By Ken Fletcher

JAPANESE tractor manufacturer, Kubota, has bolstered its mid-range tractors with two new ranges.

While in recent times it has mostly been about its exciting move into larger tractor offerings, the company has re-affirmed its roots with a new generation of M5001 tractors and also a third generation update to its MGX tractors.

The M5001 Series hits a sweet spot for livestock farmers in the 95-113hp bracket, but is keen to make a case for them also being decent light arable machines.

The two-models, the 95hp M5091 and 113hp M5111, replace the company’s previous M8540 and M9960 tractors and are powered by its own four cylinder, 3.7-litre V3800 engine. These replace and succeed the company’s previous M8540 and M9960 models.

The power units have SCR, exhaust gas recirculation, a diesel particulate filter (DPF) and a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) to get it under the limits for Stage IV qualification and at the same time improving fuel consumption.

Alongside this new power unit, the designers have added a blend of new technology to maximise power, performance, plus end-user comfort and control.

A key feature is Kubota's ISOBUS system, which is also available as as retrofit unit, which offers a range of solutions in precision farming, with pesticide and fertiliser applications.

It's all applied through a triple-range gearbox, with six manual shifts and a hi/lo splitter. This gives a huge range of working speeds across 36 gears and the tractors are rated up to 40kph.

This compact range can lift 4.1 tonnes at the rear and has two standard pto speeds, of 540 and 540e. A 1000-rated pto is an option.

As a fairly simple tractor to operate, the M5 series are ideal loader tractors and Kubota has matched its quick-coupling LA1854 loader to the tractors, which features a shock absorber system.

It's clutchless, electro-hydraulic reverser makes loader work easy from the comfort of the much improved and larger Ultra Grand Cab II, as does the sloping bonnet design which also hides most of the SCR technology.

This gives almost full panoramic visibility, thanks to a sunroof with a sliding sun visor and there's also high-power work lights for working at night.

Kubota's new MGX-III range covers five models from 90-140hp. A re-map job on the engine targets power better in working bands and the range – the M95GX, M105GX, M115GX, M125GX and M135GX – all get an eight-gear powershift transmission, with auto-shift courtesy of a new Intelli-Shift unit.

Also new and matched to this range are two new front loaders, LA1955 and LA2255, with loader work benefitting from Kubota’s BI-speed steering system, which gives faster and tighter turning working in the yard.

All of the range get a front suspension option and a feature of the latest cab, is its low noise level plus air-conditioning.

Kubota-badge implements for UK launch

THE takeover of Kverneland has provided Kubota with a massive farm machinery portfolio and now it is launching whole ranges of these with Kubota-branding.

Covers will come off the orange-liveried implement range at the 2017 LAMMA Show, in January, and will include a selection of disc mowers, rakes, tedders, flail choppers, fertiliser spreaders, round balers and wrappers.

“This is an exciting time in the expansion of Kubota’s agricultural business,” said Rob Edwards, Kubota Agriculture’s business development manager. “Our vision is to introduce a range of Kubota implements through carefully selected dealers who can support and expand our tractor and machinery business.

“While we have already hand-picked some of our existing Kubota tractor dealers, there will be further new dealer appointments over the next three years to broaden our network,” he added.

Currently, Kubota has appointed 13 dealers throughout the UK and Ireland already.