Kubota has rolled out the next-generation of the top-selling mini excavator in the U.S., the 4-metric-ton KX040-5, with more features, a quieter, roomier cab and improved hydraulics.
The new model in the company’s compact excavator lineup runs on a 40.3-gross-horsepower Kubota engine. Specs are similar to the Dash-4 model it replaces, but Kubota packed in a slew of upgrades. It now also gets the new color scheme of black and orange Kubota has adopted on its Dash-5 machines.
In the video above, Bill Holton, Kubota product manager for construction equipment, gave us a walk-around tour of the new KX040-5 at World of Concrete 2025.
One of the big changes is in the hydraulic system, which enables multifunction operation. For example, the operator can travel while simultaneously moving the boom for running an attachment such as a mower. Auxiliary hydraulic flow is controlled by the 7-inch color LCD touchscreen. When the operator selects one-way flow mode on the screen, a third-line hydraulic return is electronically controlled and automatically activated, according to Kubota.
Quick Specs for Kubota’s KX040-5 Mini Excavator
- Operating weight: 9,182-10,075 lbs., depending on configuration
- Engine: 40.3-hp Kubota Tier 4 Final diesel
- Dig depth: 11’ 2.3”
- Bucket breakout force: 9,397 lbs.
- Auxiliary hydraulic flow rate: 17.2 gpm
- Max travel speed: 3.1 mph
- Dimensions (LxWxH): 16’ 8.2” x 5’ 6.9” x 8’ 1.6”
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00:00:00:00 - 00:00:21:29
Bill Holton
Because of the redesign to the hydraulics, we're actually able to multitask better than in previous models. With this machine, I can travel this machine and put a flail mower on the outside, and I can travel along roadside and maintain my edges of the road, cut the grass, maintain ditches and ponds, stock tanks, maintain the fence lines.
00:00:22:01 - 00:00:36:05
Jordanne Waldschmidt
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00:00:36:08 - 00:00:57:29
Bill Holton
This machine is set up with dual auxiliary ports so I can plug them in an auxiliary attachment outside, as well as plug in a thumb and I don't have to swap between. So I've got my thumb and bucket work. I can go do my landscape hardscape work. Concrete guys will use this for their formwork LED lights because it's a dash-5.
00:00:58:01 - 00:01:18:08
Bill Holton
This machine today is set up with our six-way dozer blade option. So we've got three blade options for the KX040. That will include the straight blade, the angle blade or in this case the six-way dozer blade. You can see by its position. We've also got the boom swing feature. This is available in both enclosed cab or open ROPs.
00:01:18:15 - 00:01:31:15
Bill Holton
All our cab units come with a roll up, slide up glass door in the front, adjustable windows on the side.
00:01:31:17 - 00:01:58:16
Bill Holton
It locks in place when elevated. We can take the bottom glass out and stow it here inside the cab. The travel sticks have been lowered slightly. Provide just a little bit more ergonomic comfort as well as visibility to the front area. When I'm digging, I've got increased foot space, increased cab space. Overall, this is one of the quietest cabs in the market for our lineup because it's a dash-5.
00:01:58:16 - 00:02:20:15
Bill Holton
We're coming out with the seven-inch LCD screen on all our Dash-5 units moving forward. This screen, the USB charging port for the phone, phone pocket for convenience, and then all the air vents needed for maximum airflow and comfort inside the cab. This is a full climate control, so both heat and AC things that are inside this monitor that the other dash fives don't have.
00:02:20:15 - 00:02:46:25
Bill Holton
This is new for this machine. I can control auxiliary flow rates just like all the other machines. But this machine now has Bluetooth capable. I can listen to the radio, and I can make and take calls. All through this monitor and speakers in the cab, there is an optional dealer installed kit for a rear-view camera. Standard feature for this machine is going to be the keyless start option, so it's just a key knob, password protected.
00:02:46:27 - 00:03:21:14
Bill Holton
So there will be a passcode that has to be programed in to monitor this little black knob. So here I can switch from the ISO pattern to a backup pattern design in my pattern controls to accommodate any operator's choice of comfort in the field. A fully adjustable seat. It's a nice high back comfort seat. The hydraulic output of this machine has been redesigned, and we've moved the hydraulic valving and bank under the cab, but we've also got sound dampening plates in the floorboard and behind the seat to eliminate a lot of the operator noise, so it cuts down on the operator noise fatigue.
00:03:21:14 - 00:03:41:05
Bill Holton
At the end of the day, you can sit in this machine around eight hours all day long and not be tired with the dash five coloring and design. We've got the same coloring that we have on all the other Dash five machines. Keeping it in the family. Again, maintenance is easy, serviceability is easy. There's a lot of stuff packed into a compact space but organized.
00:03:41:09 - 00:04:05:17
Bill Holton
I'll show you another feature over here on this one. So on the KX040-5, we've also got a grease gun bracket mounted. We've got a fuel fill buzzer. So as I'm fueling my machine, I can grab my grease gun, activate the buzzer. The beeping increases as the tank gets more full. I grab the grease gun. I run down the side of the boom because all my grease mounts, all my grease certs are one sided only on the pins.
00:04:05:20 - 00:04:17:05
Bill Holton
I can run down one side of the boom and hit all my grease and then replace the grease gun. The buzzer tells me when my tank is full, stop the fuel, put the cap back on and I'm ready to go to work.
00:04:17:07 - 00:08:56:02
Jordanne Waldschmidt
For more videos like this, click the playlist on the screen. Now.
00:08:56:04 - 00:09:10:20
Bill Holton
With the Dash five coloring and design, we've got the same coloring that we have on all the other Dash five machines. Keeping it in the family.
00:09:10:23 - 00:09:41:06
Bill Holton
Again, maintenance is easy. Serviceability is easy. There's a lot of stuff packed into a compact space but organized.
00:09:41:08 - 00:09:43:28
Bill Holton
Between.
00:09:44:01 - 00:09:49:04
Bill Holton
Good solid sound. And shut on that hood there.
00:09:49:06 - 00:09:52:07
Bill Holton
I'll show you another feature over here on this one.
00:10:00:13 - 00:10:12:25
Bill Holton
So on the KX040-5, we've also got a grease gun bracket mounted. Previous experiences that we have here is this is what they call decals.
00:10:12:28 - 00:10:40:09
Bill Holton
And I know we've got service decals mounted around the machine for service points. So we've got a fuel fill buzzer. So as I'm fueling my machine, I can grab my grease gun, activate the buzzer, the buzzing, the sound, the beeping increases as the tank gets more full. I grab the grease gun. I run down the side of the boom because all my grease mounts, all my grease inserts are one sided only on the pins.
00:10:40:11 - 00:10:57:22
Bill Holton
I can run down one side of the boom and hit all my grease parts, and then replace the grease gun. The buzzer tells me when my tank is full, stop the fuel, put the cap back on and I'm ready to go to work.
