Kubota L Series tractor.

Q And A On Cracking Kubota Codes

People who have owned or intend to buy a used Kubota tractor or riding lawn mower have questions on how they can ascertain the year, model, and date of manufacture of an older Kubota product. Just as in the case of an automobile, the manufacturer provides you with a hint. You just need to know how to find and interpret it. Here’s how to break the Kobuta code.

Kubota L Series tractor.
(Courtesy: Kubota)

Q: How do I find the date of manufacture of a Kubota tractor or lawn mower?
A: Call your Kubota dealer and ask.

Q: Where is the serial number of my Kubota tractor located?
A: For the B Series tractor, the number is located on the right side of the front axle. On the BX Series tractors, the number is above the right side front wheel on the frame rail. For the L Series tractor, the number is on the left side of the front axle or under the seat. For the Grand L Series tractors, the number is on the left side of the front axle or right side of the transmission case. For the M Series tractor, the number is on the left side of the frame below the engine and factory tag.

Q: Where is the serial number located on the Kubota turf equipment?
A: On the T Series, it is located above and behind the left side front tire on the tractor frame. For the GR Series gas models, it is above and behind the left front tire on the tractor frame. On diesel models, it is above the right front tire on the tractor frame. One the Z Series, it’s on the right side forward of the rear tire and above the mower deck. On the F Series, it is on the left side above the rear left tire on the tractor frame.

Q: How do I determine the year of a Kubota tractor or lawn mower?
A: To identify the exact year your Kubota was manufactured, contact the company’s Customer Satisfaction group or your dealer and provide them with the model and serial number.

Q: How do I find the model number of a Kubota tractor?
A: You can locate the model number on the parts list that came with the tractor.

Q: How do I read Kubota model numbers?
A: There are four steps to interpreting a Kubota model number. First, Kubota has three basic tractor model types –- B, which is an 18-30-hp subcompact tractor; L, which is a 30-60-hp compact tractor; and M, which is a 40-135-hp tractor. There is only one variation and that is an X in the model. The X means that the model is a smaller version of the model before it. For example, a BX tractor is the smallest series or s small version of the B Series and the MX tractor is the small version of the M Series.

Second, after the series letters, there are four numbers. For example, L4060. The L stands for the L Series tractor. The first number after the letter is the horsepower rating of the tractor. In this case, 40-horsepower. The next number identified what chassis the tractor is on. However, if you have an older Kubota, then it can get confusing. That’s because during the last 10 years the Grand L Series have been denoted as 30, 40, or 60. The standard L Series has been identified as 00 or recently 01. Because of the confusion, it is suggested that you contact your Kubota dealer concerning tractors that are 10 years old or order.

So Model Number L3901 is a 39-horsepower standard L tractor and L4060 is a 40-horsepower Grand L Tractor.

The BX Series Model Numbers end in 50, 60 and most recently 70. The B Series Model Numbers ends in 20 or 50. 50 denote the larger chassis. The L Series currently ends in 01 (which means a standard L) or 60 (which means a Grand L- larger frame). The MX Series model numbers end in 00. 60, X or GX denotes the M Series. These tractors feature large engines that generate more than 100-horsepower.

Third, there are commonly three letters on the rear fender of the L Series tractors –-4WD, HST, or GST. 4WD means 4-wheel drive, which is the standard L Series gear drive; HST means Hydrostat, which tells you that the tractor has a hydrostatic transmission and includes a pedal for forward and reverse. GST means Glide Shift transmission, which appears only on the Grand L tractors.

All B Series tractors include 4-wheel drive as well as a hydrostat transmission.

Fourth, the loader model number starts with LA, which stands for loader. The number denotes the lift capacity in kilograms. So a loader model number of LA1154 means that the loader has a lift capacity of 1154 kg. To determine what the capacity would be in pounds, just double the number. So in this case, the LA1154 loader would have a capacity of about 2,308-lbs.

Q: Where is the engine serial number located on a Kubota tractor?
A: Open the hood of the tractor and inspect the engine block. The engine serial number is on a metal plaque attached to the block. If the number is not legible, then look on the rear of the engine block below the exhaust manifold on the 05 Series and WG,DF 1005 engine models, the rear of the engine block below the intake manifold of the V3300 and V3800 model engines, on the engine block beside the injection pump for the 03 Series, Super Mini, and WG/DF 752 or 972 engine models, or next to the oil filter at the bottom of the engine block for the EL/EA and ZB600 engine models.

Q: Where is the serial number located on a Kubota RTV?
A: On the RTV500, the serial number is located on the passenger side next to ROPS between the cargo box and the back of the seat/cabin. On the RTV900, it’s on the driver side, on the frame rail between the battery and cargo box. On the RTV1100 and RTV1140, it is on the driver side next to the ROPS between the cargo box and the back of the seat/cabin.

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About Robert Janis

Written by Robert Janis for LawnEq - Your specialists for Lawn Mower Parts and Small Engine Parts. We offer genuine premium OEM parts for Land Pride, Toro and many more dependable manufacturers.