In the construction industry powerful new mini excavators from Kubota are proving that bigger is not always better in the construction industry where
In the construction industry powerful new mini excavators from Kubota are proving that bigger is not always better in the construction industry where its smaller size and manageability is proving to be a game changer.
Contractors are finding that the power-packed Kubota excavators can do anything their larger competitors can do on site and a whole lot more, such as working in confined spaces, traversing paved areas without damaging infrastructure and being able to be transported on a small drop side truck or even a bakkie in the case of the smallest models. The ever-versatile TLB cannot nearly match the productivity of the Kubota excavators in applications like trenching, demolition and digging where the excavators not only out-perform them by a wide margin, but also cost approximately 70% less to operate depending on the machines used.
According to Dennis van der Merwe of Smith Power Equipment, the sole distributors of Kubota equipment in southern Africa, Kubota excavators are rapidly growing in popularity as a robust and versatile choice for South Africa’s construction industry. The Japanese equipment giant’s product lineup currently extends from 1.7 ton up to 8-ton models with a wide range of integrating aftermarket attachments like jackhammers and augers to adapt the excavators for specific tasks.
“Kubota’s excavator market has grown substantially in South Africa and we have more than doubled our sales from 2023 to 2024. The latest projections for 2025 indicated similar growth of an additional 30-35% growth. This expansion reflects our strength in the mini and midi excavator segments, where we command approximately a quarter of the market share in an annual market of around 360-400 units in South Africa.
“We have found that small to medium-sized civil engineering firms are using our Kubota excavators on work such as road rehabilitation and foundational work on large sites. They are also finding an important niche in urban areas where manoeuvrability and compactness are essential. In these instances our excavators in the 3-to-8-ton class are chosen for their ability to access tight spaces and avoid the need for heavy transport vehicles. The front blade is also a useful tool in these applications to establish a grade and for site clearing.
“Bearing in mind that a Kubota excavator can achieve nearly twice the productivity rate of a comparable TLB and by comparison cost a fraction of the price of a full-size excavator, this translates to a faster ROI due to shorter work cycles and increased task efficiency,” says Dennis.
He adds that the Kubota excavators are also popular in the rental industry where companies like Talisman includes Kubota excavators as part of their rental fleets. The company’s branches across South Africa have steadily incorporated Kubota’s small excavators into their lineup, attracted by the machines’ durability and low cost of ownership.
For users the advantage of choosing a Kubota excavator is the vast Smith Power Equipment dealer network that covers every corner of the country wherever construction, farming or general industry is present. With servicing, spares and parts available in or near most towns in the country users are assured of the highest levels of aftermarket support for the machines. Added to this is the legendary reliability of Kubota machines which is unsurpassed in the construction industry.
Dennis concludes that Kubota’s presence in the South African market is set to grow as infrastructure development projects get underway and expresses his optimism that pending government and private-sector projects will drive further demand for compact and versatile machinery. Kubota’s excavators are well-positioned to support this growth, providing efficient solutions for large and small projects alike.
<<Specifications>>>
Kubota U15-3
The 1.7-ton excavator has a 9.9KW low noise, low vibration engine and exceptional fuel efficiency. Choice of rubber track and ability to reduce width from 1240mm to just 990mm in tight spaces.
Max. bucket breakout force: 15.2kN(1545kgf)
Max. digging depth: 2310mm
Max. digging radius: 3900mm
Max. digging height: 3540mm
Kubota U30-6
Three-ton excavator with 20.5KW engine compact size and zero-tail swing which keeps the tail of the mini excavator within track-width when swivelling, enabling operation in tight and confined spaces.
Max. bucket breakout force: 30.0kN(3059kgf)
Max. digging depth: 2820mm
Max. digging radius: 4905mm
Max. digging height: 4250mm
Kubota U50-5 / U50-5 Cab
Highly productive excavator with four simultaneous operations the bucket, boom, arm and swing can be operated simultaneously on this 5-ton excavator with 28.5KW allows faster operation in all conditions.
Max. bucket breakout force: 36.5kN(3720kgf)
Max. digging depth: 3560mm
Max. digging radius: 5995mm
Max. digging height: 5630mm
Kubota Extreme KX80-3
Exceptional power in a compact package with 49.7KW engine makes it unbeatable when trenching through compacted soil. With the KX080-3S, elevated productivity levels are certain with 3,880 kg arm forces.
Max. bucket breakout force: 65.2kN
Max. digging depth: 4600mm
Max. digging radius: 7330mm
Max. digging height: 7300mm
<<Sidebar article>>
Mini excavators are tops performers for plant hire
Seeing firsthand how productive and reliable the Kubota excavators that he sells are – has led Herman Meyer, owner of Eastern Cape Kubota dealership, Nels Distributors, to purchase several machines for his own family-run plant hire operation.
After several months in service the two Kubota U50-5 are proving to be worth every cent and are the most hired machines in his fleet.
“My customers often come to me because they’ve seen these machines in action and want to either buy or to rent. They know the performance and reliability they’re getting, which leads them to return for more,” says Herman.
With a growing rental demand Herman has noted an increasing preference for his mini excavators over larger machines, particularly in sizes like the 1.7 and 5-ton models. From construction sites to grave digging, these machines offer an impressive range of applications with many aftermarket attachments like jackhammers and augers available to adapt the excavators for specific tasks.
Compared to traditional TLBs the mini excavators offer several operational benefits for the hire market. They are significantly more fuel-efficient in similar tasks and quicker. This efficiency is partly due to Kubota’s dual-pump hydraulic system, which allocates separate flows for steering and digging power, enabling smooth, uninterrupted operation. Additionally, the excavators can perform at lower idle speeds without compromising power, adding to fuel savings and reducing operational noise a valuable asset on job sites with noise restrictions.
He says that the main areas of operation are in construction and concrete batching but that there is rising demand in landscaping and industrial applications. The machines have also found applications in unique settings, such as site clearing, cleaning chemical storage facility walls, grave digging and foundations.
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