kubota why so light in weight

[_RaT_]

Tractor weights can be very misleading and I believe you are right Mark, Kubota crates the tractor with no tires, no loader brackets or loader, no fluids (that may have changed). Regardless, you can compare tractors a lot of different ways. When comparing my L3830 to the NH and Deere, I never looked at weight, in fact, I still don't know what it is. I looked at the physical size, HP and above perhaps more then anything cost. My L3830 compared favorably against the JD 4410. I know the tractor is all steel especially on the rear end where others have been using aluminum which in and of itself is not bad provided it can take the punishement of heavy implements.

 

[Rimmer]

"...Kubota crates the tractor with no tires, no loader brackets or loader, no fluids (that may have changed)...."

I was at my dealer's place last Friday picking up some stuff, and he had a bunch of tractors sitting out back ready to be uncrated. The B-series tractors were all without wheels and tires, just as you say, and I think I saw at least one L-series, also without wheels and tires. The BX-series tractors were complete in the crate, with wheels and tires installed.

 

[TresCrows]

Yes, I have been told the same thing--weight is crated w/o tires and wheels. I really think this is an issue that was dead about 20 years ago when the little orange tractors showed up and people laughed at them, now they are not so smug. There is room for different approaches in design, if weight is what is importart to a particular purchaser they should look elsewhere perhaps. I think it is a wild goose chase. J

 

[BillG_in_TX]

I e-mailed Kubota today and asked this question:

"Are the tractor weights in the specifications "crated" weights,
or do they include the standard wheels, tires and fluids?"

- and received this reply (in less than 4 hrs!):

From: <compacttractors-implements@kubota.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 13, 2004 1:36 PM
Subject: Re: Kubota Contact Sub Compact/Compact Tractors

"They are assembled weights (tires & wheels) dry."

 

[slowrev]

Thanks for being a myth buster. Keep this one around for reference, this subject will be back several times /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[BillG_in_TX]

I thanked the nameless contact at Kubota for his response, and he replied:

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Thank-you. I enjoy reading some of the Well informed discussions on this site but as you know I can not participate in the dialog. Brief explanation:

Over the years the way we ship and build products has changed. Original in crates (still some today) for containers and shipments from the warehouse. This weight was commonly found in the price book.

Then as we ship tractors in crates the wheel and tire assemblies and ROPS were sourced domestically and shipped from the warehouse to marry up with the crated tractor for the Dealer to assemble.

Then we shifted ROPS production back to Japan and they are now included in the crates. KMA (Kubota Manufacturing of America) Gainesville Georgia builds almost 50% of our retailed units some are completely assembled, some require assembly.

Best bet is to use Bid specifications or Published specifications and not use price page information as the intent is different. )</font>

I THINK he is saying that the "Published specifications" (e.g. as found on the Kubota website) will reflect the assembled unit weight, while the "price page" information may not, and is therefore less reliable.