Pics: New 200hp+ Kubota tractors break cover

Written by Agriland Team

Kubota has unveiled its new M8 Series tractor line-up, which extends beyond 200hp, in North America.

The launch is reportedly part of the company’s “strategy to penetrate the North American large utility tractor market”.

The tractors are, in fact, the result of a collaboration with Canadian-based Buhler Industries (a manufacturer that trades under the Versatile and Farm King brands). More specifically, the M8 Series appears to be a Kubota-liveried version of the Versatile Nemesis tractor range, details of which were revealed back in March.

Also Read: Versatile Nemesis: Further details and future plans…
This picture (below) shows a Versatile Nemesis. It and its Kubota-badged M8 Series counterpart are essentially the same tractor – beneath the skin.



Earlier this year, Kubota Corporation stated that it had entered into an agreement with Buhler Industries to “produce a new tractor platform”. Under the terms of this “OEM [original equipment manufacturer] long-term agreement”, Buhler Industries will manufacture these tractors at its factory in Winnipeg, Manitoba.


This now means that the M8 Series tractors will become the biggest offered by Kubota. At present, Kubota’s most powerful tractor is its (175hp) French-built M7172 (pictured below).



Commenting on the new M8 Series, Haruyuki Yoshida, president and CEO of Kubota Tractor Corporation and Kubota North America Corporation, said: “We continue to accelerate our market presence in North America by diversifying our product lines to meet the growing demands of dealers and customers.

“We are making bold moves with the debut of the M8 Series [pictured below] to establish our presence in the segment and position ourselves to steadily grow our share.”



Todd Stucke, Kubota’s senior vice-president of marketing, product support and strategic projects, said: “The M8 Series [pictured below] is Kubota’s most powerful and advanced tractor line to date.”



We previously reported that Versatile-badged versions are fitted with 6.7L Cummins engines – offering (approximately) 175hp, 190hp or 210hp. For now, it appears that Kubota will add just the two more powerful versions to its portfolio.

Also Read: Pics: New 175-210hp Canadian-built tractors unveiled
As ever, stay tuned to AgriLand for further details – as they emerge.

The post Pics: New 200hp+ Kubota tractors break cover appeared first on Agriland.co.uk.

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[JP1]

Fendt has a better mpg - allegedly

 

[Roger Perry]

Fendt are just launching a large rowcrop tractor aimed at the North American market.

 

[Chris F]

They did need something over 200hp.

 

[Gerbert]

The versatile colouts look pretty nice, a shame they will be orange.

 

[PSQ]

Made in the same Winnipeg factory as the venerable old New Holland Genesis 8670/8770/8870/8970 & Fiat G Series, which is a good start.

It will certainly be worth watching them to see how they stack up against Basildon built T6/T7’s for value and (crucially) reliability; potentially a very smart move from Kubota

 

[john432]

Made in the same Winnipeg factory as the venerable old New Holland Genesis 8670/8770/8870/8970 & Fiat G Series, which is a good start.

It will certainly be worth watching them to see how they stack up against Basildon built T6/T7’s for value and (crucially) reliability; potentially a very smart move from Kubota

Made? Think assembled is the term these days, the ZF transaxle from Germany? Cummings engine? States?

 

[james ds]

Made in the same Winnipeg factory as the venerable old New Holland Genesis 8670/8770/8870/8970 & Fiat G Series, which is a good start.

It will certainly be worth watching them to see how they stack up against Basildon built T6/T7’s for value and (crucially) reliability; potentially a very smart move from Kubota

On reliability it won't be too hard for kubota to be better than NH the way the new Nh tractors are going now. A lot of lads here getting fed up of problems .

 

[lloyd]

Exhaust looks a bit small!

 

[Barleycorn]

Dealers have been told that it definitely won't be coming here, so it probably will!

 

[Roger Perry]

Are Versatile tractors/sprayers etc sold in UK..?

 

[PSQ]

Are Versatile tractors/sprayers etc sold in UK..?

They have been in the past, but only when rebadged and sold as New Holland, Fiat and Landini.

Correction, there is someone importing the tracked machines into the UK, but it's not on a big scale.

 

[Clive]

Kubota are getting more interesting by the day - JD, Fendt etc must be starting to sweat a bit !

 

[PSQ]

Made? Think assembled is the term these days, the ZF transaxle from Germany? Cummings engine? States?

Fair enough, that covers about every tractor factory on the planet these days. I cant think of any that actually make their own parts on site. Same goes for everything from road cars to F1, where a significant proportion is bought in from external suppliers.
The difference comes from the attention to detail during design and assembly.
I know from long experience having owned 70 series, T6 and T7's which tractors have been designed and bolted together well, and I'd happily give the new 'Kubota' M8 a try before another T6/T7.

So come on Kubota, get your finger out!

 

[How much]

I would not be at all surprised if Kubota buy versatile they are I believe ultimately russian owned by Rostelmash who had a huge stand at Agri Tecnica a couple of years ago and also seemed to make SP harvesters and also combines that would fill a gap that most seem think could be done by buying Class , I can see way more point in Kubota Buying them outright and adding value by bringing some Japanese engineering and QC to the product then spending a kings ransom to buy ( assuming its was even for sale ) Class
they are still a long way from being competition for the like of JD but I bet the management at JD, AGCO, NH are all keeping a keen eye on it and i bet they are not underestimating Kubota in the medium term .