Compare/Kubota M7-174 vs Kubota M8-181

Kubota M7-174 vs Kubota M8-181

Verdict: Kubota M7-174 vs Kubota M8-181

The Kubota M7-174 and the Kubota M8-181 are both tractors — here is how they stack up on the figures that matter. Kubota M7-174 leads on rated power with 168 hp against 164 hp. Kubota M7-174 is the lighter machine (6,598 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 M7-174 is the newer design (2023 vs 2020). In short: choose the Kubota M7-174 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

KubotaReference

VersatileReference

Optional additional creeper range transmission for the power shift.Reference

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 (max)

125.3 kWReference

—

Displacement

6.1 LReference

6.7 LReference

Bore/Stroke

118 x 140 mmReference

107 x 124 mmReference

Emissions

Tier IVReference

Tier 4Reference

Maximum Power (gross)

125.3 kWReference

—

Fuel system

direct injectionReference

—

Rated RPM

2100Reference

Starter

electricReference

Starter volts

12Reference

Fuel Type

DieselReference

No of Cylinders

4Reference

6Reference

Rated engine speed

2,100 rpmReference

Bore and stroke

118 × 140 mmReference

Cooling system

water-cooledReference

Engine

—

134.2 kWReference

Drawbar (tested)

—

118.0 kWReference

Power

—

134.2 kWReference

Max power

—

118.0 kWReference

Power at rated engine speed

—

122.0 kWReference

Transmission

Gears

54 forward and 27 reverseReference

infinite forward and reverseReference

Clutch

hydraulic wet discReference

electro-hydraulicReference

Transmission

KVTReference

—

Transmission Type

CVTReference

PowershiftReference

forward speed range

max: 50 km/hReference

40 km/hReference

Wheel Drive

4WDReference

forward and reverse options

—

30F X 15R Powershift x 5 Ranges / CVTReference

PTO & Hydraulics

PTO (claimed)

104.4 kWReference

108.1 kWReference

Type

creeperReference

continuously-variable transmissionReference

Rear valves

4 or 5Reference

3 to 5Reference

Pump flow

109.8 lpmReference

159.7 lpmReference

Rear Type

III/IIINReference

Control

electronic lower-link draft sensingReference

—

Rear lift (at ends)

9399 kgReference

—

Rear lift (at 24"/610mm)

5351 kgReference

7050 kgReference

Rear PTO

independentReference

Rear PTO Type

540/1000Reference

1000 (1.75)Reference

Front PTO Type

1000Reference

1000 (1.375)Reference

PTO (tested)

—

126.6 kWReference

SCV flow

—

120.0 lpmReference

Steering flow

—

42.0 lpmReference

Front Hitch

—

IIINReference

Front lift

—

3999 kgReference

Power at rated PTO speed

—

124.5 kWReference

Dimensions

Wheelbase

271 cmReference

289 cmReference

Weight

6598 kgReference

8849 kgReference

Front tire

14.9R28Reference

—

Rear tire

18.4R38Reference

—

Standard tires (ag)

Front: 14.9R28. Rear: 18.4R38Reference

—

Length

299 cmReference

—

Width

279 cmReference

—

Height

309 cmReference

325 cmReference

Shipping weight

6598 kgReference

8849 kgReference

Front axle

2794 mmReference

—

Bar rear axle

—

104 by 2997 mmReference

Kubota M7-174 attachments

Electrical

Ground

negativeReference

Charging system

alternatorReference

—

Charging amps

200Reference

—

Battery CCA

1400Reference

—

Battery volts

12Reference

Battery AH

174Reference

—

Alternator size

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

Capacities

Capacity

6,124 CCReference

6.7 LReference

Diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) tank

38 LReference

35 LReference

Power

Max Power

168 hp (1,900 rpm)Reference

—

Rated Power

—

180 hpReference

PTO

PTO Power

140 hpReference

145 hpReference

Rear PTO Power

YesReference

Rear PTO RPM

1,000 rpmReference

1,000 RPMReference

Front PTO Power

AvailableReference

General

Cruise control

trueReference

—

SCV control

Joystick: AvailableReference

Make & Model

—

CumminsReference

Drawbar category

—

CAT III (Optional CAT IIIHD)Reference

Rear Axle Differential Lock

—

OptionalReference

Platform

—

Air Suspension / Semi-ActiveReference

Radio

—

AvailableReference

Hydraulics

Pump Rated Output (total)

110 l/minReference

202 l/minReference

Hydraulics Type

Closed center, load sensingReference

Closed-Center, Load Sensing (CCLS)Reference

Remote Valves

5Reference

3Reference

Rear Hitch category (SAE designation)

Category 3 / 3NReference

CAT III/IIINReference

Rear Hitch maximum lift capacity

9,399.8 kgReference

6,168.9 kgReference

Rear Hitch Sensing Type

Electronic draft control / Lower link sensingReference

Steering & Implements flow

—

42 lpm (120/160 lpm)Reference

Dimensions & weight

Overall Height

3,091 mmReference

3,250 mmReference

Overall Length

4,770 mmReference

Overall Width

2,794 mmReference

Overall weight

6,597.9 kgReference

8,390.5 kgReference

Rear Axle Width

—

105 mmReference

Rear Axle Length

—

2,489 mmReference

Wheels & tyres

Rear Wheel Type

18.4R38Reference

Front Wheel Type

14.9R28Reference

Operator station

Cab Availability

trueReference

Seat Suspension

AvailableReference

Kubota M8-181 attachments

Test results

Fuel use

—

37.5 l/hourReference

Max pull

—

9967 kgReference

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.