1975 – 1985: The Compact Tractor Revolution
Just as office workers often wonder how people did their jobs before the invention of the Internet (or even the laptop!), sometimes it’s hard to imagine how any work got done before compact tractors arrived in Canada a half century ago. Now an indispensable tool for farmers, landowners, contractors and landscapers across the country, compact tractors were an unknown commodity when we introduced the L-series into the Canadian market in 1975 – and their arrival certainly didn’t bring overnight success.
With many viewing compact tractors as more of a toy than a tool, signing up dealers entailed a lot of door-knocking in those humble beginnings, but our efforts soon paid off with the signing of our first dealer agreement in 1976, and a year later, attending Canada’s Farm Show for the first time. As Canadians slowly began to purchase the L175 and L225 models, word spread quickly of everything our compact tractors could accomplish. From mowing grass in tight areas and around fence posts, moving material around the house with the loader, making hay in the summer, and clearing snow during the winter, the L-series picked up momentum as the ‘little tractor that could’, leading to more dealership agreements. By the end of the decade, 13 dealer agreements were in place across four provinces, many of which are still part of a Kubota family that now includes nearly 150 dealerships nationwide.
Demand for the small but mighty tractors would only expand in the early '80s as homeowners moved from the city into properties with a couple of acres of land. By delivering compact, capable and easy-to-use tractors, we filled an unmet need with do-it-yourselfers, quickly gaining a reputation for durability and reliability. Our compact lineup has continually expanded to meet the demand of customers – first with the larger M series tailored towards agricultural use in 1977, and eventually in 2000 when we created the brand-new subcompact market with our first ever BX series.
Customer demand continues to shape this market to increase ease of use and operator comfort. Today, innovative features, such as hydrostatic transmissions, allow for precise movement, alleviating the need for a clutch, and there’s a growing market for full HVAC cabins that keep operators warm on those frigid winter days. Evolving to meet the adapting needs of Canadians for 50 years and counting, Kubota compact tractors are now an indispensable part of work and life in Canada thanks to a legacy of engineering excellence, an extensive network of local dealers, and our loyal customers across the country. Can you imagine getting the job done without one?