These tractors are designed to work in Japanese paddy fields. Paddy fields are wet and level. As a result the tractors often have larger wheels than European models to raise them up – and being flat this is not a problem. Taking a narrow tractor on raised wheels onto hills they were not designed to work on will increase risk of toppling. Indeed, some people have quoted Kubotas being prone to toppling following a widely reported rollover of a gray market tractor. Of course, you could buy new rims and tyres assuming the gearing would not be affected – but that adds to costs.

Which brings me to second point – UK tractors have to have a rollbar / ROPS if they weigh over 600Kg. Most of the Japanese market tractors seem not to have them – and the UK imorters do not seem to retrofit them either (hence aforementioned injury). Of course, you can buy them yourself but that starts to raise costs – and may not be approved anyhow – which may invalidate insurance.

Finally, they may not have a type approval for selling in Europe. This can be a problem in some countries (e.g. France) where only approved tractors can be registered for road use. Of course, if you never want to use it on the road this may not be a problem.

So – an alternative view – why I would NOT buy one – and hence have a properly imported road legal B1750HST with ROPS.

Julian