Wondering what your Kubota model number means? It’s actually a code assembled from several parts that refer to different things. Here’s what each letter or number means from left to right.

  1. Kubota U25 Serial Number Decoder
  2. Kubota Engine Serial Number Decoder
  3. Kubota Rtv900 Serial Number Decoder

This is the KUBOTA VIN decoder. Every KUBOTA car has a unique identifier code called a VIN. This number contains vital information about the car, such as its manufacturer, year of production, the plant it was produced in, type of engine, model and more.

  1. Find the VIN by lifting the hood of the tractor. The VIN is located on top of the valve, and should be a six-digit series containing letters and numbers. If the VIN is obscured or is not printed in this location, it's also printed either by the oil filter or on the rear of the engine.
  2. Kubota Tractors Serial Number Location. January 31, 2018 Tractor Data Tractor Serial Numbers 0. Tractor Name: Serial Number: Year Made: Plate Location: Kubota B1550dt.

Kubota Series Identification

The model number starts with a letter, which designates which series the tractor belongs to. Kubota offers only a few current series classifications: B, L, and M.

Kubota B Series – 20hp to 30hp subcompact tractors designed for lawns and small farms.

Kubota L Series – versatile compact tractors for heavier work, the L series ranges from 30hp to 60hp

Kubota M Series – heavy-duty workhorses designed for commercial use, the M series boasts 40hp – 145hp.

X Variations – if any series identifier is followed by an X, it is the smallest tractor in the line. BX tractors are 20hp, LX tractors are 30hp, and MX tractors are 40hp.

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HP Numbers

The next two numbers designate horsepower and it’s a little deceptive. Horsepower ratings are not exact; the actual hp is a couple of points lower. You’d assume the Kubota B2301 model, for example, has 23hp, but it actually has 20.9 gross hp. Still, it’s a good approximate.

Chassis Numbers

Finally, the last two numbers on the end identify the chassis, and that’s where all rhyme and reason go out the window. For the last 15 years or so, the numbers have been more standardized. Before that, it’s anybody’s guess.

If your tractor is less than 15 years old:

  • Older B Series chassis numbers are 20 or 50
  • New B Series chassis numbers are 00 or 01
  • BX Series chassis numbers are 50, 60, or 70
  • Grand L Series chassis numbers are 30, 40, or 60
  • Standard L Series chassis numbers are 00 or 01
  • MX Series chassis numbers are 00
  • M Series chassis numbers are 60, X or GX (X and GX are 100hp or higher)

Nothing confusing about that…

Note: These are identification codes for Kubota USA. Kubota series tractor identification numbers in other countries are slightly different. For example, if you run across a listing for a Kubota M4072 with 74hp, it’s a European model.

Tractor Variation Codes

Once you get beyond the basic model number, you may find codes in your paperwork or painted on the fender that provide extra information for that specific tractor. This information includes whether it’s two wheel drive (2WD) or four wheel drive (4WD), type of transmission, whether it has a cab, and more. Naturally, the more specialized the tractor, the more possible variations might be identified. While there is some overlap, in most cases, letter codes are different for the different series. For example, in the B series, 2WD is indicated by the letter E, and in the M series, an F identifies 2WD.

Position also matters in some cases. Letters that come at the end of the string after a dash can have a different meaning. TLB is tractor, loader, backhoe, while -T indicates that it’s a specialty tractor made for towing (primarily used in airports).

A few basic codes are generally the same on all models:

  • C means cab model
  • CS means creep speed
  • D or DT means four wheel drive (4WD)
  • E or F means two wheel drive (2WD)
  • HST means hydrostatic transmission
  • GST means glide shift transmission
  • N means narrow tread (mostly used in orchards or vineyards)
  • LE means Limited Edition

Here’s the big list for each tractor type:

B Series LetttersWhat it Means
D or DTdual traction (4WD)
E2WD
HShydrostatic transmission
Bbi-speed turn
-Ttow tractor
TLtractor, loader
TLBtractor, loader, backhoe
BX Series LettersMeaning
LB-Rloader, backhoe, with R4 tires
LB-Tloader, backhoe, with turf tires
RR4 industrial tires
Tturf tires
Vloader valve
L Series LettersWhat it Means
DTdual traction (4WD), also sometimes written as double traction
DTCdual traction (4WD), cab model
DTCCSdual traction (4WD), cab model with creep speed
DTNdual traction (4WD), narrow width specialty tractor
DTSdual traction (4WD), power steering
DTSCdual traction (4WD), power steering, two stage clutch, live continuous running PTO
DT-Wdual traction (4WD), wet clutch (Everclutch)
F2WD
FC2WD, live continuous running PTO
FS2WD, power steering
FSC2WD, live continuous running PTO, power steering
FSTfully synchronized transmission
GSTglide shift transmission
GSTCglide shift transmission, cab model
GSTCAglide shift transmission, 4WD, cab model with air ventilation kit
HChigh clearance
HDThydraulic shuttle, dual traction (4WD)
HDT-Whydraulic shuttle, dual traction (4WD), wet clutch
HFhydraulic shuttle, 2WD
HSTChydrostatic feather step transmission, cab model
Mmechanical shuttle
SSshuttle shift
Ttow tractor
TLtractor, loader
TLBtractor, loader, backhoe
Wwide tread for row crop applications
M Series LettersWhat it Means
DSdual speed
Ccab model
DTdual traction
Mmudder (specialty, for row crop or vegetable)
Nnarrow tread (specialty, for orchard or vineyard)
-Bbi-speed turn
-1large two pump hydraulic system
F2WD
-CScreep speed
Ccab model
H2WD
HC2WD, cab model OR high clearance
HDhydraulic shuttle
Llow profile
Mmechanical shuttle
OCorchard model
SSynchro Shuttle transmission
SUspecial utility, 2WD
SDSwing Shift transmission
CCcab model with cold weather package
-Ffoldable ROPS
-Rrigid ROPS
-TFturf special
Wwide row

Sources: orangetractortalks.com, kubotausa.com

Putting it all Together

Say you’re looking at tractors and you come across a L3560HSTC-LE. Now you know it’s an L-Series, 35hp, on a #60 chassis. It has a hydrostatic transmission, a cab, and it’s a limited edition. Simple! Ok, maybe not so simple, but at least you can figure out what you’re looking at.

Kubota u25 serial number decoder

One last thing to note. Attachments have their own identification codes that have nothing to do with the tractor itself. If you see a code on an attachment, it only refers to the attachment.

Number

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Serial Identification Number

IMPORTANT: Always obtain the serial number when possible. The serial number can help determine the engine model and help determine the correct service parts and changes based on serial number breaks.

Old Format

Serial

4-6 numbers that are sequential with no breaks for production month or year

Kubota U25 Serial Number Decoder

New Format (starting 1997)

Kubota Engine Serial Number Decoder

Alpha-numeric (e.g. XJ5050 or 4J5050) with breaks for production month and year

FIRST DIGIT = PRODUCTION YEAR
1997199819992000200120022003200420052006200720082009
VWXY123456789

Kubota Rtv900 Serial Number Decoder

SECOND DIGIT = PRODUCTION MONTH
MONTHJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
ACEGJLNQSUWY
BDFHKMPRTVXZ