Kubota Tractor Corporation officially introduced its redesigned BX90 Series on September 29, 2026, expanding its sub-compact tractor lineup with five models, increased loader capability, improved hydraulic performance, and new operator controls. The next-generation range delivers 19.3 to 23.9 gross horsepower and introduces several features previously associated with larger compact tractors.
The announcement follows Kubota’s September 28 teaser, which prompted speculation about whether the company was preparing a new BX, B, or MX Series machine. The official release confirms that the manufacturer has redesigned its BX platform, originally introduced in 2000, with a stronger emphasis on material handling, mowing, and year-round property maintenance.
The new lineup consists of the BX2190, BX2390 Deluxe, and BX2690 Premium, alongside two backhoe-equipped configurations, the BX2390S and BX2690S Premium. All five models are scheduled to reach authorized Kubota dealerships in early 2027.
Kubota BX90 Models and Horsepower
Kubota has organized the BX90 range into three principal equipment levels, giving customers a choice between basic mechanical functionality, additional implement controls, and more advanced electronic management.
| Model | Gross Horsepower | Main Equipment |
|---|---|---|
| BX2190 | 19.3 hp | Entry-level configuration, LA355 loader compatibility |
| BX2390 Deluxe | 21.6 hp | LA405 loader compatibility, electronic PTO engagement, hitch position control |
| BX2690 Premium | 23.9 hp | Electronic engine control, color LCD, programmable engine speeds |
| BX2390S | 21.6 hp | Backhoe configuration with new BT604 |
| BX2690S Premium | 23.9 hp | Premium controls, LA405 loader, enhanced hydraulics, BT604 backhoe |
All models use Kubota diesel engines and hydrostatic transmissions, with four-wheel-drive capability and a redesigned operator platform.
The BX2190 receives enough additional engine output to accommodate larger tires and a 60-inch mower deck. This makes Kubota’s entry-level BX more versatile for customers who previously needed to consider a higher-specification model for wider mowing applications.
The BX2390 Deluxe introduces several improvements aimed at operators who frequently switch between mowing, loader work, and rear-mounted implements. Its electronically controlled PTO engagement, three-point hitch position control, and telescopic stabilizers make implement operation and attachment management more convenient.
The BX2690 Premium represents the largest change in the series’ control architecture. Its electronically controlled engine supports programmable operating speeds, enabling the tractor to adapt more conveniently to different hydraulic and PTO applications.
LA355 and LA405 Loader Upgrades
Loader performance is one of the most substantial mechanical improvements in the BX90 Series.
Kubota has introduced two redesigned front loaders, the LA355 and LA405, with higher lifting capability and revised hydraulic operation.
| Front Loader | Published Lift Capacity |
|---|---|
| LA355 | Up to 721 lb (327 kg) |
| LA405 | Up to 904 lb (410 kg) |
The LA405 provides approximately 25.4% more published lifting capacity than the LA355, although the figures should not be interpreted as a direct comparison with the previous BX80 generation.
Both loaders introduce several engineering improvements:
- Dual bucket cylinders for improved bucket operation.
- Revised rollback geometry designed to retain more material during lifting.
- Protected hydraulic hose routing to reduce exposure to damage.
- Redesigned loader cradles for easier alignment during installation.
- Improved hydraulic responsiveness for repetitive loading operations.
On the BX2390 and BX2690, Kubota has also increased hydraulic flow and pressure, contributing to faster loader cycle times and improved response at lower engine speeds.
These changes are particularly relevant for landscaping contractors and property owners handling soil, gravel, mulch, firewood, or snow.
Higher loader capacity alone does not determine productivity. Hydraulic response, bucket rollback geometry, and control precision also influence how efficiently operators complete repeated loading cycles. The BX90 development addresses several of these factors simultaneously.
Kubota has not yet provided enough comparable operating data in its launch announcement to establish the exact percentage improvement in complete loading-cycle times over the preceding BX80 models.
New 54-Inch and 60-Inch Mower Decks
Kubota has redesigned the BX90’s mowing equipment around two cutting widths:
- 54 inches (1,372 mm).
60 inches (1,524 mm).
The new decks feature welded-steel construction intended to improve durability during regular mowing and property maintenance.
Buyers can select conventional pin-on attachment or a drive-over configuration, depending on the tractor and mower combination.
The available Swift-Mount system introduces an automatic driveline coupling mechanism. When the tractor travels over the mower deck during installation, the driveline can connect without requiring the operator to manually engage the shaft underneath the machine.
This system addresses a common inconvenience with mid-mounted tractor mowers: installing and removing equipment when switching between mowing and other applications.
For owners using the same tractor for loader work, snow removal, and lawn maintenance, simplified mower attachment can reduce the time required for seasonal equipment changes.
Side-by-Side HST Pedals
Every BX90 model features a redesigned operator platform with side-by-side hydrostatic transmission pedals.
Instead of requiring the operator to change foot position around a rocker-style arrangement, the new layout places forward and reverse controls next to each other.
The design is intended to make direction changes more intuitive during operations involving frequent maneuvering.
Practical applications include loader work, mowing around obstacles, landscaping, and snow removal.
Kubota has also introduced a flat operator platform and revised lever placement.
These adjustments are relevant to sub-compact tractors because their operators often perform repeated forward-reverse movements in confined spaces. Reducing awkward foot movements and improving access to operating controls can contribute to greater comfort during extended work.
BX2690 Premium Electronic Controls
The BX2690 Premium introduces electronic functions that distinguish it from the lower equipment levels.
Its main upgrades:
- Electronically controlled diesel engine.
- Full-color LCD instrument display.
- Programmable engine-speed settings.
- Joystick-integrated throttle-up function.
- Integrated controls for supported auxiliary hydraulic functions.
The throttle-up function is particularly relevant to loader operation.
Using the joystick, the operator can temporarily increase engine speed to a programmed setting when additional hydraulic responsiveness is required.
This allows the machine to operate at a lower engine speed during less demanding movements, with additional engine output available when necessary.
The joystick also incorporates three buttons, including controls associated with throttle-up and auxiliary hydraulic operation.
The system provides a more integrated operating experience without requiring the operator to repeatedly adjust a conventional hand throttle during every loading cycle.
However, the availability of these electronic functions should not be confused with a fully automated loader system. The BX90 remains an operator-controlled tractor, with the electronic functions supporting conventional hydraulic operation.
New BT604 Backhoe
Kubota has introduced the BT604 backhoe for the BX2390S and BX2690S Premium.
The attachment includes two notable operator-focused improvements:
- A dedicated flip-up seat.
- Automatic stabilizer locking.
The redesigned seating arrangement is intended to simplify transitions between tractor operation and backhoe work.
Automatic stabilizer locking reduces the number of manual steps involved in positioning the attachment for use or transport.
The backhoe-equipped configurations are intended for property maintenance, drainage work, landscaping, and small excavation projects.
Kubota has not published a complete set of BT604 digging-depth, digging-force, and reach specifications in its initial U.S. announcement. Those figures will be important for determining how significantly the new attachment improves upon the previous BT603 backhoe.
PTO and Implement Compatibility
The BX90 Series retains the multi-purpose equipment concept that has characterized Kubota’s sub-compact tractors.
Kubota lists a factory-equipped mid PTO for applications such as mid-mounted mowers, front snowblowers, and sweepers.
The available implement ecosystem also includes loader-mounted buckets, snow pushers, landscaping equipment, and Category 1 three-point hitch attachments.
The BX2390 Deluxe introduces additional functionality through its electronically controlled PTO engagement and three-point hitch position control.
Position control is particularly useful when an operator needs to return a rear-mounted implement to a consistent working height.
For landscaping and property maintenance applications, this can improve repeatability when operating equipment that requires controlled positioning.
The combination of mid-mounted, front-mounted, and rear-mounted equipment enables the BX90 to operate throughout different seasons without requiring separate dedicated machines for every task.
Kubota BX90 vs. BX80: What Changed?
The previous BX80 generation already offered diesel power, hydrostatic transmission, four-wheel drive, mower compatibility, and front-loader options.
The new BX90 therefore needs to be evaluated primarily on how its redesigned systems improve these established capabilities.
One useful reference point is the preceding BX80 loader and backhoe equipment.
| Component | BX80 Series | New BX90 Series |
|---|---|---|
| Loader Models | LA340, LA340S | LA355, LA405 |
| Loader Performance | Up to 820 lb at the pivot pin, measured at 1,500 mm height for LA340 | Up to 904 lb for LA405; measurement conditions require verification |
| Backhoe | BT603 | BT604 |
| Mower Widths | 54 and 60 inches | 54 and 60 inches |
| HST Control | Previous pedal arrangement | Side-by-side pedals |
| Premium Engine Management | Conventional arrangements | Electronic management with programmable RPM |
| Loader Hydraulic Controls | Conventional joystick | Integrated throttle-up and auxiliary controls on Premium models |
The published loader capacities cannot yet establish a precise percentage increase between generations because the available specifications do not clearly establish identical measurement conditions.
For reference, the preceding BT603 backhoe offered a digging depth of 6 feet 2 inches. The equivalent BT604 figure has not been confirmed in the initial release.
The changes to hydraulic response, loader geometry, and electronic control could prove more important than a modest increase in rated engine horsepower.
For operators who spend several hours moving materials, reduced cycle times and better engine-speed management can improve productivity without requiring a substantially larger tractor.
How Accurate Was Our September 28 Kubota Teaser Analysis?
TractorEvolution previously examined Kubota’s September 28 announcement teaser, identifying several possible model families and technical development areas.
With the BX90 officially revealed, that earlier analysis can now be compared against Kubota’s published specifications.
The model identification was among the possibilities discussed, while the technical expectations closely matched several of the announced improvements.
The earlier article specifically mentioned the possibility of a BX90 Series update, alongside potential B Series and MX Series developments. At the time, there was insufficient evidence to identify the tractor conclusively.
The official release confirms that BX90 was the correct model family. The alternative B and MX possibilities were not part of this announcement.
The more significant correspondence concerns the technical priorities identified before the launch.
| September 28 Analysis | Official BX90 Announcement |
|---|---|
| Front-loader configuration appeared central to the teaser | New LA355 and LA405 loaders confirmed |
| Hydraulic flow and loader cycle times identified as possible upgrade areas | Higher hydraulic flow and pressure announced for BX2390 and BX2690 |
| Revised loader geometry identified as a possible improvement | Increased rollback angle and redesigned loader assemblies confirmed |
| Hydrostatic pedal design highlighted as a possible development area | New side-by-side HST pedals introduced |
| Electronic controls suggested as an area to investigate | BX2690 Premium gains engine-speed programming and LCD controls |
| New platform versus cosmetic redesign identified as the central question | Kubota describes BX90 as a complete platform redesign |
Technical assessment: The official announcement validates the earlier emphasis on loader integration, hydraulic performance, and hydrostatic transmission ergonomics. Those improvements form the core of the BX90 release. The prediction was less specific about the exact product family, since three Kubota series were discussed, but the BX90 was explicitly identified as a possibility.
One question remains unresolved: how much of the claimed platform redesign extends to the fundamental chassis, axle assemblies, and transmission architecture.
Kubota has confirmed the platform-level redesign, but a complete engineering comparison with the BX80 requires additional component specifications and operational testing.
The BX90’s most meaningful development may ultimately be its integration of electronic engine management with compact hydraulic equipment. The joystick-operated throttle-up function provides a practical example of how software-controlled engine response can improve operation without significantly changing the tractor’s physical size.
That approach also creates a clearer distinction between the BX2190, BX2390 Deluxe, and BX2690 Premium. Customers can select a tractor based on the level of operating technology they need rather than choosing primarily by horsepower.
Kubota BX90 Pricing and Availability
Kubota has confirmed that the BX90 Series will arrive at authorized U.S. dealerships in early 2027.
Specific retail prices have not been announced.
Final transaction prices will vary according to the selected tractor model, loader configuration, mower deck, backhoe equipment, and optional attachments.
A complete comparison of hydraulic performance, fuel consumption, operating weight, PTO horsepower, and loader cycle times will become possible when Kubota publishes additional detailed specifications.
About Kubota Corporation
Founded in Osaka, Japan, in 1890, Kubota Corporation is a global manufacturer of agricultural machinery, construction equipment, industrial engines, and water infrastructure systems.
The company introduced its original BX Series in 2000, establishing a product family that has remained in its North American tractor portfolio for more than 26 years.
According to Kubota’s published financial results for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025:
- Consolidated revenue reached ¥3.019 trillion.
- Operating profit totaled ¥265.5 billion.
- Overseas revenue amounted to ¥2.334 trillion, accounting for 77.3% of total sales.
- The company employed 52,503 full-time workers worldwide.
- Machinery segment revenue reached ¥2.629 trillion.
Kubota Tractor Corporation, headquartered in Grapevine, Texas, distributes the company’s tractors, construction equipment, utility vehicles, and related products throughout the United States.
Kubota also reports holding the position of the top-selling tractor brand in the United States for 20 consecutive years, based on cumulative equipment transaction data covering multiple tractor categories from 2005 through 2025.


