Mini excavators are transforming the agricultural landscape
Powerful new mini excavators from Kubota are proving that bigger is not always better in the farming industry, where 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 dropside truck, trailer or even a bakkie in the case of the smallest models. Even the farmer’s most trusted machine, the ever-versatile tractor loader backhoe (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 outperform 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 distributor of Kubota equipment in southern Africa, these 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-tonne up to 8-tonne 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 to 400 units in South Africa.
“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 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 return on investment due to shorter work cycles and increased task efficiency,” he adds.
The Kubota excavators are also popular in the rental industry where companies like Talisman includes Kubota excavators as part of its 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.
Van der Merwe 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.
Models
The 1.7-tonne excavator has a 9.9KW low-noise, low-vibration engine and exceptional fuel efficiency. Choice of rubber track and ability to reduce width from 1 240mm to just 990mm in tight spaces.
Three-tonne 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.
Highly productive excavator with four simultaneous operations: the bucket, boom, arm and swing can be operated simultaneously on this 5-tonne excavator with 28.5KW, allowing faster operation in all conditions.
Exceptional power in a compact package with 49.7KW engine makes it unbeatable when trenching through compacted soil. Elevated productivity levels are certain with 3 880kg arm forces.
