Kubota B1-15 how in 4wd?

[thomastobe]

Hello,

I am new here. Since a few months I am the lucky owner of a Kubota B1-15.
I read a lot about the orange machines at the website orangetractortalks and I learned a lot about it.

I am already playing and working with 'him' and it looks like a great buy. (can I say that in english?) I have got a question. Because all Kubota's are from Japan the symbols on the tractor are also in Japanese.

I know what most symbols mean, but I don't know if I have the tractor in 4x4 or 2x4. I don't know the symbols and can't find on the internet what they mean. So my question is, do you know this? Do I have to have my knob down or up for 4x4? (I know which knob it is).

I hope you can help me with an answer or a users manual where it is in.

Kind regards and thank for your help,

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

First, Only the grey/gray market Kubota's are in Japanese, Most non grey's are in English others are in French / and possibly other languages.

Second are you sure it's 4wd model as some were only 2wd.

I can't tell you the right lever or position, but if you lift one tire off the ground (not both), and with tractor off and in gear, and by hand you will be able to spin the front tire in 2wd and not in 4wd.

 

[thomastobe]

Thanks for your quick answer.
I am sure it is a 4wd. And thanks for the tip to spin the wheel, did not think about that.

Can you tell me what the grey market exactly is? It is imported not with an official dealer or something?

I hope someone knows the answer without trying your tip.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Here is a great article that explains the grey's

http://www.orangetractortalks.com/2008/09/discovered-its-a-gray-market-kubota-relax/

 

[thomastobe]

Thanks a lot. Can you see if i have a gray one?

You can see him on my instagram profile one of the last photos.

instagram.com/thomastobe

edit; I am from the Netherlands so maybe they import my Kubota from Japan. The company where I can bring my Kubota is not a official dealer or something so if there is something they have to repair, i think it is possible without any problems.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I don't have to see it to know it's gray here is a list by model.

 

[CaveCreekRay]

Thomas,

Welcome!

On my Kubota, the engagement for 4WD is "out." You pull the T-handle to engage 4WD and you push it in for 2WD. That may not be how yours works, however. As Wolfman says, jacking a wheel is the easiest way to tell.

Or, you can push it in and hope its in 2WD and then get the tractor stuck in mud or snow and see if the front wheels do not work. Putting the tractor in 4WD should get you unstuck! Don't go too far from a car with a tow rope!!!

You may be able to tell if you have any ice this winter.

Good luck!

 

[thomastobe]

Thank you both for your information.

I just called the company that I would go to when my Kubota needs fixing or maintenance. I told them about my gray market Kubota and they said here in the Netherlands there are more Japanese kubotas than other.

So that 'problem' is solved. I can bring my Kubota to them with trust.

On my Kubota it is a switch/handle to switch from 2wd to 4wd. Not a button which I can push and pull.

But both thanks for the information, I figure it out when I am back in business. Now I am laying on the couch with a broken foot...

 

[uglyboy]

Welcome to OTT. Your tractor is probably much more common in Europe than in North America. You will enjoy "playing" with it.
From looking at your photos on Instagram, are you in the area around Ommen ? I was born near Assen and have some cousins living near Ommen.
Take care of that broken foot... soon it will be spring... where you live anyway. Here we are preparing for -25C temperatures tonight.

mvg,
Pete

 

[thomastobe]

Yes, it is more common in Europe. The company I can bring him said that it is normal in Europe.

Wow, that is a coincidence! I live in the area of Ommen (and Dalfsen) near Zwolle.
And thank you for your wishes, soon it will be better, then I can play around with my orange friend.

We have had some nights around -3 degrees but now it looks like spring is coming already. We also had some snow, a few days, but that was peanuts if you talk about -25C!

Are the Kubota tractors suitable for cold and rainy weather? I mean, working with it in rain and snow?

Thanks for your reaction!

 

[uglyboy]

It is a tractor, even if it is a small one, it is made to do work.
And with 4wd and those tires, it will do well in snow or on wet ground.
What will you use the tractor for, do you have a farm, or just a hectare or two ?

My cousin lives just north of Ommen. (Arrierveld)

Pete

 

[thomastobe]

I can go to Arrierveld by tractor It is less than 10km from our house.
I want to use my tractor for light work on our small farm.
We have got 1 hectare and 2 horses. We have got a riding paddock for our horses and i want to pull it flat for example.

We don't need the tractor, because without it it works too, but it makes it a lot easier with tractor for different kinds of work that has to be done.

Nice that I can work in rain and snow. I thought maybe it is not good for the electra on the tractor to work in rain?