Kubota Model Variants Explained

What do the letters DT mean after the L1501? Well in this case it is written right alongside - Double Traction - which is Kubota's way of saying this is a 4WD tractor.

Ever wonder what those letters mean at the end of most Kubota model designations? For example, what is the difference between a L175F and a L175DT? What type of agricultural setting might you find a M8540DTNHC in use?

Lettering to identify variants within each line is littered everywhere – Kubota’s brochures, service, parts and operators manuals, online discussions, reviews, auctions, advertisements and so on. Knowing how Kubota identifies variants within a model range is very helpful when it comes time to make buying decisions or afterward, when performing regular service and maintenance.

It is very common to find the variant lettering appended to the main model number right on the hood for older Kubota equipment (1970s-1990s). In recent years Kubota has really toned down how many letters they physically apply to the hood although reference literature and brochures still make use of lettering.

Some Tips
Some general guidelines that hold in most cases:

  • C refers to cab model
  • CS refers to creep speed
  • D or DT refer to four wheel drive
  • E or F refer to two wheel drive
  • HST refers to hydrostatic transmission
  • GST refers to glide shift transmission
  • N refers to narrow tread model (think orchards or vineyards)

So our M8540DTNHC from above would be a M Series 8540 four wheel drive, narrow and high clearance tractor. We would likely find this in use on a vineyard (a very big one for that kind of horsepower).

Detailed Lists
What follows are more detailed lists for various model designations that Kubota has usedin the past and currently offers on their new models. This is not a complete list but is a very good start. Jump to a section or scroll down.
B Series
BX Series
L Series
M Series


B Series Model Variants

Lettering Meaning
DT dual traction (four wheel drive)
E two wheel drive
HSD hydrostatic transmission, four wheel drive
HSDB hydrostatic transmission, four wheel drive, bi-speed turn
HSD-T hydrostatic transmission, four wheel drive, tow tractor (airlines)
HSE hydrostatic transmission, two wheel drive
TL tractor, loader
TLB tractor, loader, backhoe


BX Series Model Variants

Lettering Meaning
LB-R loader, backhoe, with R4 tires
LB-T loader, backhoe, with turf tires
R R4 industrial tires
T turf tires
V loader valve


L Series Model Variants

Lettering Meaning
DT dual traction (four wheel drive), also sometimes written as double traction
DTC dual traction (four wheel drive), cab model
DTCCS dual traction (four wheel drive), cab model with creep speed
DTN dual traction (four wheel drive), narrow width specialty tractor for use in orchards or vineyards
DTS dual traction (four wheel drive), power steering
DTSC dual traction (four wheel drive), power steering, two stage clutch, live continuous running PTO (L235/L275 models only)
DT-W dual traction (four wheel drive), wet clutch (also written as Everclutch)
F two wheel drive
FC two wheel drive, live continuous running PTO
FS two wheel drive, power steering
FSC two wheel drive, live continuous running PTO, power steering
FST fully synchronized transmission
GST glide shift transmission
GSTC glide shift transmission, cab model
GSTCA glide shift transmission, four wheel drive, cab model with air ventilation kit (L3600/L4200 models only)
HC high clearance
HDT hydraulic shuttle, dual traction (four wheel drive)
HDT-W hydraulic shuttle, dual traction (four wheel drive), wet clutch
HF hydraulic shuttle, two wheel drive
HSTC hydrostatic feather step transmission, cab model
MDT mechanical shuttle, dual traction (four wheel drive)
MF mechanical shuttle, two wheel drive
SS shuttle shift
T tow tractor
TL tractor, loader
TLB tractor, loader, backhoe
W wide tread for row crop applications (eg. tobacco)


M Series Model Variants

Lettering Meaning
DS dual speed, ROPS (all dual speed models are 32F x 32R speeds)
DSC dual speed, cab model
DTL dual tractor (four wheel drive), low profile (eg. orchards)
DTM dual traction (four wheel drive), mudder (eg. specialty, row crop or vegetable)
DTN dual traction (four wheel drive), narrow tread (eg. orchard or vineyard)
DTN-B dual traction (four wheel drive), narrow tread, bi-speed turn
DT-1 dual traction (four wheel drive), ROPS, shuttle transmission
F two wheel drive
F-1 large two pump hydraulic system
F-CS two wheel drive with creep speed
FC two wheel drive, cab model
H two wheel drive, ROPS (all H-models are standard Swing Shift 16F x 16R speeds)
HC two wheel drive, cab model <>b>or high clearance
HD hydraulic shuttle, four wheel drive, ROPS
HDC hydraulic shuttle, four wheel drive, cab model
HDCCS hydraulic shuttle, four wheel drive, cab model with creep speed
L low profile
MDT mechanical shuttle, dual traction (four wheel drive)
MDTL mechanical shuttle, dual traction (four wheel drive), low profile
MF mechanical shuttle, two wheel drive
ML mechanical shuttle, low profile
OC orchard model
S Synchro Shuttle transmission, two wheel drive
SCS Synchro Shuttle transmission, two wheel drive, creep speed
SD Synchro Shuttle transmission, four wheel drive
SDN-B Synchro Shuttle transmission, four wheel drive, narrow tread with bi-speed turn
SDNBC Synchro Shuttle transmission, four wheel drive, narrow tread, bi-speed turn, cab model
SDNBF Synchro Shuttle transmission, four wheel drive, narrow tread, bi-speed turn, foldable mid-mounted ROPS
SU special utility, two wheel drive
SDSC Swing Shift transmission, dual speed, cab
SDSCC Swing Sift transmission, dual speed, creep speed, cab model with cold weather package
SU-F special utility, two wheel drive, fold-able ROPS
SU-R special utility, two wheel drive, rigid ROPS
SU-TF special utility, two wheel drive, turf special
SUD-F special utility, four wheel drive, fold-able ROPS
SUD-R special utility, four wheel drive, rigid ROPS
SUDT special utility, four wheel drive
SUMDT special utility, mechanical shuttle, four wheel drive
W wide row

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