KUBOTA TECHNICAL REPORT No.58 DECEMBER 2025

RTV-X1130 is a derivative model introduced to expand the lineup of the RTV series. This model is directed towards the work-focused customer who wants the larger capacity of a long-bed model. The development concurrently provided several accessories to expand the model’s functionality. This model has been well received, and the work-focused customer appreciates the option to purchase a model which caters to their needs. In the first full year of sales RTV-X1130 shipments exceeded original target by more than 30 %.

• Long-bed Utility Vehicle
• Folding Side Gate
• Cargo Winch

In this study, we developed a technology to improve thermal comfort within the cabins of agricultural machinery. Given the current situation where the number of agricultural workers is decreasing and the burden on operators is increasing, enhancing cabin comfort is essential. Therefore, we aimed to identify and predict comfort levels and improve them efficiently. Specifically, we used the SET^* index to determine the comfort range and employed analytical techniques to calculate the thermal balance within the cabin and predict comfort levels. Additionally, we proposed ergonomically designed air conditioning ducts to achieve a balance between comfort and energy efficiency. These efforts are is expected to contribute to increased productivity in agricultural work and a reduction in CO₂ emissions, thereby lessening the environmental burden.

• Fluid Analysis
• Thermal Comfort
• Carbon Neutrality
• Tractor
• Combine

In Europe, there is a market for Quadricycle that can be driven on public roads without a license. Kubota supplies the mechanically controlled Z482 diesel engine to manufacturers producing quadricycles, having shipped 17,000 engines in 2024. The EURO5+ vehicle emissions regulation for European quadricycles came into effect in January 2025. The EURO 5+ regulations impose stringent requirements, mandating an 84% reduction in NOx and a 94% reduction in PM emissions. To meet the EURO 5+ regulations, the mechanical Z482 engine adopted an electronically controlled fuel injection system, aiming to achieve compliance through the integration of only essential emission-reduction devices, while considering vehicle packaging constraints and cost competitiveness. We aim to achieve compliance without the use of SCR and DPF, focusing instead on utilizing DOC and EGR systems as exhaust emission reduction devices. This paper will discuss approaches for optimizing the electronic-controlled engine for compliance with EURO 5+ regulations, improvements in combustion through the optimization of the combustion chamber shape, and the development of a compact EGR design that balances EGR distribution performance and installation feasibility.

• Z482-K
• TVCR
• Electronic Control
• Vehicle Emissions
• EURO5+ Emission Regulation

The in-house developed monitoring and control system, “CraftPat” provides a solution for centralized management and visualization of on-site data, such as the operational status and process data of facilities. This has contributed to solving various on-site challenges, including reducing operator burden, cutting costs, improving operational efficiency, managing energy, and ensuring quality control. This time, to respond to the diversification and sophistication of customer needs, we aimed for the next generation of CraftPat. While maintaining conventional high-speed monitoring performance, we achieved enhanced scalability while looking ahead to AI control and data analysis, multi-platform compatibility for clients, improvements of reporting functions, and strengthened security.

• Monitoring and Control System
• Remote Monitoring
• SCADA
• Visualization
• Web
• Software Development

As part of national policy, high targets have been set for enhancing the seismic resistance of trunk pipelines. NS-type ductile iron pipes, known for their excellent toughness and seismic performance, have long been widely used for critical trunk pipelines of DN500–1000. With their widespread adoption, there have been growing requests for easier installation and lower-cost seismic pipelines. To meet these needs, we developed “GENEX,” a new DN500–1000 seismic ductile iron pipe that provides the same seismic performance as NS-type pipes, while reducing installation costs and simplifying jointing.

• Earthquake-resistant Ductile Iron Pipe
• Improved Jointing
• Reduction of Pipeline Laying Cost
• Reduction of Environmental Impact
• Metal Touch
• Boltless Gland at the Pipe Invert

Wastewater surveillance is a method for monitoring infectious disease outbreaks by measuring the concentration of pathogenic microorganisms in wastewater. To achieve the societal goal of building resilience to infectious diseases, we report on a real-world implementation of wastewater surveillance that employed transdisciplinary research. In this research, local governments, interdisciplinary researchers/experts, and Kubota Corporation collaborated to develop the concept and technology while collecting input from citizens and medical associations. As a result, a system is being implemented to enable effective public disclosure of wastewater surveillance information.

• Wastewater Surveillance
• Transdisciplinary Research (TDR)
• Sewerage
• Infectious Disease Prevention