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The Kubota M7 is a European-built tractor, manufactured in Dunkirk, France. The range spans 130-170hp, with three models – M7131, M7151, and the tractor on test, the M7171.
Kubota dealer manager Kevin Pryce said: “The tractor is capable and well designed, with a fantastic Kubota motor and excellent visibility from the cab. The four cylinder, 6.1-litre engine is very fuel efficient and the tractor is here to announce our presence in the higher horsepower market.”
The M7171 KVT’s Kubota engine is married to a ZF CVT transmission with a Dana front axle. Add to that some electronic screens from Kverneland and a new cabin from Kubota coupled with 9.4t lift capacity at the back end, and it has all the right ingredients to make it in the big league. It is also available with a powershift transmission, a smaller control monitor and mechanical spools in the S specification. The tractor on test came with the large control display and electric spools.
When the tractor rolled off the truck in to the yard, it had a striking presence. The lines on the bonnet and the aggressive look on the grille and lights gave a nice flow to its appearance. Michelin 650/65 R38 tyres gave it a chunky feel. Also notable were the four steps to climb into the cab. It looked and felt like a 170hp tractor on first inspection. The tractor got quite a bit of attention from onlookers on the road. The Kubota drives really well and the cab and front suspension ride out the bumps quite well.
In the cab
Climbing into the cabin is easy. There is plenty of adjustment for the seat and steering column. The cabin feels bright and airy yet for a premium tractor the plastic feel does make it feel a bit less classy than others in this segment.
It is built like a Toyota – everything is functional and where it is needed. The premium cab is fitted with armrest controls, something similar to the style on the Case IH Puma. For me, it was the highlight of the cab. The screen looks big but it’s clear and easy to get familiar with. All of the programs are easily selected from the side menu. When the program is selected from the menu, the information is transferred to the large screen for easy and clear operation.
Many operators are put off this technology because it takes too long to get the sequence entered for the implement. The Kubota terminal makes entering information simple, and an edit function allows the turning sequence to be amended afterwards.
The engine has electronic speed management, with two selections for high and low engine rpm. Storage space is a little limited, and the radio position will not encourage much station hopping during the day. The folding car-like sun visor seems odd, with a lot of tractor cabs using roller screens to save room in the cab. The fitting of bigger mirrors with electric controls is something that was also missing from the tractor. That said, this cabin is quiet, and a comfortable place to be, and the joystick is simple to use. The view is excellent for all tasks, except for attaching the trailer. When lowered, the push-back Dromone hitch on the tractor goes out of sight unless you arch back out of the seat for a while.
The transmission
This tractor was fitted with a 40km/h KVT transmission. One word describes it – smooth. Shifting from forward to reverse can be done using either a left-hand reverser on the steering column, or the joystick controller. On the joystick, a simultaneous push of the consent button is required to move the tractor. The pedal mode is ideal on the road, while in the field, driving on the joystick gives more precise control of the forward speed.
The tractor uses two modes – from 0-20km/h and 20-40km/h. The acceleration on the road is quite quick and it gives the tractor a real lively feel. Our tractor on test was deregulated to 40km/h and you could sense that there was more speed in reserve.
The engine tugs away fine, and when hauling grain the transmission works hard to get the right gear for load to match engine speed. In the field, it is important to use the field speed and set the droop right to get the engine performing; otherwise you have a tractor looking to get to 40km/h on a cultivator, not fair to the engine or transmission.
For the test, we ripped out tramline from the previous winter barley crop. Using a Kverneland nine-leg cultivator, the depth was set to about 7-8in. Getting the power to the ground, the tractor performed well with very little wheel slip. The setup by the operator is the critical factor to get the performance. Lift capacity is really good at 9.4t at the back and 3.9t at the front.
The engine
The Kubota engine used in this tractor has been out for quite a while; it has been used in the previous models such as the M135. According to product specialist Steve Gooch, “a long throw crank allows for the extra engine capacity at 6.1 litres in four-cylinder, a trademark of Kubota engines. The extra capacity allows us to get more horsepower out.”
The engine is Tier 4 final using DEF and SCR technology. The top-of-the-range M7171 gives a boost of 5hp for transport and PTO operations. It’s not a huge amount of extra power in boost mode. From a driver’s perspective I prefer a system like this where most of the power is available all of the time.
Warranty and finance
Kubota is giving a full manufacturer’s warranty for five years or 3,000 hours, whichever comes first, with the new range. The warranty covers all critical components for the full five years. Kubota finance is available with a range of flexible terms – 0% is available for three years on 40% of the tractor price.
Verdict
The Japanese tractor manufacturer has made a statement with this tractor. The tractor looks and feels like a heavyweight challenger, with easy-to-use controls, good functionality and solid performance. A little more attention is needed in the cab for refinement, and this package may well make the leap in to the big league. The long warranty should eliminate concerns on reliability.
The Kubota M7 is a European-built tractor, manufactured in Dunkirk, France. The range spans 130-170hp, with three models – M7131, M7151, and the tractor on test, the M7171.
Kubota dealer manager Kevin Pryce said: “The tractor is capable and well designed, with a fantastic Kubota motor and excellent visibility from the cab. The four cylinder, 6.1-litre engine is very fuel efficient and the tractor is here to announce our presence in the higher horsepower market.”
The M7171 KVT’s Kubota engine is married to a ZF CVT transmission with a Dana front axle. Add to that some electronic screens from Kverneland and a new cabin from Kubota coupled with 9.4t lift capacity at the back end, and it has all the right ingredients to make it in the big league. It is also available with a powershift transmission, a smaller control monitor and mechanical spools in the S specification. The tractor on test came with the large control display and electric spools.
When the tractor rolled off the truck in to the yard, it had a striking presence. The lines on the bonnet and the aggressive look on the grille and lights gave a nice flow to its appearance. Michelin 650/65 R38 tyres gave it a chunky feel. Also notable were the four steps to climb into the cab. It looked and felt like a 170hp tractor on first inspection. The tractor got quite a bit of attention from onlookers on the road. The Kubota drives really well and the cab and front suspension ride out the bumps quite well.
In the cab
Climbing into the cabin is easy. There is plenty of adjustment for the seat and steering column. The cabin feels bright and airy yet for a premium tractor the plastic feel does make it feel a bit less classy than others in this segment.
It is built like a Toyota – everything is functional and where it is needed. The premium cab is fitted with armrest controls, something similar to the style on the Case IH Puma. For me, it was the highlight of the cab. The screen looks big but it’s clear and easy to get familiar with. All of the programs are easily selected from the side menu. When the program is selected from the menu, the information is transferred to the large screen for easy and clear operation.
Many operators are put off this technology because it takes too long to get the sequence entered for the implement. The Kubota terminal makes entering information simple, and an edit function allows the turning sequence to be amended afterwards.
The engine has electronic speed management, with two selections for high and low engine rpm. Storage space is a little limited, and the radio position will not encourage much station hopping during the day. The folding car-like sun visor seems odd, with a lot of tractor cabs using roller screens to save room in the cab. The fitting of bigger mirrors with electric controls is something that was also missing from the tractor. That said, this cabin is quiet, and a comfortable place to be, and the joystick is simple to use. The view is excellent for all tasks, except for attaching the trailer. When lowered, the push-back Dromone hitch on the tractor goes out of sight unless you arch back out of the seat for a while.
The transmission
This tractor was fitted with a 40km/h KVT transmission. One word describes it – smooth. Shifting from forward to reverse can be done using either a left-hand reverser on the steering column, or the joystick controller. On the joystick, a simultaneous push of the consent button is required to move the tractor. The pedal mode is ideal on the road, while in the field, driving on the joystick gives more precise control of the forward speed.
The tractor uses two modes – from 0-20km/h and 20-40km/h. The acceleration on the road is quite quick and it gives the tractor a real lively feel. Our tractor on test was deregulated to 40km/h and you could sense that there was more speed in reserve.
The engine tugs away fine, and when hauling grain the transmission works hard to get the right gear for load to match engine speed. In the field, it is important to use the field speed and set the droop right to get the engine performing; otherwise you have a tractor looking to get to 40km/h on a cultivator, not fair to the engine or transmission.
For the test, we ripped out tramline from the previous winter barley crop. Using a Kverneland nine-leg cultivator, the depth was set to about 7-8in. Getting the power to the ground, the tractor performed well with very little wheel slip. The setup by the operator is the critical factor to get the performance. Lift capacity is really good at 9.4t at the back and 3.9t at the front.
The engine
The Kubota engine used in this tractor has been out for quite a while; it has been used in the previous models such as the M135. According to product specialist Steve Gooch, “a long throw crank allows for the extra engine capacity at 6.1 litres in four-cylinder, a trademark of Kubota engines. The extra capacity allows us to get more horsepower out.”
The engine is Tier 4 final using DEF and SCR technology. The top-of-the-range M7171 gives a boost of 5hp for transport and PTO operations. It’s not a huge amount of extra power in boost mode. From a driver’s perspective I prefer a system like this where most of the power is available all of the time.
Warranty and finance
Kubota is giving a full manufacturer’s warranty for five years or 3,000 hours, whichever comes first, with the new range. The warranty covers all critical components for the full five years. Kubota finance is available with a range of flexible terms – 0% is available for three years on 40% of the tractor price.
Verdict
The Japanese tractor manufacturer has made a statement with this tractor. The tractor looks and feels like a heavyweight challenger, with easy-to-use controls, good functionality and solid performance. A little more attention is needed in the cab for refinement, and this package may well make the leap in to the big league. The long warranty should eliminate concerns on reliability.
Kubota has joined Allianz Hydrogen Engine, an organisation formed to pool knowledge and research surrounding the development of hydrogen power solutions.
Kubota has introduced two engines for the OEM market for agricultural and forestry sectors, including a 3.8-litre, 114hp hydrogen engine, and its most powerful engine to date, the 210hp V5009.
To mark the 60th anniversary of tractor production at its Basildon plant in Essex, New Holland has marked the occasion with a special edition of its T7.300.
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The engine has electronic speed management, with two selections for high and low engine rpm. Storage space is a little limited, and the radio position will not encourage much station hopping during the day. The folding car-like sun visor seems odd, with a lot of tractor cabs using roller screens to save room in the cab. The fitting of bigger mirrors with electric controls is something that was also missing from the tractor. That said, this cabin is quiet, and a comfortable place to be, and the joystick is simple to use. The view is excellent for all tasks, except for attaching the trailer. When lowered, the push-back Dromone hitch on the tractor goes out of sight unless you arch back out of the seat for a while.
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