Kubota continues to impress market observers with each release of equipment that bears the Kubota name. The manufacturer has continuously improved upon their equipment with extensive range of enhancements that are not only innovative but also practical.

The launch of their latest 8.5 tonne compact excavator carries this exact sentiment based on the fact that the latest excavator offers excavators provide operators with not just superior performance and operation, but also superior comfort and additional safety.

The next gen mini excavator targeted for the excavator for rental market is fitted with a two-part boom that expands the machine working range significantly and extends dumping range by almost 20 % compared to other machines in its class. The narrow frame of the machine also makes the latest Kubota excavator very efficient and effective when working in tight spaces.

Among the more admirable qualities of the machine that is creating waves in the market is the machine’s hydraulic mechanism. The innovative mechanism allows the operator to manage the machine’s arm, boom, bucket, and swivel all at once which enhances the level of productivity.

The new machine (KX085-5) also has a range of other innovative features such as auxiliary circuitry that enable oil flow adjustment, load sensors for better machine operation and ‘float’ function that eases and reduces difficulty with tasks such as ground finishing. The KX085-5 mini excavator has also been designed in such a way that the cabin is more spacious for its class (wider entrance and a lot of legroom for operators).

Operator comfort is also optimised with a adjustable air suspension seat (deluxe double) that will keep fatigue at bay and coupled with the high resolution full-colour, 7” LCD screen, operators have all the information that they at their fingertips. These features have also been made available for the three and five tonne mini-excavators.

Kubota has expanded its services into the construction equipment and excavator rental market and are currently in the midst of establishing partnerships with foreign construction equipment rental companies that already have a foothold on domestic markets especially in major cities.

A recent report in Business Wire revealed that Kubota Tractor Corporation had announced the establishment of a partnership with CPEC (Compact Power Equipment Centre) through a rental depot that caters for construction companies looking to secure equipment such as excavators, track loaders and other machinery for rent.

This business trend revolving around major foreign manufacturers forming partnerships with local enterprises is rapidly becoming a business norm that has been embraced by industry players due to the practicality of the strategy seemingly benefits all parties.

Other major industry players such as Komatsu, Caterpillar, Bobcat, Hyundai and JCB among others are also working around strategic rental partnerships in order to remain relevant to the industry in terms of ‘value added services’.

Such partnerships have also been observed to bring manufacturers closer to clients that allow manufacturers to look at products from the operator’s perspective and make the necessary improvements to their products.