Kubota KX-121 Review

[tryin]

Well I don't see Kubota mentioned around here much so I figured some may find this interesting. A couple months ago my father and myself purchased a KX-121 with cab ac and heat. So far we are really pleased with the machine. I orginally wanted a Deere JD 50 but with the financing we got the Kubota for 0% and 60 months and that pretty much sealed the deal, saving over $10,000 for the course of the loan.

If anyone is in the market you owe it to yourself to try out the KX-121. So far I think the size is perfect, not to big to do small jobs and not to small to do large jobs, and it hauls pretty well as well. So far we have been using a 350 dodge with cummins to pull it and although it is a full pull the truck does pretty well. Breakout force is excellent and lift capacity over the front is exceptional. What this machine excels in is the blade. Six way blade with replaceable dozer cutter edge and float option. I really didn't think this would be a big deal but let me tell ya, after having it, there is no way I would have one without it. I'm not sure how many ex's have the blade float as well but it really makes cleanup a snap. Controls are very smooth. This machine feels like any large excavator I've run and it is nice to have the aux hydraulic switch on the joystick. We have the hydraulic thumb on ours and it really adds more versility to the machine, especially when removing brush or rocks. The engine is very smooth and pretty darn powerful. I usually operate it slightly above 1/2 throttle and is sips fuel, about 1 1/2 gallon an hour. So far we only have about 50 hours on it but I would buy it again in a heartbeat. AC and heat work well on this machine as well and the cab is really well built. You can work in dusty conditions all day and the inside stays really clean. The only complaint I have is after operating it for a full day my butt is a little sore, it is so much fun to operate that I rarely notice it until the end of the day.

I've run most all of the mini ex's and several larger deere and kobleco's and I can't say I would rather operate any of them over this one. I've always been a Deere guy but I'll have to say, Kubota has come a loooong way.

[stuvecorp]

Thanks for the review but you have to share pictures as well.:)

[zabmasonry]

do you have any pictures of the 6 way blade mechanism

[nedly05]

I've been curious about the kubotas as well, so this review is great, Thanks! I want to try out a 161, not sure performance wise how much difference there is, I know theres a little weight difference. I like the idea of the 6 way blade on the 121.

[tryin]

I'm a little emabrassed to say, I'm not sure that I even have any pictures of it yet. I'm pretty sure I snapped a couple the day I bought it, I'll see if I can dig something up.

The six way blade operates through a simple handle that is slightly behind and to the right of the right of the right joystick. Push the lever up/ down to raise up down, push side to side for side to side, push the "T" button on top and push side to side to raise or lower each corner. You can also push the lever all the war forward until it pops and the blade will float. Makes clean up so much easier because the blade just floats along the ground and helps fill in any voids when the machine is traveling on uneven ground. The button for the two speed is beside the "T" button on the blade lever as well.

If I remember correctly, Kubota has all of it outlined on their website if you click on the six way blade option. I'll see if I can find a link.

[tryin]

This link describes the blade operation better.

http://www.kubota.com/f/products/ce/kx/pdf/kx121_6in1_features.pdf

[coopers]

tryin,

Good review. I've always been impressed with Kubota myself. I've used the 121 and 161 quite a bit and both are well built machines with a lot of power. Maintenance on these machines seems to be a breeze as they never break down. I'm glad to see someone else out there agrees.

[RentalGuy]

I did a demo on this unit as some of my customers have told me that this size of machine is a bit more versatile as you explain. I was impressed with the performance for sure. I admit thought though that I am primarily a Bobcat buyer and have had great luck with them so I will demo the new E42 in March or April to see how Bobcat did with the improvements to this new m-series. My rep said that the E42 goes spec for spec with the 121 so it should be interesting to see. I'll fill you guys in.

[AWJ Services]

Well I don't see Kubota mentioned around here much so I figured some may find this interesting. A couple months ago my father and myself purchased a KX-121 with cab ac and heat. So far we are really pleased with the machine. I orginally wanted a Deere JD 50 but with the financing we got the Kubota for 0% and 60 months and that pretty much sealed the deal, saving over $10,000 for the course of the loan.

If anyone is in the market you owe it to yourself to try out the KX-121. So far I think the size is perfect, not to big to do small jobs and not to small to do large jobs, and it hauls pretty well as well. So far we have been using a 350 dodge with cummins to pull it and although it is a full pull the truck does pretty well. Breakout force is excellent and lift capacity over the front is exceptional. What this machine excels in is the blade. Six way blade with replaceable dozer cutter edge and float option. I really didn't think this would be a big deal but let me tell ya, after having it, there is no way I would have one without it. I'm not sure how many ex's have the blade float as well but it really makes cleanup a snap. Controls are very smooth. This machine feels like any large excavator I've run and it is nice to have the aux hydraulic switch on the joystick. We have the hydraulic thumb on ours and it really adds more versility to the machine, especially when removing brush or rocks. The engine is very smooth and pretty darn powerful. I usually operate it slightly above 1/2 throttle and is sips fuel, about 1 1/2 gallon an hour. So far we only have about 50 hours on it but I would buy it again in a heartbeat. AC and heat work well on this machine as well and the cab is really well built. You can work in dusty conditions all day and the inside stays really clean. The only complaint I have is after operating it for a full day my butt is a little sore, it is so much fun to operate that I rarely notice it until the end of the day.

I've run most all of the mini ex's and several larger deere and kobleco's and I can't say I would rather operate any of them over this one. I've always been a Deere guy but I'll have to say, Kubota has come a loooong way.


Welcome to the Kubota Fan Club.:)

I have a KX161 with the angle blade. I would love to have the 6 way as the angle blade is priceless.

[tryin]

Found a pic! You can see by the JD in the background that the little Kubota isn't all that little!

[ConstSvcs]

What did you end up paying? I was recently quoted in the $46,000 range from my local dealer.

[ioilyouin]

Recently purchased a used U-35 and have been very satisfied so far. All I have is a straight blade, a little articulation would be nice. My only complaint is that the foot pedals for the tracks are hard to utilize.

[Gravel Rat]

Kubota has always had sh!tty travel pedals the 161 I used when I was put on it the travel pedals were horrible. I have big feet those pedals were useless for me. I used my feet on the sticks.

The 161 is a quick machine so you don't get even pressure on the travel sticks your going a direction you don't want to go.

It is what ever you get used to.

[AWJ Services]

Kubota has always had sh!tty travel pedals the 161 I used when I was put on it the travel pedals were horrible. I have big feet those pedals were useless for me. I used my feet on the sticks.

The 161 is a quick machine so you don't get even pressure on the travel sticks your going a direction you don't want to go.

It is what ever you get used to.

I wear a size 13 and the travel pedals where awkward at first but with a few hours in the seat they become an after thought. I also find that they are in such a position that you can run the machine with one foot going backwards which is how I dig so it makes it easy for quick adjustments.

[tryin]

What did you end up paying? I was recently quoted in the $46,000 range from my local dealer.

I'm guessing you are pricing one with out a cab? We paid $55,000 with hydraulic thumb, radio, and two buckets.

[tryin]

I wear a size 13 and the travel pedals where awkward at first but with a few hours in the seat they become an after thought. I also find that they are in such a position that you can run the machine with one foot going backwards which is how I dig so it makes it easy for quick adjustments.

Same here, I kept hitting the front glass with my toes. I don't even mind them now. They are actually pretty good because you can keep your heel on the floor and use your toes on the tabs that stick out or you can put your heel and toe on the entire pedal (what I prefer, and how I usually hit the glass). Overall, I'm fine with it.