Utility against Compact · same Kubota lineup
Kubota M4-071 vs Kubota B26
| Spec | Kubota M4-071 | Kubota B26 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$61,724 | ~$54,109 |
| What that price is | MSRP, base build | MSRP for the tractor-loader-backhoe package, not a bare tractor |
| Size class | Utility | Compact |
| Transmission | Power Shuttle | Hydrostatic |
| Engine hp | 72.1 hp | 23.3 hp |
| PTO hp | 60 hp | 19.4 hp |
| Loader lift | 2,674 lbsat the pivot pin | 1,301 lbsat the pivot pin |
| Three-point lift | 3,307 lbs24 in behind the lift points | 1,676 lbs24 in behind the lift points |
| Hydraulic flow | 16.7 GPM | 11.1 GPM |
| Drive | 4WD | 4WD |
| Engine | Kubota | Kubota |
| Weight | 5,952 lbs | 4,001 lbs |
| Fuel tank | 23.8 gal | 8.2 gal |
| 4WD | Yes | Yes |
| Front loader | Yes | Yes |
| Cab available | Yes | No |
| Hydrostatic | No | Yes |
| Power steering | Yes | Yes |
| Cruise control | No | No |
| Warranty | 3 yr / 3000 hr powertrain | 2 yr / 1500 hr basic, no powertrain extension |
A highlighted cell wins its row on the rule named above the table: more power, lift, capacity or flow, or a lower price. A lift row is left unwon whenever the two makers measured in different places, or where either of them did not say — a figure quoted at the pivot pin and one quoted 500 mm ahead of it describe the same loader and differ by roughly a third, so ranking them against each other would invent a result. Prices are typical list and move with dealer packages.
From owner discussion and long-term write-ups
What owners of each one say
Kubota M4-071
What they like
- Undercuts the otherwise identical M4D-071 by $3,888 while giving up only the electro-hydraulic 4WD clutch, a second remote and 540E
- 3,307 lb of three-point lift measured 24 in behind the lift points is a Category II figure, well beyond anything in the MX range
- 16.7 gpm to the hitch and telescopic lower links and stabilizers make implement hookup a one-person job
- 23.8 gal tank supports a full day of mowing or baling without a fuel stop
- At 5,952 lb it is the lightest of the three M4s, which helps on soft ground
- Air-conditioned Ultra Grand Cab II is standard, not an upcharge
What they complain about
- Mechanical rather than electro-hydraulic on-the-go 4WD, so engaging and disengaging takes a lever and a pause
- One standard remote valve against two on both M4D models, and 540E is an option rather than standard
- Cab only - there is no ROPS build to cut the price or the height
- The LA1154 lifts 2,674 lb at the pivot pin at full height, which is modest next to the 3,307 lb the rear hitch will pick up
- No creeper unless the optional F18/R18 box is ordered
Kubota B26
What they like
- Loader-integrated reinforced frame and a 4-post ROPS/FOPS, built for digging rather than adapted for it
- 99.8 in of digging depth and a 77.3 in loading height from the BT820 - enough for a septic line or a footing trench
- 11.1 gpm on a 23 hp machine keeps the backhoe usable rather than sluggish
- The backhoe is quick-attach, so the three-point hitch can be freed up without tools
- Walk-through deck and a reversible seat make the swap between loader and hoe work quick
What they complain about
- $54,109 is more than double a B2601 of the same engine family, which is the cost of the factory backhoe and frame
- 19.4 PTO hp and a 1,676 lb hitch limit it badly as a tractor - this is a digger that can also mow, not the reverse
- TLB warranty is 24 months or 1,500 hours with no powertrain extension at all, where a B2601 carries 72 months on the powertrain
- 8.2 gal tank is small for a machine that idles through long digging sessions
- Kubota's own sheets disagree on the engine, quoting 23.3 hp gross on the series page and 24.3 hp on the model spec sheet