Categorized as a sub-compact utility tractor, this 1970s Kubota L175 diesel tractor is one cool and useful choremaster that would have a million uses for most of us. It’s fun (for me at least) to close out 2025 with another little tractor. This diesel survivor can be found listed here on Facebook Marketplace in Hancock, Wisconsin, and the seller is asking $2,800 or best offer. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Lothar… of the Hill People for the tip!
The built-in diving platform on the front is an added bonus! Just kidding, that’s where the weights go when you’re pulling a loaded trailer or maybe have a backhoe attached to the back of this tough tractor. We saw a smaller Case tractor the other day with actual farm-tractor tires on it, even though it was decked out (literally) with a 44″ deck mower mounted mid-point. A great comment came up (thanks, Jack M) that you’d probably want turf tires if you’re doing a lot of mowing. Those rugged tractor tires would wreak havoc on most lawns, unlike these nice, wide tires.
Kubota was founded so long ago that Japan was known as the Empire of Japan in 1890, when Gonshiro Ohde (becoming Gonshiro Kubota later) started making metal castings for scales (“balances”) and other non-motorized items. He was 19 years old, so when your teenager complains about not having anything to do and not knowing what they want to do for a living… The quality of Ohde-san’s castings was so high that customers started asking him to make other products. 135 years later, here we are. Well, 83 years later, the Kubota L175 tractor was made from 1973 through 1976. Other than the worn graphics on both sides of the cowl, this “sub-compact utility tractor” appears to be in nice condition.
Showing under 2,800 hours, and other than the lights not working and one of the seat brackets recently breaking, it would be fun to pick away at restoring it for tractor shows. The early 1970s aren’t considered super old for tractors, but there’s a Kubota following out there. The big deal here is the engine, a Kubota 45-cu.in. liquid-cooled two-cylinder diesel with 17 horsepower, sending power through a 10-speed (8 forward, 2 reverse) transmission to the rear wheels. With a category 1 three-point hitch, front and rear PTO, this versatile mid-sized tractor can just about do it all. My uncle in Georgia has a similar Kubota. Have any of you owned one? Happy New Year, everyone!
Another cool workhorse!!
The title says…. KAbota….. Well, I guess some do pronounce it that way. This diesel Kubota looks great. Had a friend that had a small 2 cylinder diesel tractor, dont remember the model, but smaller than this. He restored it, painted it up and it looked great. The fresh orange with the grey looks sharp together. This one looks solid and I’d be tempted to restore this one cosmetically. I’ll tell you what, Barnfinds is just hitting it out of the park with trucks and tractors P51 Mustangs, this is great!!! I wish my job didn’t get in my way so I could spend more time here lol. Thanks Scotty!!!
Thanks, guys, have a great New Year’s Eve!
What? Oh, right, my usual anti ferrin’ attitude, dang imports ruined our way of life in Winneconne,,,,,not really, but truth be known, these were so dependable, they were as good, or better than the US counterparts. Sound familiar? Kubota motors quickly became the standard for things like Bobcat skid steers, and virtually every reefer trailer had a Kubota diesel. I’ve used these, and they have “cheap hydraulics”, meaning, the controls are really touchy, but these tractors did put a dent in the sales of US ones, but not completely. Foreign sales hadn’t quite caught on in the small tractor segment, people still wanted their IHs, and Case, but I think many smaller tractors today are rebadged foreign units. Speaking of tires, 2 different kinds on back, and I tend to think the aggressive tires would be best, as cutting grass is the least of this tractors potential, and the going could get rough. Cool find, Lothar, whoever you are,,
I remember hearing Kubota ads with a cool tagline, “You got a job for Kubota? We’re looking for work” I hope this little tractor isn’t looking for too much work (to be done on it), as I wonder if parts are available for it.
Yes!!! I could really use this ole workhorse. Living in the mountains of Western PA we get lots of the white stuff and unlike my mom and dad who had me to clean snow and dig them out, I have nobody. I’m 61 battling throat and lung cancer and my 2002 atv with the rusty plow is in worse shape than I am. This ole girl with a bucket on the front would make all day snow cleaning chores last about 30 minutes. It looks to be in nice condition.
I think it’s a good deal nice tool for the work I need to do around here