Kubota 2002

[HMD]

First let me say that I am NOT a dealer. I was just lucky enough to be able to attend the Dallas dealer convention... and want to report on what has been going on around the rumour mill... hopefully make some clarifications. I am no expert on Kubota, do not own one, but am aware of their progress over the years and have always found them to be a great, reliable piece of equipment. Oh... and yes I do have digital pictures but left my connect cord at the office so that will have to wait until Monday (check the photos section then...) I did check with Kubota about posting the pictures and information and they encouraged it. I would be happy to answer any questions with the information I have. If I don't have the information, hopefully one of the dealers that attended the show will be happy to jump in with the answers.

BX22
Those of you familiar with the L48, L35, and B20 will find a miniature version in the BX22 residential tractor/loader/backhoe. This modified BX2200 can also use any of the other implements already out for the BX2200 (MM Mower, Grass Catcher, Quick-Attach Snowblower, QA Blade, QA Sweeper Broom, Rear Blade, Box Scraper, Tiller, Rear Mower.....and the list goes on...) There is one lift and spin seat and appears to be a whole lot of leg room. Folding rops are standard but a locking knob has been added. No tools are required to put on or take off implements.. including the backhoe. The bad news for all the BX2200/1800 owners is that Kubota is not going to make a backhoe for these models. The original frame was not designed for it. Oh... and the grill guard is something that has to be seen...

MX5000
The economy class of the M series. 4-speed main shift as well as a Low/High/Reverse gives 8F/4R speeds.. Partially synchronized shift between 3 and 4 gear. Forward/Reverse has mechanical shuttle in the Low and Reverse ranges. Tractor has a flat operators deck, enclosed muffler, and hanging pedal... great visibility and great room in the operators area. Tractor includes telescopic lower link, stabilizers, and crank-type lift rod standard. Works on both Catagory I and II implements. Think of it as the "baby M". Suggested list for the 4WD version is $21,400.

ZD28
28 HP Zero-turn with a 72" mower. The new daddy of the ZD line. If you are familiar with the series, it is basically the same with the D1105 engine. Deck has been changed to a high speed gearbox, foot pedal parking brake, higher armrests, includes a folding ROPS standard.

M5700/M6800/M8200/M9000
Now the hydraulic shuttle shift transmission is available through all models as well as a cab model for all the tractors.

M4711 backhoe
Bradco and Kubota have teamed up. Based on the Bradco 611, 11 foot heavy duty backhoe for the M4700/4900/5400/5700/6800 ROPS models. One for the cab models is in the works.

and other
Ballast box for all models. New mudder cab tractor. 2 stage front snowblower for the BX.

and if your dealer is still recovering from the final party... please try to be kind and understanding...

Marie

 

[Turfman]

Thanks, can't wait for the photos.

 

[JonSpinosa]

Marie,
Did you see the new line of Kubota mini-excavators? I heard they have a new line-up for 2002.

Jon S.

 

[HMD]

Jon,
I did not attend with a "construction equipment" dealer so did not get the neat side by side comparison but did receive literature on the 2 compact excavators. The KX91-3 and the KX121-3. Sorry I don't have more info for you but if you have a specific question that the literature may be able to answer, let me know.
Marie

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Marie,

What strategies and marketing tools did Kubota mention using against specific John Deere and New Holland models...

 

[HMD]

John,
Now you are going to test my memory... I do know that many dealers wish that Kubota would put out the demonstrations in a video... but Kubota is still not up to the marketing of JD. I am going to try to remember the models compared but please allow me to revise the model numbers later... The MX5000 was put side by side with the NH 55, Massey Ferguson 251XE and JD 5105.

First demonstration was stability... hooking each tractor up to a rear mount mower, they showed how the shorter wheelbase on the NH caused the front end to lift with added weight... MF and JD were stable as the Kubota.

Hooking up rear attachments was compared (a box scraper) between the telescopic lower links (standard on Kubota) and the rigid on the others.

Loader operation was compared on running three complete cycles up and down. (up-dump-lower-curl)... Kubota was by far the fastest, followed by NH, JD and MF in that order.

Easy use of transmission w/ loader work was compared by a race of sorts. Tractors started approx 40 yds from a pile of sand. Went forward into the sand... backed up with a load... forward again to dump the load... back up and then start over again for 3 cycles. Resulted in the same order finish as previous test. The constant mesh for forward/reverse operations really made a difference.

Ease of removal of loader was shown. With the Kubota standard set up, you only have to get off-back on the tractor once. Everything else can be done from the operators platform. All parts remain attached so no missing arms down the road. Again, a test of speed was done, and the results came down Kubota, NH, MF then JD.

A vibration at the operators hand on the steering wheel was shown. A bottle of colored water was rested on top of each steering wheel. Very little movement in the Kubota or NH, MF had a little more, but not bad while the JD looked like an earthquake was taking place.

Also pointed out was the noise level from the tractors, the ergonomics of the operators deck (flat deck on the Kubota w/ the hanging pedals), enclosed muffler of the Kubota, and bevel gear vs u-joint front ends.

I have to be honest in saying that I have not really followed the NH tractor line since they quit being Ford... but I was pleasantly surprised by their performance (second only to Kubota /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif).

Hope this is the kind of info you were looking for John.

Marie

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Marie... Thank you...

I got more than I bargained for.

<font color=blue>...I have not really followed the NH tractor line since they quit being Ford... but I was pleasantly surprised by their performance ...</font color=blue>

I felt the same way... New Holland has really done some nice/functional/key things the last couple years...

Those tests would have been a good opportunity for Kubota to video tape and later strut their stuff...

What major changes/surprises are they planning for the compact market end?

 

[HMD]

John,
Sorry for the delayed response. As far as the compacts go, it looks like efforts were placed on the BX22. The B/L looks like they will remain as the same line up with the running production changes that takes place with any series.

I did get a chance to browse some other sights that had the new "X" series from JD and it does not look like much comparison. It is set on a lawn mower body and the loader has half the lift capacity of the BX. All the things that make the BX a true sub-compact are not available or options on the "X". (Cat I 3 pt hitch, power take off, and the full implement usage)...
I will getting my digital cable from the office and hopefully the pictures will give you a better view.

Marie

 

[sherbs]

Marie, Have you seen the price of the weight box? I here from a reliable source that it is not to expensive.

 

[HMD]

Don't remember the price exactly... know it is under $200... but what will that matter to you? I know you'll be trading in for the new BX22 with the backhoe next year anyway so probably won't have much use for the weight box./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif Stay warm...

Marie