Second "Kubota"?

hodge

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John Deere 790 John Deere 310 backhoe Bobcat 743
Nov 19, 2010
2,903
450
83
Love, VA
My dad and I are buying a Bobcat 743 skidloader today- I'm leaving shortly to go pick it up. It has a 36 hp, 4 cylinder Kubota diesel in it. Does that count? It even has orange wheels.

We operate a small (8-10) horse farm at my place. My father has always been into horses, and my younger daughter (16) is, too. So, they have a boarding/training business together. She does most of the work- cleaning stalls, grooming, training, conditioning, while he handles the business side, and teaches her as they go. It is a really neat opportunity for her. I am the maintenance crew. Mowing, fixing, etc. So, we are at the point that a loader is justified. My dad has a loader on his NH 3930, but it is just too big to maneuver, and he takes the loader off for the spring and summer. We had contemplated putting a loader on my B7100, but opted for finding a skidsteer, since it will ultimately do the best job. We have manure piles to maintain, shavings to move, and paddocks to keep cleaned out. I am sure that once we get it and get used to it, we will find that we use it more and more.
 
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DBCSteve

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B2650, FEL, box scraper, Artillian forks & grapple, GR 2120 mower
Jul 23, 2011
37
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Snohomish, WA
Good story!

My second Kubota is a JD 450C dozer. Works a bit better pushing dirt around.
 

300zx

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1979 B7100D, 2009 ZG20, 1991 B2150, 1990 B6200
Dec 1, 2010
445
1
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Forest, VA
Hodge, the Kubota engine in the Bobcat counts in my book. I also think it is great that your daughter is learning from her Grandfather.

Good luck and have fun with the skid steer! Post a picture, if it is convenient.

John
 

hodge

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John Deere 790 John Deere 310 backhoe Bobcat 743
Nov 19, 2010
2,903
450
83
Love, VA

skeets

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BX 2360 /B2601
Oct 2, 2009
14,551
3,300
113
SW Pa
Im not sure about this but a girl I work with bought a skidsteer for their farm, against her better halfs advice (they raise sheep), her hubbie said he cant figure out how they ever got a long with out it
 

hodge

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John Deere 790 John Deere 310 backhoe Bobcat 743
Nov 19, 2010
2,903
450
83
Love, VA
I really look forward to learning the machine, and putting it to good use. Interestingly, in my searches for information on Bobcat's, the top advice was to make sure it had a Kubota engine in it.
The 4 cylinder runs very well, and is in good shape. It runs smooth from idle to full throttle, and there is no smoke except at startup- the normal diesel smoke. It has more than enough umph, and I imagine that it will be economical. I need to go ahead and service it, but the oil can't be too old- it still has some color.
 

pat331

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L35, mower, bushhog, cement mixer, grader, boxblade, forks, posthole digger
Mar 31, 2009
298
3
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Ft. Worth, TX
You'll love the skid steer. My Brother-in-Law has a Komatsu SK815 (I think that is the correct #) which I've operated on numerous occasions. It is amazing what you can do with one. His has dual joy-sticks, one for direction and the other for hydraulics. Unfortunately, his has a Yanmar engine, but sure seems tough enough. He sure doesn't baby it. Good Luck!
 

Kytim

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B6000DT, B7100DT,Snowplow, RM360, Scoop, Cultivator, Carryall,Disk, plow
Aug 14, 2009
848
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Western Ky
I don't think I did it wrong but, my second kubota is a kubota! but not a skid steer tho. HaHa

kytim
 

Eric McCarthy

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Kubota B6100E
Dec 21, 2009
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Richmond Va
Well brother it looks like you got one helluva deal on that Bobcat. She looks clean and well taken care of like its hardly been used. Either that or somebody repaited it and cleaned it up before they sold it. Normally a Bobcat of that size is just worn slam out and has been ragged to death.
 

hodge

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John Deere 790 John Deere 310 backhoe Bobcat 743
Nov 19, 2010
2,903
450
83
Love, VA
Eric, it is in good shape. I have done some homework on them, and knew what I was looking at. It has been painted, but not covered up. The engine bay is clean, the engine has no leaks or gunk buildup, the underbelly looks good with no drips or oil stains, the axle ends are clean/no leaks, the cylinders are good, and it starts up and runs perfect. I can hear a little chain slap when you run it fast, which is normal. I'd say that we got a used, but not abused, loader. Which is what we were looking for- something that wasn't too expensive, still had life left in it, and was servicable. Now we just need some snow...
 

Bulldog

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M 9000 DTC, L 3000 DT
Mar 30, 2010
5,440
78
48
Rocky Face, Georgia
Hodge, my other Kubota is a Bobcat trackhoe. I like the Kubota trackhoes better but the little BC does just fine.