NZ Farming Test Lab Kubota M7 Review
Review and photos supplied by Duncan Humm
When Duncan Humm from NZ Farming had his tractor in for servicing recently, we let him have a Kubota M7 from our Demo Programme. Here's what he had to say about it.
Not so long ago, I was starting to get a bit too familiar with the service department at Norwood in Ashburton because our last tractor was becoming unreliable. By coincidence, I had done my homework on the best option to suit our operation and bought a Kubota just before it became the core brand that Norwood sold and serviced. After using it for a year, I’ve been really impressed with the machine. It’s been a nice change to again have a tractor that never lets us down when we need it the most!
I’ve clocked up a few hours across summer and autumn this year, feeding out much earlier than normal due to the dry. I needed to get it serviced so it was ready for anything winter chose to throw at us. I found a small window where I could be without it, and got it booked in for a quick turnaround.
As luck would have it, Norwood told me about their new demonstrator program and offered me a brand new Kubota M7 152 deluxe to try out while my M series was getting service. There was no obligation to buy, just the chance to experience the M7 at my leisure in my day-to-day work. There was no downside to that, so I took them up on their offer. The timing was great as there was a chance of some snow in the forecast and it was reassuring to know we wouldn’t get caught with snow on the ground and no tractor while it was in town!
Specifications wise these tractors are really good value considering base pricing is down around the hard to find $1000/hp where most other brands used to be. This one has a 50kph top speed, front suspension, 3 remotes, 4 speed PTO, 110L hydraulic pump (with separate 40hp pump exclusively for steering which is a bit unique to Kubota), either a ZF CVT or 6 speed x 5 range Powershift with creep box powered by a 6.1L 4-cylinder engine, 3-point linkage will lift 9.4 ton. Fuel and emission wise, this one was Tier 2, so no adblue or DPF filter. The fuel tank without adblue is 390L.
Front end loader is a Kubota branded Quicke Q6m with euro hitch. Latches and quick release coupler mean even the laziest operators will be able to drop it off to go and do field work when required with ease. Engineering on the loader is really impressive. It’s very compact with all hoses neatly hidden away where they can’t get damaged or knocked and it’s made with high tensile steel so is also very strong.
The controller in the cab does away with the big joystick we’re used to. It was quite something to operate with just a thumb. When it’s not in use, the stalk can tuck right out of the way.
Visibility is great thanks to 4.12sqM of glass. The next closest tractor in the category is 3.96sqM. Kubota also have no controls in the roof and the curved mudguards mean if you like good visibility, you’ll really like it.
The one thing I didn’t like about getting to know this tractor better is that I had to give it back. Despite how much I like my own tractor, it really highlighted to me how much of a step up the M7 Series is. Although it’s a tier of tractor I’d struggle to justify for what we need, I’ll certainly try to next time we change! The Norwood demonstrator program is a good way to get more familiar with a machine that might suit you either now or down the track.