Kubota M4-071
Kubota has made some great improvements to its popular line of Narrow Tractors in the New M4N and M5N models used throughout BC for working in the orchards and vineyards.
The M4/M5 series gained its popularity because it combines the most narrow footprint of any tractor in the category, with an incredibly reliable engine.
And now, that engine is even better. The V-3800 engine is now fully Tier IV compliant, meaning it meets or exceeds California’s stringent limits on diesel engine emissions.
The Tier IV engines now being used on diesel tractors in North America provide significant reductions in the amount of NOx in the exhaust stream, and cuts particulate emissions by 90 per cent over Tier III engines.
The challenge for manufactures like Kubota has been to keep their engines relatively simple and reliable, while still adding new technology to cut emissions.
“Kubota’s just kind of sell themselves, and now they’ve just upped the game on everything,” says Stan Sagal, branch manager at Avenue Machinery in West Kelowna.
“Kubota has the highest selling diesel engine in the world under 100 HP and the reason is that it's simple, robust and reliable, and that means the farmer has less down time.”
The new V-3800 engine for the M4/M5 series includes a high pressure common rail fuel system, exhaust gas recirculation, a diesel particulate filter and a selective catalytic reduction for minimized emissions.
Kubota also made changes in the cab to make farmers more comfortable on the job, moving all main controls to the right hand side and adding 40 per cent more tilt to the steering wheel.
Hydraulics have been improved as well, with two valves as standard, and the ability to add three more optional remote valves.
"Prior to this you just had the one valve standard," explains Scott Fraser, sales rep at Island Tractor in Duncan. "With two valves and the ability to add three more for a total of 5 , it just gives you a lot more flexibility in the equipment you use."
The result is a tractor that is fast, nimble, stable, and able to handle a variety of farm implements that require multiple valves. The agility of Kubota’s M4/M5 line applies when the tractor is grinding it out at low speeds or cruising at higher, sustained speeds, thanks to a transmission with standard Bi-Speed turning, six speeds and a Hi-Lo range shifter as well as an options Power shift that offers 24F and 24R speeds.
With safety in mind, both models have wet disc brakes and gear lock parking; an important factor when working the tractor on steep slopes.
Sagal says customers have been very pleased with the new model.
There were fears that tractors would become more complex and more prone to breakdown due to the Tier 4 requirements, but Kubota buyers are still reporting few if any reliability issues.
“They’ve kept the engine simple and reliable, and that’s been key,” says Sagal. “Demand has been so high that frankly they often sell out completely!”