The public is warned that second hand Kubota products imported into Australia and marketed without the
authority of Kubota Tractor Australia Pty Ltd's (KTA) parent company, Kubota Corporation of Japan, may
not comply with:
Australian Standards, and/or
Australian Design Rules
KTA is not a party to the importation of second hand products and is not responsible for:
Any guarantee as to availability of spare parts
Ensuring availability of technical information & assistance
Any warranty coverage
Ensuring availability of service manuals & instruction manuals
Be aware the phrase "remanufactured Japanese Kubota" does
not refer to tractors remanufacted by Kubota Corporation. It refers
to secondhand domestic Japanese Kubota models refurbished by
parties other than Kubota Corporation.
How Kubota tractors made for export vary from those made for the Japanese domestic market
Kubota Corporation in Japan manufactures tractors for the specific requirements and applications of the destination country.
A compact tractor built for export to North America or Australia will incorporate heavy duty parts and components. On the other hand, tractors made for the Japanese domestic market have a component build list suited to light duty applications such as rice paddy cultivation. The market requirements for tractors in Japan can be vastly different from those in other countries with most Japanese domestic models only used for 50 to 100 hours.”
To an experienced eye the differences between Japanese domestic and export models are clear. The most recognizable features of Japanese domestic models include rice tyres with paddle like high lugs, two wheel drive front axles, basic gear drive transmissions, single bearing rear axle housings, 3 or 4 speed rear PTO, steel seat, Japanese ( not international) standard three point hitch, non English decals and an overall dated appearance.
A major source of frustration with owners of domestic models has been their inability to source selected parts. Customers unable to source parts from a reseller may contact Kubota only to be told that particular part is unavailable. Because Japanese domestic tractor models were originally manufactured for sale in Japan only, overseas Kubota outlets do not carry parts for models not for sale in that country. While there may be some engine parts compatibility this will not extend to transmission and other component parts. The situation is compounded by the fact the age of some models means a particular part may no longer be produced.
While warranty on second hand Japanese domestic models may be offered by resellers, no Kubota Corporation or Kubota Tractor Australia warranty coverage is available.
On the other hand, Kubota export models have guaranteed parts availability, factory warranty, full dealer technical service support and assistance.
In addition, all export models sold in Australia comply with Australian Standards and OH&S requirements and have passed stringent R&D testing in Australian conditions. Tractor Rollover Protection Structures (ROPS) comply with AS1636 for the protection of operators in the event of a roll over. Customers can therefore be confident of the durability, reliability and safety of export models.
This article is published to inform the public of the differences between Japanese domestic and export Kubota tractor models
