8114]

I had that same tractor. You will love it it’s a workhorse

[@BrokenMonkeyProductions]

One more thing, I found my tractor starts easier if its not at idle. Give it about half throttle and it starts better. Enjoy!

[@hazlox]

i have that same traxctor. where did u get that hose kit?

[@Crazyrobot7030]

One suggestion I don't see in the comments: add protective cloth sleeves to your hydraulic lines, will make them last longer.