Kubota KL controls and starting: dashboard, glow plugs and shifting

A Kubota KL from Japan has more electronics on board than you'd expect from a 1990s tractor. In this article we explain the operation of the Kubota KL step by step: the ignition switch, the automatic glow plug system, the dashboard and the gearbox.

Suitable for the entire KL series: KL21, KL23, KL25, KL27, KL30, KL33, KL36, KL43 and the H variants KL28H, KL31H, KL34H, KL38H, KL41H, KL46H and KL50H.

Starting the Kubota KL: how to do it right

First put the main gear lever, the shuttle lever (forward/reverse) and the PTO lever in neutral — otherwise the starter safety switch will block the starter motor. Push the hydraulic lever forward so the implement lowers. Turn the key to "on": all warning lights come on for about one second as a bulb check, and the glow plug symbol appears on the electronic gauge. The KL automatically controls the glow plug preheating based on engine temperature; as soon as the glow plug symbol goes out, turn the key further to the start position. Release the key as soon as the engine runs — it springs back automatically. Cab models have an additional ACC position for the radio; don't leave the ignition on this position unnecessarily, as it will drain the battery.

Kubota KL dashboard: what the warning lights mean

The panel combines an analog tachometer (with PTO-540 marking) with an LCD screen and a row of warning lights. In addition to the familiar warnings for oil pressure, charging current and parking brake, the KL has indicators for 4WD and 2WD, the AD dual-speed turn, the brake disengagement and — on the MA/MAD versions — the automatic functions: E-auto, auto tilling, Monroe-matic, the Pompa lift automatic, backup (automatic lifting when reversing) and auto-up. If a light doesn't briefly come on when switching on the ignition, the bulb or wiring is faulty — useful to know when buying. After glow plug preheating, the LCD shows the gear position (U-shift) and warns with text messages in case of sensor faults.

Shifting the Kubota KL: manual gearbox or U-shift

The manually shifted version has a classic H-pattern with four gears, a high/low group and a creep group — 16 forward and 16 reverse gears. The U-shift version shifts the main group electro-hydraulically with a push-button lever without needing to depress the clutch pedal; the KL27, KL30 and KL33 thus offer up to 24 forward gears. The shuttle lever on the steering column selects forward or reverse. Only shift the shuttle when (almost) stationary to spare the clutch. The reverse PTO and the four PTO settings are operated with a separate lever next to the seat.

Kubota KL: engine monitoring during work

Keep an eye on the water temperature gauge: if it points towards "H", the coolant is approaching 125 °C and you must immediately let it cool down at idle and find the cause (coolant level, V-belt tension, clogged radiator screen). If the oil pressure light comes on while driving, switch off the engine immediately. Avoid prolonged idling: this causes moisture to remain in the exhaust muffler, and the engine will keep emitting blue-white smoke at the next start.