Skip to main content

Kubota’s UK deal for compact machine support

The plant hire sector saw Kobelco expand in Eastern Europe and Kubota raise its UK partnership to a global level. Kobelco Construction Machinery Europe (KCME) has added Kotech in Slovenia as an authorised dealer for the Balkans. Kotech specialises in the sale and service of compact and heavy crawler excavators in Slovenia’s earthmoving, demolition, quarrying and forestry industries. The dealer offers a full service, including rental, repair and maintenance of excavators. Kotech recently sold an SK85MSR to S
June 13, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
Kubota's new environmentally friendly mini excavator, the KX042-4
Meanwhile, in the UK, Kubota said that it has enhanced its partnership with Gap Hire Solutions by becoming its sole supplier of excavators ranging from 0.8-8tonnes.


Glasgow-based Gap Hire company, part of Gap Group, has been providing plant hire equipment for over 48 years and employs more than 1,600 people across 130 depots in the UK. Gap Hire Solutions purchased 900 machines from 1265 Kubota in 2016, thereby earning a place as a sole supplier in what Kubota said was a logical next step in the partnership.  

Gap Hire Solutions said it will phase out other brands’ machinery until Kubota is the exclusive supplier of its micro and mini equipment. The agreement will result in Gap Hire Solutions becoming Kubota’s number one construction customer worldwide.

“We felt this exclusive agreement would be immensely beneficial to both parties,” said Iain Anderson, managing director at Gap Hire Solutions. “They’re virtually bulletproof and many of the other pieces of equipment we work with, such as dumpers, also run on Kubota diesel engines.”

Kubota also presented its new mini excavator, the KX042-4, at this year’s 3579 Plantworx show in Leicestershire in the UK.

The company said that the 4tonne machine “is the most environmentally friendly excavator in its class”. It has a DPF - diesel particulate filter - to ensure a clean exhaust and Kubota’s ECO Plus Mode to reduce fuel consumption. The Common Rail System (CRS) electronically controls the fuel injection timing and amount in stages rather than all at once, for optimal combustion. This results in greater efficiency, better fuel economy and less engine noise.

Certain features of the KX042-4 such as the AUX oil flow with proportional flow control, auto idling, auto-shift and float position, provide the machine with the power and versatility to handle tough jobs with ease and efficiency, according to the manufacturer.

Kubota also exhibited its recently launched KX080-4a, an enhanced version of the KX080-4, which can feature an optional 2-piece boom to offer expanded working range. Also on display was the KX027-4, said Adrian Mann, product manager for construction at Kubota UK.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Meeting engine emission regulations challenges
    February 16, 2012
    New engine emission regulations pose major challenges for engine manufacturers - Geoff Ashcroft reports. The arrival of emissions regulations in January for engines over 130kW has meant that engine makers have adopted varied technologies to meet and exceed those goals. For the end user though, buying new kit that complies with Tier 4 Interim/Stage IIIB emissions regulations is likely to carry additional costs.
  • Emissions regulation leads to efficiency gains
    November 6, 2012
    Innovative technology is use is providing efficient, clean burning engines - Mike Woof reports The development of new diesel engine technology has, for the off-highway equipment sector, been the single most expensive research field for the industry since these machines first started being manufactured. Aimed at reducing the emissions of nitrous oxide as well as particulate matter, in a phased series of stages the engine emission improvements will make major changes to the construction sector. In real world
  • UK Plantworx construction equipment event looking bullish
    September 8, 2014
    The organisers of the Plantworx 2015 construction equipment event in the UK are bullish for the success of the exhibition. With nine months to go before the show opens its doors, 65% of the stand space has been sold already with 140 exhibitors booked. This will be the second Plantworx exhibition and is taking place in nine months’ time at Bruntingthorpe Aerodrome, Leicestershire, UK. Meanwhile only 25% of the space in the working demonstration areas now remains. Exhibitors booked in so far include A &Y Equi
  • Improved excavators from major firms
    January 31, 2022
    New excavators are being offered that offer improved performance over previous generation machines