Skid steers are invaluable in the modern construction field. They are versatile, compact, and easy to maneuver. Skid loaders can fit in the tightest spaces because of their economical design. Do you want a super machine that can operate in all terrains? Get a skid steer.
These machines are named skid steers after their mode of control. The first skid steers moved on tracks like those on military tanks. Unlike normal vehicles, skid steers can’t take corners by turning their wheels. To make them turn, the driver increases the speed on one side of the track while the other side remains constant. Therefore, during steering, the machine will skid in the opposite direction hence the term skid steers.
Skid steers are very popular due to their versatility. Usually, they have a bucket at the front, which enables them to scoop earth. Better still, the arms can be fitted with the following:
- augers
- breakers
- saws
- trenchers
- Snow pushers
Kubota is one of the top skid steer brands in the country and beyond. If you are looking to buy a Kubota Skid Steer for Sale, read on.
What is a Kubota Skid Steer?
Kubota skid steer is a versatile construction machine on wheels or tracks. Loading, hauling, digging, and stacking have never been this better. These wheel loaders are fitted with powerful Kubota engines delivering less engine noise, seamless operation, and fuel efficiency.
The exceptional engineering put into skid steer manufacture makes for operator comfort and smooth operation. You don’t have to worry about dust and debris because Kubota skid steers are fully covered. Intuitive controls allow easy handling only next to playing a video game.
Do you need to level some ground? Get a skid steer. Kubota skid steers are suitable for use all year round. These machines will accept multiple attachments, for instance, blades and snow pushers, to clear roads during winter.
Kubota makes two types of skid steers. They both work the same, except they are built on two different chassis to fit various environments. The tracked models, including SCL and SVL, run on tank-type tracks. Tracks are versatile and can move on any terrain, including muddy bogs or rugged terrain.
The second type of Kubota skid steer sits on a wheeled chassis, just like buses and other vehicles. Wheeled Kubota skid loaders are fuel efficient, quieter, and faster than their tracked counterparts.
However, their benefits stop there. Wheels exhibit poor floatation and traction in sandy or muddy conditions. Tracks are more surefooted on rugged terrain like inclines, while wheels are not. Furthermore, wheels are more susceptible to wear and tear while driving over rocky terrains compared to tracks.
Wheeled Kubota skid loaders include the SSV65 and SSV75 models.
What Skid Steers Does Kubota Make?
Kubota has a wide range of skid steers to suit your different needs. Whether you want tracked loaders or wheel loaders, you will get them. The smallest in this list is the mini skid steer SCL 1000 which you stand on to operate.
Here is a comprehensive list of our awesome skid steers.
Kubota Mini Skid Steers
Rated Operating Capacity: 1000 pounds
Operating Weight: 3035 pounds
Power: 24.8 horsepower
Track Skid Steers
Rated Operating Capacity: 2100 pounds
Operating Weight: 8035 pounds
Power: 68.3 horsepower
Rated Operating Capacity: 3200 pounds
Operating Weight: 11299 pounds
Power: 96.4 horsepower
Rated Operating Capacity: 2300 pounds
Operating Weight: 9039 pounds
Power: 74.2 horsepower
Kubota Wheel Skid Steers
Rated Operating Capacity: 1950 pounds
Operating Weight: 6790 / 7055 pounds
Power: 64.0 horsepower
Rated Operating Capacity: 2690 pounds
Operating Weight: 8157 / 8422 pounds
Power: 74.3 horsepower
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some answers to some of your questions.
How Many Hours Do Kubota Skid Steers Last?
A Kubota skid steer loader can easily clock 5000 hours with proper maintenance. That is approximately 209 days of quality service. Depending on care, the hours can either exceed or fail to reach that timeline. Using specified fuel, buying approved parts, and careful operating the skid steers can keep them chugging for the better part of the year.
The work hours of a full-time skid steer are six hours per day which translates to 36 hours per week. However, the number of hours a skid steer records each week varies depending on location. For example, someone moving ice and snow during winter can put more hours on their machine loaders compared to someone moving gravel and sand in a one-time construction job.
Don’t worry about a sudden hike in work hours if you have been busy all season. The time fluctuations depend on the nature of the job and the average hours you work per week.
What’s the Most Powerful Kubota Skid Steer?
The title of the most powerful Kubota skid steer goes to the popular SVL65-2 compact track loader line. The model came to the scene and brought diversity to the construction site and equipment offerings.
You asked for more power, and Kubota packed a large 96.2 horsepower engine into its newest model. You can now move bigger loads, demolish tougher ground and conquer the most demanding construction work.
The compact track loader is lighter fitting in the ROC weight class compared to its predecessors. The front features a slide-up door with a self-leveling function. This ensures that you still access the air-conditioned operator compartment even in the tightest spaces.
The SVL65-2 leads when it comes to smooth operation. This is due to the Advanced Multifunction Valve that enables simultaneous functions. Operators can utilize the feature to control bucket circuits, the auxiliary and boom, completing the job faster.
And the SVL65-2 does not stop there. The powerful engine translates to a larger operating capacity which stands at a whopping 2100 pounds or 3000 pounds at 35 percent and 50 percent, respectively.
How Much Is a Kubota Skid?
Kubota skids are pocket-friendly compared to other skid steer models. The price is dictated by various factors, including the model and whether it is new or used. Expect to invest anything between $44,900 and $99,000.
Which Skid Steer Is Better, Kubota or Bobcat?
Bobcat is the country’s most popular and perhaps the oldest skid steer model. In fact, most people call any compact loader a Bobcat. You might be wondering how Kubota would perform in comparison to Bobcats. Let’s see.
Performance
Although Bobcat is the oldest model in this category, it takes second place compared to Kubota performance. Our skid steers pack much more power, as evidenced by SVL 65-2. It boasts of a 96.2 horsepower engine compared to the 68 horsepower engines in Bobcats. The powerful engine boosts your performance by avoiding downtime and extra maintenance costs associated with Bobcats.
Technology
If you need a construction job done, trust a Kubota skid steer loader to do it. And the best way to get the job done is by giving the operator easy control access. That is where Advanced Multifunction Valve (AMV) comes in.
The technology enables the operator to control the boom, bucket, and other auxiliary parts simultaneously, thus faster job completion. The sliding door with ON and OFF features is another useful Kubota technology. This technology gives Kubota an edge over Bobcats.
The compact design is another plus for Kubota. Engineers put lots of consideration into the machine fitting everything inside a small frame. The result? They made a compact steer that easily fits various construction site conditions, including narrow spaces.
Safety
Bobcat leads when it comes to warranty. You can get a Bobcat serviced for free using the two-year warranty coverage. Kubota also gives you a shorter warranty coverage extending up to 12 months. However, you can get additional Kubota protection using the extended warranty. The optional warranty will cover important parts like hydraulics and powertrains.
Kubota skid steer loaders are safer than Bobcats. They feature an enclosed interior that shields the operator from dust, debris, and other elements on the construction site.
Where Are Kubota Skid Steers Made?
Kubota Manufacturing of America has operated on American soil for thirty years now. Almost one-half of all Kubota branded skid track loaders sold in the USA are assembled or manufactured in Georgia. We are headquartered in Gainesville, a few miles northeast of Atlanta. We are just next door meaning you can always visit us whenever necessary.
What Engine Is in a Kubota Skid Steer?
A standard Kubota skid steer typically has a powerful 4 cycle diesel engine. This engine was designed for use in heavy machinery such as excavators, tractors, and skid steers. Kubota engines meet all EPA standards.
What’s more, the Tier 4 engines are environmentally friendly. This means that its emissions are low since the engine brings off-road equipment to the same level as buses and highway trucks. Additionally, a water-cooled engine is more efficient and cheaper to maintain than other engines.
Kubota is the leading manufacturer of heavy machinery engines, especially those under 100 horsepower. These engines have proven their reliability consistently. In fact, some skid steer loaders have dumped their initial engines for the all-powerful Kubota engines.
Diesel engines fall into two broad categories, namely four-stroke engine cycles and two-stroke engine cycles. Kubota takes advantage of the four-stroke engine, which completes four separate strokes in every full crankshaft rotation. A stroke simply means the full motion of the piston together with the cylinder in one direction. The more the strikes, the more the power.
How Can I Service My Kubota Skid Steer?
We mentioned that proper maintenance is the key to skid steer loaders’ longevity. After buying one, it would be essential to know what to do to keep the machine moving and working.
So, how do you service a Kubota skid steer?
The first thing is reading the operator’s manual that we hand you together with your Kubota skid steer. You don’t have to overthink about maintenance because we got you. Please remember that your equipment needs frequent maintenance checks written in the operator’s manual. Everything you need to know or do is contained in Kubota’s Maintenance Check Points.
The rule of thumb is to conduct daily checks on the following service points:
- Coolant level
- Lubrication points
- Diesel particulate filter
- Air-conditioner cleanser
- Fuel cap
- Oil cooler
- Fuel cooler
- Radiator
- Dust indicator
- Washer liquid
- Battery condition
- Skid steer’s V-belt.
- Tires
- Wheel nuts
- Engine oil level
- Hydraulic oil level
- Fuel level
The machine also needs the following weekly checks:
- Tire changes for wheeled skid steers
- Emptying water holed up in the fuel tank
- Cleaning the air conditioning units
- Cleaning the recirculation and fresh air filters
These lists are not exhaustive, and you can add other relevant items. There are two fifty-hour, five hundred hours, a thousand hour, yearly, and biannual service checks.
Fear you might forget? All these are listed inside the Kubota service manual, which you can download from our website.
Service hours vary according to the age of your skid steer and the terrain of the construction site. Skid steers that put in more hours will need service faster than those operating fewer hours. The same case applies to those working under rough conditions. After reading this, you can now stay on top of your game!
What Attachments Does a Kubota Skid Steer Accept?
In most cases, people don’t buy skid steers to perform similar repetitive tasks. Kubota skid steers are versatile and can accept attachments below:
Fork
Most skid steers, including Kubota, will have pallet forks as the initial attachments. Unlike an ordinary forklift, this fork is detachable to accommodate quick lift equipment. It helps move, lift, and stack objects.
Buckets
Buckets are also common in skid steers and perform similar functions as forklifts. While the forks are suitable for lifting, the buckets are more suited for scooping earth or rocks. Kubota skid steers can work with different buckets according to your needs.
Augers
Do you need a machine that can support an auger arm? Buy a Kubota skid steer. Augers are thin with teeth enabling the operators to dig holes with minimal damage to the surrounding soil structure. Just replace the bucket with an auger, and you are good to go.
Rakes
Landscaping and gardening lovers can also benefit from a Kubota skid steer. Your primary function is to gather sticks and rocks without a costly workforce, and a skid steer can do just that. Just get a compatible rake, attach it to the machine, and you are good to go.
Snow Plow
Snow and ice can pile up on roads and compounds making them impassable. Shoveling everything by hand is tedious and will expose you to the elements. However, you can do so from the warm interior of a Kubota skid steer. You just need to replace its default bucket with a snow pusher. Track skid steers are better suited for the job because they offer better traction than wheeled ones.
