A Kubota B5000 gray market tractor.

If you have ever done some shopping for a new-to-you compact utility tractor, there is a good chance that you have come across a few gray market tractors in your search. A little extra research will turn up stern warnings detailing the grave dangers of gray market equipment ownership.

This article is going to dispel some of the most common misconceptions about Kubota’s gray market models. After reading this article we hope you agree that gray market tractors are not something to be fearful of owning, maintaining, repairing or operating.

Myth #1: Gray Market Kubotas are Illegal to Own
Gray market Kubotas are not illegal to own. In 1997 it became illegal to import Kubota gray market models into the United States. It is still legal to import gray models into Canada and many other countries. The General Exclusion Order awarded to Kubota by the US courts is to protect Kubota’s business interests in North America. The import ban on gray market models has nothing to do with their lack of reliability, performance or safety.

Myth #2: They are made in China
All of Kubota’s gray market models originate from Japan. Kubota manufactures tractors in Japan for the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM). You will find that gray market Kubotas have their hood decals, serial plating and operator’s manuals written in Japanese. For examples of Chinese tractors look for a Jinma or Foton.

Myth #3: A ZEN-NOH Tractor is not a Kubota
A ZEN-NOH (sometimes spelt Zen-noh or Zennoh) tractor is a Kubota. ZEN-NOH is the world’s largest agricultural cooperative and when you are that important, equipment companies including Kubota, will brand equipment for you. Kubota and ZEN-NOH models travel down the same assembly line – a lot like grocery store branded products versus name branded ones.

A ZEN-NOH L1500 (top) versus the North American Kubota equivalent, the L175 (bottom).

Kubota and ZEN-NOH models drive the same, smell the same, look the same and take the same parts and know-how to repair and maintain.

Myth #4: They are Dangerous
Kubota tractors manufactured for the JDM (read: for Japanese farmers) do not have a Roll Over Protection System (ROPS) or PTO shielding. The reason there is no ROPS is because these gray market models are primarily used for farming rice paddies – miles and miles of flat, flooded land. PTO shielding is not needed because the tractor only ever has a single implement that is never removed – a rototiller. On the assembly line the rototiller is mated to the tractor and it stays that way for its entire useful life in Japan and subsequent export outside of the country.

Gray market models are no more or less dangerous than any other tractor that does not have a ROPS or PTO shielding. That being said – it is a good idea to obtain a ROPS and PTO shield if your tractor is not so equipped.

Kubota has a ROPS and seat belt program whereby the owner of an older Kubota may obtain a new ROPS and seat belt at cost. This offering is only made available for North American models but the owners of gray market tractors will be happy to know that the parts will fit all the same.

Myth #5: You Cannot Get Parts
You can absolutely obtain replacement parts whether they are made by Kubota themselves or third party aftermarket suppliers. Kubota manufactures tractors for the JDM, North America, South America, Europe, India and a few others – they do not build a different wheel bearing for each market they supply to.

The difficulty arises when you contact your North American dealer looking for that same wheel bearing. His parts book will only list the North American applications, likewise, Japanese part suppliers only have parts for their market’s models.

A variation on the you cannot get parts myth is that the “counterfeiters” built these gray tractors but never made any of the individual parts available. Nonsense.

Myth #6: You Cannot Get Aftermarket Parts
Both OEM and aftermarket parts are available for a number of gray market models. Filters, waterpumps, alternators, seats, steering wheels, tires, you name it. Since many gray market models have a North American equivalent it is often possible to use the equivalent parts on your own gray model.

Myth #7: The PTO Turns the Wrong Way
PTOs typically rotate clockwise. Both the PTO and the implement being driven must turn the same direction. There are only two Japanese tractors where the PTO turns counter-clockwise: the Kubota B6000 and the Mitsubishi Satoh Beaver. So, this myth is only true in the case of the B6000 which is an example of a very early Kubota B-Series model.

The business end of a Kubota B6000. This one is a little rusty but it does the trick.

As an owner of a Kubota B6000 all is not lost. Hub City has been known to manufacture a PTO reverser that can correct the rotation of your B6000’s PTO. Alternatively, you can be on the look out for implements that are also counter-clockwise and thus compatible. There are a lot of B6000s and associated implements so this is not as difficult as it sounds.

Myth #8: Replacement Tires are Not Available
The original tires on a gray market Kubota are likely to be rice paddy tires. They have a tread that is 50% deeper and because of the taller tread, a wheel that is smaller so that the total outter diameter is within spec. Replacing the tires generally means replacing both the wheel and the tire.

Gray market Kubota B5000 with front and rear rice paddy tires. Also note the factory rototiller attachment.

Replacement tires are available and are likely at your local dealership. Tractor owners sometimes switch from ag tires to turf tires or back. That means your local dealership tends to collect spare wheels and tires over the years. Expect to pay $1000-1500 for replacing the rear wheels and tires on the average gray market Kubota.

Myth #9: My Local Dealer has No Idea what I Have
Your local dealer absolutely does know that your ZEN-NOH B6001 is really a B6100. He knows what waterpump fits it, what part number for the air filter and how to service the clutch. He probably has the parts in stock for you.

Given the choice, your dealership would very much like to help you. They would like to make those part sales and they would like to see you again when you need a hydraulic oil flush and coolant leak diagnosed. The problem for dealers in the United States is that they are instructed by Kubota corporate to turn away customers that need parts and service on their gray market models.

In this regard Kubota has done more to hurt their brand than help. For many, the first experience with a Kubota is a gray market model. When they discover that their dealership is unable or unwilling to support their own equipment it signals to that customer that they are not appreciated. Why would that owner go on to buy another Kubota for their next equipment purchase? Which out-of-touch executive thought of this as the best approach? Shortsighted!

Kubota missed an opportunity to buy some goodwill. The right thing to do would have been to take those gray tractors in on trade or at the very least supported owners by offering parts and service. Build a relationship. Strengthen your brand. The import ban came about in 1997. For the last 13 years there are no more gray market models entering the United States. Eventually, the existing gray market models will die out and as they do those owners will likely not return to Kubota.

Myth #10: Owning a Gray Market Kubota is a Hassle
Any owner of a tractor, gray market or not, needs to be prepared to:

• obtain appropriate reference manuals
• regularily inspect their equipment
• perform regular maintenance
• learn as much as they can and help others do so (join a forum)
• be prepared to perform simple repairs

These are not things that are out of the ordinary when it comes to owning and operating a tractor.

Conclusion
Owning and operating a gray market Kubota, or any gray market tractor, is really a non-issue. There are sites like OrangeTractorTalks that will help you diagnose your repairs and put you in touch with parts and service vendors. In addition, a lot of gray market tractors have very few hours on them and represent a good value when it comes to making your compact utilty purchase. It would be silly to overlook such good opportunity because of some unfounded rumors.

Service Department Vic

Related Articles
Discovered it’s a Gray Market Kubota? Relax.
ZEN-NOH and Kubota Part 1: A Partnership

A ZEN-NOH branded Yanmar 2610. Yanmar, like Kubota, also manufactured plenty of equipment for the ZEN-NOH agricultural cooperative.

This article is the final in a series of five that examines how ZEN-NOH and other gray market tractors came to be in such great numbers in North America and other countries. Look for Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4 as well.

Last we left off, Gamut Trading had registered the ZEN-NOH trademark as their own and began importing tractors from Japan into the United States. While technically not against the court orders it was against the spirit of the court’s decision. Kubota brought another lawsuit against them in fall of 1998 and won a judgment in excess of $2.3 million US. Importing gray market ZEN-NOH or Kubota tractors into the United States was dead.

What Happened to Mike Wallace?
After going round 1 with Kubota and losing, Mike Wallace went looking for redder pastures. He continued to import used compact diesel tractors from Japan, dropping Kubota and importing mostly Yanmar tractors. In September 2002, he reacquainted himself with his old buddies at Gamut Trading. Since they had now been sued into the stone age by Kubota’s legal department, they did not have much need for the ZEN-NOH name anymore.

Wallace asked if he could become an authorized user of Gamut’s trademark. In 2003, Gamut Trading and Wallace became business partners once again, this time in the ownership of the ZEN-NOH trademark, name, stylized print and logo!

Yanmar Strikes
Wallace did not have a lot of time left to savor that trademark co-ownership. By mid 2003, plans were already floating around the boardroom table at the Yanmar Motor Corporation in Japan, to form a new US subsidiary, the Yanmar Diesel America Corporation. The purpose of this new venture was to reestablish the Yanmar brand in North America. This would mean new franchisees, new parts dealers, new generator and engine sales and a complete relaunch of the entire Yanmar compact tractor line-up. Yanmar had actually departed the market about 2 decades earlier.

Yanmar had a little unfinished business to tidy up before offering franchises for sale in the United States. In August of 2004, Yanmar brought a Consent Order, Judgment and Permanent Injunction in the US District Court for the Eastern Division of California against, Mike Wallace and Wallace International Trading, barring him from ever importing, selling, and marketing, being involved in or around a Yanmar tractor, a ZEN-NOH Yanmar or any other type of Japanese tractor! We have a copy of that injuction for your legal reading pleasure.

Yanmars lawyers did all their homework as well! Since so much case law now existed regarding trademark infringement on Japanese imported tractors, a history of hood labels being changed, calling a tractor a ZEN-NOH model, falsifying importation documents etc., that Yanmar had no trouble making Mike Wallace go quietly into the night, forever.

What Happened to Ron and Darrel?
After going round 2 with Kubota and being subject to large fines, Gamut Trading went out of the tractor importation business.

It is not known where Darrel landed after the dust up with Kubota, but his brother Ron DePue had owned operated and closed down, Homestead Tractor and Feed and may have had to sell or close it as payment to settle with Kubota. Ron is currently owner of Just Tractor Parts located in Apple Valley California. He is listed as the authorized distributor for Hercules Aftermarket ROPS (which coincidentally has models available for both Kubota, ZEN-NOH and Yanmar tractors!)

What Happened to the ZEN-NOH trademark?
The ZEN-NOH trademark, as registered in the United States, lapsed on February 14th 2009. Gamut Trading decided not to renew for obvious reasons. What this means is that someone else could grab that trademark and technically own that brand (and perhaps own the wrath of Kubota and Yanmar that comes along with it!).

Timeline
Now that all the pieces of the puzzle are available, a timeline summarizes the events nicely:

• 1948
  ZEN-NOH agricultural cooperative is founded in Japan. Later grows to be the largest cooperative in the world with revenue in excess of $100 billion USD per year.

• Late 1970s
  Kubota partners with ZEN-NOH to start producing ZEN-NOH branded equipment on its own assembly line.

• Early 1980s
  ZEN-NOH registers its trademark in the United States.

• 1984
  Mike Wallace incorporates Wallace International Trading Co. in California.

• 1988
  ZEN-NOH’s trademark in the United States expires and is left unowned.

• Early 1990s
  Wallace International Trading begins importing Kubotas from Japan by the container load.

• 1996
  Kubota dealerships start to notice cheaper, low hour Kubota equipment on competitive lots. Phones start to ring at Kubota corporate head office in Torrence California. Kubota files legal paperwork against Wallace International Trading.

• February 1997
  Kubota wins trademark infringement case against Wallace International Trading and secures both general exclusion orders and cease and desist orders against Wallace and his distribution network.

• February 1997
  Distributors in Wallace’s distribution network are told by the judge to export, dismantle, part-out or destroy their remaining inventory. Kubota lawyers cackle with glee. Muahahahhaaaa.

• March 1997
  Gamut Trading, one of Wallace’s distributors, discovers that the ZEN-NOH trademark is available in the United States, applies for and receives the trademark rights.

• 1997-1998
  Gamut Trading imports hundreds and hundreds of additional ZEN-NOH equipment from Japan into the United States. Rebranding of Kubota equipment to ZEN-NOH equipment “on the dock” is speculated.

• October 1998
  Kubota files legal paperwork against Gamut Trading.

• November 1998
  Kubota wins lawsuit against Gamut Trading for violating the terms of the original cease and desist order. Fines are levied at more than $2.3 million. Gray market tractor importation into the United States halts entirely.

• 2002
  Mike Wallace partners again with Gamut Trading to use their ZEN-NOH trademark to bring Yanmar equipment under that name into the United States.

• 2004
  Yanmar Company files legal paperwork and wins an injunction against Wallace International Trading, barring him from basically ever importing, selling, parting-out, looking at or sitting on a Yanmar again. Wallace is essentially sued into the stone age.

• February 2009
  ZEN-NOH trademark quietly expires after Gamut Trading, now defunct, neglects to rewnew it.

• April 2009
  OrangeTractorTalks publishes a complete history of how so many gray market tractors found their way out of Japan, and how Kubota used their legal might to smash the flood of inexpensive equipment arriving daily. Probably raising a few eyebrows at Kubota corporate in the process – luckily we’re not on their payroll!

Conclusion
The fallout from importing these tractors is still felt today. You can see evidence of it anytime you speak to certain dealerships or Kubota corporate alike. There is a general hostility toward those owners of gray market equipment and those that repair, service or provide parts for. It stems from these series of events – importing thousands and thousands of Kubotas from Japan, flooding the domestic market with high quality, low hour, less expensive models.

Can you blame Kubota for feeling a bit frustrated though? They came to North America and their L200 was an instant success! Things were looking up and they were going about their usual business for 20 years. Then, a few creative individuals got together and changed the game. It was not in Kubota’s plans to be competing with itself. This problem is something that Kubota continues to struggle with today and has served as an important lesson to other equipment manufacturers.

Mike Wallace, having been sued once by Kubota and another time by Yanmar, is definately not high on either company’s list of respected community members. That being said, he pioneered the idea of importing surplus compact tractors from Japan into the United States. He saw an opportunity, gathered suppliers and created a distributor network. Many others have followed his recipe but he was the first. You have got to give that in itself, some respect.

What Wallace started has had lasting effects, and not just for Kubota corporate or their dealership network. Anytime an owner of a gray market or ZEN-NOH tractor wonders where their equipment came from and how it managed to find its way to Tecumseh, Kansas, there is a good chance Mike Wallace had something to do with it.

Service Department Vic

Related Articles
Gamut Trading ZEN-NOH Trademark Application
USITC Kubota Exclusion Order
Kubota Corp V. Gamut Trading et al
Yanmar Company V. Wallace International Trading
ZEN-NOH and Kubota Part 1: A Partnership
ZEN-NOH and Kubota Part 2: Importation
ZEN-NOH and Kubota Part 3: Lawsuits
ZEN-NOH and Kubota Part 4: Loopholes

An amaturish looking ZEN-NOH label on this Kubota tractor. Work of replacing Kubota hood decals at the export dock in Japan to satisfy US import requirements? We can only speculate of course.

This is the fourth of five installments that examine the history of ZEN-NOH equipment in North America and how these tractors came to be found in such great numbers. If you are just jumping into this series now, please review Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 to give yourself some background information.

We last left off with Gamut Trading heading back to Apple Valley California in an effort to comply with the cease and desist order as a result of losing a trademark infringement case brought by Kubota. Part of the cease and desist order’s conditions were that existing Kubota equipment on the lots of the distribution network had to be 1) exported out of the country 2) parted out or 3) sold for scrap metal.

It was about this time, pondering these three alternatives for the equipment they had paid for, that Gamut realized that the trademark case only covered the Kubota name, not ZEN-NOH that they had seen all over the hoods and grille of ZEN-NOH branded Kubotas they had imported. This made them realize that they might be able to import and distribute ZEN-NOH equipment instead! A loophole around the court orders!

Back in Business
What a break! Ronald DePue and his brother Darrel were Chairman of the Board and CFO of Gamut Trading at the time. They performed a check at the United States Trademark Office and found that the trademark ZEN-NOH was available. The name was previously registered and owned in the United States by ZEN-NOH of Japan themselves. In 1988 in a weird twist of fate, ZEN-NOH failed to renew the trademark name leaving it available for adoption by Gamut Trading!

The original trademark registration filed by ZEN-NOH in the early 1980s. They let it expire in 1988 which left it open for Gamut Trading to pick up nearly 10 years later.

In March 1997 less than three weeks after Kubota’s legal dropped the hammer on them, Gamut Trading bought the ZEN-NOH trademark and name. They became the new owners of the brand for $245. They indicated on their trademark application that they were users of the ZEN-NOH trademark since 1986, long before they had probably even seen a ZEN-NOH tractor. We have a copy of Gamut’s full trademark application which you can see here.

A cover letter dated March 11th from Gamut's lawyer sent to the United States Trademark Office.

A copy of Gamut Trading's awarded trademark for ZEN-NOH, dated March 14, 1997 - about 3 weeks after losing the trademark infrindgement case to Kubota.

In a legal move that now sounds strangely familiar – Gamut Trading also registered the name ZEN-NOH with United States Customs and Border Security to prevent any other entity from importing a used tractor from Japan bearing their trademark, ZEN-NOH. Kubota’s lawyers had schooled them in court and they were obviously paying attention to the lessons!

Even as Gamut was proceeding with an appeal against the USITC general exclusion order they had become the registered legal owners of the ZEN-NOH trademark. This would allow them to import all the ZEN-NOH branded tractors they could get their hands on, regardless of whether they were made by Yanmar or Kubota. Plus, as the new owner of the trademark, they could for a fee, sell a licensing agreement to future tractor importers or resellers wanting in on this still emerging market. Brilliant!

Kubota Strikes Back – Again
It is not known whether Gamut Trading actually instructed their export suppliers to remove the offending Kubota hood decals, but, as the new owners of the ZEN-NOH trademark and name brand, Gamut resumed importing used Kubota Tractors almost immediately after being served with the original cease and desist.

Between February 1997 and October 1998 Gamut continued to import used Kubota tractors. On 56 different shipments the tractors were identified as ZEN-NOH L and B Series Tractors on the customs declarations paperwork. The Border Services could not turn them away because there was no violation here – ZEN-NOH tractors were free to enter the United States.

When these ZEN-NOH tractors finally cleared customs, Gamut knew that their resellers would not want a no-name unheard of tractor brand. Gamut routinely advertised their tractors as Kubota/Zennoh tractors, stressing that the tractors are the same thing. They went as far as to supply new Kubota hood decals including instructions on how and where to install them!

Little did brothers Ron and Darrel of Gamut know, but, Kubota coporate was already onto their operation. Kubota hired private investigators posing as prospective tractor resellers, recording phone conversations and obtaining wire taps. The end was near.

A ZEN-NOH L1501 in decent shape.

Sued Into the Stone Age
When the dust settled on round two of the legal battle, Gamut was fined in excess of $2.3 million USD and found in violation of the original cease and desist order placed upon them by the USITC in February 1997. Kubota was seeking a penalty in the $6.9 million range, but since the directors of Gamut had willingly destroyed so many boxes of files and records pertaining to the importation of these tractors, the deciding Judge could only base the penalty amount on the information the investigators could find. We have a copy of the formal proceedings of Kubota Corp V. Gamut Trading et al available here.

Up Next, Fallout
After the lawsuits flew where did the chips fall? What did these players do afterward and what are they doing today? What impact did importing these tractors have? We answer these questions and provide a handy timeline of the whole puzzle in our upcoming and final segment of this series.

Service Department Vic

Related Articles
Gamut Trading ZEN-NOH Trademark Application
USITC Kubota Exclusion Order
Kubota Corp V. Gamut Trading et al
ZEN-NOH and Kubota Part 1: A Partnership
ZEN-NOH and Kubota Part 2: Importation
ZEN-NOH and Kubota Part 3: Lawsuits
ZEN-NOH and Kubota Part 5: Fallout

Actor Bill Lippincott does his impression of Kubota's lead legal counsel laughing at a funny joke.

We continue our series that explains why there are so many orange tractors labeled as ZEN-NOH to be found in the United States and places outside of Japan. If you have not read Part 1 or Part 2 that reading is recommended to bring a reader up to speed.

We last left off where Wallace International Trading had established a supplier network for the importation of used compact Kubotas from Japan. Wallace brought in container loads of compact tractors and disbursed them among his distribution network. The idea caught on and demand was up – these used units were low-hour, high quality and in some cases less than half the price of new Kubota equipment!

The sudden arrival of competitive units from Japan attracted the attention of local brick and motor Kubota dealerships who found themselves in a tough spot to compete. In 1996 they banded together and pushed Kubota corporate to act… and act they did with three legal mechanisms:

1. a trademark infringement case
2. a general exclusion order by the United States International Trade Commission
3. a cease and desist order

Trademark Infringement
This case was known as Kubota Tractor Corp V. Wallace International Trading and was a landmark legal case. Kubota claimed that as owners of the trademarks, namely the KUBOTA block letter stylized design font, the stylized letter K, and their classic Gear and Pipe logo had their intellectual property rights infringed upon.

Some of Kubota's trademarks. (top) The classic gear and pipe logo used for many years (middle) the stylized K (bottom) their new logo.

Kubota asserted that they had not consented to the use of the trademark blazoned across the hoods of all those used imported tractors, and furthermore, these imported tractors were materially different that the models sold by their authorized dealers in the US.

General Exclusion Order
Kubota and Wallace argued back and forth on the merits of the trademarks, but by February 1997 Kubota handily won the infringement case. On the heels of that victory they asked for and were granted a General Exclusion Order by the United States International Trade Commission (UCITC). We have saved a copy of the full general exclusion order labeled “Certain Agricultural Tractors Under 50 Power Take-Off Horsepower” for your reading pleasure here.

There is a lot of legalese in the commission’s order but the portion that would eventually lead to the blockade of further importation of the kind Wallace International was performing would be in this excerpt:

The commission had excluded any Kubota-manufactured tractors, under 50 PTO horsepower, from ever entering the United States without Kubota’s express permission or under license agreement. This big hammer legal move would not only prevent Wallace International Trading from importing any used Kubota tractors with their trademark name on it, but any future entity from ever importing a Kubota trademark branded tractor.

The United States Customs and Border Services were notified and advised that if a shipping manifest contained the words USED KUBOTA TRACTORS anywhere on the documents the shipment was blacklisted and quarantined. Shipments held in this manner by Border Services would either be turned around at the port or seized and destroyed.

Cease and Desist Order
Kubota’s legal team was not through with Mike Wallace. They asked for and received a Cease and Desist Order against Wallace and his loose knit band of dealers preventing them from selling any unsold Kubota trademark-branded tractors still in their inventories. The distributors in Wallace’s network were not allowed to sell the equipment they had imported and had sitting on their lots! Under the terms of the cease and desist order these tractors had to be either destroyed, exported, dismantled for parts or sold as scrap metal.

It was a three-pack of legal resolve that included a trademark infringement case and subsequent general exclusion and cease and desist orders. Kubota’s legal team had effectively put the brakes on Wallace International Trading and their days of importing used Kubota tractors. Or so they thought.

A Loophole is Found
Some will say nothing ruins a friendship faster than dragging everyone into a court room! 10 days in legal hell put the strain on the once profitable and successful Wallace/Gamut business relationship, splitting them up at least for a while. You will remember Gamut Trading as one of the original distributors in the distribution network Wallace organized.

Returning to Apple Valley California, the then directors of Gamut had to comply with a section of the cease and desist order by listing and indicating any unsold Kubota tractors still in their yard. It can be speculated that at this time they took renewed interest in a few orange tractors bearing the ZEN-NOH name on the sides of the hoods instead of the usual Kubota trademark name.

They had seen that ZEN-NOH name plenty of times before as they had taken delivery of many ZEN-NOH labeled Yanmar and Kubota tractors in the past. Noticing this detail would take on a life of its own.

The ZEN-NOH name was not part of the trademark infringement suit Kubota had brought and won against them. ZEN-NOH trademark name was not mentioned in either the general expulsion or cease and desist orders! Gamut Trading had stumbled upon a loop hole in Kubota’s trademark infringement suit – they could not distribute Kubota equipment but, ZEN-NOH tractors were fair game! If they could continue to get their hands on ZEN-NOH equipment maybe it would be business as usual…

Up Next, Back in Business!
Up next we look at how Gamut Trading, one of the original distributors of imported Kubota equipment, discovered and used a legal loophole to revive its importation business with… interesting results. Click here to read part 4.

Service Department Vic

Related Articles
ZEN-NOH and Kubota Part 1: A Partnership
ZEN-NOH and Kubota Part 2: Importation
ZEN-NOH and Kubota Part 4: Loopholes
ZEN-NOH and Kubota Part 5: Fallout

The procedure for loading gray market Kubota, Iseki and Yanmar tractors into shipping containers. Thousands of containers like these made their way from Japan to Canada, the United States, Australia, Europe and beyond, flooding local domestic markets with low-cost alternatives to the new tractors at dealerships.

In ZEN-NOH and Kubota Part 1 we learned that ZEN-NOH (or Zennoh as it is sometimes written), is not a tractor brand. It is the name of the largest agricultural cooperative in the world and in the past, they have partnered with Kubota to have equipment built for them. In this article we begin to explore how these tractors made their way across the ocean and what consequences it had for those involved and, for Kubota.

2 Reasons for ZEN-NOH Labeling
You may be asking yourself that if ZEN-NOH is not a tractor brand, make or model, then why does it say that on the sides of the hood of your tractor? You may even notice a plastic name plate firmly attached to the grille area that says ZEN-NOH. How is this possible?

A Kubota L1801 with ZEN-NOH hood decals and plastic grille insert.

Your tractor says ZEN-NOH on the sides of the hood for one of two reasons:

1. Built for ZEN-NOH by Kubota
   Kubota built hundreds of thousands of every conceivable model of their tractor line-up for immediate local delivery to ZEN-NOH. Some of, but not all, the tractors that ZEN-NOH took delivery of were affixed with their name. Kubota installed hood decals and ZEN-NOH branding right on their own assembly line during final stage roll out.

   It is not known whether Kubota relabeled their own product under the terms of a contract with ZEN-NOH, or if the cooperative itself was looking to garner some goodwill and advertising of their own once these re-branded tractors were deployed.

   One thing is certain, ZEN-NOH was, and still is, buying tractors in very high volume from Kubota and as such, gets a nice volume purchase discount. The rock bottom pricing allows ZEN-NOH to lease or sell the tractor to the farmer or producer at a very affordable price. Everyone wins all the way around.

   These ZEN-NOH branded Kubotas are original ZEN-NOH which differ from their counterparts as you will read below.

2. Exporter Relabeled
   The second reason why you may have ZEN-NOH branding on your Kubota is that your equipment was intentionally relabeled at the time of export by a 3rd party. Why would someone go to the trouble of relabeling perfectly fine Kubota equipment at the shipping docks on Japan’s eastern coast? Money of course, but the story is a little more complicated than that.

Japan’s Equipment Renewal Policy
Before we get into the details of how ZEN-NOH and gray market tractors landed in the United States, a quick lesson on Japan’s equipment renewal policy is in order. Every single year thousands of used right-hand drive cars, Kei trucks, mini-trucks, motorcycles, forklifts, mini track hoes, engines, generators, and so on, are exported in massive volume from Japan to other countries.

A Honda mini truck - the same type that are exported from Japan by the container load every year.

The Japanese government offers huge incentives for its citizens to continually buy new and they impose massive taxes, penalties and red tape for anyone wanting to hang onto their old car, tractor or mini-truck. This process keeps orders flowing to local manufacturers for their durable goods and ensures a strong domestic economy. It is less expensive to purchase or lease a new Kubota tractor for use on your small farm in Japan, than it is to keep and maintain the used one.

What Japanese equipment owners are left with is a very strong incentive to abandon older equipment. This older equipment has to go somewhere. Kubota and ZEN-NOH labeled Kubota tractors must leave Japan, as absolutely no domestic market exists for these small compact tractors in the country of origin. Regardless of the number of hours showing on the hour meter or the name plate on the side of the hood, all older equipment, cars, trucks, generators and what have you, must leave

Early Days of Importing Kubota Tractors
Some saw this massive build-up of supply in Japan of used agricultural equipment as an opportunity. And why not – a container holding 16-18 used Japanese tractors could be purchased, shipped across the ocean and unloaded for the same price as 3 or 4 new tractors. Profitability was guaranteed – an endless supply and a hungry American market.

Early in the 1990s, ground zero for importing used Kubota tractors into North America was 1197 Bacon Way, Lafayette, California 94549. Home of Mike Wallace and Wallace International Trading incorporated in 1984. Kubota did not know it yet, but this tiny operation on the west coast would grab its attention in due time. Keep in mind that at this point, there were no gray market tractors. Kubota had not yet detected and banned the practice.

Wallace was brilliant and recognized very early that a huge untapped market existed in the United States for a good quality, low hour, used compact diesel tractor – especially one that said Kubota on the side of the hood! He sought out and sourced a group of willing Japanese based exporters that would be capable of gathering, cleaning, disassembling, containerizing and shipping the many boxes of tractors he would need to satisfy the demand.

The new business partners in the supply chain included Eisho World Ltd., Nitto Trading Corporation, Sanko Industries Co., Ltd., Sonica Trading, Inc., Suma Sangyo, Toyo Service Co., Ltd., all headquartered in Japan and all cooperating with Wallace International to export these surplus tractors.

A Distribution Network Emerges
Now that Wallace had an agreement to supply used tractors nailed down, finding used equipment dealers wanting to add to their sales and bottom line was not difficult at all. Although selling off shore used compact tractors was unheard of until that point they all bought in agreeing to take several units each as part of an initial order agreement and securing their sales territories.

The initial distribution network for Wallace’s imported Kubota tractors included:

• Bay Implement Company of Monticello, Arkansas
• Casteel Farm Implement Co. of Pine Bluff, Arkansas
• Casteel World Group, Inc.
• Gamut Trading Co., Gamut Imports
• Lost Creek Tractor Sales
• MGA Inc. Auctioneers
• The Tractor Shop
• The Tractor Company

Wallace would handle all the logistics of product selection, shipping, importation, customs clearance, duty and fees as well as offers to buy that were presented via fax to his distribution network of resellers. Within days of landing on US soil the imported units were disbursed to the distribution network. Wallace never actually held inventory – rather tractors were pre-sold to the distributors. Orders were placed with the exporter in Japan only after Wallace had the container load sold locally in the United States.

A Taste of Success
Wallace International Trading now had a supply chain and a method of distribution. The orders were placed, tractors gathered, cleaned, dismantled, packed for shipping, the containers were loaded and at the mid-way point on the voyage, the money changed hands – as is customary.

The first containers each loaded with 16-18 tractors and rototillers hit the water in the Pacific destined for a shipping port on California’s coast. Interestingly, it was not just Kubota tractors on that first boat ride out of Japan. Sharing those containers were other compact diesel tractors made by Mitsubishi, Yanmar, Iseki, Hinomoto, Suzue, and Shibaura.

Things were looking good for Wallace – he had a steady stream of tractors arriving by the container load into his distribution network state-side. He had pioneered the concept of importing inexpensive but high quality compact tractors out of Japan. He was the first one.

Other tractors models commonly imported from Japan: (top) Iseki TS1610 (middle) Shibaura P19 (bottom) Yanmar 2020

Kubota Takes Notice: A Giant Awakens
It did not take very long after the first container loads of Wallace’s imported tractors that intel started to make its way back to Kubota corporate. Early buyers of these imported Kubota’s were now showing up at the parts departments of their local dealer looking for parts for models that the US parts men had never heard of. L1501, B5001, L2201? What?

By 1996 the phones and faxes at Kubota head office started ringing off the hooks as more and more franchised dealers found themselves competing for sales with these off shore Kubota cousins. Sales were brisk! Low hour, like-new Kubota tractors priced thousands less than a new North American model down the street started a ground swell of anger amongst the equity brick and mortar Kubota dealers. The bad blood between imported Kubotas and built-for-America equipment had begun.

Kubota USA knew that their franchisees would revolt, stop paying royalties and probably launch a class action lawsuit against them for allowing this to happen in the first place. Kubota responded to these unauthorized importations by launching a 337 Suit, or in layman’s terms, a classic trademark infringement case.

Wallace, his dealers and his supply chain would be seeing a lot of oak – the inside of a court room!

Up Next, Smashing the “Cartel”
The stage was set for Kubota’s landmark legal case against Wallace International Trading. In our next installment of this series we explore how Kubota flexed its legal muscle to break up the importation of what it called, for the first time, illegal importation of gray market units into the United States. Click here for part 3!

Service Department Vic

Releated Articles
ZEN-NOH and Kubota Part 1: A Partnership
ZEN-NOH and Kubota Part 3: Lawsuits
ZEN-NOH and Kubota Part 4: Loopholes
ZEN-NOH and Kubota Part 5: Fallout

A Kubota ZL1500.

Here is an article that attempts to clear some confusion surrounding ZEN-NOH tractors. Anyone familiar with direct import Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) Kubota tractors is familiar with the name ZEN-NOH, or sometimes written as Zennoh or Zen-Noh. Exact semantics aside, many have seen the name adorn the side panels and hoods of what look like normal Kubota tractors. Before we get into a lesson on ZEN-NOH, I’ll tell you what ZEN-NOH is not – it is not a tractor brand name!

What is ZEN-NOH?
ZEN-NOH is an agricultural cooperative in Japan founded in 1948. It is a government owned and controlled organization that through their strength in numbers is able to buy large quantities of agricultural supply at a discount. There are many cooperatives that operate in Japan, but ZEN-NOH is the largest in Japan’s National Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Associations. Actually, not just Japan, but the entire world. The largest agricultural cooperative anywhere, is ZEN-NOH.

ZEN-NOH is a means for millions of Japanese of farmers to grow and market their products and have access to basic supplies for running a farm. This is evident from the name of the co-op – the translation of ZEN-NOH is “all farmers”. The size of the cooperative means that vast supply quantities are available at lower pricing due to massive purchasing volume. ZEN-NOH makes sure fertilizers are available, oil, fuel, parts, equipment and so the individual farmer does not have to concern themselves with sourcing these.

An organizational chart for the ZEN-NOH agricultural cooperative.

How big is this Cooperative?
Pretty big. 2006 numbers peg annual turnover at about $56 billion USD. The cooperative has about 4.5 million farmer members and employees about 12,500 in the organization overhead.

They consistently maintain the number 1 spot in the Global 300 – a ranking of the world’s largest cooperative organizations. Everything from agricultural coops, retail, wholesale, insurance, electric power, banking and credit union cooperatives are listed in this index.

Interestingly, Japanese insurance cooperative Zenkyoren occupies the number 2 spot on the index which is actually ZEN-NOH’s insurance division. Combined, ZEN-NOH and their insurance division, generate a little more than $100 billion USD in revenue every year.

ZEN-NOH and its insurance division, Zenkyoren, occupy the number 1 and 2 spots in the top 25 cooperatives in the world.

Where does Kubota Fit In?
Well, when you are the number 1 agricultural cooperative in the world, Kubota will make tractors just for you and stick your name on them.

Since ZEN-NOH is the largest agricultural coop in Japan, it has tractors, rice combines, wrapping machines and many other products – not just equipment, produced for them under their ZEN-NOH brand name by some of the largest companies in Japan – Kubota included. It is not unlike your local grocer having its own brand of cereal, salad dressings or pasta sauce – it had another company manufacture those items to its specifications.

Kubota has manufactured literally thousands of tractors for ZEN-NOH over the years and labeled them right on the assembly line with the ZEN-NOH name plate. Often a Z prefix was added to the existing Kubota model number identifier making an L1501 into a ZL1501 tractor. Once built, the tractor was mated to a matching Kubota tiller and shipped directly to The Procurement Division of ZEN-NOH for their disposition.

A Kubota ZL1801 manufactured for the ZEN-NOH agricultural cooperative.

Established in 1890, Kubota has had a long history of producing farming machinery in Japan. Kubota sailed across the Pacific in 1969 and found a ready market in the US for its new product line that included never before seen compact tractors. Needless to say, the 21HP L200 was an overnight sensation and Kubota Japan got busy incorporating in the US in order to meet the demand for their hot little orange tractors. Domestically in 1974, Kubota followed up the success of the L200 with the B6000DT – at 12HP it was the first compact 4 wheel drive tractor ever made.

How did I end up with a ZEN-NOH Tractor?
At this point you might be wondering – “very interesting, but how did my ZEN-NOH tractor get from the cooperative all the way across the ocean to my shed in Tecumseh Kansas?”. Yes, this is an important piece of the puzzle. We have called this first article ZEN-NOH and Kubota: A Partnership because that is how these two organizations started out – one producing equipment for the other. In ZEN-NOH and Kubota Part 2, we start to see how these tractors started to make their way across the ocean…

Service Department Vic

Related Articles
ZEN-NOH and Kubota Part 2: Importation
ZEN-NOH and Kubota Part 3: Lawsuits
ZEN-NOH and Kubota Part 4: Loopholes
ZEN-NOH and Kubota Part 5: Fallout
Discovered it’s a Gray Market Kubota? Relax.
Gray Market Kubota Oil Filter Part Numbers
Forum: Gray Market & Zennoh

A Kubota L1-R24 in its rearward operating configuration.

We recently received a comment from Ian King, an OrangeTractorTalks reader from British Columbia, Canada (map), asking for some information on his recently acquired Kubota L1-R26 tractor. Unable to find much, if any information on it, Mr. K and I decided to answer some of Ian’s questions with a feature story on his unique Kubota!

The L1-R Family Tree
In North America, an L1-R Kubota is extremely rare and seldom seen – built exclusively for the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) between 1983-1988. Since it was a JDM tractor only, Kubota North America brands the L1-R series as gray market tractors. The L1-R series tractors consist of the L1-R20, L1-R22, L1-R24, L1-R26 and L1R-28 – all of which are a marvel of Kubota design engineering. Ian’s bidirectional Kubota is from the L1 Series of Kubotas that include these models:

• Early L1 Series
  L1-20, L1-22, L1-24, L1-26, L1-28, L1-33, L1-38, L1-43, L1-45

• Later L1-5 Series
  L1-185, L1-195, L1-205, L1-215, L1-225, L1-235, L1-245, L1-255, L1-265, L1-275, L1-285, L1-295, L1-315, L1-325, L1-345, L1-385, L1-435, L-455

Ian's Kubota L1-R26 in the forward configuration with a front end loader ready to do some work.

The R designation in the model number means the tractor can be driven and operated in either the traditional forward facing manner, or with a few quick adjustments they can be safely operated and driven with the driver facing backwards. Finding a use for a backwards running tractor may seem a little odd at first, but, they are more common than you may think. In fact, Kubota is not the first manufacturer to develop and build a bidirectional tractor…

Bidirectional Tractor History
You have to hand it to the average hard working farmer – masters of ingenuity, dreamers and developers, they have come up with some of the most creative ways to get things done, make things work, or repurpose old machinery for a new task. It is this line of thinking that gave birth to the bidirectional tractor.

In the late 1960s, a couple of talented brothers, Peter and Dan Pakosh from Manitoba, Canada (map), were building grain augers, drawbars and field sprayers under their own brand name, Versatile. Credited with being the first company to mass produce 4WD farm tractors, brother Dan thought that a market existed for a multipurpose tractor that could be operated bidirectionally. Surely the world was ready for such an innovation!

The D100, the world's first mass-produced 4WD farm tractor. Produced by Versatile in 1965.

Since the tractor could be used to either push or pull an implement, it was marketed as being “a number of self-propelled machines in one”. The concept was an immediate success. With 4WD and a switchable operator’s platform, bidirectional tractors had arrived! 20 years later, when was Versatile sold to Ford-New Holland, the design engineers at New Holland brought Dan Pakosh out of retirement to help them modernize the bidirectional tractor, taking it forward into the next century. The result was the New Holland TV-140.

The Ford-New Holland TV-140 - a result of redesigning and bringing the bidirectional tractor into the 20th century.

Simplified Timeline

• Late 1930s – Early 1940s
  Peter Pakosh goes to work for Massey Harris honing his skills as a designer, draftsman and inventor.

• 1960s
  Peter and his brother Dan become the first to mass produce a 4WD farm tractor, the Versatile D100.

• 1977
  Versatile brings the world’s first bidirectional tractor to market – the
  Versatile Model 150.

• 1982
  Versatile iterates on their design and introduces the Model 160

• 1987
  New Holland buys Versatile and starts developing the next generational of bidirectional tractors – the New Holland TV 140.

• 1983-1988
  Kubota brings out their own line of bidirectional tractors, the L1-R Series.

Service Department Vic standing beside a Versatile 160 bidirectional tractor. Versatile built the 160 from 1982-1983.

Engines, Drivelines, Nuts and Bolts
Ian’s L1-R26 is equipped with a Kubota V1512 direct injected 4 cylinder engine. The V1512 was used in a number of JDM Kubota tractor models including the L1-265, L1-285, L1-295, L1-315 and was also used in the L1-R28. Depending on injector pump pressure and timing, the V1512 was rated anywhere from 26-32 horsepower at the PTO.

Transmissions and final drives are shared on Ian’s Kubota with the Kubota L2250, L2550, L2650 and L2950. While these North American models had 4 ranges and 4 working speeds to the transmission (16F), the JDM versions offered 20F speeds. Both the Japanese Domestic Market and North American models feature a mechanical shuttle shift.

PTO Speeds
All L1-R’s have 4 speed PTOs which operate at these speeds (@ 2500 engine RPM): 566 RPM, 774 RPM, 938 RPM and 1250 RPM. Interestingly, all L and L-1 gray models have 4 speed PTOs and gray market B series have 3 speed PTOs. For North American models (non gray market equipment), Kubota limited the PTO to only 2 speeds.

Going From Front to Back and Back Again
An owner of a L1-R series needs to a few things if they wish to switch from front operation to rear-facing operation:

1. The steering column is detached from its location by unscrewing a set bolt located adjacent to the PTO speed change lever.



Steering wheel release located next to the PTO speed lever.

2. The dash blank out panel is unclipped and stowed.



When switching to the reverse configuration, this blank out panel is removed and the seat is installed in its place.

3. The seat is released and mounted where the dash blank out panel was removed. Note that because of the placement of the speed change lever and shuttle shift, control of the tractor is still natural feeling in either forward or reverse configurations.



A close up of the L1-R shuttle shift - its placement means operating the tractor is not awkward regardless of forward or reverse configuration.

4. When operated in the reverse position, the driver’s feet would rest on foot pads, one located on the right hand side of the seat by the position control, and the other rubber foot pad on the center of the transmission tunnel where the transmission is filled.



Driver's feet rest on foot pads that are normally under the seat.

5. The brake and clutch pedal pads are connected with bolts on Kubota’s Reversing L-1 tractors, rather than welded on as they are on the L1-18, 20 etc. For reward operation, these pads are removed and are installed on redundant pedal “posts” that are located on either side of the operator’s seat. A complete set of duplicate pedals – gas, brake and clutch are sitting under the seat!



Redundant gas, brake and clutch pedals are located under the seat (shown here tipped forward). Photo credit: OrangeTractorTalks reader Keith

6. The steering column is reinstalled where the seat used to be.

7. The final detail would be to swap the tires from side to side in order to maximize the traction of the R-1 Ag Grips.

An L1-R24 before and after swapping from forward to reverse operation.

Cab Versions
Cab versions of L1-R Series Kubotas were equipped with front and rear windshield wipers, and in addition to having lots of glass, the cab versions had a glass window that was at the back of the tractor behind the seat.

An L1-R Kubota equipped with a cab - note the rear glass panel for viewing ground near the PTO and the rear wiper.

Non-cab versions had a plexiglass panel just behind the seat which incidentally, had two armrests rather than a single armrest seat version installed on non-Reverse models. This opening made viewing the ground right at the 3 point hitch possible when operating in the rearward facing position.

What were these Tractors Used For?
Since these tractors provided a very detailed view of the goings on at the PTO end of the tractor, the L1-R Series of Kubota was used in much the same way as its Versatile and New Holland ancestors were:

• precision seeding
• planting and tilling
• bidirectional mowing
• PTO operation of a rotary brush or broom
• snow blowing
• lifting pallets
• trenching
• hoe operation
• bulldozing

Anywhere that increased maneuverability and tight handling were needed, the L1-R Kubotas were pressed into use! You can see from this video a L1-R Kubota in action (thanks to OrangeTractorTalks reader Dan Alex for finding it).

There you have it, a history and overview of a rare and unique Kubota. If you have more detailed questions or comments regarding the L1-R series, ask away in the comments below and we’ll do our best to answer.

Service Department Vic

Related Articles
Discovered it’s a Gray Market Kubota? Relax.
ZEN-NOH and Kubota Part 1: A Partnership
Forum: Gray Market & Zennoh

Other Charts of Interest
Fuel Filter Part Numbers
Oil Filter Part Numbers

To use this Chart
Simply locate the model number of your gray market Kubota (or its engine) in the left-most columns to then see comparable air filters.

Gray Market Kubota Air Filter Part Numbers

Related Articles
Gray Market Kubota Fuel Filter Part Numbers
Gray Market Kubota Oil Filter Part Numbers
Kubota Servicing 101: Part 1 – Air Filter
Forum: Gray Market & Zennoh

Other Charts of Interest
Air Filter Part Numbers
Fuel Filter Part Numbers

To use this Chart
Simply locate the model number of your gray market Kubota (or its engine) in the left-most columns to then see comparable oil filters.

Gray Market Kubota Oil Filter Part Numbers

Related Articles
Gray Market Kubota Air Filter Part Numbers
Gray Market Kubota Fuel Filter Part Numbers
Discovered it’s a Gray Market Kubota? Relax.
Forum: Gray Market & Zennoh

So, you’ve just discovered that you now own a gray market Kubota tractor. You may or not have known that before you plunked down good dollars for what you felt was a reasonably priced orange tractor! You thought it looked a little weird what with all the decals and instructions printed in Japanese. You did recognize that “Kubota” nameplate though, so it’s gotta be okay, right? Well the answer is not so black and white, pardon the pun – it’s a little gray!

A clean gray market L2000 from Australia

It’s a Kubota
First and foremost, rest assured that your recently acquired gray market tractor now proudly parked in your shed is 100% Kubota through and through. It was designed, engineered, assembled and shipped from exactly the same manufacturing facility as every single other Kubota tractor in the world! Kubota builds and ships their tractors to Argentina, New Zealand, Turkey, Spain, Portugal, India, Greece, Canada, Australia, the UAE, Great Britain, the USA among others. Kubota does not build a different tractor with different parts for every country they ship to! That’s worth repeating. Kubota does not build a different tractor with different parts for every country they ship to.

Part Song and Part Dance
So why is it then that your local brick and mortar Kubota dealer would like you to think that you own a “black market” tractor? As we know, it is a Kubota after all! It seems like your dealer can’t or won’t help you and may enjoy telling you that parts are “not available” because it’s a “gray market” model. You’ll never get an oil filter, water pump and good luck on a tire tube. “Buddy”, he says, “you’re screwed”!

The reason your dealer tells you this has everything to do with his franchise agreement with Kubota/KTC and little to do with his  claim that “you can’t get parts”. What he really should say is “I can’t sell you the part”, that is the truth. Your local dealer probably has a stock room full of parts that fit your gray market Kubota, the problem is he is bound by his franchise agreement to only provide parts and service for North American Kubota models.  

So What can I do if I need a Part?
Providing parts and service for gray market Kubota tractors is a cottage industry in itself. Look around your community and I’ll bet you’ll find a local resource there that can assist you in getting any thing you’d ever need for your gray Kubota. Our page sponsor Yenibiz does a brisk business selling parts to gray market Kubota owners the world over! In Canada, Acreage Outfitters has been providing parts and offering service assistance for years to owners of gray market Kubota models. Diesel Traders Inc in Australia is home to some of the most talented gray market service and parts people in this industry. Selling gray market Kubota parts and offering service to gray market Kubota tractor owners is a business all in itself. Support these businesses. They exist and enjoy success because they are filling this need and demand. There are many more service providers out there, start looking for them and support the hell out of them!

Your dealer is not the only source you have for parts either! Don’t forget your ag and auto parts stores for consumables and hard parts. The engine model number is all they need to whip up a rad cap, lower and upper hoses, a water pump, air/fuel filters, belts, gaskets, etc.

Watch the box stores for filter deals as well. Walmart has a hell of a regular price on Fram and Purolator oil filters. Who says you can’t get parts for your gray market Kubota?

Summary
The best way to put yourself in a position to maintain your gray market Kubota:

1. determine what model you have, and what its closest North American equivalent is
2. BUY a service manual, a parts manual and an operators manual, either for the original model you have or the equivalent
3. find local resources in your area, they are in business because your local  Kubota Dealer cannot help you 
4. consider other sources for your parts like auto supply and big box stores
5. learn from and educate others, participate in our forums

In the next little while we’ll be writing some articles detailing our tips and tricks to determining what your equivalent model is as well as a common “cross-overs”.

Service Department Vic

Related Articles
Tips for the New Owner of a Used Kubota
ZEN-NOH and Kubota Part 1: A Partnership
Kubota Servicing 101: Part 1 – Air Filter
Gray Market Kubota Oil Filter Part Numbers
Forum: Gray Market & Zennoh