We know at least one person who will be picking 'I wish my Kubota was not tipped over on its side in the woods'... special thanks to Jim Lillie for being a good sport and posting this image in our gallery.

Around here, we know and love our orange tractors, but, that does not mean that there is not room for improvement.

Our latest poll – what one thing you wish your Kubota had but does not already. Maybe you like the finer things in life like a cup holder – would certainly come in handy while you are clearing the driveway. Maybe you bought a 2WD model and are now kicking yourself for it. Or perhaps the simple things appeal to you – just more raw power. After all, there are a lot of tree stumps to remove and so little time… Choose wisely, you only get to pick one!

PS. In case you want to read the back story of how that Kubota came to be on its side, check out Jim’s account here.

A classic example of a gray market Kubota - the L1501.

A little while back we posted a poll attempting to gauge how gray market Kubotas sit with readers of OrangeTractorTalks. We wanted to know what people thought of the gray market equipment that our friends at Kubota corporate have warned about. Would anyone want to actually own one of these?

Gray market tractors, specifically Kubota grays, have had an interesting history involving leaving Japan in large volumes and eventually arriving at their second homes all over the world. Emails and visitors from all around the world arrive asking questions about their gray market equipment. Folks from Greek islands, South Africa, Australia, France, Germany, Spain, Iran, Ireland and closer to home too – Camrose Alberta or Moosejaw Saskatchewan.

Results
After 300 votes, almost 70% of folks feel they have no problem owning a gray market Kubota. A full 42% of those voting indicated they had no worries when it came to the special type of ownership that comes along with owning a gray market tractor. 7% were still on the fence – not sure if the hassle and lack of support from their dealership is worth it.

Some might say that the poll is skewed a bit. After all, this is an orange tractor enthusiast site, so any responses to the poll would likely reflect positive feedback for ownership of any orange units, even if they are labeled as gray market. I am sure owners of gray market tractors responded to the poll. If they have had negative experiences with their equipment I think we would have seen higher figures for the choices “no – not interested”.

Conclusion
Despite the rumors and supposed horror-stories, a lot of people can see value in those gray market Kubotas – enough so that 7 out of 10 would own one. It is true that your local Kubota dealer might not be all that helpful when it comes to the great deal you found in your local agri-trader that you now want to fix up. Fear not – there are places to find parts and helpful advice when it comes to that gray Kubota (hint: you are at the site now).

Stay tuned for another poll to come out in the next day or two!

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A restored Kubota gray market L1500.

Time for another poll that concerns itself less with snow removal and more with how you, readers of OrangeTractorTalks feel about Kubota’s gray market tractors. You know them as the B5001s, B6001s, L1500, L1501 or maybe a L2202 or L1-18 for good measure. Perhaps you have heard rumors here and there – unsafe, ungodly machines. Built in the blazing forges of hell itself.

Kubota has a handy list of gray market models and a reputation for suing anyone importing these models into the United States back into the stone age. Still, there are lots of Kubota owners who count themselves among those renegades that are using Kubota’s gray equipment to get their everyday work done. So, without further ado…

The business end of Steve Foulks' Kubota B3030 and snowblower.

About two months ago we posted a poll inquiring what implements readers of OrangeTractorTalks use to clear snow with. Now that spring is on the horizon (in some places!), we thought we would share the results. Voters could choose multiple selections on their entry but were limited to voting once per household.

After more than 650 votes, those of us clearing the driveway so the family car, truck or van can get to town are clearly using the trusty front end loader to get the job done. About 45% of responders relied on their loader versus 31% using a snow blade.

16% were lucky enough to have a snowblower and interestingly, 2% of folks (12 people) admitted to having snow, seeing the snow but not caring to move it. I have two theories as to why these people may have not been able to move the snow:

1. they were riding their snowmobiles around while the rest of us plugged in the block heaters and preheated those glow plugs or
2. their Kioti/John Deere/Ford/Massey was back in the shop again

Regardless of the implement, I think we have a dedicated batch of snow clearers!

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Snow removal. One of the handy things to do with your Kubota in the winter time! We’d like to know what equipment you are using to clear that driveway, sidewalk, parking lot or where ever there is snow that you would rather there not be. Check off the pieces of equipment you use below, and then fire up the Kubota and put it to work!

Photo Credit: Steve Foulks’ Kubota B3030HSDC – see more

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Poll Results: Snow Clearing Implements