Compare/Kubota M7-171 vs Kubota M8-181

Kubota M7-171 vs Kubota M8-181

Verdict: Kubota M7-171 vs Kubota M8-181

The Kubota M7-171 and the Kubota M8-181 are both tractors — here is how they stack up on the figures that matter. Kubota M7-171 leads on rated power with 168 hp against 164 hp. Kubota M7-171 is the lighter machine (6,847 kg vs 8,849 kg), which helps on soft ground and transport, while the heavier model carries more ballast for traction-limited draft work. Kubota M8-181 holds more fuel (374.7 L vs 329.3 L) for longer stints between fills. Kubota M8-181 is the newer design (2020 vs 2015). In short: choose the Kubota M7-171 for outright pulling power, or the Kubota M8-181 if a tighter budget and lighter footprint matter more. Compare the full spec tables below before booking a demo.

Tune the fit score

Tell us about your operation

Acreage600 acBudgetMain crop / use

Fit & specs

Kubota

Fit score

Best match

Clear

Kubota

Fit score

Best match

Clear

Rated power

168 hp

164 hp

Confidence

98%

Guide price

—

Overview

Manufacturer

ZFReference

VersatileReference

Drawbar performanceReference

Distributor

—

KubotaReference

Trailer brakes

—

hydraulicReference

Engine

Fuel tank

329.3 LReference

374.7 LReference

Exhaust fluid (DEF)

37.9 LReference

34.1 LReference

Engine (gross)

125.3 kWReference

—

Engine (max)

129.0 kWReference

—

Drawbar (tested)

102.7 kWReference

118.0 kWReference

Displacement

6.1 LReference

6.7 LReference

Bore/Stroke

118 x 140 mmReference

107 x 124 mmReference

Emissions

Tier IVReference

Tier 4Reference

Emission control

selective catalytic reductionReference

—

Rated Power (gross)

125.3 kWReference

—

Maximum Power (gross)

129.0 kWReference

—

Fuel system

direct injectionReference

—

Starter

electricReference

Starter volts

12Reference

Max power

102.7 kWReference

118.0 kWReference

Power at rated engine speed

108.8 kWReference

122.0 kWReference

Fuel Type

DieselReference

No of Cylinders

4-cylinderReference

6Reference

Bore and stroke

4.65x5.51 inchesReference

118 × 140 mmReference

Cooling system

liquid-cooledReference

water-cooledReference

Engine

—

134.2 kWReference

Power

—

134.2 kWReference

Rated RPM

—

2100Reference

Rated engine speed

—

2,100 rpmReference

Transmission

ZFReference

—

Gears

infinite forward and reverseReference

Clutch

hydraulic wet discReference

electro-hydraulicReference

Transmission Type

—

PowershiftReference

forward and reverse options

—

30F X 15R Powershift x 5 Ranges / CVTReference

forward speed range

—

40 km/hReference

Wheel Drive

—

4WDReference

PTO & Hydraulics

PTO (claimed)

104.4 kWReference

108.1 kWReference

PTO (tested)

110.8 kWReference

126.6 kWReference

Type

continuously variable transmissionReference

continuously-variable transmissionReference

Pump flow

109.8 lpmReference

159.7 lpmReference

Rear Type

IIIReference

III/IIINReference

Control

lower-link electronic draft sensingReference

—

Rear lift (at ends)

6699 kgReference

—

Rear PTO

independentReference

Rear PTO Type

540/540E/1000/1000EReference

1000 (1.75)Reference

Front PTO

independentReference

—

Front PTO Type

1000Reference

1000 (1.375)Reference

Power at rated PTO speed

109.2 kWReference

124.5 kWReference

Rear valves

—

3 to 5Reference

SCV flow

—

120.0 lpmReference

Steering flow

—

42.0 lpmReference

Rear lift (at 24"/610mm)

—

7050 kgReference

Front Hitch

—

IIINReference

Front lift

—

3999 kgReference

Dimensions

Wheelbase

271 cmReference

289 cmReference

Weight

6847 kgReference

8849 kgReference

Front tire

14.9R28Reference

—

Rear tire

18.4R38Reference

—

Standard tires (ag)

Front: 14.9R28. Rear: 18.4R38Reference

—

Length

477 cmReference

—

Width

279 cmReference

—

Height

302 cmReference

325 cmReference

Shipping weight

6847 kgReference

8849 kgReference

Bar rear axle

2794 mmReference

104 by 2997 mmReference

Kubota M7-171 attachments

Electrical

Ground

negativeReference

Charging system

alternatorReference

—

Charging amps

200Reference

—

Battery volts

12Reference

Alternator size

—

200 Amp/174 Ah (20 hr) / 1,400AReference

Test results

Fuel use

36.0 l/hourReference

37.5 l/hourReference

Max pull

7770 kgReference

9967 kgReference

General

Make & Model

KubotaReference

CumminsReference

Rear Axle Type

Flange, Bar: 110 inch lengthReference

—

Country of manufacturer

Option 1: Row-Crop tractor\\nOption 2: Bierne, FranceReference

—

SCV control

—

Joystick: AvailableReference

Drawbar category

—

CAT III (Optional CAT IIIHD)Reference

Rear Axle Differential Lock

—

OptionalReference

Platform

—

Air Suspension / Semi-ActiveReference

Radio

—

AvailableReference

Capacities

Capacity

374 ciReference

6.7 LReference

Diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) tank

37.9 LReference

35 LReference

Power

Rated Power

168 hpReference

180 hpReference

PTO

Rear PTO Power

AvailableReference

YesReference

Front PTO Power

AvailableReference

PTO Power

—

145 hpReference

Rear PTO RPM

—

1,000 RPMReference

Hydraulics

Hydraulics Type

open center, closed center load sensingReference

Closed-Center, Load Sensing (CCLS)Reference

Rear Hitch category (SAE designation)

Category IIIReference

CAT III/IIINReference

Rear Hitch maximum lift capacity

6,699.6 kgReference

6,168.9 kgReference

Rear Hitch Sensing Type

lower-link electronic draft sensingReference

Electronic draft control / Lower link sensingReference

Pump Rated Output (total)

—

202 l/minReference

Remote Valves

—

3Reference

Steering & Implements flow

—

42 lpm (120/160 lpm)Reference

Dimensions & weight

Overall Height

302.3 cmReference

3,250 mmReference

Overall Length

477.5 cmReference

4,770 mmReference

Overall Width

249.9 cmReference

2,794 mmReference

Overall weight

—

8,390.5 kgReference

Rear Axle Width

—

105 mmReference

Rear Axle Length

—

2,489 mmReference

Operator station

Cab Availability

AvailableReference

trueReference

Cab Air conditioning, temperature differential

Cab standard.Reference

—

Seat Suspension

—

AvailableReference

Steering & brakes

Steering type

powerReference

—

Kubota M8-181 attachments

Wheels & tyres

Rear Wheel Type

—

18.4R38Reference

Front Wheel Type

—

14.9R28Reference

Fit score weighs budget, operation size, crop match and data confidence against the details above. It’s guidance, not advice — always confirm with a dealer demo.