I have run my B6000 dry twice. Once about 7 years ago. I swore I'd NEVER do that again.
Then came last night. Getting ready for the upcoming snow storm I figured I'd get the dinosaur running and checked out. Looked in the tank, saw it was 'full enough' and started it up. Drove down the the gas station to get a 5 gallon of 4 gl diesel and one of Kero to make winter blend so it doesn't gel up.
Got back just in time to hear it sputter out.
Reviewing a couple of other posts on OTT one comment made was: when you run dry, refill the tank, disconnect the fuel hose on top of the injection pump, stick it into the fuel tank and turn the key on. The lift pump will purge all the air out of the lines. Then turn key off, hold finger over end of the hose, quickly shove it back on and clamp tight. Then crack the bleeder (one at a time) and it will start.
This made me think. I know what a lift pump sounds like. I know where it is. It just NEVER occurred to me that MY lift pump was dead. How could my B6000 run without one? A quick trip to auto parts store and about 30 minutes labor and viola'. Primed, started right up!
Turns out it has been running just fine without one. Its just the priming that is difficult without one!
After getting the tractor running I experimented. Yes indeed the tractor runs just fine with NO lift pump. It just sucks fuel through the lift pump. But it has more acceleration and steadier power with the pump on.
So, If you have a B6000 make sure your lift pump is operating as it should. It should chatter when the key is on.