Friday, 23 August 2019 12:25

Kubota gets closer to the big league

Written by 

Kubota is busy shedding its image of being only a maker of compact or municipal tractors.

Its new M8 series will take it beyond the 200hp mark towards its goal of higher power tractors and ultimately a long line of products. 

The M8 results from a recent OEM deal with the large-tractor maker Buhler Industries, whose Versatile Nemesis tractor was the starting point for the agreement.

The deal will allow blending the engineering quality and product development of both companies.

The new range will be built in Winnipeg, Manitoba and will increase Kubota’s offering beyond its flagship M7-172 made at its factory in northern France.

Power will come from a Cummins-B 6.7L engine with a choice of 190 or 210hp outputs, both conforming to Tier 4 Final emission regulations, Kubota says.

“The arrival of the M8 will allow us to aggressively target a large sector of the market where customers require a large utility or mid-size row crop tractor for materials handling, hay tool applications and a variety of fieldwork. 

“All models will have easy to control comfort and intuitive precision farming options.”

That operator comfort will be seen in the sector’s largest cab -- 4.2 cu.m. Kubota asked for an operator environment for long days and nights, using premium seating, extensive sound deadening, climate control and an ergonomic multi-function command centre.

Details are yet to be released, as is the likely availability or timing of the range’s arrival in New Zealand.

More like this

H is the 1!

OPINION: Good on Miraka for eschewing electric power for its future tankers, opting for the much more practical heavy-vehicle ‘green’ choice, hydrogen, putting NZ’s first H-powered tanker on the road.

Featured

Editorial: Happy days

OPINION: The year has started positively for New Zealand dairy farmers and things are likely to get better.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

The bow-tie effect

OPINION: If the hand-wringing, cravat and bow-tie wearing commentariat of a left-leaning persuasion had any influence on global markets, we'd…

Famous last words

OPINION: With Winston Peters playing politics with the PM's Indian FTA, all eyes will be on Labour who have the…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter