Editor at Large: Operating Kubota’s Just Launched Grand L70 Series Tractors in Texas

A busy year of tractor launches culminated last week with Kubota announcing its new Grand L70 Series of compact utility tractors at the company’s North American dealer meeting in Grapevine, Texas. Ahead of the event, trade journalists from across the United States and Canada toured the lineup in detail, from product manager walkarounds to hands-on field time. The event spotlighted a clean-sheet update to Kubota’s premium tractor family, bringing smarter hydrostatic drive, a new glass-first cab and cool tech ranging from five different operational modes to mechanical self-leveling. The Grand L70 Series (like its Grand L60 predecessor) positions itself as the premium version of Kubota’s super popular L Series. There’s a lot to discuss with this update, but…

“One of the biggest changes we’re making is to make that operator more comfortable,” explained Paul Manger, executive director of product marketing at Kubota Tractor. “With this new cab, we’ve eliminated the B pillars, and now you have all of this glass, so the visibility is much better and it looks sexier from the outside. Now that we have all that glass, we thought, how do we keep it cooler for the operator? We changed the air conditioning inside. We increased the flow. We got recirculation. It’s very similar to automotive, and really that’s the difference. We’re adopting these features that people come to recognize in their cars and in the rest of their lives, and we don’t want our tractors to fall behind. Automotive has been out there with cameras for years. It just makes sense to start adopting these to our tractors as well.”

Oh yeah, there is the option for both a front and rear camera. These tractors are high end, but they promise a lot more than just a luxury ride. Serious power, easy maintenance, expansive attachment versatility and plenty of options and models provide a complete package for a farmer, homesteader or municipality. Here’s everything you need to know about Kubota’s biggest 2025 tractor launch.

Lineup Breakdown with a Cold Weather Configuration

The new Grand L70 series encapsulates six models, all powered by Kubota engines. Diesel engine horsepower spans 37 to 60 hp, and PTO output runs 28 to 53 hp. Kubota splits the Grand L70 Series into two core trims and a winter-focused configuration. Deluxe models use naturally aspirated engines. Premium models step up to turbo power and bundle more controls into the joystick and display. The models include:

• L3770 (deluxe): 37 hp engine, 28 hp PTO
• L3970 (premium): 39 hp engine, 30.9 hp PTO
• L4270 (deluxe): 42 hp engine, 32.5 hp PTO
• L4470 (premium): 44 hp engine, 36.2 hp PTO
• L5070 (premium): 50 hp engine, 39.8 hp PTO
• L6070 (premium): 60 hp engine, 53 hp PTO

These models will also have a cold weather configuration, which layers on heated glass, defrosters, rear work lights, rear wiper and rear remotes for serious snow duty.

“Cold weather cab packages are something new that we’re offering here at Kubota,” said Matthew Walker, Kubota senior product operations manager for compact and utility tractors. “This is coming from the feedback that we were getting from those customers that are in the northern climates. Customers and dealers have been telling us we want something that comes ready for those cold weather clients, and that’s exactly what we’ve done now. They’ll have heated rear glass, a wiper pre-installed in the rear window, heated side glass and two rear remotes ready to go to work. They’ll have rear LED lights — two installed straight from the factory — and they’ll come with a 130A alternator installed ready to run all the electrics in the cab.”

Transmission Talk

One of the biggest headline features is the new iHST or intelligent hydrostatic transmission. It turns a familiar three-range HST into a more adaptable drive. “We are removing the GST and the DT transmission [options] from the lineup as 99 percent of the market is now going to hydrostatic,” explained Bobby Cummings, product marketing manager at Kubota Tractor Corp. The tractor features a hydro-dual speed that allows the operator to switch between high and low within each range (low, medium and high) for a total of six speed ranges. There are also pre-programmed yet customizable drive modes like road, snow, loader and cutter to help operators of all levels match tractor and attachment operation. You still pick a range and work the pedal. The system simply adds brains between your foot and the wheels. The result is control that feels natural within minutes. It’s also a lot more efficient.

“We’ve got that iHST transmission, so an electronically controlled HST transmission. That coupled with the engine, on the premium a turbocharged engine, really gives us the opportunity to maximize how the transmission and the engine can react and work together,” said Walker. “You see some of the big changes in the engine rpm. By reducing that engine speed or maintaining that 540 PTO shaft, you’re bringing down the fuel consumption. That’s increased efficiency. Certainly when you start to look to more commercial municipality applications, that can start to add up over time.”

iHST Technology Highlights:

• Hydro-Dual Speed shifts high to low within each range without stopping
• Drive modes tailor pedal feel for loader work, mowing, transport and snow
• Stall Guard trims hydro load to avoid engine stall under heavy push
• Auto throttle advance links engine rpm to pedal input to reduce hand-throttle use
• Pedal sensitivity adjusts from gentle to sharp for the task at hand

Cool Controls, Awesome Monitor, Two Cameras

Keeping operation in mind, Kubota moved a lot of everyday actions to its new multi-function loader joystick on these Grand L70 tractors. You can toggle drive modes, engage auto throttle advance, dial cruise and run a third function for grapples or angle blades without leaving the stick. It’s, um, handy. This tech is even brighter on the excellent new K-Command color display monitor, where operators and mechanics can easily see machine metrics, switch drive modes, add security starting measures or see either the front or rear camera. The K-Command color display also boasts Bluetooth connectivity and hands-free calling. On deluxe models you use a navigation pad to move through menus on the display, and on premium models you spin a new jog dial.

“The jog dial just makes navigating the display even easier, and again, it really gives the customer the best opportunity to get the most out of their machines,” said Walker.

The front camera is the quiet MVP. Compact tractors often lose low-front visibility when the loader blocks your view or when changing attachments. The front feed gives you a clean look at forks and cutting edges near ground level. The rear camera helps when backing up to an implement, watching a blade or checking a snowblower path.

“You no longer have to turn around all the time,” said Walker. “You’ve got that reference point there in front of you. When driving forward, you can have the front camera on, but once you hit the reverse pedal, it’ll then light up the rear camera. There’s an automatic change without the operator having to sit and navigate the display.”

ProCab: Glass First, Year-Round Ready

Kubota’s new ProCab changes how the tractor feels from the seat. There’s just so much more room and visibility, noting Kubota had old models on site for comparison. The four-post structure uses rounded glass and tight pillars. Sightlines open up in every direction. I could see loader corners without craning. I could look back and track three-point arms without fighting a pillar. The cab stays quiet, with a strong HVAC system that moves real air and clears glass fast.

“I think one of my favorite features, which I do believe is pretty much an industry exclusive, is our electronic recirculation valve in our cab,” explained Cummings. “Four more feet of square glass usually creates more heat in the cab. However, with this recirculation valve, we’ve also increased our air circulation by 36 percent inside the cab. So that allows me to keep my cold air colder and my warm air warmer.”

The doorways are wide. The floor is flat. The seat options include heat, air-ride and swivel. The swivel matters if you bounce between backhoe work and loader duty. A tilt steering wheel or optional telescoping column lets you set a neutral posture. Prefer open air? You can order the same models with ROPS.

“We’ve also increased the storage space,” said Walker, discussing the cabs. “We’ve got a built-in mobile phone holder. It’s right next to the charging port, so you just run a cable straight into it. You’ve also got your water cup holder and extra side storage for paperwork or wherever else you want to carry.”

Loader Family: Cleaner Routing, Real Capacity

Kubota matches the Grand L70 with three new loaders or buckets: the LA806 for the smaller models and LA1056 or LM1056 for the larger units. The loaders share a cleaner hydraulic routing that tucks lines under the boom. That improves sightlines and resists ice buildup in snow work. Under-boom LED work lights are available for early mornings or late nights. A dual-function valve lets you lift and curl at once. A third function adds power for grapples and angle blades. The loader detaches without tools thanks to integrated stands.

Life capacity numbers are solid. On the LA806 you see a 1,726-lb lift capacity at max height and 2,328 lbs at the pivot pin (1.5 m). On the LA1056 you step up to 2,427 lbs at max height and 3,029 lbs at the pivot pin, with a breakout force above 4,000 lbf. The LM1056 mirrors that capability. If you move pallets or stack hay, the mechanical self-leveling option earns attention. It keeps forks level through the lift arc, which reduces spills and saves the back-and-forth corrections new operators often make.

“Obviously mechanical self leveling has been around for a while, but not so much in the compact lineup,” noted Walker. “This is the first time we’ve introduced the mechanical self leveling in this series.”

Backhoe Option: BH92A

The tractor backhoe combination is a classic, and Kubota has come prepared with a nice digger for these new Grand L70 tractors. The BH92A backhoe attachment mates cleanly to ROPS and cab models. It delivers more than 9 ft of dig depth with a 150 in. reach from the swing pivot and 180 degrees of bucket rotation. Controls feel smooth, helped by cushioned valves that take the sting out of end-of-stroke impacts. Dual swing cylinders allow careful placement in tight spaces. A hydraulic thumb is available. The tractor’s swivel seat makes the changeover from loader to backhoe quick. The mounting system is fast, which matters when you swap implements multiple times a day.

Maintenance and Protection

Easy tractor upkeep starts with smart engineering. A good example: On these new Kubota loaders plumbing is tucked under the boom, which removes snag points and keeps fittings out of the snow or dirt. The grille guard protects the nose in brush. An optional brush guard adds more coverage. Access around filters and the fan varies by model, but the layout looks friendly. Common-rail injection helps with cold starts and reduces the smoky wake many compact tractors used to accept as normal. Engine Start Security adds anti-theft logic so the machine remains where you left it. Loader removal uses integrated stands, which makes changing or service easier.

“If you decide you want to pull that loader off for maintenance or a specific operation, you don’t need tools,” said Walker. “It’s very simple to drop the stands down and put it in the right position.”

Final Thoughts

These Grand L70 tractors are an exciting way to start off 2026. Acreage owners will appreciate the comfort and the confidence the cameras bring to tight yards and barns. Landscape contractors will use the iHST’s quick shifts to move from precise fork work to brisk transport. Municipal teams will like the cold weather package and the easy training curve for new operators. Horse farms and property managers will enjoy the visibility and loader finesse when the workday mixes bales, grading and cleanup. And not to be left out, dealers will love that these new tractors can be assembled by Kubota in the factory before being shipped out.

“Labor is one of the key challenges that we have in agriculture, construction, manufacturing and dealerships,” noted Manger. “For dealers, service technicians are hard positions to find, and you don’t want to take your best tech who’s working on getting customers up and running and have them assemble a tractor. Some of our dealers want tractors that come in ready to sell where they don’t have to take a lot of time doing the assembly. That’s big. So, we usually have a crated option or assembled option. It’s easier to ship something crated, because you can stack them, but coming preassembled really focuses on this labor component.”

Kubota’s Grand L70 is the premium L that many owners have been waiting for. It keeps the approachable nature of the L Series and adds real operator value through heated and air conditioned comfort, expansive cab visibility and easy-to-switch operational modes. The loader and backhoe options are nice, the winter configuration is thoughtful and the dual camera integration is one of the best I’ve seen. If your current compact tractor leaves you wishing for less guesswork, more feel and extra luxury, the Grand L70 deserves a demo. Availability starts as early as Q1 2026 in the United States.

Keith Gribbins is publisher of Compact Equipment.