Need to replace original B7100 tires

[AOW162435]

Hello,
This is my first post on OTT. I recently purchased a 700+ hour '79 B7100 that came with the two-way front blade, a newer Kubota ROPS, and original Goodyear ag tires.
I have been assembling everything I need to completely go through the tractor. The factory front blade & subframe are coming off as the tractor will only be used for mowing. To that end, I found three old 55-lb suitcase weights and purchased a new rear mower.

My father purchased a brand new B7100 in 1980 that we used for 20+ years to maintain a tree farm. I have very fond memories of that tractor. Rear Kubota mower, rear rake, rear blade, front four-way plow, and turf tires.

In my search for new ag tires, I've come across conflicting info regarding the acceptable amount of front / rear 'rolling circumference' bias. I'm hoping to get some better thoughts here, and possibly some recommendations for a matched set of quality ag tires. So far I've found Carlisle Farm Specialist and Firestone Regency in the 6-12 & 8-16 sizes.
Carlisle: 68.9" & 92.5" RC = .255
Firestone: 69" & 93" RC = .258

I hope that's a sufficient new member intro.

Andreas

 

[85Hokie]

Andreas,

Welcome to the forum!

Great pictures and a great story!!!

I have owned 3 of the B7100's - In my opinion it is the best tractor for its size ever made - it is like a billygoat on steroids. It does things that other tractors cannot do. Whoever designed it knew what they were doing.

However - it does have a few chinks in the armor ......... a plug falls out here and there, a radiator that needs to be cleaned often - but all those I am sure you know about.

What are your plans for the new to you machine?

 

[AOW162435]

Andreas,

Welcome to the forum!

Great pictures and a great story!!!

I have owned 3 of the B7100's - In my opinion it is the best tractor for its size ever made - it is like a billygoat on steroids. It does things that other tractors cannot do. Whoever designed it knew what they were doing.

However - it does have a few chinks in the armor ......... a plug falls out here and there, a radiator that needs to be cleaned often - but all those I am sure you know about.

What are your plans for the new to you machine?

Thank you for the warm welcome. Are you in Indiana? (yes, that's me age 11 or so on my father's '80 back in the day).
We have some property in WV with a meadow on part of it. The tractor will live out there and be used to keep a portion of that mowed, as well as other areas where a house will go. To that end, I purchased a rear-discharge Caroni mower for it yesterday.

I am aware of how the cooling system works and will be going over everything thoroughly before putting it into use.

Andreas

 

[N3BP]

You do indeed want 6-12's for the front and 8-16's for the rear. I run the Carlisle Farm Specialist R1's on one of my machines and think they are a great tire. The R1's will tear out grass under certain conditions, so they aren't the best choice for nice grass.

Nice clean 3rd gen 4runner BTW!

 

[AOW162435]

You do indeed want 6-12's for the front and 8-16's for the rear. I run the Carlisle Farm Specialist R1's on one of my machines and think they are a great tire. The R1's will tear out grass under certain conditions, so they aren't the best choice for nice grass.

Nice clean 3rd gen 4runner BTW!

Thank you. I will keep an eye out for a correct set of turf rims/tires, but for now the ag wheels are it.

I purchased the 4Runner new in 2001 and have done all maintenance/mods/repairs since day 1. It now has 528,000+ miles on the original engine & transmission.

Andreas

 

[Lil Foot]

Welcome aboard!
I also run the Carlisle Farm Specialist front & rear. Great tires.

 

[AOW162435]

Welcome aboard!
I also run the Carlisle Farm Specialist front & rear. Great tires.

Thank you. So no diameter issue with respect to the driveline leading/dragging?

Andreas

 

[N3BP]

6-12's / 8-16's are the correct combination for Ag tires for the B7100, so there are zero issues with lag/lead.

Thank you. I will keep an eye out for a correct set of turf rims/tires, but for now the ag wheels are it.

I purchased the 4Runner new in 2001 and have done all maintenance/mods/repairs since day 1. It now has 528,000+ miles on the original engine & transmission.

View attachment 106490


Andreas

Wow, would have never guessed the mileage! Almost find it hard to believe actually, haha.
I have a 2UZ-FE powered 08 myself and love it. Patiently waiting for the 6th gen to be reviled as my frame is slowly rusting away courtesy of calcium chloride.....

 

[AOW162435]

6-12's / 8-16's are the correct combination for Ag tires for the B7100, so there are zero issues with lag/lead.




Wow, would have never guessed the mileage! Almost find it hard to believe actually, haha.
I have a 2UZ-FE powered 08 myself and love it. Patiently waiting for the 6th gen to be reviled as my frame is slowly rusting away courtesy of calcium chloride.....

It was gone at a bodyshop in PA for three months at the end of the year to have the rear wheel openings cut out, new metal formed, dents & dings removed,, followed by a glass-out respray. I stripped the truck and drove it there, far from road legal.

Rust is what tends to sideline these things. Thankfully my frame is sound - I've hosed it down with Fluid Film for years.

Andreas

 

[Lil Foot]

Thank you. So no diameter issue with respect to the driveline leading/dragging?

Andreas

Nope, none at all.

 

[AOW162435]

Nope, none at all.

Excellent, thank you.

I've never had tractor tires removed/reinstalled. Is this child's play for a normal tire shop, or should I seek out a tractor place?

Andreas

 

[N3BP]

Excellent, thank you.

I've never had tractor tires removed/reinstalled. Is this child's play for a normal tire shop, or should I seek out a tractor place?

Andreas

You can probably do the fronts on your own, but the rears should be mounted/dismounted on a machine, especially if they are 6-ply.

 

[Lil Foot]

Excellent, thank you.

I've never had tractor tires removed/reinstalled. Is this child's play for a normal tire shop, or should I seek out a tractor place?

Andreas

I bought mine online & had the fronts mounted at a local tire shop. (Discount)
They had no problems with the fronts, but they (and two other shops) could not seat the rears.
I finally found a shop that specialized in tractor & forklift tires and they popped them right on.
The difference was that the regular shops dilute the bead lube to stretch it, and the specialist uses the lube fill strength.

 

[Lil Foot]

Search for "B7100 Tire/Rim Problem" to read about it.
For some reason I can't copy the link on this tablet.

 

[AOW162435]

Search for "B7100 Tire/Rim Problem" to read about it.
For some reason I can't copy the link on this tablet.

There's always the ol' starting fluid and a match trick.

Andreas

 

[AOW162435]

I finally had a chance to thoroughly degrease & wash my new-to-me B7100. Aesthetically, it's in better shape than it first appeared. Next is doing a complete maintenance of everything.
I went ahead and purchased a set of Carlisle 6-12 Farm Specialist tires for the front, but have a question about the 8-16 rears. Some sellers state 6-ply, while others state 8-ply. The Carlisle catalog only shows the 8-16 size in a 6-ply rating.

Can anyone shed some light?

Andreas

 

[N3BP]

I finally had a chance to thoroughly degrease & wash my new-to-me B7100. Aesthetically, it's in better shape than it first appeared. Next is doing a complete maintenance of everything.
I went ahead and purchased a set of Carlisle 6-12 Farm Specialisf tires for the front, but have a question about the 8-16 rears. Some sellers state 6-ply, while others state 8-ply. The Carlisle catalog only shows the 8-16 size in a 6-ply rating.

Can anyone shed some light?

Andreas

You want the 6-ply. The 8 ply are for situations where they will be used for front tires on much larger machines. You will never overload 6-ply on a B7100. The machine is just too small. The 8 ply are also more difficult to mount and dismount.

 

[AOW162435]

You want the 6-ply. The 8 ply are for situations where they will be used for front tires on much larger machines. You will never overload 6-ply on a B7100. The machine is just too small. The 8 ply are also more difficult to mount and dismount.

Thank you! 6-ply version ordered.

Andreas

 

[Daferris]

For the turf tires and wheels. I'm assuming the bolt pattern has not changed over the years. Check out at your local Kubota dealer's sales ( not parts) department for the wheels and tires as "whole goods" they come mounted and are cheap ( compared to getting the tires & wheels they parts)

 

[tsp159]

A B7100 and 6th Gen 4Runner. Machines that will outlast twinkies and cockroaches!

I don't have childhood memories of a B7100, but hopefully I'll be making those for my kids!