Built With Farmers In Mind

Kubota Connect 2025, held September 29-30 in Grapevine, Texas, brought together more than 1,000 Kubota dealers from across the country for two days of innovation, customer-driven solutions and a preview of what’s next for the agricultural equipment industry. The event featured a robust products and solutions hub, general session and hands-on ride-and-drive experience, all culminating in the grand reveal of Kubota Tractor Company’s newest flagship lineup: the Grand L70 compact utility tractors.

Media and other attendees got an in-depth look at the Grand L70 series and experienced the tractors firsthand during the ride-and-drive, seeing how the updates improve comfort, visibility and productivity.

Developed with input from farmers and dealers, the Grand L70 incorporates upgrades that address common challenges in the field and improve overall functionality in a compact utility tractor.

User-Driven Design

The Grand L series has a long history of continuous improvement. First introduced in 1994 with the Double O series, the lineup was revamped in 2013 with the launch of the Grand L60 series. Now, the Grand L70 represents the next milestone in that evolution, bringing meaningful advancements in features and technology while maintaining the proven performance farmers have come to expect.

“The way that you build quality and reliability is you continue to reap and improve as you go along,” said Paul Manger, executive director of product marketing at Kubota. “Many of the basic parts of the tractor are just further evolving. They're very similar, but they're a little bit tweaked here and there to make them a little bit better, a little bit more reliable. Even though we have a lot of massive changes, many of the features are consistent.”

Kubota focused on enhancing the operator experience, keeping the core engine and transmission familiar and reliable while integrating new technology.

The Grand L70 lineup includes four models: the 3770 Deluxe at 37 horsepower, the 4270 Deluxe at 42 horsepower, the 3970 Premium at 44 horsepower and the 60 Premium at 60 horsepower; these models replace the former 60 series LE and standard offerings. They will be available in two trim levels, Deluxe and Premium. Kubota also eliminated glide shift transmission and dual-clutch transmission options, reflecting the market’s strong preference for hydrostatic transmissions in compact utility tractors.

Development spanned five to six years with input from Kubota engineers and customer interviews, including operators of competing brands, to identify key pain points.

“We're trying to get a 360-degree understanding of what the market is doing, what the customers are doing,” Manger added. “ And things change, the trends change, we don't want to get caught behind. Really, it starts with the customer and the dealer.”

Comfort Enhancements

One of the most visually notable improvements in the new series is the redesigned four-post cab. From the 60 series, the middle posts were removed to reduce blind spots, creating a “fishbowl” effect. The new cab features an extra four square feet of glass and curved rear glass, improving visibility when the loader is raised to full height.

“That was the first thing that I recognized,” Bobby Cummings, product marketing director for compact utility tractors at Kubota, recalled. “I said, ‘Wow, that's a new cab.’ I immediately recognized it.”

These improvements directly reflect operator feedback that emphasized the importance of clear sightlines when the machinery is in use.

The new cab also features improved ergonomics, including a flat floor, repositioned controls and modular, air ride seats. The controls align intuitively with the movements of operators, reducing strain, and the cab features more room, improving comfort during long shifts.

For those familiar with bitter winds and the nipping cold of more northern environments, the series also offers a cold-weather package, featuring heated glass, LED lights and even remote start. 
A recirculation valve improves air circulation by 36%, enhancing temperature control and reducing dust, especially useful in cold or dusty conditions.

The cab also features new storage options, including a phone holder, cup holder and side file pocket, along with a color K Command display, soft-touch buttons, jog dial and Bluetooth connectivity for modern convenience.

Advancing Technology

Beyond just visual design, the Grand L70 features technology upgrades and advancements aimed at enhancing efficiency, reducing operator fatigue and improving safety.

On the Premium models, a multifunction joystick allows operators to adjust multiple settings on the fly — third loader function, cruise control, speed adjustments, throttle and preset transmission modes — without having to navigate display menus or stopping the machine.

The flagship series also offers optional forward and reverse cameras aimed at improving safety while maneuvering implements or around trailers. The front mounts on the grille guard for optimal sightline, while the rear automatically activates when reversing to reduce accidents.

Task-specific preset modes further support efficiency by allowing operators to quickly tailor machine response for applications such as loader work, snow removal or road travel, reducing setup time between jobs and minimizing repetitive adjustments.

To boost productivity across different applications, the tractor’s intelligent drive systems improve power management and responsiveness. The Grand L70 incorporates Kubota’s Intelligent Hydrostatic Transmission (IHST), featuring stall guard to help prevent engine stalling under heavy loads, along with Auto Hydro Dual Speed that automatically adjusts between speed ranges based on conditions.

By syncing engine and transmission responses, the auto throttle advance feature on the joystick prevents the equipment from stalling when conducting loader work. As the pedal is pressed, the setting adjusts the engine revolutions per minute, simulating automotive-style acceleration. This can be turned off when constant speed is required. The True Drive System pairs Kubota’s engine with IHST to reduce revolutions per minute at 540 power takeoff, improving fuel efficiency.

Implement & Loader Upgrades

Kubota also updated its loader offerings to match the capabilities of the Grand L70 series, introducing the LA806 and LA1056 loaders to replace the previous 805 and 1055 models.

The updated loaders offer increased capability and improved usability, including a tool-free removal system that allows operators to detach the loader more quickly when switching tasks or performing maintenance. The LA1056 loader also adds mechanical self-leveling, providing more consistent bucket positioning during material handling and reducing the need for manual correction.

Additional loader lighting options are available to support work in low-light conditions, improving visibility for tasks performed early in the morning or after sunset. The series remains compatible with a range of attachments, including four-in-one buckets, grapples, bale spears and pallet forks, using a skid steer-style quick disconnect system.

Dealer Support

With the release, Kubota aimed to simplify dealer operations by offering factory-built tractors, fully assembled, ready for operator use.

“Normally in the past, we've always shipped these tractors in crates to the dealers,” noted Cummings. “So the dealer had to unload it with a large forklift, install the tires, install the loader.”

Factory assembly reduces dealer labor, eases strain from technician shortages and improves cost efficiency by delivering machines that are ready to work.

In addition to factory assembly, Kubota provided dealers with early access to literature, QR code–based materials and training programs to familiarize staff with the new features and technology. This ensures dealers can answer questions, demonstrate systems and support service efficiently, streamlining sales and improving the customer experience.

Built From Your Feedback, For You

By opening up a discussion with dealers, operators and users, the Grand L70 series has shaped to be a standout among other compact utility tractors. The series blends multifunctional capability with the performance that serious operations demand, and trim options cater to a range of budgets.

The discussion isn’t finished, however. Kubota never planned to just drop the machine down for dealers and run off to the next thing; they plan to keep in touch and keep dialogues open.

“When customers buy these machines, we'll go visit them, some of them a year afterwards, and we'll say, ‘how's it been?’ We'll ask them how the machines are and if they like them. ‘Are they glad they bought it?’ We want to hear,” said Manger.

Feedback from operators will continue to inform service, training and potential updates, ensuring the Grand L70 evolves alongside the needs of farmers and ranchers.

By combining years of user input with Kubota’s engineering expertise, the Grand L70 balances performance, comfort and modern technology, a machine built from the ground up with farmers in mind. Pre-order details are available through local dealers, with shipments expected to start in February 2026.