Series designations? (M, L, B, X)

[blunosr]

Hi, I'm in the market for another tractor. I have a 1970 MF1080, but it's 3pt hitch is so weak it won't lift a bush hog and I don't have facilities to split it right now.

What do all the letter designations of Kubotas mean? (M, L, B, X)

I don't know why all the tractor companies can't get together with uniform designations. I want something in the order of 50hp, and I like the MX5100 that was at the dealer last time I looked.

I looked at all the other new tractors, but I'd rather stay away from "made in India, Mexico, Brazil, Korea". The only option in that hp range seems to be the Kubota, and to me, "made in Japan" seems the better of the bunch. Is that just me being crazy?

Should I look for an older JD instead? There was a 2155 for around $10,000. Tractordata.com indicates that it was made in Germany.

The Kubota would be new, but would mean making payments. It is around $30,000 up here in Canada, after taxes.

I'd like to run at least a 5' tiller, and be able to pick up a 12' JD T100 disc. I'm not sure the Kubota would pick up my disc, it's quite soggy!

Thanks for any advice.

Troy Boyd

 

[dex3361]

M- Utility Class- Mid 40HP and up.

L- Compact Utility Class(with a few Utility class)- Mid 20HP- Upper 50HP

B- Compact/Subcompact Class (frame smaller than L)- Lower 20HP - Lower 30HP

BX-Subcompact Utility Class- Mid Teens HP to Mid 20 HP

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

BX normally smallest. Next is B which the biggest one can get close to the next bigger size of the smallest L and then you move into the big boys, not hers, the M's.
Guess all brands could call all their tractors one thing like all car companies do. Being as your on the Kubota forum (yes we have other color guys hanging around because they envy us) we will probably vote that all designations be what Kubota is using now. Doubt the other colored companies would agree to change all of theirs to Kubota designations. Do you see the problem with collusion between companies which while they are working together on same designations can just set them all at the same price?

 

[TripleR]

I can certainly identify with your confusion over model numbers, I have to look them up on anything other than Kubota.

I think you are right, I wouldn't want to try pulling a 12' disk with a MX5100 either.

There are some 5100 owners on here who hopefully can provide more info on their capabilities.

 

[Robb71]

I spent a lot of time test driving the MX5100 before I bought my M5040. The 5100 is a heck of a bargain, but it just wasn't that much more to get the 5040 and it's a lot more tractor.

I'm not sure the 5040 will pull a 12' disk where I am but your soil might be less demanding. The operating manual gives a max of 9' for a draw bar disk harrow with 4wd and 8' for 2wd. Have to go to the M7040 to get rated for a 12' disk.

 

[kday64]

Regretibly, I could not make hide not hair of these letters until I went out a dealership and walked around the lot for about 30minutes. I sat in every open cab and then took notes and photos on each model. Then I spent about 3 hours drueling over my laptop while visiting Kubota Tractor Corporation.

I knew I was going to get a BX but I needed to sit in all of the seats I could find. It was a much phunn.

~Kevin

 

[scesnick]

I have an MX5100 and I think pulling a 12' disc would depend on the soil type but it is on the upper end of its capabilities for sure. But, it does have a Cat II 3pt. on it. I like the 5100 and use it a ton around the farm. But, like all tractors, there are somethings that could be improved on. such as, the rear end is fairly light and loading the tires is a must with a FEL and even some rear weights.
To acheive 540 on the PTO you have to rev the engine to 2700RPM which seems pretty high to me. The diff lock is on the wrong side in my opinion. The PTO engage lever is pretty chincy and is engaged with a small cable instead of linkage. and last but not least Curtis Cab does not offer a cab for the MX5100 ( although the specs on the L4740 is very simular)

 

[slowzuki]

Here's the reply I tried to post on ytmag:

Compact Homeowner = B series
Large compact = L series and Grand L's
Medium Utility but based on L series = MX
Utility = M

The MX won't handle a 12 ft disc on the 3 point, and won't pull it
anywhere that has been plowed.

You should not pay 30,000$ for the MX, I'm in Canada as well
and they only fetch about 1/2 that with 100 hours on them at
auction.

I like my Kubota (L5030 HSTC) but I bought it in the US for about
half what they sold for here at the time. Watch private sale,
dealers have been swamped with trades with the several years of
0% and aren't paying much for trade in.

I bought a 2005 MF 5455 100 hp cab loader 4wd for 30,000$ no
HST as its over 62 pto hp. If you don't need a cab there are
some great deals on tractors in the 65 pto hp range. 5000 series
JD's with that 9x3 no shift on the fly transmission are cheap,
1000 hrs, selling in the 13,000$ range with no loader at dealers.

You can find low houred Kubota M6800 4x4 open stations in the
14,000$ range which could pull that disc in some conditions, or
an M8200 that would handle it fine in the 20,000$ range.

Really clean MF 165's are selling in the 5000-8000$ range.

A nice Ford 5000 or 5610 can be had for near 8000-10000 in
2wd with low hours.

Lots of retiring small farmers around with smaller equipment for
good prices. I wouldn't tie up my money into that particular new
Kubota.

 

[rogerius]

Here's the reply I tried to post on ytmag:

Compact Homeowner = B series
Large compact = L series and Grand L's
Medium Utility but based on L series = MX
Utility = M

The MX won't handle a 12 ft disc on the 3 point, and won't pull it
anywhere that has been plowed.

You should not pay 30,000$ for the MX, I'm in Canada as well
and they only fetch about 1/2 that with 100 hours on them at
auction.

I like my Kubota (L5030 HSTC) but I bought it in the US for about
half what they sold for here at the time. Watch private sale,
dealers have been swamped with trades with the several years of
0% and aren't paying much for trade in.

I bought a 2005 MF 5455 100 hp cab loader 4wd for 30,000$ no
HST as its over 62 pto hp. If you don't need a cab there are
some great deals on tractors in the 65 pto hp range. 5000 series
JD's with that 9x3 no shift on the fly transmission are cheap,
1000 hrs, selling in the 13,000$ range with no loader at dealers.

You can find low houred Kubota M6800 4x4 open stations in the
14,000$ range which could pull that disc in some conditions, or
an M8200 that would handle it fine in the 20,000$ range.

Really clean MF 165's are selling in the 5000-8000$ range.

A nice Ford 5000 or 5610 can be had for near 8000-10000 in
2wd with low hours.

Lots of retiring small farmers around with smaller equipment for
good prices. I wouldn't tie up my money into that particular new
Kubota.

I'm in the same boath as "blunosr" looking for a tractor, but something smaller, a L3800 or L4400. Comparing dealer's price Canada vs US is a difference of over 2500$ and adding the "sweety" Canadian tax HST from Ontario the difference goes over 3000$. Based on this, I'm thinking more and more to take your advice and look for one over the border. Can you please send me some directions/addresses where I can start searching for one?
Thx

 

[slowzuki]

tractorhouse.com is a good start, I started with ironsearch first.

 

[dennis52]

Count your luck in North America. In Australia we get slugged for about 40% more with an equivalent $ exchange rate !

Nobody can explain why (freedom from competition)

 

[gwdixon]

How about some more designations? (Quoted from Vic on OTT.)

BX Series

V = Loader Valve
T = Turf Tires
R = R4 Industrial Tires
LB-T = Loader Backhoe w/Turf Tires
LB-R = Loader Backhoe w/R4 Tires

B Series

E = Two Wheel Drive DT = Dual Traction 4wd
HSE = Hydrostatic Transmission, 2wd
HSD or HSD-1 = Hydrostatic Transmission, 4wd
HSDB = Same as Hydrostatic 4wd, but includes Bi-Speed turn
HSD-T = Hydrostatic Transmission, 4wd, Tow Tractor (Airlines)
TL = Tractor, Loader
TLB = Tractor, Loader, Backhoe

L Series

DTC = Dual Traction, 4wd, Two stage clutch, Live continuous Running PTO (L235/L275) DTC = Dual Traction, 4wd, Integral Factory Cab (L3600/L4200) DTN
DTS = Dual Traction, 4wd, Power Steering
DTSC = Dual Traction, 4wd, Power Steering, Two stage clutch, Live continuous Running PTO (L235/L275)
DTN = Dual Traction 4wd, Narrow Specialty Tractor DT-W = Dual Traction 4wd, (W) Wet Clutch = EVER CLUTCH
F = Two Wheel Drive
FS = 2wd, Power Steering
FC = 2wd, Live-continuous running PTO
FSC = 2wd, Live-continuous running PTO, Power Steering
FST = Fully Synchronized (Main) Transmission
GST = Glide Shift Transmission
GSTCA = Glide Shift Transmission, 4wd, Factory Cab, "A is for Air Ventilation Kit (L3600/L4200)
GSTC = Glide Shift Transmission with Integrated Factory Cab
HC = High Clearance (L245HC only)
HF = Hydraulic Shuttle, 2wd
HDT-W = Hydraulic Shuttle, Dual Traction 4wd, (W) Wet Clutch = EVER CLUTCH HDT = Hydraulic Shuttle, Dual traction
HSTC = Hydrostatic "Feather Step Transmission with Integrated Factory Cab MF = Mechanical Shuttle, 2wd
MDT = Mechanical Shuttle, Dual Traction
SS = Shuttle Shift
T = Tow Tractor
W = Wide tread for Row Crop applications. (i.e., Tobacco)
TL = Tractor, Loader
TLB = Tractor, Loader, Backhoe
DT = Dual Traction 4wd
DTC = Dual Traction 4wd, Cab Model
DTCCS = Dual Traction 4wd, Cab with Creep Speed

M Series

DT-1 = Dual Traction 4wd, ROPS model with IC/Shuttle Transmission (M7580/M9580)
DTL = Dual Traction 4wd, Low Profile (for orchards)
DTM = Dual Traction 4wd, MUDDER (for specialty, row crop and vegetable)
DTN = Dual Traction 4wd, Narrow (for vineyard/orchard tractor)
DTN-B = Dual Traction 4wd, Narrow wheel tread with Bi-Speed Turn
F = Two Wheel Drive
F-1 = (-1) = Larger two pump hydraulic system
FC = Two Wheel Drive Cab Model
F-CS = Two wheel drive with Creep Speed (Ag. tires or as Turf Special)
HC = High Clearance (2wd M7950 only)
HD = Hydraulic Shuttle, 4wd
HDC = Hydraulic Shuttle, 4wd, Cab
HDCCS = Hydraulic Shuttle, 4wd, Cab, Creep Speed
L = Low Profile
ML = Mechanical shuttle, Low profile
MDT = Mechanical shuttle, Dual traction 4wd
MDTL = Mechanical shuttle, Dual traction 4wd, Low profile
MF = Mechanical shuttle, Two wheel drive
OC = Orchard model
S = Synchro-Shuttle, 2wd
SD = Synchro-shuttle, 4wd
SCS = Synchro-Shuttle, 2wd, Creep Speed
SDN-B = Synchro-Shuttle, 4wd, Narrow with Bi-Speed Turn
SDNBC = Synchro-Shuttle, 4wd, Narrow with Bi-Speed turn, Cab model
SDNBF = Synchro-Shuttle, 4wd Narrow with Bi-Speed turn, Foldable mid-mounted ROPS
SU = Special Utility, 2wd
SU-R = Special Utility 2wd, Rigid ROPS
SU-F = Special Utility 2wd, Foldable ROPS SU-TF = Special Utility 2wd, Turf Special
SUD-R = Special Utility, 4wd, Rigid ROPS
SUD-F = Special Utility, 4wd, Foldable ROPS
SUMDT = Special Utility, Mechanical Shuttle, 4wd
SUDT = Special Utility, 4wd
W = Wide Row
H = 2WD, ROPS (Note: All H-Models are Std. Swing Shift 16F X 16R speeds)
HC = 2WD, CAB
HD = Swing Shift, 4WD, ROPS
HDC = Swing Shift, 4WD, CAB
DS = Dual speed, ROPS (Note: All Dual Speed models are 32F X 32R speeds)
DSC = Dual speed, CAB
SDSCC = Dual speed, CAB, cold weather w/high amp alternator and creep speed and second remote valve
SDSC = Swing Shift Dual Speed, CAB DSDF = Dual Speed, 4WD, ROPS
SDSL = Dual Speed, 4WD, Low Profile

M-Series Notes:

Suffix "1 models are the second generation "Wide Cab tractors. Cab is 5.7 inches wider than first models.
Suffix "2 models are factory equipped with 540 / 1000 RPM PTO kits. M95S and M105S:
The "S represents the model/tractor class in general is no specific meaning, however it can be applied to "Swing Shift as the base transmission on all "S models.
M50-Series 1983 - 1984 Cab was orange in color, air conditioning was optional.