NEW KUBOTA EXCAVATOR 9 ton

[start2finish]

well I stopped by my dealer today and got a brochure on the new excavator hopefully arriving in March

some specs
KX 080-3
engine
kubota v3800DI 64.1 hp
230 cu in
breakout force, bucket(14,660 lb) arm (8554 lb)

reach at ground level 23'6.3''
loading height 17'2.7''
digging depth 15'1.1''

operating weight rubber/steel tracks 18254/18364

this one looks like a great one.

[start2finish]

I went back and read this one and it was not clear, we have not bought one, but the machine is supposed to be available in March. I thought this would spark more interest than this. BUMP

[ksss]

These 80 size machines are a bit of an oddity I think. I pondered one but at that weight they are difficult to transport, not really big enough for digging foundations yet too big for some of the smaller excavation jobs. Rock Set has one and they would work well for specialized applications such as setting rock but for general use how do you recover your 80-90K investment on a new machine? The extra capacity over a 10K machine would be nice but that is a lot of money for an excavator unless you have a good paying niche market. IMHO. I say all that and yet there must be a market for them since everyone (OEM) has one out. I think if there is a place for new size machine, give me a 14-15K machine. IHI is the only one that makes a machine in this weight class. I think the gap between the 10k and 16-18K machines is too wide. TK makes the TB153 which is 12.5K but I would like a little more weight if I could spec the perfect machine.

[Dirty Water]

There a couple Komatsu PC80's in my area. I've seen them most often used for utility/sewer work in intersections etc, where they need the dig depth but need to clear under traffic lights.

[Gravel Rat]

I think that size will be popular around here the EX-60 Zaxis 80 PC-75 are commonly used in my area it is what we call a mini. They are used for doing the smaller jobs where a 160 size machine won't go.

Its about time there has is some other options beside uhg Komatsu.


Any pictures ?

[coopers]

I must say that the picture I saw of the 080-3 is for lack of better term, ******ed. It looks VERY odd, and the white cab is horrible looking. Not sure if that's just a European thing since it seems to be on Kubota's overseas websites and not the U.S. website. It'll be interesting to see the machine more once they start to unvail it.

[coopers]

Here's the pic...

[Gravel Rat]

From that picture the machine does look a little odd the boom seems to be massive compared to the machine.

[Jamesgateslandscaping]

They're at my dealer already, about $80k. Look like a big machine, but like stated before, to big to landscaping, to small for foundations...

[RockSet N' Grade]

As for the size of the machine...it is an oddity and with that comes some real challenges. You can't tow it behind a pick-up, so you have added expense having a larger rig to tow with. Also, try and fit a 18-20k machine on a trailer with a skid and the problem compounds for regular type jobs. Having that sized machine, you better know your target market. I am the only one here in this valley with that sized machine, as far as I know. I have been fortunate, as this machine fills a needed gap and I have been in demand.......it is a perfect sized machine for me...anything smaller would not perform and anything larger could not access the work areas. Once again, with that sized machine, you better know your target market real well or you will end up sitting in the yard wondering why you don't have any work. My stick and boom look about the same, and if you think you can swing that thing around a backyard like a "mini" be prepared to buy the neighbors fence or replace soffits/overhangs on the homes you are working on. Just some cautionary thoughts from a guy who runs one.....

[RockSet N' Grade]

Another thing to consider on that machine. Once you purchase it and if it doesn't work out, trying to get rid of it may be quite the task and the differential between purchase and resale may be very wide. I would demo it first to make sure it "fits" your needs/market.

[RockSet N' Grade]

Start2Finish, I went and read the specs on this machine at Kubota's website...its all in mm. What is the length of the boom? What is the length of the stick?

[Dirty Water]

A few more pictures
http://www.kubota.fr/IMG/arton672.jpg

If you ask me, it looks a lot like the Hitachi Zaxis 80:

http://www.hcme.com/var/hcme_en/storage/images/products/excavators/midsize_excavators/zaxis80sb__1/9107-5-eng-GB/zaxis80sb_articleimage.jpg

[start2finish]

i have a copy of the brochure, I will see if I can scan it and post the specs. I don't see a measurement of the boom and stick.

as for the use and expense of owning the machine, well we own a KX161-3S now that we bought new early last summer. Dust is a killer for me, but thinking of cutting corners we bought our machine minus a cab. Even owning a machine like this was great to me and I knew it would take some time to make it work. I honestly belived that the machine would sit around under the shed more than it ran. I personally run the machine 90% of the time, one of our employees as well as my partner run it from time to time, but I am in the machine all day most every day now.

Owning the machine has allowed us to do things that were never before efficient much less sometimes impossible. We are clearing lots and digging basements with the 161. we also have dug and completely installed a inground swimming pool. We decided that this was fun to do, but not something we wanted to turn our business to. We enjoy to bigger grading as well as lot clearing. And our machine labors to take down some of the trees we ask of it. I am going to get a cab as soon as possible, the amount of work justifies it. and thinking of an extra 4-5k of weight is very appealing to me. we would haul it behind a 93 GMC 7500 (33,000 GVWR) on a 20,000 gvwr trailer. all the insurance as well as fees and all are already there. No increases in cost except for the machine.

if there are other options like the hitachi 80 then please lets have them

[ksss]

I looked at several 80's. They included IHI, CASE and Kobelco. The Kobelco 80CS was very nice. I actually ran the IHI for a day and I liked that machine as well. I all most bought the IHI instead of my TK. I have not run the CASE 80 it is built by Sumitomo. Looks like a very heavy duty machine.

[crab]

I run a link belt 1600 its been a great machine,good dealer support and very respectable stats, better than Deere/Hitachi in a lot of areas.And priced much better.There worth looking at the guy who recommended them to me had a Hitachi,and i got rid of my cat.I hear good things about kobelco also.

[Gravel Rat]

One of the contractors here has a Zaxis 80 he likes the machine but he does say its not very powerfull. The gray market Komatsu PC75s seem to be popular maybe because they are cheaper to buy.