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Mini Ex Comparison (CAT 305.5 vs. Kubota KX-057)

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etwman

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
We are looking at another excavator. Just wondering what people's thoughts are on this. Both are about 12,000 lb machines.

I just about fell off my chair when I got some preliminary prices on them today new, so I want to make sure I'm making the right decision. We have a U35 now we like and it's been completely problem free.

We'd get the new machine wth an angle blade, thumb, cab, etc.

Thoughts?
 
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#2 ·
These machines are a lot a like in many ways. Both have great breakout force, the control systems are both smooth, with the tie going to Kubota in my opinion. The CAT will give you a better cab, and the ability to dial in your aux. flows if that is important to you. I don't think Kubota has that ability yet. That to me would be enough to tip it toward the Cat. I have not checked but I bet the aux. flows are near equal. If you are simply digging holes and setting rock walls with it, you likely would not notice any of the features that the CAT has over the Kubota. If you plan on running mower/mulchers and other hyd. attachments than the ability to dial in your gpm is very cool. Price being equal and if you plan on demanding little of the machine beyond typical mini ex duties, then it would simply be your choice. If you are going to use multiple hyd attachments and CAT is not overly crazy on price, I would go with the CAT. I would make sure you get a quick coupler. WB has an excellent hyd coupler available.
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
We will most likely be using it for Boulder work, digging footers, and excavation work for Hardscapes. Probably some tree setting as well. At times we will run a breaker on it but not sure how often.

Thanks for the info.
 
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#4 ·
I have always thought of Kubota as the tractor company that went into mini excavator production to get back at Bobcat for making tractors. Cat seems to over complicate their small equipment. We haven't had much luck with cat's compact equipment.
Have you looked at Bobcat mini excavators? My family is in the excavation/construction/utility business and we have around 10 bobcat mini ex's ranging from a 341 to 442. We bought 3 E60s last year with a thumb and they're holding up well. Zero tailswing, quick attach coupler so you don't have to leave the cab unless you have a hydraulic attachment of course, lots of power..etc; a lot of the same features as cat. Bobcat only makes compact equipment so their R&D focuses on compact equipment. Cat is great on the larger equipment but they just don't have me sold on their compact equipment.
 
#5 ·
I've alway sworn by Kubota mini excavators. Solid machines. I have not tried the newer bobcat minis only because I have never liked their equipment. Cat is too expensive around here so never tried their stuff but they look nice. I also worked for a rental company many years ago and we ran Kubota minis (up to 161's) and those things stood their ground even against the idiot homeowner.
 
#6 ·
I have a KX057-4... did you get your price from Marshall? My salesman is Dave Olver, who I recommend.

The KX057 has the ability to adjust auxiliary flow, but I don't find that useful thus far as I run both circuits wide open and haven't had a need to slow down yet.

The KX057's factory thumb pretty well sucks, but aftermarkets are available and maybe a second factory thumb offering now.

I do wish Kubota had the option for a hydraulic quick coupler that uses the standard quick attach ears.

www.youtube.com/RutherfordConLLC I have a few videos of the 57 up. Would be happy to answer any questions.
 
Discussion starter · #7 ·
Didn't get a price from Marshall but maybe I should. I've heard their name around.

I don't personally have anything against Bobcat or others. It's just that we have (2) Cat 287D's and (2) Cat 262's. We also have the Kubota U35. I just don't want to own another line of equipment and have to get used to another set of parts / dealership.

Ever since we got the U35 three years ago I see a lot of other Kubota's in the area, even with excavation companies. Kubota builds a very good excavator, I'm just not sure about the CAT line of excavators yet. We are demoing at 305.5 now and will put the 057 against it tomorrow.
 
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#8 ·
Jarod, Marshall is an awesome dealer to work with. We own land in honesdale where they are located and use them alot. My uncle bought a tractor from them for our land and i know a few others have and all have great things to say
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
Do you have a contact there I could ask for? Thanks
 
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Discussion starter · #11 ·
Just got off the phone with him. He's a good egg, really. He's going to call me back in a half hour with a price.

I've been waiting on the other dealer for a week for a price.
 
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#13 ·
We have 2 Kubota minis

kx 91 with close to 5000 hours only minor issues and 1 drive planetary went out.
kx u45 with 2700 hours not a single issue. This unit has a hyd. thumb

We do light excavating on our scape jobs, dug a couple pools, but this machine is used primarily for digging for paver drives and decks. Where it shines is setting outcropping walls, we do about 1100 tons a year. I do some drive removal concrete and asphalt and have no problem loading semis. Lot clearing with the thumb is such a time saver as well.

I will add another soon and it will be a Kubota.
I have run the Cat a handful of times and seemed equal on power.
 
#14 ·
Friday makes a year I've had the KX057, it's got 419 hours on it currently. It's the biggest (that I know of) that can fit in my dump trailer and turn around inside the walls (albeit they have rubbed when I'm not perfectly aligned). I can also fit the excavator and my 60hp tracked stump grinder in the 20' dump trailer together, which is very handy to me doing tree work. I can grind the stump(s) while the truck is headed to the dump.
 
Discussion starter · #15 ·
All great info guys, thanks. One of the other things I've heard several times is the Kubota mini -ex's are all Kubota made, all kubota parts, etc. CAT mini-ex's are a hodge podge of different manufactuer parts all put together and then the name CAT is put on them.

We have an 057 coming to us tomorrow to demo alongside of the 305.5. The 057 weighs 1800 lbs more, which doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure out it'll be more stable.

More comments are welcome.
 
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#16 ·
I own a Kubota U55 and lease a Cat 305.5 I highly recommend the Kubota over the Cat, much more reliable, new Kubota cabs are very nice compared to the old ones and yes you can adjust the flow rate on the dash.
I have 1300 hours trouble free on the U55 and my old Kubota had over 5000 on it when I traded it in.
The cat has not been as reliable for me, and not as smooth but it is faster...not more productive!
If you get the Kubota go with a WB thumb, the Kubota thumb sucks for boulders. I also would recommend the U55 over the kx 057 for landscaping, basically the same machine with a few inches less reach but better break out force and a tighter tail swing.
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#17 ·
I built a jib for mine, and I have the design and materials ready for an extension on the jib. With the extension I can reach 45' and lift 300lbs over the blade... with the blade off the ground! The machine can obviously do more with the blade down or working over the rear of the tracks (the blade makes a great counterweight).


How did Marshall's bid turn out?
 
#18 ·
etwman said:
All great info guys, thanks. One of the other things I've heard several times is the Kubota mini -ex's are all Kubota made, all kubota parts, etc. CAT mini-ex's are a hodge podge of different manufactuer parts all put together and then the name CAT is put on them.

We have an 057 coming to us tomorrow to demo alongside of the 305.5. The 057 weighs 1800 lbs more, which doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure out it'll be more stable.

More comments are welcome.
Click to expand...
The Kubota mini ex uses their own engines but after that the pumps and everything else come from other suppliers. Yanmar is much the same as Kubota in this respect. They are an engine OEM as well as an excavator OEM. While there may be some advantage to this, but it is nothing to make issue of. All large excavators are built using a "hodge podge" of different manufactures to build the required components. There are companies that specialize in hyd pumps and valves. There is no way any excavator OEM has the money, expertise or time to spend building these components themselves.
 
Discussion starter · #20 ·
I agree, service has alot to do with it. Fortunately we have three decent Kubota dealers within 30 miles of us and one CAT dealer about 10 miles down the road. So we are okay on the service aspect.
 
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