Kubota will intro several new machines in the first quarter of 2021, including its reduced tail swing U48-5 compact excavator, a 4.8-ton machine designed to bridge a size gap between Kubota’s 4.1-ton KX040-4 and 5.4-ton U55-4.
Check out the video below for a full breakdown or read on after the break.
The U48-5 gives Kubota a machine in the 4.5-to 5-ton weight class “to remain competitive in the key 4- to 6-ton weight class range,” says the company. The company now offers both a reduced tail swing and conventional tail swing offering in the 2-ton to 6-ton weight categories; its current compact excavator lineup includes 13 models.
“Looking ahead at 2021, it’s the ‘year of the excavator’ for Kubota as we’re expanding our construction equipment offering with a new model and several updates to our excavators, in addition to introducing new wheel loaders and attachments,” says Tom Burton, Kubota product marketing director, construction and national accounts.
Burton made his comments during a virtual “Kubota Connect” dealer meeting. Also announced were several updates from Kubota’s -4 series to -5 series compact excavator models, although further details were not given.
Planned intros and updates also include:
- Kubota’s R30 Series wheel loaders will be updated to the R40 Series with improvements in visibility, comfort, stability and loader lift performance. The current three-model R30 Series includes the 47.6-horsepower R430, 51-horsepower R530 and 64-horsepower R630. Two new models will replace prior models and be available in the first quarter of 2021.
- The company will replace its popular SVL95-2 compact track loader — which was consistently one of the top financed CTLs — with the new 11,600-pound SVL97-2. Like the machine it’s replacing, the new SVL95-2 will have 3,200-pound rated operating capacity. Improvements include in-cab technology, enhanced cab comfort and an updated DEF system.
- Together with sister company Land Pride, Kubota will unveil new vibratory rollers, pallet forks and buckets for its SCL1000 stand-on skid steer (compact utility loader), unveiled at ConExpo. Also up for 2021 is a new hydraulic coupler for the company’s KX and U Series excavators and a skid cutter attachment for skid steers that cuts grass, weeds and brush.
Kubota currently has 1,100 authorized dealers in the construction, landscaping and agricultural markets.