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Kubota Basics

8/21/2024

Get to know the Kubota Basics with this encyclopedia covering products, terms, and phrases commonly encountered throughout this site and Kubota dealerships. Whether you're trying to figure out what makes a Zero-Turn Mower is or need a better idea of what a Grapple does, we've got you covered.

If you're looking for something specific, use Ctrl + F (or Cmd + F on Mac) to open your browser's find function and type in whatever you're looking for, like "Horsepower".

  • Attachments: tools that connect to the loader and/or backhoe. Ie: buckets, pallet forks, grapples. Mower or mid-mount mower would be an implement.
  • Front End Loader: an implement that can be mounted on the front frame of a tractor chassis. Used to lift, move, push, and dump objects and/or material by utilizing different types of attachments (buckets, pallet forks, grapples, etc.)
  • Backhoe: a rear-mounted boom arm with an excavating attachment such as a digging bucket Should be mounted in conjunction with a front-end loader and attachment for weight balancing purposes. It is used for digging, trenching, and earth-moving tasks.
  • Box Blade: also known as a rear blade, is an attachment used for leveling, grading, and backfilling soil. It consists of a sturdy metal blade with adjustable scarifiers.
  • Cab: A cab refers to the enclosed compartment on certain Kubota tractors and equipment. It provides a protected and comfortable working environment for the operator.
  • ROPS: Rollover Protection Structure: open style operators station with a protective bar mounted on the tractor that goes over the top of the tractor.
  • Compact Tractor: a smaller-sized tractor designed for use in confined spaces or small-scale farming and landscaping. They are known for their versatility and maneuverability.
  • For Earth, For Life: is Kubota's corporate slogan, representing the company's commitment to contribute to society by providing reliable machinery and solutions for agricultural and industrial applications.
  • HST Hydrostatic Transmission: simple transmission operation, when the pedal is pressed in the forward indicating direction, the tractor goes forward. When released, the tractor will not move. When pressed in the reverse indicating direction, the tractor will go backwards.
  • DT: Manual Gear Shift Transmission: the operator must manually shift through forward/reverse and gears, by utilizing a clutch, for the tractor to move. As long as the tractor is in gear, it will move.
  • GST Glide Steer: a technology developed by Kubota that enhances the maneuverability of certain models of tractors. It allows for smoother turns and improved control.
  • Grapple: an attachment with two or more arms used for grabbing and lifting various materials, such as logs, rocks, or debris.
  • Horsepower: a unit of measurement used to quantify the power output of engines, including those used in Kubota tractors and machinery. It represents the rate at which work is done.
  • Implements: refer to various tools and accessories that can be attached to a Kubota tractor’s 3-pt, mid-mount, or K-hitch(front 4-pt) linkages or machinery to perform specific tasks. Examples include plows, tillers, and seeders.
  • Land Pride: a brand that manufactures a wide range of implements and attachments for Kubota tractors and other equipment. They are known for their quality and compatibility.
  • Loader Bucket: an attachment on the front of a tractor or loader used for scooping, lifting, and moving materials like soil, gravel, or agricultural products.
  • Machine Hours: refer to the total number of hours a piece of machinery, such as a tractor or excavator, has been in operation. It is used to track usage for maintenance and servicing purposes.
  • Mid Mount Mower: a type of mower that attaches under the tractor chassis, between the front and rear wheels. It provides a better view of the cutting area and improved maneuverability.
  • Rotary Cutter: implement mounted on the rear 3-pt of a tractor. Used to cut grass, small shrubs, or overgrown areas. Can also be known as mowers, and/or shredders.
  • Pallet Fork: an attachment used for lifting and transporting palletized goods.
  • Quick Coupler: also known as quick attach or skid steer coupler/attach, is the linkage on a front-end loader in order to make the task of connecting and disconnecting attachments easier and quicker. Two levers that can be pulled up (disengaged/unlocked) or pushed down (engaged/locked)
  • Quick Hitch: is a rear 3-pt mounted device that allows for rapid attachment and detachment of implements to a tractor, improving efficiency in changing tasks.
  • Rotary Tiller: an implement used for preparing soil by breaking it up and mixing organic matter. It is commonly used for seedbed preparation in farming and gardening.
  • RTV: “Rugged Terrain Vehicle” used for recreation, property maintenance and other activities around your property
  • Sub-Compact Tractor: the smallest category of tractors, designed for light-duty tasks, small properties, and hobby farming.
  • Compact Tractor:
  • Lawn and Garden Tractor: A mower with a traditional steering wheel, offering exceptional maneuverability and efficiency when mowing lawns and large areas.
  • Utility Tractor: a versatile and robust tractor designed for various tasks, including landscaping, property maintenance, and light agricultural work.
  • Zero-Turn Mower: It refers to a mower that can turn on the spot due to its unique steering system.
  • Compact Excavator: A compact excavator, also known as a mini excavator, is a small, versatile machine that combines the digging capabilities of an excavator with the mobility of a compact piece of equipment
  • Excavator Boom: The main boom section mounted closest to the cab, used in the digging or other lift and lower operation in front of the machine.
  • Dipper: The secondary section of the front working group, closest to the bucket, where the bucket or other approved attachments are mounted.
  • Skid Steer Loader (SSL): A piece of construction and landscaping machinery where the operator sits in a cab or open station to operate. It uses 4 wheels that operate with or against each other for propulsion and maneuverability, which make it ideal for operating on hard, abrasive surfaces in construction, agricultural and landscaping/hardscaping applications.
  • Compact Track Loader (CTL): A piece of construction and landscaping machinery where the operator sits in a cab or open station to operate. It uses a system of parallel rubber tracks for propulsion and maneuverability providing superior traction on soft, sandy, and muddy surfaces found in construction and agricultural applications. It also excels in landscaping and hardscaping where it offers enhanced weight distribution to enable operation on turf and sensitive areas to minimize damage and disturbance.
  • Compact Utility Loader (CUL): A piece of narrow, compact construction and landscaping machinery where the operator stands on a platform behind the machine to operate. It uses parallel rubber tracks for propulsion and maneuverability providing superior traction on soft, sandy, and muddy surfaces, and superior weight distribution to enable operation on turf and sensitive areas to minimize damage and disturbance. The narrow width and compact footprint make it ideal to perform in small, tight areas.
  • SSV: Kubota model designation for Skid Steer Loaders.
  • SVL: Kubota model designation for Compact Track Loaders.
  • SCL: Kubota model designation for Compact Utility Loaders.
  • Telematics: a reporting and processing system installed in the machine. It provides customers with enhanced visibility of the performance of their machine.