OK - Next up in my list of the first 1,000 questions I want to ask: Does anybody have a source or recommendation for all the various fasteners my old B7100 needs? It's missing many of various shapes and sizes, and over the years, it's obvious <someone> has substituted many SAE nuts and bolts for the original metric. My long-term goal is to make this little beasty as original as practical - so I'd like to use OEM or good quality aftermarket for the fasteners - which don't appear to me to be things I can just get anywhere....
Fasteners
- Thread starter dworthington
- Start date
TheOldHokie
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L3901/LA525, B7200DT/B1630, G2160/RCK60, G2460/RCK60
North Idaho Wolfman
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L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
You would have to be a little more specific as Kubota, uses different fasteners for the body than they do the mechanical.
and then some of the engine and trans bolts are very fine thread, and very hard to source.
I've gotten a lot of fasteners and there are much cheaper sources than McMaster, they are right up there with Grainger and Fastenal for high prices.
Tropical Jack
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Kubota L3301 w/ FEL & BH, tilt and trim, chipper, box blade, grading blade
You would be surprised what you can get at your local hardware store. Additional benefit is that you can buy just one, exchange easily what you buy in error, and check thread sizes and pitches.
By local hardware store, I do not mean Home Depot, Lowes, etc. I mean a real hardware store.
Jack
By local hardware store, I do not mean Home Depot, Lowes, etc. I mean a real hardware store.
Jack
Russell King
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The dealer will be able to get you just about any hardware that you need or want. They can be pricey on some of them. The dealer will only give you hardware by part number and the illustrated parts list will not show the hardware size. Buy one from dealer then duplicate it with the same hardware from less expensive sources.
If you have a hardware part that you want to duplicate from the tractor then you can get a thread and size gauge from a bolt supply or a hardware store to know what you have. As stated above Kubota uses fairly large diameter bolts and often in the fine or extra fine pitches which makes them a bit harder to find in a hardware store but often a hardware supply store will have (or can order) what you need.
The finish on the hardware is also something to consider. Hardware stores will probably only have bright zinc (electroplated). Kubota original hardware was probably the yellow dichromate finish that produced a better protection. If you order the bolts from a place like Fastenal you can probably get the hardware in either one that you want or even a better coating if you plan to live a long time and hate rusted fasteners…
Then you need to also get the co grade of bolts so learn what the marks on the head mean and only trust that the Kubota part number knows what the grade is on the original tractor. Most will be lower grade but in some places they jump up in grade for strength in the joint.
If you have a hardware part that you want to duplicate from the tractor then you can get a thread and size gauge from a bolt supply or a hardware store to know what you have. As stated above Kubota uses fairly large diameter bolts and often in the fine or extra fine pitches which makes them a bit harder to find in a hardware store but often a hardware supply store will have (or can order) what you need.
The finish on the hardware is also something to consider. Hardware stores will probably only have bright zinc (electroplated). Kubota original hardware was probably the yellow dichromate finish that produced a better protection. If you order the bolts from a place like Fastenal you can probably get the hardware in either one that you want or even a better coating if you plan to live a long time and hate rusted fasteners…
Then you need to also get the co grade of bolts so learn what the marks on the head mean and only trust that the Kubota part number knows what the grade is on the original tractor. Most will be lower grade but in some places they jump up in grade for strength in the joint.
I find Fastenal is not that bad all things considered. The hardware they get has a better coating than the hardware store flavor. And, they have a better selection of stainless and electroplated hardware.
I've sourced most everything Grade 8 fine thread on Amazon and Ebay.
And yes, I have resorted to ordering from Messicks if it was really special and not found anywhere else.
@Tropical Jack mentions a real hardware store which I second as well. I was quite surprised at what I found at ACE for instance.
Get good coated fasteners and stay away from rust using anti-seize. But remember that using anti-seize will change the torque a bit. There's some threads on the forum on that subject.
And yes, I have resorted to ordering from Messicks if it was really special and not found anywhere else.
@Tropical Jack mentions a real hardware store which I second as well. I was quite surprised at what I found at ACE for instance.
Get good coated fasteners and stay away from rust using anti-seize. But remember that using anti-seize will change the torque a bit. There's some threads on the forum on that subject.