When Kubota launched its 94hp ME9000 tractor over 18 months ago the sceptics were quick to point out that the Japanese manufacturer’s strengths lay with compact machines for the amenity and construction sectors, not agricultural kit.

But Paul Fairclough – a dairy farmer from Macclesfield, Cheshire – saw things differently. He identified Kubota’s offering as a chance to buy a new tractor at a reasonable price from a manufacturer with a strong machinery background.

He bought his ME9000 in December 2003 and since then it has become his farm”s principal tractor, racking up 750 hours in the process.

When quizzed on his reasons for buying a Kubota Mr Fairclough says the deal, drafted by his local dealer, made it easy for him to see the true cost of owning a new tractor on paper.

“I bought the tractor with three years” warranty and interest-free finance, but the real clincher was that I paid for the three years servicing into the deal.

“The finance allows me to cost my tractor ownership on a weekly basis – 85 a week to be precise – and that includes all servicing costs.”

stalwart

On the reliability front, the tractor has proved a stalwart, says Mr Fairclough.

“There has been one small problem with the brakes, the paddle would occasionally go soft when driving and the dealer is sorting that out. Other than that it has been superb.”

The only time the tractor has been to the dealer’s yard is when it went in for servicing.

visibility

Mr Fairclough particularly appreciates the visibility from the cab – even with a loader attached – and the manoeuvrability of the machine.

“For a four-wheel drive tractor it is very agile about the yard and more importantly it is not thirsty on fuel” he adds.

He uses local contractors for some of the heavier farm duties, but, time permitting, he uses the ME9000 to perform a large share of the work.

The tractor is kept busy all year round tending to the farm’s 200 dairy cattle and followers.

In the summer its duties include working with a 2.7m (9ft) mower to cut grass for silage. Winter tasks include bale handling and hauling a diet feeder.

“During the winter we don”t have the time for muck spreading, so we have a contractor in. But during the summer mowing all the grass leys and spreading slurry for second-cut silage keeps it busy,” says Mr Fairclough.

He intends to keep the tractor until the three-year finance deal has run its course, then he says he is certain to buy another Kubota.

“Kubota seems to have got the mini-digger and compact tractor market sewn up,” he muses.

“Its machines are renowned for reliability and hang on to their value well, so I am anticipating similar results from its agricultural tractors.”

When asked if there was one part of the machine he would change, Mr Fairclough highlights the cab for some attention.

“There is no room for the dog, maybe Kubota could create some space for him in future models.”

fwmachinery@rbi.co.uk