jm. Re Kubota tiller

Just thought I'd give an update on that At70 tiller post from a month ago. I got it. I have an operators manual ordered. It seems to be in pretty good shape for it's age. I've run it around a little bit but haven't put it to work yet. I don't want to start using it till I've had a chance to change oil, plug and air filter. Everything seems to work except the spring loaded pin that allows the handle to swing to the side is rusted in place. I've got it soaking now. Also the hand brakes seem to be a little out of adjustment. They don't want to work part time. It is a heavy built machine and looks like it should last me as long as I plan to plant a garden. I did get a kick out of the gear shift label.

On a somewhat related note I may not have a local Kubota dealer anymore. They sold out to a bigger chain which is fine because I couldn't stand the local place and only stop when I absolutely have to. I don't mind the chain that bought them out. The parts guy told me when I ordered the book that because they sell Case/Ih as well that Kubota will not allow a dealer to sell two main brands from now on. So Kubota pulled their franchise from them. I don't know if there's any truth to that. If it is I might have a long drive to get to any Kubota dealer now.

Nice looking machine.
Doesn't look like it got many hours put on it.
Our IH Case/Kabota dealer still sells both, a least for now.

It?s my understanding that they?ll still be selling Kubota but not CIH. Ottawa will be Kan equip, but Mcconnel will still be in Lawerence.

I'm ok with McConnells selling out. I never could deal with them. I seem to have better luck with KanEquip. I'd rather deal with Wamego than Topeka though. That's just what the parts guy behind the counter told me. They were keeping cih and losing Kubota. If they had to give one up I think they'd be better off keeping Kubota. Maybe he doesn't know anymore than the rest of us. I heard a rumor that the lease wasn't up on the Ottawa site and it was going to stay McConnell but Lawrence was selling out. Apparently that wasn't right because there is a sign right out front saying KanEquip coming to Ottawa. I guess we'll see what happens.

My CaseIH Dealer dropped the CaseIH, and kept their Kubota franchise. Dealer was a full line IH store since 1945 . Then became CaseIH when Case bought out IH, they picked up a Kubota franchise about this same time. My understanding is a dealer has to pay so many $$ for different packages from CaseIH. Example would be the right to sell hay and forage equipment would be one package. Tillage another, lawn and garden another package. Tractors under 100hp one package tractors over 100hp yet another, with combined a separate category. Each package comes with a price tag to be able to carry the different categories, and different requirements as far as personal training. Example if you sell combines , you must have a mechanic take the factory training and service repair coarse. So it is very costly to be a full line CaseIH dealership, and they need to move enough equipment to make it worth while.
While I understand Kubota is not a full line dealer, I don?t believe there is quite the same structure involved in holding a franchise.

I've got the same tiller. Purchased mine from a rental yard over 20 years ago (it was abused) . the steering brakes are actually disengagement clutches for each wheel (if you apply both it will roll even in gear) I added the kit on each side to make it wider when I got it, always turn off the fuel when done for the day, Let the carburator run dry when storing, mine still starts by the 2nd good pull after all the years. Very nice tiller

Like I said maybe one of the best walk behind tillers ever made. I still have one and ever one I find I usually try to buy them. As far as the Case/Ih thing KUBOTA pretty much has not make any demands on dealers as far as I know. In most instances it it Case Ih making all the demands (dollars) . Given the chance I think if KUBOTA wanted to go into a town or market and there were two dealers one with Cash Ih and another without they would go with the guy that did not have Case IH if everything else was equal. It seems CH/IH is really struggling to figure out exactly what their dealer structure is. They just do not have any presence in the under 50hp or so market.

My local I-H/Kubota dealer moved the Kubota sales a quarter mile down the road from their I-H dealer to a different location. The only explanation I was given they needed more room which I think wasn't needed from my standpoint. I figured it was at the request of I-H. I have both so its a pain in the rear going to each one separately.
Never seen a Kubota tiller but looks to be a good one from your picture.

Parts guy was kinda clueless as well. He asked me a couple times if it was a Land Pride. I told him no it's a Kubota walk behind tiller. He then asked what tractor it was behind. I had to finally show him a picture before he believed me. He said he'd never seen that before.

Since this topic went off track into dealers the one I can't believe is still in my area and was even allowed to start up, is a Kubota and John Deere dealer ! John Deere Co. is so fussy !