B7100 Replacement Starter

[JRHill]

In addition to some wiring restoration it was time to change out the 40 year old starter. It's been sluggish for quite a while and despite battery condition, new heavy cables, etc. it has just been something I tolerated because of the replacement cost. But a week ago I saw a whif of smoke coming from its direction. OK, enough. I found this and thought to try it:

Amazon.com

FYI, it was a new unit, not a rebuild for $65. Put it on and it zinged the old unit to life. But full disclosure, the idler pully was also a problem so I disassembled it and pulled the bearing. Popped the side shields, cleaned, washed, packed and reassembled. The smoke was not from the pulley - definitely the solenoid or starter. Also bought a new key switch which was also inexpensive:

Amazon.com: JEENDA Ignition Switch 66706-55120 for Kubota Engine D600 D850 D950 D905 D1005 D1105 V1305 V1505 Kubota B4200D B5100 B6100 B7100 : Automotive

Buy JEENDA Ignition Switch 66706-55120 for Kubota Engine D600 D850 D950 D905 D1005 D1105 V1305 V1505 Kubota B4200D B5100 B6100 B7100: Ignition Starter - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

[Lil Foot]

Nice, both seem like smokin' deals.

 

[JRHill]

Update 6+ months later:

Other than tracing some wiring to make sure there were no corroded or broken connectors, etc., I never did any rewiring. All I did was change out the starter. I was gonna get to the wiring later including the new switch assy but didn't need too. It was a long standing problem of the battery getting trickle DIScharged. It was such an annoyance that I had a battery disconnect that I would open when I shut it down after a job. And I was sure that the 'lil generator/alternator wasn't making any power.

But just changing the starter changed everything. The battery doesn't discharge and finally even gets a charge while running with some RPMs. I have NO idea what changed with the starter swap. It has to be in the solenoid as there is a high resistance reading from the positive post to ground. One day I'll open it up and I'd bet there is some copper dust/crud in there, just enough to bleed some 12v to ground. But one thing is for sure: with the unknown bazillion of hours that are on this before I got it 30 years ago it needs all the spin it can get to start. And boy does it! Sometimes things really surprise you.

Yesterday I was using it and it was singing merrily away while piling saw dust and bark. The old critter was so happy that when it blew the old, checked hydraulic line to the bucket tilt it sprayed away from me. Now that's a happy and appreciative orange tractor!