Buyers Beware! Avoid "Gray Market” Used Kubota Tractors

Used Kubota tractors, originally sold in Japan, are being imported into this country. These "gray market" units were not designed for sale in the United States. They were designed and manufactured for the Japan market and imported into the United States by individuals or entities independent of Kubota and without Kubota's authorization.

These "gray market" units are different in several important respects from the tractors that Kubota makes for the United States, and which Kubota Tractor Corporation sells in the United States. These tractors are not ordinarily equipped with important safety equipment such as ROPS and seatbelt, PTO shield, safety decals, or operator's manual. Neither Kubota Tractor Corporation nor its affiliated company Kubota Corporation of Osaka, Japan, provides parts, service or any warranty support for Kubota "gray market" units in the United States. There is no responsibility whatsoever either by Kubota or its authorized dealers for these "gray market" units.

Please be advised that since April 30, 1997, the importation, distribution and sale in the United States of Kubota "gray market" units under 50 PTO horsepower has been prohibited by a General Exclusion Order of the United States International Trade Commission.

Kubota initiated this legal action because the unauthorized importation, distribution and sale of Kubota "gray market" tractors by individuals or companies independent of Kubota adversely affected Kubota's reputation in the United States and with the United States consumer. Following an extensive evidentiary hearing in the Fall of 1996, the United States International Trade Commission affirmed a finding by the Administrative Law Judge that the importation, distribution and sale of these "gray market" tractors infringed upon Kubota's registered trademark, issued a General Exclusion Order prohibiting further importation, and issued various Cease and Desist Orders against the respondents. In 1997, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington, D.C. affirmed the Commission decision.

Kubota intends to continue its efforts to ensure that the Orders of the United States Government, in this regard, are fully enforced. If you have any questions or wish to obtain a copy of this Order, please write to our General Counsel:

Lance High
c/o Kubota Tractor Corporation
1000 Kubota Drive
Grapevine, TX 76051
Phone Number: 817-571-0900

Tips to Identify Gray Market Tractors

1. Check the Model Number:
   • View a list of Kubota tractor models designed and manufactured for the Japanese Market (Gray Market Tractors)
   • View a list of Kubota tractor models designed and manufactured for the US Market (not Gray Market Tractors)
2. Check the labels and manuals:
   • No safety or operation labels are written in English
   • If an Operator Manual is provided, the model number on the face of the manual will differ from the model number on the tractor
   • If a serial number plate is on the tractor, the information on the plate is written in Japanese
3. The tractor may be equipped with Japanese rice paddy tires (much higher thread lugs than U.S. agricultural tires) and information on the tire is written in Japanese
4. Some models have no over-running PTO clutch
5. Contact Kubota Tractor Corporation Customer Satisfaction Department for assistance finding out if your tractor is a Gray Market Tractor.

List of Gray Market Tractors

Below is a list of Kubota models designed and manufactured for Japanese Market.