Adding a fuel gauge to B7100?

[Bubbakahuna]

Hi all, Noob here who just got a 1978 Kubota B7100 4x4 diesel for yard projects.
Nice little tractor for what I need but one thing I wish it had was a fuel gauge.
Last thing I want to do is run out of fuel and have to bleed the system in the middle of a project.

Has anyone added a fuel level sending unit gauge to the plastic tank and a gauge to keep an eye on the diesel fuel in the tank? One of those ElCheapo Grande universal jobs all over eBay? One made for a boat? Seems like as soon as I put tractor or boat in with the search the price quadruples for what looks like the same thing.

Thanks in advance, Jeff

 

[BigG]

It is cheaper and better to just keep the tractor full. In your cold climate you need to worry about condensation in the fuel tank. If you fill it every day when you are done then there are no worries.

 

[SidecarFlip]

Isn't the fuel tank translucent plastic? All you have to do is look at the tank to see how much fuel is in it. Don't make something simple complex.

 

[85Hokie]

Isn't the fuel tank translucent plastic? All you have to do is look at the tank to see how much fuel is in it. Don't make something simple complex.

It WAS translucent when new .......but the plastic yellows and gets "dingy" over time - in the right sunlight you can still see the level line of fuel. But I pop the top and unscrew the cap to check otherwise it is a guessing game.

 

[ken erickson]

The fuel tank on my late model (1997) B7100 has yellowed to the point it’s almost impossible to see the fuel level. The sunlight has to be just right. I have put enough time on the hour meter to get a good feel for how much remains but I am overly cautious not to run low.
I think I remember seeing a post were someone installed a homemade “sight glass” type fuel gauge but drilling two holes in a tank that does not leak goes against the grain for me.

 

[torch]

To answer the question you actually asked: Yes you can. The universal sender will fit in the fuel tank and will work with diesel.

Not much room behind the dash for adding another gauge though. You would need a housing and decide on a place to put it. Which leads us to:

Boat/motorcycle gauges are usually IP67 -- ie: waterproof. The cheap ones are not. Will your tractor ever see rain?

 

[SidecarFlip]

A wooden stick works well and is cheaper.

 

[85Hokie]

A wooden stick works well and is cheaper.

Awww yes the stick!

get the two lockdowns unhooked, top bonnet pulled back, cap loose, strainer removed and to have the stick.....with all that - a look'see into the tank is all required! A stick is nice - now to make the stick go through the hood and the tank - now you are on to something!

I watched a new 18 year old janitor check the huge oil tank below ground with his 12' stick..... it was graduated - he told his boss - "65" I asked if that was gallons or percent left .... he did not have clue!

 

[GreensvilleJay]

hmm ? do the plastic 'mellow yellow' tanks get brittle holding diesel inthe sun ? I KNOW the they do with gas( riders)

 

[85Hokie]

hmm ? do the plastic 'mellow yellow' tanks get brittle holding diesel inthe sun ? I KNOW the they do with gas( riders)

If the sun were to sit on it for 30 years - perhaps, but diesel and gas react a bit differently with plastics. Gas seems to "eat' up plastic quicker and turn it yellow as the sun breaks it down too.

These tanks don't get brittle - just yellow like hell to the point of not seeing anything on the inside - even if it IS RED

 

[GreensvilleJay]

interesting info.... my only other diesel is the forklift and it has a steel tank. I thought gas might 'attack' plastic more than 'oily' diesel. I've seen some very brittle tanks on gas riders....

 

[Bubbakahuna]

Thanks for the input guys.

The 42 year old tank is no longer translucent and even in strong sunlight it's impossible to see what the level in there is without popping the cap & removing the strainer. Even then I have to jiggle it to see the reflective surface of the fuel.

I may just try to keep it full which I also try to do with my lawn tractor. I do run that one out once in a while, maybe once or twice a year. That one's gas so no big deal to just put more in & crank it over. The Kubota will not be so easy if I run it long enough the empty it.

So - I know how hard you're using it determines fuel use but what kind of ballpark hours is everyone getting on a full tank of diesel in one of these?

 

[Lil Foot]

The tank in my B7100 was painted flat black by a PO, so I can't see the fuel level.
I have used the tractor for as much as eight hours moving rock, spreading fill, digging with the FEL and backhoe, and I have never used more than a half tank of fuel. I just religiously fill the tank at the end of the day and never worry about running out of fuel.

 

[kubotasam]

You do not need to drill holes in the tank for a sight guage.
1. cut fuel line just before fuel filter and install a "T" fitting.
2. Connect a piece of clear fuel line to "T" . Run it under tank and up the left side.
3. Cut fuel return line a top of tank and install "T" fitting'
4. connect end of clear fuel line to top "T"fitting.

I think I remember seeing a post were someone installed a homemade “sight glass” type fuel gauge but drilling two holes in a tank that does not leak goes against the grain for me.

 

[torch]

You do not need to drill holes in the tank for a sight guage.
1. cut fuel line just before fuel filter and install a "T" fitting.
2. Connect a piece of clear fuel line to "T" . Run it under tank and up the left side.
3. Cut fuel return line a top of tank and install "T" fitting'
4. connect end of clear fuel line to top "T"fitting.

That's just too cheap and easy. There must be something wrong with that plan!

 

[GreensvilleJay]

re:

There must be something wrong with that plan!




NOTHING ! I did the same for my 2000 gallon water tank for the wife's veggie patch.