Powerful new mini excavators from Kubota are proving that bigger is not always better in the farming industry where its smaller size and manageability is proving to be a game changer.
Farmers are finding that the power-packed Kubota excavators can do anything their larger competitors can do on the farm and a whole lot more like working in confined spaces, between orchards and have the power to remove stumps and vegetation thanks to their high-grip tracks. What’s more they are able to be transported on a small drop side truck, trailer or even a bakkie in the case of the smallest models. Even the farmers most trusted machine, the ever-versatile TLB, cannot nearly match the productivity of the Kubota excavators in applications like planting, irrigation trenching, stump removal 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 agricultural sector. With a product lineup that ranges from 1.7-ton up to 8-ton models with a wide range of integrating aftermarket attachments like augers to adapt the excavators for specific tasks.
“Our excavator market has grown substantially in South Africa and we have more than doubled our sales from 2023 to 2024 with projections for 2025 indicating 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.
The Kubota U50-5 shows it impressive reach and digging depth.
“We have found that our farmers are using our Kubota excavators on work such as bush clearing and rehabilitation of orchards, planting and laying pipelines and trenching for irrigation and foundational work on large sites.
“Bearing in mind that a Kubota excavators 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 farming 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 crops are adapted to prevailing climatic situations and fuelled by global demands. These 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.
