Some common terms and abbreviations related to Kubota, or for tractors in general for that matter, include:

• CUT – Compact Utility Tractor
  Next to their trademark orange color scheme, CUTs are perhaps what Kubota is most famous for. A CUT is a tractor that is smaller than a small farm tractor but still larger than a ride-on mower or garden tractor. They typically have power ratings in the range of 10-40 horsepower and nearly all have a three-point hitch at the rear as well as at least one power take off to drive attachments like mowers or rototillers. Despite their size, they are still very full featured pieces of equipment – being able to perform some smaller scale farming tasks like grading, cultivating, seeding, spraying or hauling bales.
  
  
  

  BX2200 with a LA211 front end loader and a mid-mount deck

  
  CUTs are most commonly found on acreages, hobby farms, orchards, wineries, golf courses or used by governments and municipalities for light duty maintenance. They are easy to maintain, easy to operate and are less expensive than their larger cousins which are considered “overkill” for a lot of tasks for small operations. Kubota is the market leader when it comes to manufacturing CUTs and has been since it began to introduce them 30-35 years ago. Other manufacturers like John Deere and Massey-Ferguson have followed suit and introduced their own popular CUT model lineups.

• FEL – Front End Loader
  The most common attachment or implement that you would find on a typical Kubota tractor. FELs are used for grading, digging, scooping and transporting loose material like soil, wood chips or gravel. They are also good candidates for add-ons themselves like pallet forks, spears for hauling bales or toothbars to give extra “bite” when digging. Many would agree that their FEL is the most useful implement they have and is typically the next purchase if you have acquired a tractor that does not have one equipped.

• PTO – Power Take Off
  The PTO is present at the rear of the tractor and serves to draw engine power to drive various implements. Common attachments that draw on the PTO include rototillers for breaking up soil, mower decks, snow blowers, pumps, backhoes and wood chippers – so very handy indeed! In addition to a rear PTO, some tractor models like the Kubota BX2200 include a mid PTO which powers its mid-mounted mower deck. A rear PTO typically turns at 540 RPM with mid-mount PTOs rotating at 2000 RPM. Obviously from these speeds and the power involved, PTOs in operation are considered highly dangerous. Be careful and mindful when in their presence!

• KTC – Kubota Tractor Corporation
  KTC is the manufacturing and distribution company for Kubota in the United States, often referred to as just “KTC” by insiders and dealers. KTC is headquartered in California but has warehouses in 3 other states as well: Ohio, Georgia and Texas. Combined with these warehouses they have an expansive dealership network of 1000+ dealers in the United States alone! [KTC’s website]

• KCL – Kubota Canada Limited
  KCL is the Canadian version of KTC in the United States. The two are separate companies and have their own tractor warehousing, parts distribution systems and pricing. Kubota Canada is headquartered in Ontario with a warehouse in that province along with BC and Quebec. There are more than 150+ KCL dealers in Canada. [KCL’s website]

• KCC – Kubota Credit Corporation
  Anyone who has financed a large tractor purchase knows who KCC is! KCC is Kubota’s financing, loan and credit company for the United States. Different rates and payment plans are available and your sales rep at the dealership can assist you with the details. An interesting note is that like a vehicle lease or one that is under financing, KCC requires insurance against theft or damage for your financed Kubota. Luckily they’ve thought of everything and created KTAC Insurance which provides this required insurance against flood, fire, theft and so on. The cost of this insurance is typically rolled into the installment loan itself but your mileage may vary. [KCC’s website], [KTAC Insurance website]

• Gray Market Tractor
  If you hang around Kubota circles long enough you’ll eventually encounter the term “gray market” tractor. These are tractor models that Kubota has intended for use in one country or market that are being imported and used, against Kubota’s wishes, into another country. For example, Kubota’s small B-series, the B7001, was built and intended for use for the Japanese market some 20+ years ago. Importing this tractor into the United States would cause Kubota to treat your tractor as a gray market tractor. KTC has a strong policy against these types of tractors, in some cases instructing dealers to refuse service, parts or advice to those that own them. Kubota has actually made it against the law to further import these types of tractors into the United States. You can see KTC’s list of gray market tractors here.
  
  
  

  A gray market B7001 closer to original condition

  
  
  

  A gray market B7001 in restored condition

  
  
  It’s no lie that it is difficult to source parts and general service information on these types of tractors, but resources do exist. We’ll be running an article in the future that helps owners or those considering a gray market tractor, identify what type of equipment they have and where to find parts and support – after all, if it’s orange, it’s a Kubota!

Related Articles
Discovered it’s a Gray Market Kubota? Relax.
Kubota Parts, Service and Operator’s Manuals – Get Them
How to Bleed Kubota Fuel Injector Lines