B7100 HST or B8200 gear for first tractor

[Bear1981]

I am buying my first tractor. Have 3 acres and looking for something to plow snow, move dirt/compost for gardens, run a tiller and maybe some minor dirt work around the yard.

I am looking at a 1985 B7100 HST 4x4 with loader and tiller for $5500 or a 1988 B8200 4x4 3 gear with loader for $6800. What are your recommendations. I am handy so maintenance isn’t a big issue for me.

 

[Scm]

That is tough. My first tractor was a B8200HST. I love the HST, and the power (torque) from the 8200 was more than my 2022 BX23s.
The 7100 has 3HP less, but has HST.
Decisions......

 

[Bear1981]

That is tough. My first tractor was a B8200HST. I love the HST, and the power (torque) from the 8200 was more than my 2022 BX23s.
The 7100 has 3HP less, but has HST.
Decisions......

Yea, that is were I am at. Not having a tractor how much of a benefit is the HST? Also 8200 has a live PTO and 7100 isn’t but for what I will use it don’t think it will matter.

 

[Mountainman]

B8200 is a lot more tractor than the 7100. But hst is much better for loader work. If your going to do much loader work look for something with power steering in my opinion.

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

(background) I drive both automatic and stick-shift trucks & cars, motorcycles, other vehicles, and switching between them isn't an issue for me.

My experience is HST is far easier to learn on. Creeping into a parking space, lining things up, not going too fast, ...HST makes that and more significantly easier (as does power steering). For precise work and frequent implement changes HST is awesome. If I were doing farm work where I was mainly driving in a straight line for 14 hours a day dragging a single implement for weeks in a row then HST wouldn't make sense as fuel economy alone would factor in, as would many other things.

Regarding Live PTO (click for info), it depends on your use but I'd think you likely want one.

 

[Bear1981]

(background) I drive both automatic and stick-shift trucks & cars, motorcycles, other vehicles, and switching between them isn't an issue for me.

My experience is HST is far easier to learn on. Creeping into a parking space, lining things up, not going too fast, ...HST makes that and more significantly easier (as does power steering). For precise work and frequent implement changes HST is awesome. If I were doing farm work where I was mainly driving in a straight line for 14 hours a day dragging a single implement for weeks in a row then HST wouldn't make sense as fuel economy alone would factor in, as would many other things.

Regarding Live PTO (click for info), it depends on your use but I'd think you likely want one.

I can drive manual vehicles and have for 30 years so not an issue for me. Would he a learning experience for my wife if I try and teach her to drive it.

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

I can drive manual vehicles and have for 30 years so not an issue for me. Would he a learning experience for my wife if I try and teach her to drive it.

Well, there's a lot going on with a tractor. With a car/truck you're trying to move it so you're doing one task (moving), with a tractor and loader it's scoop/tilt/lift at the same time as changing speed into a load and backing out with a load so there's a lot more going on--not that it's impossible with a clutch, that's certainly not the case, just saying for me it's easier with HST to smoothly attack a job and reverse back out than with a clutch.

Also, I was thinking about what uses a non-Live PTO would have. Years back when pulling a non-PTO implement like a plow or rake, and having stationary PTO tasks like running a saw or chipper where the tractor is in Neutral--then one clutch that controls everything makes sense. For a mower deck where the tractor is moving while the implement is also moving--that's when a Live PTO makes sense as clutching the implement in/out with its own clutch makes sense.

 

[Mountainman]

Yea, that is were I am at. Not having a tractor how much of a benefit is the HST? Also 8200 has a live PTO and 7100 isn’t but for what I will use it don’t think it will matter.

B7100hst is considered live pto for the fact that you don't need the clutch to drive the tractor or switch gears. Gear drive version is not

 

[hedgerow]

I am buying my first tractor. Have 3 acres and looking for something to plow snow, move dirt/compost for gardens, run a tiller and maybe some minor dirt work around the yard.

I am looking at a 1985 B7100 HST 4x4 with loader and tiller for $5500 or a 1988 B8200 4x4 3 gear with loader for $6800. What are your recommendations. I am handy so maintenance isn’t a big issue for me.

I have spent thousands of hours on gear driven tractors running loaders and wouldn't have a gear driven loader tractor any more. I love the HST on my MX6000. If you can try to do some loader work with both style tractors before you buy. You will under stand real quick why the HST is nicer for loader work.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Having used both the B7100HST and B8200DT, I would go HST all the time!
The HST benefits make up for the slight loss in HP and size.
HST is better for loader work and for tiller work because you can vary the speed to the conditions.
Hard parts are easier to get for the B7100 than the B8200, there was just more made.

 

[Russell King]

Your wife would prefer the HST than a gear drive. If you want her to be involved in any tractor assistance, then you need the HST.